When it comes to giving our homes a deep-clean, mattresses are something that are often overlooked. But, when you consider that we spend half of our lives lying on them, secreting sweat, oils and drool (sorry!), they should really be at the top of our lists.
If not protected and cleaned regularly, a mattress can build up residual moisture, encouraging bacterial growth and mould. And on top of this, dust will inevitably gather and attract dust mites, which can lead to allergies.
But how do you go about deep-cleaning a matress? You can’t exactly load it into the washing machine! We’ve pulled together some of our top tips for cleaning a mattress, including removing stubborn spills and stains, so you can sleep soundly once again.
#1: Air your bed every day
Making your bed as soon as you get up each morning could actually be bad for your mattress. Every night, we each lose around half a pint of water while we're asleep. Although we breath out some of this as water vapour, we sweat the rest straight into our bedding. Diligent daily bed-makers risk trapping this moisture in their bedding, which creates an appealing environment for dust mites and can also lead to stains.
Instead, when you rise and shine turn back the duvet to allow moisture that has built up during the night to evaporate. If you find you get sweaty in the night, open a window before you hit the hay, which will also help regulate the humidity in your bedroom that mites find so attractive.
#2: Wash bedding at least once a fortnight
Discourage dust mites from taking up residence in your mattress by changing sheets and duvet covers at least once a fortnight and washing them at at a minimum temperature of 60°C.
Use a machine washable mattress protector to help stop sweat or other body fluids coming into contact with your mattress. Wash this once every two months at the highest temperature recommended on the care label.
Don’t forget to wash your pillows and duvet at least twice a year as well. This is important because dust mites and stains can build up here too. Some are machine-washable, but you should always follow the care label directions. Memory foam pillows are usually spot-clean only, but the cover may be removable and washable.
#3: Vacuum your mattress regularly
This might not be nice to think about but we each lose almost half a kilogram of dead skin cells every year and some of this will end up in our mattress.
Again, this can act as a magnet for dust mites. Keep dust and dead skin cells at bay by vacuuming your mattress once a month on a low suction setting, using your vacuum cleaner's upholstery attachment.
The piping along the edges of your mattress can encourage a build-up of dust and dead skin cells, as can buttons, so give these areas special attention.
You'll need to check the mattress manufacturer's care instructions first, though, as some companies claim that vacuuming your mattress can dislodge the filling.
#4: Check if you should turn your mattress
It may surprise you to hear that not all mattresses need to be turned. Some, such as those with an upper layer of memory foam, shouldn't be flipped as they're designed with just one surface to sleep on. However, they do need to be rotated end-to-end every week just after you've bought them, then once every few months.
Spring mattresses need to be both rotated through 180° and flipped weekly for three months after you buy them, then once every three or four months.
If in doubt, check the manufacturer's care instructions. Failing to follow this guidance may invalidate the warranty on your mattress. To help you remember when to flip or rotate your mattress, write a reminder on you calendar or set up a notification on your phone.
#5: Act fast on spills and stains
If you do accidentally spill something on your mattress, it can be tempting to just ignore it. But the longer you leave a stain, the harder it will be to shift, so it's best to deal with the issue as quickly as you can.
Stand the mattress up before you tackle the stain, then sponge the area with cold water, taking care not to over-wet. Blot with a dry cloth, then spot-treat with a stain remover designed for use on carpet or upholstery. Rinse with fresh, cold water, then blot dry.
If the stained area smells unpleasant, add a few drop of disinfectant to the water you use to rinse the stain.
Our 15 favourite Christmas bedding sets to buy this year
SO'HOME Winter Woods Cotton Blend Duvet & Pillowcase Set
If you're not a lover of twee Christmas bedding, then this duvet & pillowcase set is ideal for you. Its gorgeous midnight blue colour is super on-trend right now, and its mystical forest design will give your bedroom a low-key festive feel.
La Redoute St Moritz Alpine 100% Cotton Percale 200 Thread Count Duvet Cover
Fancy transporting yourself to Alps from your bed? This charming St Moritz Alpine themed bedding set will bring a breathe of fresh mountain air to your bedroom decor.
It doesn't get much more classic than this Christmas tree design from John Lewis. We love the delicate detailing, adorned with a skiing scene.
We love reversible bedding sets here at GH, so this cute Christmas dogs one is right up our street. Give your bedroom a festive lift with either an adorable Christmas dog design or if you're feeling something more stand-out, try the red and white pin stripe pattern.
Looking for a subtle Christmas pattern? This sophisticated snowflake duvet set is the one for you. We think this duvet cover set would look great in a neutral or grey themed bedroom this festive season.
furn Skandi Woodland Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set
This monochrome Scandinavian inspired bedding set is a timeless option for those who're looking for one that you can whip out every festive season. Made from 100% cotton, we know you will have a good night's sleep in this cosy bedding.
Set the scene in your bedroom with this hand-drawn festive town Christmas bedding. Capturing snowy topped roofs, majestic Christmas trees, and streets lined with garlands and Christmas lights, there's no better pattern to get you in the festive mood. It's also made using crisp polycotton making this a wonderful duvet set that is soft and hard-wearing for many more Christmas' to come.
Create your own winter wonderland in your bedroom with this cosy tufted tree bedding set. Made from 100% cotton and in a sophisticated forest green colour, this bedding set is a festive essential and perfect for those colder months ahead.
Looking for some child-friendly Christmas bedding sets? Promising to make bed time that little bit more snug, this duvet set features a joyful design of playing in a winter wonderland with ice-skaters twirling, snowball fights, building snowmen and festive sledge rides.
With red robins always being associated with Christmas, we love this seasonal duvet set from Matalan this year. Finished off with striking tartan detailing and a reversible tartan side, this bedding set is all you need to be wonderfully warm this winter.
Transport yourself to the artic every time you get into bed with this cosy duvet cover set. Inspired by traditional Scandinavian prints, this Christmas bedding would slot perfectly into any neutral or grey bedroom.
Dunelm Catherine Lansfield Let it Snow Cotton Rich Red Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set
Give your bedroom a wonderfully twee yet festive makeover this Christmas 2024 with this classic patchwork style bedding set. On the reverse a red and white fairisle pattern awaits you too.
CATHERINE LANSFIELD Christmas Town Polycotton Duvet Cover and Pillowcase Set
Step inside a Christmas town every evening with this stylish Christmas bedding set this winter. The pattern consists of a little town adorned with snow, Christmas lights and decorations. On this fully reversible bedding, you'll also find on the other side patterns of mini snowmen, Christmas trees, and post boxes, reminding you of the magic of the Christmas holidays.
Perfect for adults or children, this fleece duvet set is the ideal 1st of December present. Adorned with a charming candy cane print, this duvet set is made from soft fleece, ensuring comfort and cosiness on those cold winter's nights. No need for heated blankets with this bedding set!
