When you notice a stain on your mattress, you may wish to reach for the bleach to remove any discoloration or marks. However, did you wonder if it is safe or wise to clean a mattress with bleach? We researched what various experts had to say about applying bleach to a mattress for cleaning. Continue reading to learn helpful tips and tricks about using bleach to remove dirt from a mattress with confidence.
Bleach is a pretty tough chemical cleaner, so be cautious if you will use it to clean a mattress. You can certainly use bleach to remove difficult set-in stains and blemishes on a mattress, but choose it as a last resort. Make sure to dilute the bleach, so it isn't so harsh on the mattress and won't leave behind a heavy bleach scent. Don't forget to ventilate the room when cleaning and work carefully, gradually applying bleach as necessary to get the job done.
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Cleaning & Sanitizing A Mattress
Yellow stains, mold, mildew, and blood can easily set deep stains on a mattress over its lifespan. So, what can you do when you need to sanitize your mattress and eradicate stains? You can reach for commercial cleaners or try using homemade solutions. Many people may desire to use bleach to freshen up a mattress and remove germs and bacteria. However, if you will use bleach, you should take care when using this corrosive, strongly-scented cleaner.
Depending on the type of mattress you have, it might be better to skip the bleach and choose a gentler solution. When in doubt, check the care label on your mattress and do a test patch to check against discoloration or fibers' destruction. Bleach can be very harsh; it is best to dilute it before applying it to a mattress's surface. If you have a memory foam mattress, you should avoid using ammonia or bleach, as this can cause irreparable damage.
When To Apply Bleach
Before you wipe or spray down your mattress with bleach, you should give it a once over with a vacuum to remove debris, dust mites, dander, and dead skin cells. Make sure not to soak your mattress with any liquid solutions because trapped liquids can lead to mold or mildew.
Remember, if you will use bleach, it has a heavy odor, so ensure your work area is well ventilated. You can sprinkle baking soda on your mattress after cleaning it with bleach and vacuum it up after an hour to remove any lingering odor.
If you feel the need to apply bleach to clean a tough stain on a white mattress, make sure to dilute it with water. Apply a test patch of bleach water solution with a spray bottle to the affected area. Wait about 15 minutes before carrying on to ensure that the bleach does not damage the mattress fibers. You can add a bit of liquid dish soap to the mattress to help lift the stain. When working with bleach, make sure to ventilate the area, so the fumes don't linger, and wear gloves.
Please note, if you have a memory foam mattress, you cannot risk applying bleach to clean the mattress. Bleach will be very harmful to a memory foam mattress, so consider steam cleaning instead.
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Alternatives To Bleach
Bleach is a heavy-duty cleaner that can easily damage a mattress if used at full strength. Whenever possible, do consider cleaning your mattress with an alternative to bleach. You can use enzyme cleaners, commercial cleaners, or a mix of baking soda, vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide with some elbow grease to lift and remove stains from a mattress. You may want to consult a professional mattress cleaner in really challenging cases and have your bed steam cleaned.
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How Do You Naturally Disinfect A Mattress?
If you want to naturally disinfect a mattress and cannot use bleach, there are some solutions. You can have your mattress professionally steam cleaned or use a rented commercial steam cleaner. Steam cleaning a mattress helps remove allergens and mites via high heat. Make sure to ventilate the area well and allow the mattress to fully dry before sleeping on it again.
Another method to disinfect a mattress is to spritz it with vodka and allow the mattress to dry. When using vodka, you want to lightly coat the mattress and not soak it.
Finally, use the power of the sun or UV rays to naturally disinfect a mattress. Contact a professional cleaning company that uses UV to clean mattresses. You can also try using a UV wand or the sun to bombard your mattress and destroy any germs lurking about. The type of UV light you need to use is UV-C, which has a wavelength between 200 and 280 nanometers. Be sure to vacuum your mattress, the crevices, and corners very well before applying any natural method to sanitize it.
How Do You Kill Bacteria On A Mattress?
There are multiple ways to kill bacteria on a mattress that you can execute without seeking professional services. For starters, make sure to regularly change and wash your bedding every week to reduce the buildup of sweat, dead skin cells, mites, and germs. You can kill bacteria on a mattress by applying a solution of vodka, bleach, white vinegar, steam cleaning, or exposing it to UV light.
What Causes Yellow Stains On Mattresses?
Over time your mattress takes a lot of impact from years of sleeping on its surface. If you discover any yellow stains on your mattress, it is caused by sweat, body oils, and urine. All of these substances can eventually cause mold and mildew to develop and yellow-colored blemishes. If you see any yellow stains on your pillows or mattress, you can use a combination of dish soap and baking soda to remove them.
Read more at "What Causes Yellow Stains On A Mattress?"
How Much Does It Cost To Have A Mattress Professionally Cleaned?
The cost to have a mattress professionally cleaned may range between $50 to $150, but the average cost is $100. Getting a mattress professionally cleaned is recommended to remove and deter allergens, dust mites, and hard to remove stains.
Understand that the cost of a professional mattress cleaning includes labor and accounts for the mattress size and depth of cleaning. It may be possible to have a mattress cleaned professionally by a company that handles cleaning upholstery and carpets.
In Closing
Your mattress is a significant investment in your life. You spend a good chunk of your life sleeping, so you want to ensure that your mattress is clean and occasionally sanitized to reduce contact with mildew, mold, dust mites, and allergens. It is not recommended to use bleach on a mattress to clean challenging stains because you could damage your mattress fibers. However, you can attempt to clean a mattress with bleach provided that it is diluted enough with water.
Remember, bleach is a corrosive material that should be used in a ventilated space. Also, not all mattresses can handle being cleaned with bleach. When needed, choose a natural alternative cleaner like baking soda, white vinegar, or have your mattress professionally steam cleaned or treated with UV-C light.
Before you take your leave, you might be interested in checking out the following articles:
How To Get Stains Out Of Mattress
5 Best Mattress Stain Removers
