Your Mattress Collects Way More Grime Than You Think — These 7 Products Can Help
It's easy to go months, if not years, without giving your mattress' hygiene a minute of thought. After all, addressing any of its dirt, dust or stains during your weekly (right?) sheet change can feel like more trouble than it's worth. It turns out the Sleep Foundation , authorities on all things sleep health hygiene, recommend cleaning your mattress at least every six months in order to optimize its longevity and reduce allergies.
Thankfully, you've got tons of mattress cleaning options on the market that make it easier than ever to breathe easier and sleep easier. From UV-powered vacuums to concentrated sprays, here's exactly what reviewers swear by.
Amazon
A UV-C mattress vacuum cleaner
Instead of throwing out your back maneuvering your full-sized vacuum over your mattress, invest in another solid bite-sized option that gets the job done thoroughly. It reaches 140 degrees to penetrate deeply into your mattress' thick fibers and it offers powerful suction to rid the surface of dust and debris. A built-in UV-C light works to sanitize your mattress of microbes and mites so you can sleep soundly.
Promising review:"This little vacuum is amazing. It was easy to set up and to use right out of the box. I turned it on, and I could not believe the dust and dirt it picked up. The cord is long and there is no problem covering a large bed and because it is corded, you don't have to worry about the battery having to be recharged. There is good suction and you see the results immediately. The machine is very easy to clean. Pull it apart rinse dry and it's ready to use again. It also comes with an additional filter for future use." — Jlo Glo
PlushDeluxe
A plush bamboo mattress protector
This mattress cover
won't exactly clean your mattress of existing dirt, but it sure will prevent any more from accumulating. Made of premium bamboo, it's designed to be breathable, noiseless, waterproof and protective against mites and allergens. It's also said to add an extra dose of plush comfort to your bed setup for fewer aches and pains upon waking. Better yet, popping this mattress cover into the wash is far easier than tackling the entire mattress itself.
Promising review: "I don't always write reviews but I recently bought this mattress protector for my new bed. My dog decided to pee on my brand new bed and thank God I had this mattress protector on. There wasn't even a hint of dog pee on my bed and it looked like it was there for a few hours. I threw that away and bought a brand new one. Highly recommend!" — ruth ferreira
Chemical Guys
A mattress stain remover spray
Tackle stubborn stains with ease using this mega-popular mattress stain remover
that doesn't require vigorous manual scrubbing to perform. Simply dilute it into a 20 to 1 water-to-formula ratio, apply it directly to the stain and use a gentle brush or vacuum to manually lift it off. Spray it all around your home for cleaner surfaces everywhere you look and live, from your couch to your car and your rugs to your running shoes.
Promising review: "I highly recommend this stuff for a mattress, car, carpets or anything that needs stain removal! If you have a mattress that has lots of stains, get more than one bottle! Luckily none of my stains were bodily fluids — they were caused by dirty animals in the bed and probably a spill or two by a grand baby. They are mostly pet related, and the mattress had been through several moves in the rain on a dirty truck. Anyways, just get it. Several bottles!" — JDowell
Bissell
A portable upholstery cleaner
It's not hard to see why the Bissell Little Green portable upholstery cleaner
has reached viral levels of popularity. It works to restore upholstered surfaces (like mattresses) back to their like-new state through the brand's proprietary triple-action deep cleaning solution. Simply spray it, scrub it and use the hose tool to suction the mess away.
Promising review: "Works great! So far, I have used it on my couch and mattress. It is so easy to use, and I was amazed at how well it worked. My couch looks brand new and my mattress looks so much better. This little machine actually makes me excited to clean!" — Lawren F
Housmile
A handheld UV mattress vacuum
A medical microbiologist
previously told us
that "[a]n average mattress can have thousands of dust mites that produce millions of droppings," feeding on particles like dead skin cells, saliva, sweat and food crumbs that can exacerbate allergens. The antidote? A mattress-friendly vacuum like this one
, that has a built-in UV sanitation light to remove over 99.9% of harmful particles .
Promising review: "This vacuum cleaner is excellent for cleaning the bed. There are always some hairs, crumbs, and dust on the bed. My child has rhinitis, and dust always makes him sneeze. Cleaning the bed with this vacuum cleaner every morning after waking up is very helpful." — haiting
Clorox
A stain remover that tackles urine
Whether you're in the throes of potty training, live with pets or experience overnight incontinence, you're in luck with this powerful urine remover
. The mattress-friendly solution uses hydrogen peroxide to break down and lift away stains and odors associated with urine accidents, and is designed to leave your sleeping surface smelling better.
Promising review: "I never write a review nor share some of my story. I have a medical condition that causes some accidents, I have tried using every kind of products even pet products to get rid of urine stains. This lifted the stain with ease and my mattress looks SO much better. Very satisfied with this product and will definitely keep it on hand for future use." — Bobbie Bright
EcoVenger
A powerful bed bug spray
If bed bugs have gotten the best of your mattress, have no fear (or any further itching). This plant-powered insecticidal
spray made from a blend of botanicals is designed to kill bed bugs, nymphs and their eggs on contact. Child- and pet-friendly, it's suitable for safe use in sensitive environments, and it claims to leave a residual effect to prevent unwanted visitors from colonizing for up to two weeks after application.
Promising review: "It works! I was traveling and got bitten up one night. When I got home I started experiencing new bites. I sprayed this product on the legs of my bed frame and along where the mattress meets the frame. In the corner and baseboard near my bed. I've been doing this every night before I go to bed. I haven't had any new bites since. The smell of this product is earthy but isn't strong. It doesn't stain the wall or fabric. It's been effective so far!" — Donoven Tribble
The original version of this story was published on HuffPost at an earlier date.
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