What used to be a rarity across American households is now slowly becoming a reality. Yes, it’s organic bedding we are talking about. About 20 million Americans (mostly around the age group of 18 and above) complain of chronic backache and sleep issues, adding to the demand for organic mattresses. On the global front, things aren’t different either. Busy professionals who can’t help but spend a reasonable amount of time in front of computers reportedly suffer from spondylitis, lordosis, and related disorders. No wonder the CAGR for organic mattresses is expected to reach around 5.2% by the end of 2025. With daily stress, an imbalanced diet, and a poor work schedule, good-quality sleep is hard to come by. Thus, investing in a latex mattress is an excellent choice to reverse the odds. The only glitch is the cleaning and maintenance part which keeps most customers guessing. While a latex mattress tops your choice for organic bedding, it runs a negative reputation for sagging, smelling, and attracting dirt and grime. Fret not! A few tricks will help you get around such problems, nice and easy. Here are five functional and eco-friendly tips for cleaning and drying your latex mattress.
Starting With Vacuuming Your Latex mattress
While there are multiple ways to clean your latex mattress, always start by vacuuming. A thorough vacuuming ensures the removal of dead skin, surface dirt, mites, and grime that usually gets trapped within the latex. A handheld vacuum fitted with an upholstery attachment will do just fine. Make sure to run it across evenly and don’t miss the corners.
Baking Soda To The Rescue
Looking to get rid of stains and foul smell? There’s nothing in comparison to baking soda. Cleaning your natural latex mattress with baking soda is a fairly simple process.
- Sprinkle baking soda in a small amount all across the latex mattress. Concentrate on areas with heavy stains.
- Allow it to sit for a while (20-30 minutes should do it).
- To treat tough stains, you will need to mix the soda in warm water and form a paste.
- Start by scrubbing gently and leave things to dry.
- Run your vacuum cleaner over the areas sprinkled with baking soda, and you are done!
- Let it dry naturally.
Try Hydrogen Peroxide
Seeing big blobs and stubborn stains on your latex mattress? Try combining baking soda with Hydrogen Peroxide. The mixture can cut right through old, nasty stains where everything else fails. However, you must exercise caution when using hydrogen peroxide as it’s a powerful cleaning agent and can damage substances. So, always use it in low quantities. Here’s what you need to do:
- Start with a solution of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide in a 3:4 ratio. Add a little bit of dish cleaner liquid as well.
- Transfer the solution to a small spray bottle and apply it across your latex mattress. Work on a small area to play safe and watch for any damage or color fading.
- Leave things to dry for just over 5-10 minutes.
- Grab a damp cloth or a sponge to rinse away the stains gently.
Say Yes To White Vinegar
Like baking soda, white vinegar is also a natural cleaning agent to treat latex mattresses.
- Start by mixing white vinegar and water in equal proportions.
- Get the mix in a small spray bottle and apply to areas with the most stains.
- Let things sit for a while (25-20 mins) before you can start rubbing at it with a damp cloth.
- When using vinegar to clean urine stains, you might get watery-eyed from the fumes it produces. So, always perform this in an open area.
The Good Old Laundry Detergent
Yes, laundry detergent is also a good option to clean a natural latex mattress. But, make sure it uses non-toxic ingredients.
- Start by mixing a few drops of laundry detergent with cold water.
- Pick a clean cloth and start rubbing across your latex mattress, especially in areas with heavy stains.
- Wait for 20-30 mins to dry, then gently rinse off.
Consider Steam Cleaning
Got a steam cleaner at home? Or a steam cleaning store nearby? You can totally opt for it to clean your natural latex mattress. Steam cleaners pack the right punch for cleaning organic bedding, as they can easily do away with tough stains, including urine and blood. Besides, it also kills all surface bacteria and allergens to prevent diseases and year-round allergies.
Trust Cold Water
Cold water is equally effective in fighting stains, but only when the spot is fresh. So, if you’ve just dropped some curry or a drink on your latex mattress, dip a cloth in cold water and keep dabbing the stain to get rid of it.
Drying Your Natural Latex Mattress
Now that you know several ways to clean your latex mattress, let’s talk about how to dry it right. Remember drying is as important as cleaning. With latex in the picture, the best way to go with it is air dry. If possible, leave it out in the open but away from direct sunlight. Or even better, open the windows of your room and let the air do its magic. If it’s humid outside, use a ceiling fan. Ensure your latex mattress is completely dry before you put the sheet on.
Concluding Note
While knowing how to clean and dry your natural latex mattress can help, it’s always better to prevent stains from happening and keep your bed in the best shape possible. Try out the tips below, and you will have a lot less to worry about cleaning your mattress now and then.
- Use a topper to protect your latex mattress.
- Make time to wash your bedding regularly. Keep two organic sheets handy.
- Vacuum your mattress daily.
- Flip and rotate your latex mattress to avoid sagging.