Antibacterial sprays and enzyme cleaners are readily available at your local drugstore or supermarket and can be effective in disinfecting mattresses. Baking soda, white vinegar and even vodka are all common household items that are great for sanitizing and cleaning.
You can sanitize and disinfect your mattress using natural household cleaners or a commercial spray meant to disinfect sweat stains and kill germs. It's best to avoid sprays and solutions that contain bleach as this can damage the mattress fibers. You can also spray an enzyme cleaner on the mattress.
Sprinkle baking soda all over the entire mattress
If you can't put your mattress out in the sun and fresh air, baking soda is the next best thing. Sprinkle a layer over the entire top of the mattress and leave for several hours (or better yet, apply before an overnight trip).
Spritz the mattress all over with a fabric refresher like Dettol® Disinfectant Spray. This will ensure that mould and bacteria don't have a chance to latch onto the damp mattress. The Disinfecting Spray will also help remove any residual odours.
Mix equal portions of water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the solution over your mattress. Avoid making it too wet and let it air dry completely. Then prop your mattress against the wall and spray the solution over the other side.
Our Lysol® Disinfectant Spray kills 99.9% of the germs that are hanging around on your homes' soft furnishings. Its unique cap completely covers large areas without over wetting, making it great for soft surfaces such as your decorative cushions, mattress, sofa etc. To use, simply spray and then allow to air dry!
Sprinkle baking soda over your mattress, and let it sit for at least 20 minutes. Re-vacuum your mattress. Use a damp sponge and a mild household cleaning solution to wipe down your mattress generously. If possible, drag your mattress into a sunny area – the UV light will aid in killing bacteria.
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch says "mattresses are no different," adding the virus could linger between two hours and two days. Dr. Bogoch suggests mattresses can be disinfected with conventional products approved for use against the coronavirus.
Using a disinfectant spray is similar to steam cleaning as it kills germs, critters and breaks up sweat stains. Get a disinfectant spray free from bleach as bleach can damage the fibers of the mattress. Gently spray mist of the disinfectant on the mattress surface. Do not soak your mattress with it.
The best disinfectant may not be the wash, but the drying process. Tumble-drying laundry, including pillows, on high heat for at least 30 minutes is sufficient for killing most influenza germs. Don't hesitate to tumble dry for longer, however.
Just spray a mixture of two parts water, one part vinegar, and a splash of laundry detergent onto your mattress as a cleaning solution. Once you've blotted away any remaining cleaning solution, you can sprinkle baking soda on top of the mattress to cancel out any odors.
» Washable clothes, shoes, stuffed toys, pillows and bedding – Wash these items in hot water and dry them on the highest heat setting possible. (Note: Clean clothes don't have to be rewashed. Just put them in the dryer on medium to high heat for 30 minutes.)
Completely strip the mattress and launder all bedding—sheets, pillowcases, duvet, and mattress pad—in your washing machine on the hot water setting with sanitizing laundry soap. This will also give your mattress time to air out. Wash any dirty clothes you or someone in your household wore while sick in the same way.
Use the hottest wash temperature setting for best disinfecting results. Try using one (or all) of these household products for a strong and effective sanitation: Bleach – Add ½ cup once the wash cycle has started. You should use color-safe bleach for any dyed fabrics, and chlorine bleach for white bedding.
Sanitizing towels and bed sheets
To wash bleach-safe bed sheets and towels, machine wash in the hottest water recommended using a good detergent and ⅔ cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach in a traditional deep-fill washer, or ⅓ cup Clorox® Disinfecting Bleach in a high efficiency clothes washer.
As your mattress gets older, it starts to decay. The main reason for this decay is oxidation, which is caused by exposure to the oxygen in the air. This gradually gives your aging mattress a yellowish tinge. Yellow stains from oxidation don't have a smell and persist despite regular cleaning.
Freshen + Deodorize With Baking Soda
It works best if you let it sit on the mattress, undisturbed, for 12-24 hours. After it has sat, vacuum again with an upholstery attachment to remove all of the baking soda from the surface of the mattress.
Can You Clean a Mattress with Bicarbonate of Soda? Bicarbonate of soda can be used to help clean your mattress, but it can't do the job by itself. It is fantastic for getting rid of smells but doesn't work particularly well on stains by itself.
Simply mix half part water and half part white vinegar into a bottle. Just spray the mix onto your mattress and blot with a damp towel and let it dry before putting your sheets on. We'd recommend simply sprinkling some baking soda on after spraying as well to help with tough odors.
Steam cleaning is the most effective way to get germs and bacteria from a fabric couch. Steam cleaning will sanitize, deodorize, and even break down stains. Doing this on a couch will require an upholstery steam cleaner, not a steam mop. (Also, check the care tag on your sofa to ensure it's steam-clean safe.)
To disinfect, use an EPA-registered disinfecting product or a stronger bleach solution. Clean the surface with soap and water first. Always read the label of disinfecting products to make sure the products can be used on the type of surface you are disinfecting (such as a hard or soft surface).
Baking soda is a good option to deodorize your mattress quickly. Sprinkle baking soda on the mattress, let it sit for 30 minutes to two hours, and then vacuum it up. How do you get a smell out of a mattress? Sprinkling baking soda on top of the mattress will neutralize odors.
Use a 50/50 mixture of cold water and distilled white vinegar. You can also consider adding a few drops of an essential oil, such as lavender or eucalyptus, to help cover up any unpleasant smells. Apply it to the surface of your mattress using a spray bottle, and allow it to air-dry fully.
Clorox wipes are sudsy enough to use for scrubbing, but it's not a good idea to use them on upholstered surfaces like sofas or mattresses. The alcohol in Clorox wipes can stain or fade fabrics.