There’s nothing quite like wrapping yourself up in brand new bed sheets before hunkering down for a snooze. But it’s not just your sheets that need to stay fresh - for a healthy night’s sleep, it’s a good idea to keep your mattress fresh too.
When we sleep, we sweat and shed skin (we know, eww). While our bed sheets do a great job at keeping the bed protected and clean, icky stuff can build up on a mattress after a while. This can cause allergies (ever woken up a bit bunged up outside of cold or hayfever season?). It can also affect the breathability of your mattress, making you a bit hot and bothered at night
With everyday costs piling up, splurging on a new mattress just isn't an option for all of us. Luckily, breathing new life into your current one couldn’t be easier. Keep scrolling to find out how to do just that.
How often should I clean my mattress?
This depends on the mattress you have. They usually come with a care guide with a bit more info, but as we spend a whopping third of our lives snuggled up in bed (why does it still not feel long enough?!), we recommend cleaning your mattress every 6 months
What should I use to clean my mattress?
You don’t need any fancy pants equipment when it comes to giving your mattress a bit of TLC. Just grab a vacuum cleaner with a suction tool, a damp cloth, and a stain remover if you have some.
One last thing you’ll need is some good old-fashioned elbow grease. If you’ve run out of that, make yourself a cuppa and dunk at least 2 biscuits in it before setting to work.
What’s the best way to clean my mattress?
At eve, all our mattresses come with a washable and removable top cover. All you need to do is unzip it, whip it off and pop it in the machine at 40⁰C. Once the cover is off for a spin, vacuum up any dust that might have settled underneath and allow it to air out for a bit. If you’re in a cleaning frenzy it might be tempting to wash the inside of the mattress too, but try to resist. This could do more harm than good (so please, put down the sponge and slowly back away from the bedroom). Once your cover has air dried, pop it back on and your mattress will be as fresh as a daisy.
If your mattress doesn’t have a removable cover, that’s when the elbow grease comes in. First, run a vacuum over the top and sides of it with the suction tool. Then grab a damp cloth - and a stain remover if you have it - and gently rub away any marks. You might need to do this a few times to get it looking its best. Just remember not to soak the mattress and only use a damp cloth. Then all that’s left to do is leave your mattress to air dry. This can take a little while, so it’s best to clean it first thing in the morning.
What's the best way to get stains off a mattress?
Time is of the essence when there’s a spillage in the village. First, grab some kitchen roll or a cloth to absorb the mess as quickly as possible. Then zip off the cover and bung it in the wash. If you don’t have a washable cover, a little white vinegar and water rubbed on with a damp cloth can help clear things up.
How can I stop my mattress from smelling?
This is a job for your bed frame. Bed frames with slats are best as they help air to circulate, preventing the build up of damp while still giving your mattress (and your bod) good support.
You can also air your mattress when changing your sheets. Whenever you strip it, leave it in the nuddy for a few hours. And make sure there’s fresh air coming into the room - it’s not only great for your mattress, but great for great sleep too. Great.
How often should you flip your mattress?
Now this depends on what your mattress is made of. Old school ‘open coil’ spring mattresses need regular flipping, around once every 6 months (perhaps time this with your 6-monthly clean). The ones we make at eve, which are the more modern memory foam and hybrid mattresses (a combination of spring and foam), don’t need flipping. But they do need rotating every month or so for their first 6 months in your home.
When is it time to buy a new mattress?
A lot of people have heard the ‘every 8 years’ rule. This is a pretty good guide, as the hygiene, support and comfort of your mattress slowly declines over time.
But if you’re not quite ready to let go of your old napping buddy, a mattress topper is a great way of breathing a bit more life into it. It adds a lovely dollop of squish and support, giving you the sweet dreams you deserve.