How to clean a very used mattress?

Question

I am limited on money and space. Please give me some tips. I got this for free from somebody. Also, does anybody know how to take apart a box spring mattress??

Answer 1

I wouldn't use it at all.  But if you have to, vacuum over and over with shop vac, (Wal Mart - KMart - any store like that carries them), spray with 1/2 water 1/2 hydrogen peroxide, shop vac again, respray, shop vac again.  That should do it.  Hopefully!

Answer 2

If you can go 2 days without using it I have a few suggestions.

Baking soda and cat litter. You place it all over the top and cover it with a large plastic sheet or use trash bags. For 48 hours then vacuum very well.

This gets rid of odors.

Sunlight can help. but where I live I would worry about insects.

If you have a dry vac they suck better then most vacuums.

As for stains...they are sometimes better left alone when the fibers of the mattress are older then 5 years.

Box spring...Why take it apart? If to get it picked up for trash they can pick it up full. Here it only cost $5.00. But prices vary and are much higher for the matress part.

I would see if someone has a shop vac or dry vac you can borrow. Call a church by you if you do not know anyone in your area. But many people use there shop vacs in the garage to pick up dust and such. Churches have them on hand for the same reason remodeling and well they just have more suctions for deep cleaning.

Answer 3

You can vacuum it with your own vacuum attachments.  I spray any spots with Clorox cleanup and scrub it clean.  Then if you have a hand-held steam cleaner use it to kill mites and deodorize the mattress.  Then probably Febreze it to give it a pleasant odor.

You can buy the steamer at Walmart or any store like that.  Usually around $30- $60.  They really come in handy, you can use it to clean/deodorize furniture, on sinks or tubs, windows.  I really like having one.

Answer 4

If you really want to make sure there are no parasites or anything, then cover the entire mattress with a plastic bag or something too.  I make sure it is completely sealed so nothing can get in or out. Give it about a month before taking off the plastic, then I vacuum it real well and clean it with the hand sprayer on my carpet/upholstery cleaner. Then use the mattress protector and pad.  

Answer 5

I would give the mattress a really good vacuuming with a shopvac.... Then if it has any stains or spots use upholstry foam.. Follow the instructions.  

Invest in a waterproof, washable mattress cover and keep that as a barrier between you/mattress and get a few sets of sheets...

Home Depot, Target, Walmart, will carry a wet/dry shopvac... They are GREAT to have around.. Just be sure to take out the paper filter for wet messes...!  A small one will run around $25....

Good luck