You Can Steam Clean Your Mattress

Can You Steam Clean Mattresses

Yes, you can steam clean mattresses with the necessary tools and skills. One-third of our lives are spent in bed; while in bed, we may sweat, spill food and beverages, and release dead skin cells

A mattress cover or protector cannot totally prevent moisture and other contaminants from penetrating the mattress, making mattress cleaning unavoidable

Steam cleaning the mattress at 212 to 250 degrees Fahrenheit (°F) kills dust mites and bacteria and breaks down all stains

Bed bugs are resilient, and harsh chemicals may not kill them. Steaming a mattress for bed bugs at 212 °F or more kills them and their eggs

Below are the advantages of steam cleaning your mattress

Deodorizes Your Mattress: Steam cleaning a mattress neutralizes and removes odors, leaving it completely clean and smelling fresh

Removes Stains: Steam cleaning a mattress is an effective way to easily and quickly eliminate urine and other stubborn stains

Eliminates Impurities: High temperatures in your mattress may create a conducive environment for dust mites, bacteria, allergens, and viruses. Steam cleaning eliminates them instantly

Chemical-free: When steam cleaning, you only need water and a steam cleaner. A commercial steamer is more powerful and heats water to high temperatures. High temperatures successfully remove stains, dust, dirt, dust mites, bed bugs, and other pollens without too much effort

How to Steam Clean a Mattress in 10 Simple Steps

First, check the material of your mattress to see if it can be steam cleaned. If so, strip the bed of the protector and other bedding and wash them

Gather all the necessary equipment and materials for cleaning the mattress

What you need to steam clean your mattress

Vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment

Steam cleaner

Baking soda

White vinegar

Dry lint-free towels

Deodorizer (optional)

Here's how to clean mattress with steam cleaner

Step 1: Strip the Bed of All Sheets, Blankets, and Pillows

Remove the pillows, comforters, blankets, sheets, and the mattress topper to ensure the mattress is completely exposed

Step 2: Wash the Bedding

Machine wash all blankets, sheets, and other bedding. They also absorb sweat, oils, and dead skin cells from your body

If the care instructions allow, use high water temperatures to deodorize and sanitize the bedding. Otherwise, use the recommended temperatures and washing method

You may need to hit up a laundromat with larger washing machine bins or dryers in order to properly agitate and dry bulky bedding and comforters. Or you may want to take some items to a dry cleaner to properly care for

Step 3: Vacuum the Mattress

Use a vacuum cleaner to remove surface-level debris and dirt

Step 3: Deodorize the Mattress

Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress to deodorize it. One cup is enough for a twin-sized mattress, and ½ cup would be enough for a smaller one. A whole box of baking soda would be enough for a king or queen-sized mattress

Increase or reduce the quantity accordingly based on the size of your mattress

To perfume your mattress, add several drops of essential oils to the baking soda before sprinkling it. Eucalyptus, peppermint, or lavender deodorize the mattress and remove dust mites

Add white vinegar to help the mixture penetrate the mattress and remove stains

Step 4: Let the Baking Soda Sit for About an Hour

Allow 1 hour for the baking soda to absorb the oils, stains, and odors. If there are urine stains, allow more time (sometimes even 24 hours) for the baking soda to sit on the mattress to absorb the smell completely

Step 5: Vacuum the Mattress

Use the hose attachment and the rotating brush when vacuum cleaning. Slowly run the vacuum over the mattress

When vacuuming areas that are in frequent contact with the skin, for example, where you lay your head, hold the vacuum cleaner a little longer to suck up the loose fibers, dust mites, dirt, and dead skin

Step 6: Choose a Steam Machine

Use a powerful steam cleaner like the ones used by commercial cleaners such as Zerorez®, which can heat water to 212°F

If you're renting one, check its specifications to ensure that water will get hot enough to do the job. If you cannot afford a steaming machine, use an iron box with a steaming function

Avoid a household carpet steamer; its water temperature isn't ideal for killing bed bugs, bacteria, or dust mites

Step 7: Fill the Water and Heat the Steamer

Most steamers have a wand to apply steam, a tank for water, and a motor to generate heat. Fill the tank with water up to the recommended level

Following the manufacturer's instructions, turn the machine to heat the water

Step 8: Steam the Mattress

Holding the steam cleaner at least 6 inches above your mattress, steam clean from the top left corner. Steam towards the right and then down, ensuring the hot steam covers the entire mattress

Use slow, long, but even strokes to steam clean

Don't steam one spot for an extended time as you could overwet or damage it. If the mattress takes too long to dry, mold and mildew may grow on it, so simply dampen it

Turn down the dial to reduce the amount of steam released if you notice that the machine is overwetting the mattress

Once the top is dry, flip it over. Start the whole process again to ensure both sides of the mattress are clean

If you're lucky to have a one-sided mattress, you won't have to flip it to clean the other side

Step 9: Steam the Sides

Steam cleaning the sides, working from top to bottom, leaves no room for bed bugs, dust mites, bacteria, dirt, and other contaminants

Step 10: Allow the Mattress to Dry

Wait for the mattresses to dry completely for about 2 to 4 hours. If you use too much steam, you may have to wait longer, sometimes up to 8 hours

Use dry towels or a wet-dry vacuum to suck out excess water from the mattress and then move it outside to dry thoroughly under the sun (which has the added benefit of helping lift stains), laying something underneath the mattress to protect it from getting dirty

If there is insufficient space outside, run the fans and properly ventilate the room to shorten the drying time

Step 11: Confirm if It's Dry

Press down the mattress with a dry towel or hand to check if it is completely dry. Allow more time if there's some moisture. Cover your bed with clean bedding if it's completely dry