Tips for You and Your Teen to Keep Their Room Clean.

The Basics of Keeping a Teenagers Room Clean

If there is one thing you can count on about teenagers, it’s that their rooms are usually a mess!

Moms and Dads might think it’s laziness, or perhaps it’s a way for them to assert their growing independence. I was once a kid with a messy room. I’ve had kids with messy rooms, but WHY this seems to be a universal issue I have no idea.

I think that young people might need a few tips and tricks to help keep the mess down to a minimum. This way the job won’t feel so overwhelming. I know a few simple cleaning rules to follow to keep their room clean and if they keep up with it, there won’t be much of a mess at all.

If you have a messy teenager living in your house, you may want to start a new class in your house entitled: How to keep your room clean! I’m a mom of 3; all grown now so I’ve been down this road before.

Recognize and appreciate their efforts in keeping their room clean and organized. Positive reinforcement can be motivating.

Let me share some of the basics in the cleaning secrets I’ve learned to help you teach your teenager to manage the extremely difficult task of picking up after themselves. (LOL, right?)

Teenagers can be Responsible for Their Bedroom

When handing your teenager over the responsibility of keeping their room clean, maybe start with Saturday’s and they have to clean and pickup their room before they can go spend time with friends.

You’ll most likely get the wha, why, rolled eyes and scowl looks but hey, it’s all a part of learning basic life skills and having respect for their belongings, and if you’re just passing the baton, they should feel so lucky.

When the Saturday thing becomes second nature, add in picking up their room before calling it a night. It should only take 15 minutes.

There is a place for everything and if there isn’t, take them shopping for the things needed to keep the bedroom clean and organized.

• Baskets
• Jewelry holder
• Shelves
• Storage bins
• Shoe storage
• Photo boxes
• Memory boxes

15 Minute Clean Up

Every night before bed, a quick 15 minute pick up shouldn’t disrupt life much. We asked our kids to take 15 short minutes and put away anything that was out of place. If they failed to do so, we confiscated the items left on the floor.

It’s really amazing how taking just 15 minutes at the end of the day can help keep the chaos in a bedroom (or any room for that matter) under control.

Keep Clothes off the Floor

If there is one thing that can help keep a teen’s bedroom looking better, it’s by keeping all clothes off of the floor. Get your teenager a hamper for all dirty clothes to be put into. This is an easy win.

Any clean clothes should be put away in it’s proper place, especially when they come out of the laundry, no clean piles of clothes on the floor. Of course, you’re going to have to provide your teens with plenty of places to put those clothing items in to in order to help keep things organized.

Besides having a dresser for socks, underwear, pajamas, t-shirts, etc., the closet is a great place to provide additional storage options if necessary.

• Use hooks on the walls for belts, scarves, bags, bathrobe and more.
• If space is limited, use bins (for under the bed for in the closet) for storing seasonal clothes, shoes, hobby items, etc.
• Plenty of hangers in the closet for hanging clothing.

Of course, getting your teen to cooperate may take a little ingenuity.

Here’s a tip from a Mom (Me) that got very tired of nagging: every time you walk into the room and see a piece of clothing on the floor, grab it and stow it away in a secret place. Eventually your teen will run out of clothes and come looking for those lost items.

Now you’ll have an opportunity to share that there are consequences in life for everyone. It’s a lesson that’s best learned early.

No Food Allowed in the Bedroom

From a glass of milk, a bowl of cereal to a piece of cake or a sandwich, food in the bedroom always ends up with crumbs and stains on the floor; dirty dishes stashed under the bed and wrappers tossed everywhere.

The best way to keep foodstuff from creating a mess is to not allow certain foods in the bedroom.

This may sound like a drastic move, but think about whether it is really necessary for anyone to eat in their bedrooms. Unless they are sick, most teens can survive by walking to the kitchen for a snack. Plus it gets them away from the computer screen, phone or whatever electronic device might be in their hand and gives them a little exercise and time to visit with the family.

Vacuum Weekly

There are two things that regular vacuuming will accomplish:

1. A freshly vacuumed room always looks cleaner.
2. It is impossible to vacuum the floor if it is littered with debris.

A Quarterly Deep Cleaning

One important aspect of your teenager keeping their room clean is to take time out every few months to remove unwanted and unused items.

It’s amazing how much stuff we can all collect – especially teenagers! From school papers to collectibles and stuff from friends – boy or girl it doesn’t matter; stuff seems to grow in those bedrooms.

Every 3 or 4 months, take an hour or two and help your teen do a deep clean and remove garbage, old schoolwork, unwanted or broken items, clothes that don’t fit, etc.

Remember, the less there is in the room to clean around, the neater and more organized it will naturally become – or at least it will look better to the outside observer.

Reasons for Keeping a Clean Bedroom

Here are some reasons why the practice of keeping a bedroom clean is important:

A Clean Bedroom Promotes Organization

Regularly decluttering of their bedroom helps your teenager develop organizational skills and maintain a tidy living space. It encourages them to assign a proper place for everything, making it easier to find items when needed.

A Clean Bedroom Reduces Clutter and Fewer Distractions

The accumulation of unwanted and unused items leads to clutter, making it a challenge to keep a room clean. By removing unnecessary belongings, teenagers can create more space and improve the overall aesthetic of their room and with fewer distractions, it may be easier for them to focus and concentrate on their studies.

