Can You Steam Clean A Mattress?

Mattresses take a lot of abuse, don’t they? And, although we change our sheets regularly, cleaning the mattress is something we very rarely do!

If you have been wanting to clean your mattress more thoroughly, you might be wondering “can you steam clean a mattress?” Let’s find out the answers.

Can You Steam Clean A Mattress

Steam cleaning is not just for clothes, it also works extremely well on soft furnishings, cushions, furniture – and mattresses!

Steam cleaning is a very effective way to remove stains, dead skin cells and bad odours, and it’s very simple to do:

1. Aim to start the cleaning process early in the morning, to give at least 5 hours before the bed will be used again.
2. Choose a warm sunny day, preferably with a bit of breeze, to help the mattress dry more quickly.
3. Turn on fans and open windows to increase the ventilation, then strip the bedclothes off the bed.
4. Vacuum the mattress to remove as much dust, skin cells, dust mites and pet hair as you possibly can.
5. Prepare the steamer by filling it with water and bringing it up to temperature (you’re aiming for between 100 and 120C).
6. Holding the steamer 2-3 inches above the mattress, use long, slow strokes down the surface of the mattress.
7. Make sure the surface of the mattress is damp but not wet, and remember to clean the sides of the mattress too.
8. Let the mattress dry out for at least 3 hours – longer is better, to give it a chance to fully dry out.

This is a great method for cleaning your mattress, giving you a better night’s sleep, and for actually extending the lifespan of your mattress.

Is It Safe To Use A Steamer On A Mattress?

Although a steamer does get incredibly hot, there is nothing to say that it is not safe to use on a mattress.

You can use a carpet steamer to easily clean your mattress, and be comfortable in the knowledge that it won’t do it any harm at all.

Just remember to keep the steamer head a few inches away from the mattress, to avoid any potential problems of getting it too damp.

The most important thing to remember is to allow your mattress to fully dry before you use it again, to avoid any problems with damp, mould or mildew.

The steamer should reach a temperature of between 100 and 120 degrees C, which is perfect for killing bacteria and dust mites.

Using a steamer on your mattress is a great way to clean it and freshen it up, as well as increasing its lifespan.

How Long Does It Take For A Mattress To Dry After Steam Cleaning?

Making sure that the mattress is fully dried is the key to steam cleaning a mattress effectively.

If you do not allow it to totally dry out, mould and mildew can start to appear which will damage both the mattress and your health.

After steaming, you should leave your mattress for a minimum of 3 hours before you use it again, longer if you can.

Make sure that you do not put covers back on, or sleep on the mattress, until it is fully dried out.

You can check for dryness by pressing a dry piece of kitchen towel into the mattress. If it is dry when you lift it off then it’s fine – if there is a little trace of dampness then it needs to dry for longer.

Opening windows, running a dehumidifier and using fans will all help to dry the mattress out faster.

Can You Steam Clean A Stained Mattress?

You can, of course, steam any sort of mattress. But will steaming get rid of stains? The answer is… Sort of!

Steaming is a great way to remove bacteria, mites, dirt and grime – and it can even lift stains from your mattress.

You will have to work on getting rid of heavy stains before you start steaming; this method will remove some stains, but not all.

If there is a stubborn area on your mattress that steaming does not seem to be cleaning, take a little time to remove the stains before steaming.

• Mix 1 cup of water with 1 cup of white vinegar and add a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid, then place the mixture in a spray bottle.
• Spray the mixture liberally over the stain, and let it sit for 20 minutes. You can give it a gentle scrub in this time too.
• Blot the area with a clean dry cloth, and you should see the stain lifting away. Repeat if some of the stain still lingers.

Now you can steam the whole mattress, removing all traces of dirt and grime, and it will look like new!

Can You Steam A Mattress To Get Rid Of Bed Bugs?

Bed bugs are a truly horrible problem to have! They’re just about the last thing anyone wants in bed, and they can be tricky to get rid of.

However, steaming is a great solution to kill them off, without using any harmful chemicals that can linger in your mattress.

Bed bugs cannot survive in high heat, and because steaming gets super hot (over 200 degrees F), they will not last long if you get a steamer involved.

Start by vacuuming your mattress all over – don’t forget the sides, and all the little crevices the bugs can sneak into.

Next, fill up your steamer and get it up to heat – then get steaming! Use long, slow strokes and make sure you cover the entire mattress.

You can always repeat the process if you feel you haven’t quite eradicated the problem – just remember to always dry the mattress thoroughly after steaming.

This is a useful video showing you how to steam a mattress to get rid of bed bugs:

Final Words

As you see, steam cleaning is a very effective way to clean a mattress – even the dirtiest, most stained one!

You can bring your mattress back from the brink very easily and quickly by using a steam cleaner – it’s simple to do, and the results are amazing!