Short answer: use a washable protector, wash bedding hot every week, air the mattress when you change the sheets, and vacuum it every month or two. Have it professionally cleaned once or twice a year, ideally at the end of summer.
What summer does to a mattress
On a run of hot nights a sleeper loses a lot of moisture, and some of it goes through the sheets into the mattress. With it go body oils and skin flakes. Over time that produces:
- Yellow sweat marks on the surface
- A stale smell, strongest when the bed is stripped
- Dust mites, which feed on skin flakes and need moisture to thrive
Dust mite allergen is a common trigger for asthma, eczema and year-round hay fever symptoms.
A simple routine
- Fit a washable mattress protector and wash it monthly.
- Wash sheets and pillowcases hot each week. Around 60 degrees is what kills mites.
- Strip the bed and leave it bare for a few hours on changeover day, with the window open.
- Vacuum the mattress every month or two, using the upholstery tool and slow passes.
- Rotate the mattress every few months if the maker recommends it.
- Keep the bedroom ventilated. Mites do poorly in dry air.
Dealing with a fresh stain
Blot, do not rub. Use as little liquid as you can, because a mattress is slow to dry inside. For urine, sweat and other body stains, an enzyme cleaner works best. Let the mattress dry fully before making the bed. A fan helps.
When to have it professionally cleaned
- Once or twice a year as routine
- After illness, or a child or pet accident
- When allergy symptoms are worse in bed or on waking
- When you move into a furnished rental or buy a second-hand bed
Professional cleaning extracts soil, sweat residue and allergen from the surface layers. A morning appointment gives the mattress the day to dry.
See mattress cleaning in Adelaide. Bedroom carpet holds the same allergens, so many people book carpet cleaning at the same visit. For allergy households, see carpets and hay fever season.
FAQs
How often should a mattress be cleaned?
Vacuum it every month or two, and have it professionally cleaned every 6 to 12 months.
Can sweat stains be removed from a mattress?
Recent ones usually lighten well. Old yellowing may fade but not disappear entirely.
Does a mattress protector stop dust mites?
It reduces what reaches the mattress and is easy to wash hot, which keeps numbers down. It does not eliminate them.