A Clean Bedroom Encourages Responsibility

The process of decluttering can teach teenagers about responsible ownership. They learn to assess the value and usefulness of their possessions and make conscious decisions about what to keep and what to let go of.

A Clean Bedroom Can Promote Generosity

When your teenager is doing a deep clean in their bedroom, it can be a good opportunity for them to donate or give away items that they no longer need or fit into but are still in good condition. They will feel good knowing they are helping others in need.

By making decluttering a regular part of chores, teenagers can develop lifelong habits of organization and cleanliness.

Keeping a teen’s bedroom clean can be a real challenge. But there is hope! Use these cleaning tips to help your teen keep their room clean and avoid having to go in there with garbage bags and a hazmat suit.

The post How to Keep a Teenagers Room Clean appeared first on House Cleaning Central.

Washing a Down Comforter at Home.

How to Wash a Down Comforter in a Washing Machine

There is nothing better than a warm and cozy down comforter on a cold winter’s night…..except maybe waking up all snuggled up and toasty warm inside it.

If you’ve ever owned one, you know exactly why this type of bedding is highly prized. Down comforters are softer, lighter and warmer than other materials which makes for a better nights rest.

Higher end down comforters are filled with the soft and quill “less” feathers of the underbelly of a duck or goose. This is why they are so light and fluffy.

For the most part, down comforters are a nice addition to your bedding and require very little maintenance. In fact, unless your comforter becomes soiled, stained, or develops an odor, the manufacturer recommends only cleaning when absolutely necessary or every 3-5 years.

The manufacturer also recommends using a dry-cleaner as your best option for cleaning. While you should definitely avoid excessive laundering of your comforter, you can launder your down comforter yourself with a little preparation and care.

If you choose to wash your comforter yourself, just follow these simple steps to clean it:

Before Washing a Down Comforter

Take care of these points before you wash your comforter. It will take a little extra time, but the steps are necessary to ensure that using the washing machine isn’t a mistake, and you get the stains out right the first time.

Repair any Tears or Rips

Closely examine your comforter for any tears or rips in the seams. You will need to sew these up with a fine needle and be sure to use small stitches. If you don’t, the comforter could become further damaged when washed, the down will come out of open or torn seams and the “feathers will fly”.

It sounds funny to say, but if the down feathers come out, the comforter has sustained some serious damage… not to mention the mess! So don’t skip this step and inspect your seams carefully before washing.

Pre-treat all Stains

Pre-treat any stains on the comforter to have the best chance of stain removal.

White fabric can treated with a little hydrogen peroxide solution. Lift the fabric away from the feathers and dab on the area. Do not saturate. When the stain has faded, you can go ahead and wash it. Always check the area before drying to make sure the stain is completely gone.

Colored fabric can use Oxyclean or another “oxygenated” laundry product. Again, make a solution and pull the material away from the feathered down. Apply lightly and dab onto the area. You may have to wait a few minutes for the stain to lift. Repeat until the stain is gone.

Any blood or biological material such as sweat or perspiration that has discolored the fabric should be rinsed completely in cold water to remove the stain. If the blood is fresh, cold water with a small dab of laundry soap worked into the fabric will remove the stain completely.

Grease or oil stains will need to be pretreated with mild soap or the regular laundry detergent you will be using to wash the down comforter. Pour a small amount on the stain and let it sit full strength for about 30 minutes so the soap will start to dissolve the grease prior to washing.

Washing the Down Comforter

There are 2 major things to know before you wash.

1. Do Not use a top loading washing machine with an agitator. Agitators wreak havoc with down that is water sodden, and end up breaking internal seams. Use a front loading washing machine to wash your down comforter at home.

2. Most home washers are too small. Make sure your washing machine is large enough to accommodate your comforter without having to stuff it in. If your washer is too small/or the comforter is too big (however you want to look at it), just take it to a local laundromat. They have nice big machines that you can wash sleeping bags and extra large blankets and quilts and comforters! Having a large machine to wash will give you a better cleaning result too. That’s the whole point anyway, right?

Wash Settings

• Set the washer on the delicate setting
• Use lukewarm water only – hot will shrink your comforter, cold will not clean it well

Monitor the Machine’s Load Balance

If you are using your front load extra capacity washer at home, you will want to keep an eye on it and make sure that the load does not become unbalanced. A trick to help it not do this is to place a pair of clean white canvas tennis shoes (minus the laces) in the wash with the comforter. They will help to keep the down evenly dispersed preventing clumping and promote even drying.

There’s going to be a very, sodden quilt with clumped together down after the wash cycle – It’s a bit of work for the machine to get a good spin going to extract all the water. If it doesn’t get all the water out the first time, try another spin to extract more water. Those feathers will soak up a ton of water when being washed. If your machine is not very sturdy, or is otherwise on it’s last legs, you should go to the laundromat for those industrial strength washer and dryers.

Choosing the Detergent for Washing a Down Comforter

Yes, there is a difference between soap and detergent! You need to wash the comforter without stripping all the natural oils that are in the soft down feathers. The soft downy feathers are naturally water repellent and help wildlife stay warm and dry. If you strip too much of the oil, due to using heavy, harsh, or excess amounts of cleaning agents, then you will have a matted down, lumpy and heavy comforter.

