It’s time to talk about your bed.
Your bed may be covered in layers: a mattress protector, mattress pad, fitted sheet, top sheet, comforter, throw blankets, and a collection of pillows. And if you’re washing those layers regularly, you might assume the mattress underneath is staying clean, too.
After all, it’s protected by five or six layers, right?
Wrong.
While these layers help protect your mattress, they don’t shield it from the buildup of sweat, skin cells, pet dander, dust, stains, allergens, and other debris. Over time, your mattress can become alarmingly dirty, even when you’re diligent about washing your bedding.
Here’s what’s trapped in your mattress and how PureClean Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning can help.
Why Mattresses Get So Dirty
Despite sitting underneath multiple layers, your mattress can, and does, absorb moisture, collect particles, and accumulate dirt.
Mattresses aren’t necessarily the ideal place for bacteria to thrive, but the hard-to-reach interior and accumulating debris make it possible.
The less you clean your mattress, the more these uninvited “guests” multiply.
What Can Build Up Inside Your Mattress?
As you read this sentence, debris is accumulating in your mattress. Even if you were to wash all the upper layers, it’ll continue accumulating unless you clean your mattress.
Some of the debris that may be trapped in your mattress include:
- Allergens
- Bacteria
- Dead skin cells
- Dirt
- Dried sweat and body oils
- Dust and dust mites
- Food and drink spills
- Mold and mildew
- Pet hair
- Pollen
- Saliva and other bodily fluids
Can a Dirty Mattress Make You Sick?
Having a dirty mattress can trigger symptoms like asthma, persistent cough, itchy and watery eyes, skin irritation, congestion, and more.
These uncomfortable reactions are caused by trapped dust mites, mold, bacteria, and allergens. Because this debris is near you during sleep, day in and out, symptoms will likely remain or worsen until your mattress is properly cleaned. Having debris trapped in your mattress can be especially worse for people with allergies and compromised immune systems.
How to Tell if Your Mattress Needs a Deep Cleaning
You’ll typically be able to tell whether your mattress needs cleaning.
One of the most obvious tells is that it’s been years since your mattress was cleaned professionally. Or, that you’ve never had your mattress cleaned.
Other ways to tell if your mattress needs cleaning:
- Visible stains
- Unpleasant odors
- Increased dust
- Recent spills or accidents
- Pets or children sleeping on the bed
- Regularly wearing shoes on or around the bed
Needing a cleaning can also be determined by how often you use the mattress. If it’s your primary sleeping location, consider that a “yes.”
Can You Clean a Mattress Yourself?
There are absolutely ways to maintain your mattress between professional cleaning sessions. However, achieving a true deep-clean is best left to the professionals and the proper equipment.
You can help keep your mattress clean by regularly cleaning the bedding, using a mattress protector (and washing it), vacuuming around the bed and on the mattress’s surface, and allowing the mattress to fully dry if exposed to moisture.
Even if you’re maintaining your mattress and it looks clean, debris, stains, and odors are set deeply into the mattress, which is unfortunately no match for DIY cleaning.
What Does Professional Mattress Cleaning Involve?
When PureClean Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning handles our clients’ mattress cleaning, our goal is to have you sleeping comfortably on bedding that’s confidently clean, cozy, and fresh.
Here’s what you can expect during our professional mattress cleaning visits:
- Initial inspection. A trained technician assesses the mattress for stains, odors, mold, possible damage caused by moisture, and more, and notes any past professional cleaning. The technician also assesses the fabric type, which determines what cleaning products are used.
- Full vacuum. The technician uses a heavy-duty, professional vacuum to deeply clean the entire mattress, from its top to its bottom, sides, and seams.
- Stain treatment. Visible stains are treated accordingly, with different stain types requiring specialized products.
- Pre-treatment. A cleaning solution specifically designed for, and safe to use on, mattresses and upholstery is applied to the mattress.
- Deep cleaning. The technician uses hot-water extraction to loosen dirt and debris from the mattress.
- Odor treatment. The technician applies a deodorizer if any noticeable smells are present.
- Full vacuum, again. The technician uses the equipment to remove as much moisture and debris as possible.
- Drying. Technicians use specialized equipment to ensure the mattress is fully dry and ready to use.
- Final inspection. The technician performs a final assessment of the mattress, which includes ensuring it is dry.
Deep-cleaning and drying a mattress can be a time-consuming process. It is important that all bedding remains off the mattress until it is fully dry, so as not to trap moisture.
Does Professional Mattress Cleaning Remove Everything?
While professional mattress cleaning gets the job done, it can’t remove mold or reverse wear and tear.
If your mattress contains deep-set mold, then it’s important to discard it. Keeping the mattress, in this case, can cause ongoing sickness and be dangerous to your health.
Physical wear and tear, such as issues with the inner form, springs, or sagging, cannot be fixed from mattress cleaning. These are structural issues and require separate attention.
How Often Should You Have Your Mattress Cleaned?
Having your mattress professionally cleaned depends on use. For regularly slept-on bedding, your mattress should be professionally cleaned every six or 12 months.
You should have your mattress professionally cleaned more often if you’re susceptible to allergies, have pets and/or children sleeping in the bed, or have respiratory issues.
When Cleaning Your Lexington Home, Don’t Forget Your Mattress
It’s not uncommon for people to overlook the deep-cleaning aspect of their mattresses, but it’s an important cleanliness measure that makes a huge difference.
Having your mattress professionally cleaned will help you sleep better and breathe easier, and maintain the integrity of your mattress for longer.
The technicians at PureClean Carpet and Air Duct Cleaning have the skills and equipment to reach tough stains and odors that routine cleaning can’t.
When you’re ready for a deep, thorough mattress cleaning, contact PureClean Carpet and Air Duct to schedule a consultation.
We’re here to help, always.
