How to Clean a Mattress you Found on the Street

How to Clean a Mattress you Found on the Street

Some people throw things on the street that they no longer use. Such things might be useless for them, but you can actually put them to great use. If you have found a nice mattress on the street, you can bring it home and clean it to use it at your home. There is no harm in getting something nice and cheap. However, you need to clean it properly before using it to avoid bed bugs or any other nasty surprises. We have already told you How to clean a mattress. Here at OneHowTo.com, we are going to tell you how to clean a mattress you found on the street.

Importance of cleaning the mattress you found on the street

Now that you have found a mattress on the street, it is important to remove any dead skin cells and dust mites from it, especially if you have allergies, asthma or sensitivities. Such a mattress may also contain a high number of allergens including bacteria, virus, dust mites or molds. It might also have a lot of stains that need to be removed and cleared properly. Cleaning the mattress properly is important not only for its physical appearance, but for the health of your family members too.

Choosing the right time

If possible, clean a mattress you found on the street on a sunny, warm, low humidity day. There are obvious reasons why fall cleaning and spring cleaning are more popular than summer and winter cleaning. Sunlight will definitely help the mattress to dry quickly after cleaning. In addition, direct sun also provides UV rays to the mattress, which naturally act as a disinfectant for your mattress. If getting the mattress outside is not possible, you may lean it against a wall in your room in front of a window that receives sunlight.

Removing the dust

First of all, lay the mattress flat on the floor and beat with a stick to remove as much dust as possible. Then, use the crevice tool and upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner to clean its entire surface. In the process, you may be fortunate enough to get rid of some dust mites as well. If there is some moisture in the mattress it may be due to a pet accident, fresh spill or kid’s urine, then soak up the liquid using towels before vacuuming.

Disinfecting the mattress

After removing the dust, you need to disinfect the mattress. Run a garment steamer or a portable steam cleaner across the surface of the mattress to kill dust mites and germs. Sprinkle some baking soda on the mattress to freshen up the upholstery and get rid of any odors. Allow it to sit for 15 minutes and then vacuum. Click here to know How to Clean a Mattress with Baking Soda. If the mattress is badly infected and has more bacteria than you had expected, you may need to use a specialized disinfectant solution for the purpose.

Use an antibacterial cleaner

Take an antibacterial solution or spray of your favorite scent and use it to kill germs on the mattress. If you are using a liquid cleaner, dilute it in warm water, dip a rag into it, wring it to keep it just damp, and clean the surface of the mattress with it. If you are using a disinfectant spray, sprinkle it lightly all over the mattress and wipe it clean with a damp rag. Allow the mattress to dry completely on both sides before you put it into use.

If you want to read similar articles to How to Clean a Mattress you Found on the Street, we recommend you visit our Home cleaning category.