Laundry Soap

Originally soaps were made with fat and ash and today some still have these ingredients. They also have a high PH level and are very mild. Soaps are the preferred choice to use to clean anything made of down such as a sleeping bag, vest, jacket and of course, down comforters.

Because soaps are very mild, the may not get heavily soiled or greasy oil stains on comforters completely clean. If you think this might be the case, you can also choose a detergent.

In the case of heavy soiling with grease and you are concerned that the stains may not come out, I’d recommended only pre-treating the stain with laundry detergent. (pour it full strength and massage it in with your fingers. Let it sit for about 30 to work on removing the stain) and then washing the down comforter with the mild Woolite or Ivory Soap. It’s the best of both worlds….

• Woolite
• Ivory Soap
• Specifically formulated for down cleaners.

Regular Laundry Detergent

You may use Regular laundry detergent—just use very sparingly. Remember to use it only if your comforter needs a thorough cleaning. Add about 1/4 of what is recommended for a normal load. A detergent will strip all the natural oils from the down feathers if you use it as you normally would.

Laundry Boosters, Whiteners and Brighteners

If your comforter is all white, you can add:

• Borax
• Oxyclean
• Washing Soda

Be sure to use the dispensers as this will guarantee an even distribution and not cause any clumping of product on your comforter. These products are all natural and allow the soap to do a better job cleaning. In the case of dingy discolored fabric, these products remove stains and provide a general stain removal and brighten and freshen the comforter’s appearance.

When Washing a Down Comforter, Rinse Twice!

I wanted to stress a second rinse. This is because soap leave a residue and you want to remove the residue completely so your down feathers don’t get bogged down with soap residue. You want a clean and fluffy blanket coming out of the dryer.

Before the final spin cycle, you want to give the comforter an extra rinse. Most washing machines have the option for a second rinse in the wash cycle. If not, then just reset the dial to repeat the rinse cycle., then finish up with the final spin.

When your comforter comes out of the washer, it may look grayish or have a slight odor. This is normal and is the natural odor of the down. It will brighten and freshen up as it dries.

Drying Your Down Comforter

How you choose to dry your comforter is your option, but making sure it is totally dry is critical. Remember that the Down in your Comforter came from an animal. It can degrade, rot, develop mold and mildew. And it will do all those terrible things if you do not dry it completely before placing it on your bed or storing it.

Use a Large Capacity Dryer

You need a large capacity drier because your comforter needs room to fluff and to make sure there are no damp spots from it being too cramped.

Another important reason to only use a large capacity dryer is that although your comforter may fit in the dryer when wet, it will fluff up as it dries. This can cause the comforter to block the venting and actually ruin the dryer, and worse….cause a fire. If you don’t have a large dryer, play it safe and take it to the laundromat.

• Put your comforter in the dryer on its lowest setting.
• Place dryer balls in with the comforter. Or, if you don’t have a dryer ball, you can put a few new, white tennis balls inside clean white socks and throw them in with the comforter. The balls (dryer or tennis) will help to fluff up the down during the drying process.
• Check periodically. Make sure that your comforter is being “fluffed” and is not stuck to the side of the dryer. At first it may stick to the side a bit, so each time you check just hand fluff it inside. It will likely take the better part of a day to fully dry…. so be patient.
• Check the lint trap. When you are stopping the dryer to check the comforter, check the lint trap. Keep it clean and this will also help to make sure that you are not losing feathers.

Additional Whitening and Brightening

A wonderful way to freshen and whiten your down comforter is use the power of the sun’s rays to lighten stains, assist in drying and leave it smelling sweet and fresh.

Placing the comforter in the sun is a natural “bleaching” process. It will not only whiten your comforter but the air will freshen it up naturally.

With a little sweat equity and patience, your down comforter can be an enjoyable addition to your bedroom without the fear of huge dry cleaning bills. Now, after you have it all clean and fresh again, do yourself a favor and purchase a comforter cover, unless you don’t mind going through this process every so often.

Enjoy your new, freshly cleaned Down Comforter. You cleaned it inexpensively, thoroughly, and without using any toxic dry cleaning chemicals.

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How to Clean and Deodorize Memory Foam Pillows

Memory foam pillows are so soft and snuggly.

They cradle and support your head and neck and most people agree that they provide a better night’s rest.

What’s the secret behind this cushy pillow? Memory foam is made from polyurethane. It’s very comfortable because it softens in reaction to body heat, allowing it to mold perfectly to a warm body (or head) in just a few minutes, and then snap back to it’s original shape just a few minutes after the warm body has moved elsewhere.

Because of the support memory foam provides, these pillows are growing in popularity, especially among those who have neck and back problems. I am in that category and use one too!

Even though memory foam has the ability to quickly whisk you off to la-la land, it’s not so fun in the land of stain-removal.

Follow these tips to clean and refresh your prized and comfy pillow.

Cleaning Precautions

Memory foam is very delicate: traditional stain removers, scrubbing, rubbing or agitating in the washer will break down the material. Use a light touch when cleaning and removing stains & always use gentle cleaners.

