Cleaning mattresses with soda

Cleaning your mattress with soda is the basic level of home mattress care. Maintenance is essential as the mattress is one of the most used but often neglected pieces of furniture in the home. While we regularly vacuum the carpets and dust, the mattress is often left to its fate. However, cleaning the mattress is essential not only for hygiene, but also to prolong its life and quality of sleep. One proven and eco-friendly way to keep your mattress clean is to use baking soda. This common household remedy can effectively eliminate odors, neutralize bacteria, and even remove some stains. This text will provide you with a detailed how-to guide on why baking soda is the ideal choice for mattress cleaning and what steps to follow to keep your mattress fresh and clean for a long time.

The trade mark POTEMA® defines the branded technology concept of a professionally qualified Carpet Service® implementation company dedicated to the regular maintenance, cleaning, disinfecting, impregnating of synthetic, natural, wool, silk and American-made mattresses, beds and textiles. This branded concept delivers the utmost professionalism in full synergy with maintaining ethical, environmental and quality performance standards, including a contractual guarantee of contractor services.

Why is it important to clean your mattress?

The mattress serves as the main support surface during sleep, during which our body regenerates and relaxes. During sleep, our body produces sweat, releasing dead skin and other microscopic particles that can accumulate in the mattress. The mattress thus becomes an ideal environment for the growth of bacteria, mould and dust mites, which can cause health problems such as allergies, skin irritation or respiratory problems. In addition, accumulated dirt and micro-organisms can reduce the life of the mattress and cause unpleasant odours.

Regular mattress cleaning helps reduce the risk of allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems. Keeping a clean mattress also has a direct impact on sleep quality – a fresh and hygienically clean mattress promotes a healthy and restful sleep, which is important for our physical and mental health.

Why use baking soda to clean your mattress?

Baking soda is an inexpensive, readily available and eco-friendly cleaner that has a wide range of uses not only in the kitchen but also in the home. Baking soda is known for its ability to neutralize odors, absorb moisture and effectively fight bacteria. Its natural properties make it ideal for cleaning mattresses. Some of the main reasons to choose baking soda for mattress cleaning are:

• Moisture Absorption: Baking soda is naturally able to absorb moisture from the mattress, which is key to preventing the growth of mold and bacteria.
• A odor neutralization: Baking soda can effectively eliminate unpleasant odors, which is especially helpful for older mattresses or mattresses that have been exposed to sweat or spilled liquids.
• Fight bacteria: Soda has mild antibacterial properties that help destroy bacteria and other microorganisms that can build up in a mattress.
• Safety and environmental friendliness: Unlike chemical cleaners, baking soda is natural and does not harm the mattress or human health.

How to prepare a mattress for cleaning with baking soda

Before you start the actual cleaning, it’s important to prepare the mattress properly. This step may involve a few basic tasks that will help you achieve the optimal result.

Drying the mattress

The first step is to thoroughly vacuum the mattress. Use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment and slowly run it over the entire surface of the mattress. Focus on areas where dust and dead skin cells may accumulate, especially in the folds and seams of the mattress. Vacuuming will remove coarse dirt and loosen the surface, which will improve the effect of the soda.

Check for stains

Before using baking soda on the entire surface of your mattress, check for any visible stains. If there are, it’s a good idea to first remove the stains in a targeted way (for example, using a mild detergent or a vinegar and water solution) and then move on to a general soda treatment.

Mattress cleaning with soda

Now, when the mattress is ready, you can proceed to the actual cleaning. Below is a detailed procedure on how to thoroughly clean your mattress with baking soda and what other steps to follow for maximum effect.

Sprinkle the mattress with baking soda

Spread a sufficient amount of baking soda evenly over the entire surface of the mattress. For larger mattresses, more soda may be needed to completely cover the surface. You can spread the baking soda evenly over the surface through a sieve, which will ensure that the baking soda gets into all the folds and hidden parts of the mattress.

Let the soda work

After applying the baking soda, it’s crucial to let it sit long enough. Ideally, the baking soda should remain on the mattress for at least 2-4 hours to allow it to absorb moisture, odors, and other contaminants. If you have time, you can leave the baking soda on the mattress overnight for even better results.

Wipe the soda off the mattress

After the exposure time is up, it’s time to remove the soda. Use a vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment and thoroughly vacuum the soda from the mattress. Make sure to remove any residual soda so that the mattress surface remains clean and free of any powder residue.

Repack as required

For maximum mattress cleanliness and freshness, you can repeat this procedure several times a year, or even more often if you suffer from allergies or have pets.

How often should you clean your mattress with baking soda?

