Everybody knows that having a good night’s sleep in a freshly scented and clean mattress is one of the key ingredients to staying healthy and happy. But what if your mattress is dirty? Is this something that you can take care of yourself or should you consider hiring Dublin’s best mattress cleaning service to safely do it for you?
Beds are in constant contact with our bodies and, with time, they collect all kinds of dirt and stains. If you are thinking about cleaning some of this mess on your own, it would be wise to look into some expert tips on how to do so before you make some of the most common mattress cleaning mistakes and end up damaging its upholstery along the way.
But is there a way to successfully eliminate all the usual mattress stains and odours, kill all the harmful microscopic organisms and restore your mattress back into shape? Well, experts say that steam cleaning is the way to go. Read on to get a better understanding why.
Should you steam clean a mattress?
Steam cleaning is a process that uses hot water vapour as a cleaning agent and it’s a proven method when it comes to keeping any upholstered furniture clean. Some of the benefits of this type of cleaning include:
- Deep disinfection: Commercial type steam cleaning machines produce extremely high temperatures, and the vapour they make is able to penetrate much deeper into the fabric of your mattress than water or any kind of cleaning chemical could do alone. This leaves no room for any kind of bacteria, mould or living organisms such as mites to survive.
- Stain and dirt removal: In addition to being an excellent disinfectant, hot steam is a powerful weapon when it comes to breaking down stubborn stains, grease and dirt.
- Health safety and eco-friendliness: Steam cleaning your mattress has tremendous ecological and health advantages, as it leaves no chemical residue that can harm your health or the environment.
The one and only potential downside of this type of cleaning is not giving your mattress enough time to dry. Read on to find out why.
How long does a mattress take to dry after steam cleaning?
Prolonged presence of excessive moisture in the bed can lead to the development of mould, which poses a well known health threat. To avoid this, experts say that you are going to need to wait somewhere between 4 and 6 hours before being able to sleep in it as usual.
The amount of time it will need to dry can vary depending on the type of your mattress and general airflow in your room.
How much does it cost to steam clean a mattress?
If you are wondering how much it might cost you to leave this task in the hands of pros, you should know that there are a couple of factors that might affect the price. These are:
- The size and shape of the mattress
- Whether you wish to have only one or both sides cleaned
Luckily for you, a good professional mattress cleaning service can provide you with an online price calculator to help you predict the cost more accurately.
What are some common mattress cleaning mistakes?
When you strip off the bedding to deal with the most recent spill in your bed, you might uncover a mosaic of different stains that you hadn’t even noticed before. To avoid damaging your mattress and causing further complications, it’s very important to know exactly how to treat these stains. And here’s what you should keep away from:
#1 Using water to clean your bed
Whenever there is a spill anywhere around the household, common sense tells you to reach for water and some kind of detergent to wash it off. This, however, is a huge mistake when it comes to treating mattress stains. Causing additional wetness to the mattress should be avoided at all cost, as it can damage its upholstery and provide a breeding ground for mould and other hazardous microscopic organisms.
#2 Using a beater
Most homeowners are well aware of the fact that mattresses contain a lot of dust particles, dust mites, dead skin cells and so on. So, when trying to rid themselves of these harmful allergens, they opt for a good old fashioned mattress beating. This may sound like a good idea, but it’s actually quite the opposite. Not only does it not actually get the allergens out of your mattress, but it is also likely to disperse them into the air, triggering allergic reactions in members of your household who inhale them.
#3 Vacuuming the bed
Vacuuming the bed, of course, is recommended as part of a regular mattress cleaning routine, as it decreases the amount of daily dust and dirt buildup. However, this only works on a superficial level, and it surely isn’t enough to get out all the dirt particles that are deeply ingrained into the thick material your mattress is made of. To fight off this kind of dirt, your best option is to have your mattress cleaned by fully equipped professionals who can provide you with a meticulous steam cleaning service.
#4 Using aggressive cleaning products
Using harsh chemicals to clean your mattress probably won’t give you the results you were hoping for. Not only will they not suffice in sanitizing your bed, but they can also cause permanent damage to your mattress upholstery. Before applying any disinfecting chemicals to your mattress, you should consult the manufacturer’s instructions and use the cleaners as prescribed.
What can I use to clean my mattress?
Mattress cleaning can be extremely time-consuming and difficult, especially if you’re dealing with deep stains. If you can’t spend so much time cleaning or if you’re not sure you can do it correctly yourself, it’s always better to leave this task to a mattress cleaning service.
If you can’t call in the pros right now or if you really want to do it yourself, you can actually successfully clean your mattress with a bit of help from your pantry. All you’ll need is a little baking soda, white vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, dishwashing liquid, lemon juice, and table salt.
Follow these tips to avoid the usual mattress cleaning mistakes and learn how to successfully rid yourself of typical mattress stains and smudges.
Removing bloodstains:
- Pour some hydrogen peroxide onto the stain, and let it “bubble”. Pat it with a dampened cloth and repeat several times if necessary.
- Mix baking soda and some cold water to make a paste, apply to the stain, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Use a damp cloth to remove the debris.
- Mix some baking soda and hydrogen peroxide and apply the blend onto the stain. Let it sit, then wipe it off with a damp cloth.
- Mix 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide, 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap, 1 tablespoon table salt to create a thick paste. Spread the paste over the stain and let it dry. Scrape off the residue once dried. Finish by dabbing at the remaining stain with a hydrogen peroxide soaked cloth.
Removing urine:
- Wet stains: Gently blot the area to keep the stain from setting in. Use a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water to spray the entire affected area. Cover the area with a layer of baking soda and let it sit for several hours. Vacuum it after it dries.
- Dried up stains: Stir together one cup of 3 tablespoons of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Pour the blend into a spray bottle and spray the entire stained area letting it soak into the spot. Leave the solution to air dry for at least an hour.
Other stains:
- Make a paste mixing lemon juice and salt. Apply the mixture to the stain, and let it sit for 30–60 minutes. Wipe off salt with a clean towel.
- Fill a spray bottle with 1 cup of hydrogen peroxide with a few drops of dish or laundry detergent and spray the area generously. Cover with baking soda and let it sit for a few hours. Vacuum when dry.
Where in Dublin can I find the best steam mattress cleaning service?
If you are looking for a trustworthy company with a great mattress cleaning reputation, Emerald Carpet Cleaning is a choice you won’t regret! We are fully equipped and trained to restore your mattress’s former glory using only eco-friendly and child and pet-safe solutions to avoid triggering asthma.
Our online booking platform enables you to schedule your service online in a matter of seconds as well as get an accurate price estimate. Enjoy a relaxing visit to St Stephen’s Green while our expert cleaners do their work. Reach out to us today!