Use as little liquid as possible: Moisture gets trapped in these types of pillows and adding more liquid (or any cleaning agent) it will only compound your problem. Damp pillows can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mold, not to mention start releasing foul odors.

What To Avoid

Memory foam is not made to get wet and if it does get wet, it doesn’t release the moisture easily. Any liquid can create a serious problem rather quickly…but before you go into panic mode, keep the following tips in mind:

• Don’t put the pillow in the washer.
• Don’t put the pillow in the dryer.
• Don’t use hot or warm water to clean the pillow.
• Don’t scrub the pillow or treat the surface harshly.

DON’T Wash the Pillow in the Washing Machine, We really mean this!

The foam will rip into little chunks and fragments when subjected to the the pounding and rolling of the agitators.

Cleaning General Spills

Even though we know we shouldn’t drink liquids in bed, we do. And if you act fast, your pillow will most likely be saved with hardly a scratch (or a stain!).

1. Quickly grab clean bath towels
2. Press the towel into the spill to soak up as much liquid as possible.
3. Use as many clean towels as needed to in order to blot up as much liquid as possible.
4. Set the pillow aside to completely air dry and remove all traces of moisture.
5. If need be, move the pillow into a room that gets more air circulation or place a fan near it.
6. Make sure the pillow is completely dry before putting a pillowcase back on the pillow.

Removing Surface Stains

If there’s an odor on the pillow from the spill, there are some solutions below. As I’ve stated, any stain that has saturated memory foam cannot be safely removed without ruining the pillow. But rather than toss the pillow, you can try the solution below.

1. Mix cold water and a small amount of mild soap in a container.
2. Use a clean cotton or terry towel and dip it in the mixture.
3. Wring out excess moisture
4. Apply the cleaning solution gently and sparingly by dabbing the pillow surface – start from the outside of the stain and work inward.
5. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.
6. Put the pillow in an area with good air circulation to dry completely.

If the stain doesn’t come out, a fresh pillow case can hide the stain very nicely. If there is no odor caused by the stain, you won’t even notice it.

Removing Odor

Any remaining odor or general freshening CAN be treated successfully. Try one of the solutions below.

Baking Soda

If your pillow smells funky, sprinkle a little baking soda on it and let it stand for a day or so. Then shake or gently vacuum the pillow with the brush attachment. Once all of the baking soda has been vacuumed up, you can put the pillowcase back on.

Sunlight

If it’s warm outside, sunlight and a warm breeze is very effective at removing and neutralizing odor. If you can do without it, take it outside for a day or two and place it in the sun. It should smell as fresh as new.

Heavy Duty Odor Removal

As I mentioned, memory foam pillows aren’t made to get wet. However, the best way to clean memory foam of pet urine is to use a liquid enzymatic cleaner or vinegar.

Spray the enzymatic cleaner as per the manufacturers instructions, or use a 50/50 vinegar and water mix. Don’t saturate the pillow, just use enough liquid to effectively clean and deodorize the urine.

1. Add the enzymatic cleaner or vinegar to a small spray bottle
2. Spray the pillow lightly and let the cleaner stand on the area for five minutes
3. Blot the area with a clean towel until the surface feels dry
4. Sprinkle baking soda over the entire area
5. Vacuum the baking soda up after it has be left on it overnight

If necessary, move the pillow to a room that has good air circulation or set up a fan near it if the enzymatic cleaner or vinegar hasn’t dried yet. If you use a fan, set it on the lowest possible setting to avoid blowing the baking soda around the room. Once the pillow is dry, vacuum it thoroughly.

If you need still need an extra deodorizing boost, the baking soda and sun methods above will work really well at removing urine odors.

I recommend it as a very effective finishing touch.

Keeping Your Memory Foam Pillow Clean

Preventative measures are your best insurance to protect your pillow for years to come!

The very best advice:

Purchase a liquid resistant pillow cover. This will not only keep spills from saturating into the foam, but it will help keep out odors and body oils as well.

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How to Clean a Foam Mattress.

Removing Spills, Stains, Urine and Odor from Foam Mattresses

If you have had the luxury of buying a new mattress recently, it is likely that you have a foam mattress. Foam mattresses once were something that most people could not afford, but as the market for them has increased, the prices have dropped considerably.

Now the average person can afford to sleep on a comfortable and luxurious foam mattress instead of dealing with those pesky box springs.

Cleaning the Mattress Cover

Spills are inevitable if you eat or drink in your bed, so it is best to have a quick, efficient method for removing them.

• If your foam mattress has a cover, blot as much of the liquid as possible.
• Take the cover off and wash it separately in cold water.
• Use a small amount of mild detergent.

Do not use bleach or any product that contains bleach. For best results, allow the cover to air dry. If you do put it in the dryer, use a low, cool setting and check it frequently.

There’s no need to pre-treat the cover unless the spill is a result of red wine or another staining liquid.

Cleaning the Foam Mattress

If the liquid seeped through the sheets and mattress cover onto the foam mattress, you’ll need to remove as much of it as possible as quickly as possible.

1. Take a large, absorbent towel and begin dabbing at the stain. Do not scrub it as this can cause the stain to set.
2. Depending on how much liquid was spilled, keep dabbing at the stain with as many towels as needed to remove all the liquid from the mattress.
3. Allow the foam to air dry.
4. If necessary, place a fan or two in the room and direct them on the damp area.