The frequency of cleaning your mattress depends on several factors, including whether you have allergies, whether pets sleep in bed with you, or how many people use the mattress. In most cases, it is recommended to deep clean your mattress with baking soda at least twice a year. However, in some cases, it may be appropriate to clean more often:

• Allergies: If you suffer from allergies, it is advisable to clean your mattress with baking soda every three months.
• Pets: If you have pets that frequent your bed, it is recommended to soda clean at least four times a year.
• High Humidity: In areas with high humidity, the mattress should be cleaned more frequently to prevent the development of mold.

Benefits of regular mattress cleaning with soda

Regular soda cleaning of your mattress has many benefits that go beyond just visual cleanliness. Here are a few key benefits:

• Better sleep quality: A clean mattress provides a more comfortable and healthy sleep environment, which can have a positive impact on sleep quality.
• Allergy Reduction: Regular cleaning helps minimize the amount of allergens in the mattress, which is especially beneficial for those with allergies.
• Extending the life of the mattress: By cleaning your mattress, you remove dirt and bacteria that could damage the mattress over time and cause it to wear out faster.
• Feel-good smell: Regular use of baking soda and essential oils will keep the mattress fresh and pleasantly scented.

Cleaning your mattress with baking soda is a simple, effective and environmentally friendly way to keep your mattress clean and healthy. This approach is safe, inexpensive and does not require the use of harsh chemicals. By cleaning your mattress regularly, you will not only contribute to your health and comfort, but you will also extend the life of your mattress and ensure quality sleep.

When should you consider professional cleaning?

In some cases, cleaning with baking soda may be insufficient and it is advisable to consider professional mattress cleaning. Professional cleaning companies use special products and technologies that can remove even deep-seated dirt and bacteria. Professional cleaning is recommended especially in the following cases:

• Bottle stains: If the mattress contains old and stubborn stains that cannot be removed by conventional means.
• Large soiling: If the mattress has been subjected to heavy soiling, for example after an accident with liquids.
• Allergies and health problems: If you suffer from allergies or respiratory problems, professional cleaning can help eliminate allergens

Cleaning and regular disinfection of mattresses

The mattress is one of the most important elements of our home, having a major impact on our health, well-being and quality of sleep. When choosing a mattress, we pay close attention to its material, hardness and ability to adapt to the shape of the body. Unfortunately, we often forget that we also need to care for and clean the mattress regularly. Although many people don’t realise it, a mattress can become an ideal environment for dust mites, bacteria, mould and other dirt. In this text, we’ll explain why regular mattress cleaning is important, what your options are, and how to choose the best mattress cleaner.

Mattress Vacuuming & Knocking: Professional vacuums with a HEPA filter and HEPA bag must have an electric vibrating knocking head. This technology of KIRBY® / HYLA® vacuum cleaners makes it possible to remove surface mold spores, dust mites by dry method from the mattress surface.

Cleaning with special chemical cleaners: Professional antibacterial disinfectants and cleaners from the manufacturer and brand POTEMA® / Dr. Schutz® bring an environmentally friendly, anti-allergenic way of disinfecting mattress surfaces.

UV-C lamp: We recommend entrusting your mattress to industry professionals who have a UV-C germicidal mattress lamp. UV lamps that produce UVC radiation are designed to be used safely on mattress surfaces and other household items. The radiant energy of the UVC radiation acts directly on microorganisms that reside on the surface and top layer of the mattress. The disinfection process usually takes several minutes, during which time the lamp kills up to 99.9% of the bacteria and other harmful organisms present.

OZON: we recommend entrusting your mattress to industry professionals who have the BIO-OZON® vacuum cleaning system. The disinfecting properties of ozone result from its ability to oxidize molecules in the cells of bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms. When ozone comes into contact with these pathogens, it disrupts the cell membrane or wall of the microorganism, leading to its decomposition and subsequent death. This process works similarly to the action of conventional disinfectants, but without the use of chemicals, which is beneficial for people who prefer natural and eco-friendly solutions.

In indoor applications such as mattress cleaning, ozone not only kills bacteria and viruses, but also mites, mold spores and other allergens. Its ability to destroy harmful microorganisms without toxic residues makes it ideal for the environment in which we sleep and rest.

Allergens, mold spores, bacteria, viruses and dust mites are not only a hygiene problem in mattresses, but also a health problem. But with proper prevention, maintenance and the right choice of mattress, the risks can be significantly reduced. Even the thickest sheets and blankets cannot protect us from micro-particles. Dust mites or moulds, which often number up to one million and produce allergy-causing faeces that settle in our mouths, noses, eyes, etc. every time we move. In addition to the allergy manifesting as itching, mucous membrane inflammation, bronchitis, asthma and shortness of breath can be added. This condition can be prevented by professional cleaning and deep dry disinfection thanks to UV-C radiation or vacuum ozonation of the mattress with thorough machine vacuuming and above all regular maintenance.