Do not put the mattress cover or the sheets back on the mattress until your foam mattress is completely dry.

Removing Urine Stains and Odor

To remove urine stains or odor from a foam mattress, you’ll need an enzymatic cleaner or distilled white vinegar and baking soda.

Enzymatic commercial cleaners work well, but they are very expensive.

Vinegar, on the other hand, is inexpensive and it is a natural deodorizer that absorbs odors by breaking down bacteria. Vinegar does not leave any kind of residue, and the smell goes away when it dries.

Note that neither is guaranteed to completely remove stains and odors from a foam mattress, and that you should never saturate the area with any liquid, even water.

It’s important to be cautious when removing stains because you don’t want to risk pushing the urine further inside the foam.

Cleaning Urine and Odors

1. Soak up as much of the urine with clean absorbent cloths.
2. Pour the enzymatic cleaner in a spray bottle or mix a 50/50 white vinegar and water solution in a spray bottle.
3. Spray a very small amount on the stain and let stand for five minutes.
4. Use clean towels to soak up as much of the remaining liquid as possible.
5. Repeat the process until the odor and stain are gone.
6. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain and let stand overnight.
7. Vacuum to remove the dry baking soda.
8. Make sure mattress is fully dry before making the bed.

Maintaining a Foam Mattress

The only cleaning that’s necessary is a simple vacuuming once a month or so. While your foam mattress is less susceptible to dust mites (than a traditional mattress is) dust, hair and dead skin will still accumulate on the mattress.

1. Remove all the bedding.
2. Remove the mattress cover and wash as directed by the manufacturer.
3. Vacuum the mattress thoroughly.
4. There’s no need to flip or turn a foam mattress, but you can do this too, if you’d like.

Keeping your Mattress Clean

• The best way to keep a mattress clean is to use a mattress cover. If you’re reading this before you purchase a foam mattress, I suggest that you go out and buy the mattress cover the manufacturer recommends immediately.
• If you have children, pets or frequently drink coffee, water or any other beverage in bed, purchase a special water proof protector cover. This will help any time there is a spill or accident as all foam mattress manufacturers advise against ever getting the mattress wet.

An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure.

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How To Clean and Remove Odors From Your Mattress

Did you know that you spend one third of your life sleeping (or trying to sleep)? For you trivia buffs, that’s about 200,000 hours over an average life span.

Since we spend so much time sleeping it’s important to know how to maintain a mattress in top condition, remove stains and keep it clean and odor free.

So, if you love your comfy mattress Mrs. Clean can provide you with the proper cleaning techniques to ensure that you are sleeping on the cleanest surface possible.

By cleaning it regularly, you’ll also prolong your mattresses’ life and protect your investment giving you a better night’s sleep; no matter what your sleep number is….

Removing Allergens

Even if you can’t see them, dust mites live in your mattress. Dust mites are microscopic organisms that actually feed on the dead skin that we constantly shed.

If I start thinking too hard I can really get creeped out by dust mites. They are parasites that neither bite nor sting, but their fecal matter can trigger allergies and asthma in some people.

We can’t stop them any more than we can completely avoid germs and bacteria, but we can keep them under control and reduce their population and possible negative impact on our health and quality of life. And even though dust mites are extremely small, they will reduce your mattresses life span.

To clean a mattress and reduce dust mites follow these simple steps:

1. Remove the sheets, blankets, pillows and mattress cover (if you have one)
2. Vacuum the top and sides of the mattress
3. Remove the mattress and vacuum the box spring, making sure to do the sides
4. Flip the mattress over and vacuum the bottom

Removing Stains

Unfortunately, no matter how careful you try to be, you are likely to need an effective stain remover for your mattress.

I prefer using a small steam cleaner to extract the material and cleaning solution as much as possible from the mattress fabric. If you do not have a steam cleaner then use a spray bottle to just cover the stained area, but not saturate it with water and force the stain further into the material.

If you have a biological material such as blood use cold water to avoid setting the stain.

Hydrogen peroxide is an excellent stain remover that does not damage fabric like chlorine bleach does. And since I mentioned it- never use chlorine bleach to remove a stain on a mattress. It will complete destroy the fabric.

1. Apply cleaning solution to the stain.
2. Use a steam cleaner to extract the material or blot the area with a clean cloth.
3. If a stain remains use household strength hydrogen peroxide to a second cloth and blot the area gently, do not rub.
4. Open the bedroom window or turn on a fan to allow the mattress to air dry.
5. Don’t cover the mattress with sheets or bedding until it is completely dry.

Removing Odors

Once odors are absorbed into the mattress they can be difficult to remove, but not impossible. Depending on the odor and how easily you can transport your mattress will depend on what method you use below.

Vinegar and baking soda remove odors by balancing pH levels of the odor-causing material. The more neutral a material is, the more inert it is, which means there is no odor at all. Plain pure water has a pH factor of 7.2 and is completely neutral.

When something rots, spoils or decays it breaks down because of bacteria that goes to work on it. The result of the bacterial action and decay is going to be something acidic or something alkaline. Regardless, it’s going to smell one way or another.

Vinegar is an acid that neutralizes alkaline odor problems, and baking soda is an alkaline that neutralizes acidic odor causes. To neutralize an odor means it changes the chemical properties and stops the odor, period. It’s not a temporary masking of the problem.

Don’t use vinegar and baking soda at the same time together as they will essentially cancel each other out (but it will impressively foam as the 2 chemicals react to each other and start producing oxygen).

I recommend trying the vinegar to start, let it dry completely and if a problem remains use the baking soda to remove any remaining odor problem.

Plain White Vinegar

Vinegar is an excellent product, both inexpensive and effective in fighting odor. While there are many good uses for it around your home, deodorizing your mattress with white vinegar is one of the best. Vinegar is highly acidic so mold will not grow, even if you saturate the stain. Vinegar is also an excellent disinfectant. Vinegar neutralizes odors and leaves no residue so there is no need to rinse it after using.

To remove odors in a small spot with vinegar:

1. Vacuum the mattress to remove all dust and debris
2. Dip a cloth in white vinegar
3. Blot with paper towels until all of the odor causing stain is removed
4. Let the mattress air dry completely

To deodorize your entire mattress with vinegar:

1. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar.
2. Vacuum the mattress to remove all dust and debris
3. Spray vinegar over the entire mattress
4. Let the mattress air dry completely

Baking Soda

Baking soda is an excellent odor neutralizer and absorber and is very inexpensive. You can also use this method in the house without having to move the mattress when cleaning.

1. Sprinkle baking soda on the bare mattress
2. Let sit overnight
3. Vacuum off
4. Flip the mattress and apply the baking soda
5. Let sit overnight
6. Vacuum off baking soda as well as all sides of the mattress.
7. If the odor is not completely removed you may want to move the mattress outside and let it sit for 24 hours in a protected area.

Fresh Air & Sunlight

Sunlight and fresh air are great natural deodorizers. Do not underestimate the power of the sun. It doesn’t just burn your skin and power our solar system, it will dissipate chemical odors and change the composition of some odor producing substances stopping an odor at the source. It won’t remove residue of course, but it is a very effective odor control remedy.

Sunlight will fade colored fabric. If the sun is very bright and fading is a concern to you keep an eye on the mattress and bring it out of the sun as soon as you determine the odor is gone.

Place your mattress outside in the sun for at least 24 hours to “air” out. You will want to make sure that you place the mattress in a protected area away from animals if you leave it outside to dry.

Heavy Duty Mattress Cleaning and Odor Removal

Vinegar will neutralize odors and disinfect. Baking soda absorbs odors and sunlight and good old fresh air go a long way in keeping a mattress fresh. Before starting this procedure, make sure that you have a sunny day for this method or use a fan to make sure the mattress will dry completely.

1. Mix a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle
2. Move your mattress outside in the sun if possible or use a fan to increase air circulation
3. Lightly mist the mattress with the solution
4. Using a clean white cloth, gently rub the misted area to disperse the vinegar over the surface
5. Let it sit in the sun or point a fan at the mattress until completely dry
6. Repeat the process for the other side and all ends
7. Let the mattress dry completely
8. If an odor remains sprinkle the area with baking soda and let it sit undisturbed for 24 hours
9. Vacuum mattress to remove baking soda completely

Word of caution: If the odor is caused by mold or mildew, you should consider replacing your mattress. While you may be able to reduce the odor, the mold spores and mildew will still be thriving deep in your mattress. Mold and mildew produce a sulfurous gas that is not healthy and there is no way to completely remove it once it has taken hold inside the mattress fabric.

Keeping Your Mattress Clean

Once your mattress is clean, protect it by purchasing a quality mattress cover. You can choose between a cover that fits over the top of the mattress like a fitted bottom sheet or one that envelops the entire mattress and zips to close.

Either way, a good quality mattress cover will:

• prevent spills and accidents from damaging the mattress
• help to protect you from dust mites
• protect your mattress from skin oil and odor build-up

Now you have the tools to clean stains and keep your mattress smelling fresh. With a mattress cover you can also prevent damage to your mattress and make sure it has a long healthy life.

The post How to Clean a Mattress and Remove Odors appeared first on House Cleaning Central.

How to Remove Odors from Drawers.

Getting Odors out of Dresser Drawers

Darkness, lack of air circulation and being tucked away and out of sight are an ideal environment for odors to develop.

Smelly dresser drawers can be caused by spills, substances transferred from clothing, bacteria, mold, mildew, fungi, insects and rodents.

Bacteria and mold or mildew are the most common cause of odors. It’s easy to clean, disinfect and deodorize the drawers- stopping your odor problem once and for all.

No matter what the cause, it’s best to get to work on the problem as soon as it is discovered. The longer a odor problem is present, the longer it will take to remove completely, as the smell – and stain will permeate more deeply into the wood.

Consider the Type of Material

Consider the construction of the drawer before starting to clean the wood. Solid wood drawers naturally resist liquid saturation and staining and can withstand a heavier cleaning treatment.

Inexpensive drawers made of flimsy material such as particle board need a much lighter touch. Particle board and thin plywood become stained easily, warp, absorb moisture and liquids easily.

Keep These 3 Things in Mind

1. Use as little liquid as possible
2. Do not use abrasives to avoid scratching the wood finish
3. Allow the drawers to dry completely after cleaning

Getting Started

To prepare for cleaning and deodorizing;

1. Remove all items from the drawer(s).
2. If your drawers have liners or paper inserts, remove them before trying to clean them especially if the odor is strong.
3. If the drawer does not have inner liners, first vacuum out crumbs or any debris that has accumulated inside the drawer.
4. Wipe with a clean, damp, soft cloth.

Disinfecting Dresser Drawers

Now on to disinfecting. Borax and vinegar are two of my favorite’s disinfectants because they are effective, natural and inexpensive. Both products will deodorize, kill the bacteria, germs, mold and mildew. Since either is an excellent choice, you can use whichever one you already have on hand.

Borax

Borax is a disinfectant, natural deodorizer anti-fungal and insect repellent. Borax is a white chalky mineral that you can find in the cleaning section of the supermarket. Because it’s a mineral, wipe the drawer surfaces thoroughly after cleaning to avoid leaving a white stain or discoloration on the wood.

I like using Borax for odor control in a drawer because it does not have the odor that vinegar does and it is a great disinfectant. Borax is a mold and mildew fungicide which means it kills mold and then also controls it and stops it from returning.

To use borax

• Thoroughly dissolve 1/4 cup Borax into one quart of warm water; the warmer the water the better.
• Use a clean cotton cloth and dip in the solution.
• Make sure to wring out excess water as you want the cloth to be damp NOT wet. This is especially important if you are working on a particle board drawer.
• Wipe down the whole drawer including sides and bottom.
• After disinfecting with the borax solution, follow by thoroughly wiping down the drawer using a clean damp cloth and fresh clean water.
• Dry thoroughly and let air out at least overnight.

Vinegar

It’s an acidic, natural deodorizer and absorbs odors by breaking down bacteria. Vinegar does not leave a residue, and the sour smell of the vinegar dissipates as it dries.

Vinegar is a mild antibacterial as well as an anti-fungal. It kills most molds and mildews and is a natural deodorizer. Vinegar will work well on musty, moldy drawers to remove the odor as well as kill the bacteria.

To use vinegar

• Mix up a solution of two tablespoons vinegar to one quart of warm water.
• Use a clean cloth and dampen it with the vinegar solution. Be sure NOT to saturate the cloth especially when using on wooden drawers.
• Thoroughly wipe down the inside and outside of the drawer being sure to cover all surfaces.
• Dry completely with a towel.
• Let sit out overnight to “air out”.

Handy Cleaning and Disinfecting Tip

When using either of the above methods, a great way to ensure success is to do this process on a sunny day. Follow the same steps above and wipe the drawer dry. Place the drawer outside in the sun, and the air and sunlight will dry the drawer quickly, further deodorize and sterilize the drawer.

Deodorizing Drawers

After disinfecting, a deodorizer will remove any remaining odors especially moldy-mildew smells that have penetrated the wood. Deodorizing also helps to keep the clothing and other items in the drawer smelling fresh.

Borax

Borax is a mineral disinfectant, natural anti-fungal and insect repellent

Borax is a great deodorizer. If there is any remaining odor after wiping down the drawer using the disinfecting method above, here’s what you do:

1. Sprinkle some borax in the drawer.
2. Shake it around making sure to disperse it fairly evenly.
3. Place the drawer inside a clean large garbage bag and tie or fold over the end. Let sit overnight.
4. Vacuum out the borax after 24 hours.

This should be all you need to totally eliminate any remaining odor.

Baking Soda

Baking Soda works by neutralizing pH levels and absorbing odor

If there is any odor left after disinfecting and the drawers can remain empty, sprinkle baking soda in the drawers and vacuum them out a few days later.

If you want to keep your drawers smelling fresh and odor-free, place one new box of baking soda in each drawer. I like to lay the box down and just poke holes in the top for ventilation. This way it does not spill when the drawer is open and closed. Over a period of several weeks any remaining odor should dissipate.

Charcoal

Activated charcoal is pure carbon. It absorbs odors and acts as a filter and removes impurities

Charcoal absorbs odors and impurities.  Activated charcoal has been treated to have increased absorbing capabilities. Note that activated charcoal is not the same thing as charcoal briquettes. Although regular charcoal briquettes also absorb odors, DO NOT use lighter fluid pre-treated briquettes.

Place several pieces of activated charcoal in a container and set inside each empty drawer. The activated charcoal will absorb any odors and “purify” the air in your drawer.

As with baking soda, you’ll have to place new charcoal in the drawers every few weeks or so if you can’t find and eliminate the source of the odor. Be careful not to spill the charcoal or you’ll have a permanent black stain on the wood and clothing from the spilled charcoal solids.

Kitty Litter

Kitty litter is made made of clay, it kills bacteria and traps and absorbs odors

Fill several disposable plastic bowls or empty yogurt containers with kitty litter. I like to place the lids on and poke holes in them to make sure that the litter stays contained. Put one container in each drawer.

Be sure to use cat litter that is unscented. (And be sure to keep drawers closed before your cat realizes you’ve just created a multi-level litter box.) Unlike baking soda and charcoal, kitty litter will kill bacteria while it absorbs odors. Replace the litter every month or so for continuous bacteria and odor control.

Wrapping Up

Now that you have nice, clean odor free drawers, you will want to make sure to wash and clean the original contents before returning it to the drawer. This project is well worth it and it will be more pleasant the next time you go to open your drawer….now you just have to keep those clothes folded neatly.

Related Articles:

Removing Odors Around the House

Removing Pet Odors

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Cleaning Checklist to Help Kids with their Chores

We’ve all wished that the cleaning fairy would come into our home in the middle of the night and clean our child’s room. We would tuck our little one in bed with a kiss and then the next day awake them to a clean and sparkling room. Oh, thank you great fairy!

Now back to reality….it’s not going to happen and there is no “easy” button. The good news is that keeping your child’s room tidy doesn’t have to be a dreaded task for either of you. It can actually become a fun and rewarding activity for you and your child, especially if you keep things neat and organized to start.

Okay, so it may not be as great as having a cleaning fairy or Mary Poppins as your nanny, but you and your little helper can make this task a snap by using some great tips from Mrs. Clean.

Why a Clean Room is Important

The best way for your kids to keep their room clean is to teach them the values of keeping a clean room while they’re young. Clothes and toys that are scattered around the floor can be trampled and ruined, or easily carried off by the family dog. Starting young will also create healthy routines and your child will know what is expected of them.

With a little effort and endurance in the beginning, you set you child up to be a valuable helper and somewhat self-sufficient not only in cleaning their bedroom but for later household tasks. No child will be perfect, but if you don’t start when they are young, you will be nagging and picking up after them until they move out…..if they move out.

Before You Start

Do yourself and your child a huge favor. It is always easier for a child to “keep” their room clean if it is organized and clean to begin with. If your child’s bedroom looks like a disaster area then your child may not have a clear idea of what “clean” looks like…and children are visual.

Start off by making sure there’s actually a place for everything in the room to begin with. Children, as well as adults, get overwhelmed with clutter. Start with one area at a time and plan together as much as possible for their age. Let your child help make decisions that are less crucial.

Make Cleaning Your Child’s Room Fun

I often “played” the sock matching game with my son. This is a great way to get children used to putting things in their drawers after the game is over as well as teaching matching skills. First, we would sort the big socks from the little socks and then we would match them. You can see who gets done first or do it together as a “team”. You may have to fold them after they are paired up and then your child can place them in his or her drawer.

Baskets are Easy, Boxes are Fun

You ever noticed how a child will play with a box for hours and leave the expensive toy that was inside just laying on the floor? That’s because boxes are fun and can turn into anything your child can imagine. A child sees a box as a car or a hiding place (depending on how large the box is).

If you can get the box before it’s been damaged from the kids playing with it – it can be used in the closet where items can be placed that are no longer used, clothes that are too small, books, etc.

You could call this the sharing box and when the box is full, it can be donated to the thrift center, women’s shelter, or charity. This will help teach your child the joy of giving to another child who may not be as fortunate as them. Your box can be decorated with pictures of cars, animals, or whatever makes your child happy!

Baskets are perfect for keeping rooms clean and can be used under-the-bed, in the closet, or on the top of the dresser. Baskets can also be color coded to help your kids put their toys where they belong.

Cleaning Strategies with Small Children

• Start with small specific steps: Picking up soft toys is a great place to start when kids are toddlers. You can use a laundry basket for these items. We had a “pick up” song that went along with cleaning up toys but this is totally optional! Clapping and praise works well if you are not musically inclined and your child will want to pick up their toys if you do this.

• Give them choices: Even small children like choices. Start with easy things first such as “do you want to keep your cars in this basket or the red one?”. As your child gets older, give them more choices such as where they want to begin or where they want to place some of their items. Choices are great for building a child’s self-esteem and add to the “buy in” of keeping their room clean.

• Repetition and consistency “the key”: As a child gets a little older you will want them to be self-motivated. Start by scheduling activities such as cleaning up toys before bed every night. Another excellent habit is to have them make their bed after they get up. Remember – you will have to help at first, otherwise when they take over it may not even resemble a bed that has been made. Keep in mind that the value is in the repetition and the good habit this is forming. Soon they will be able to do an activity by themselves and eventually be self-sufficient and proficient.

• Keep Your expectations realistic: Focus on their accomplishments and praise them for what they can do especially when they are just starting out. Don’t expect perfection and avoid “fixing” what they have done. Realize that they will get more proficient at each task only if you let them do it themselves. Modeling correct behavior is better than criticizing or any negative comments.

Chore Charts

Kids Chore Charts are a great tool although you may want to call them an “activity chart”. An activity chart will help a child to visualize their tasks if you use pictures when they are young. It will also give them a sense of accomplishment when they get to check tasks off the list.

You can “reward” a child daily if they are younger; or weekly as they get older. Some parents believe in giving a child an allowance for cleaning their room while others disagree with this method completely. However you view your child’s accomplishment, some kind of positive reinforcement is a good idea, praise is a minimum requirement.

Other forms of rewards include: letting them put a sticker on the days they do the chore or a trip to the dollar store after they have 5 stars (or check marks). Rewards can be as simple as to play a game with mom or dad after the task or a dinner out for pizza. The choice is yours – you don’t have to make this expensive or complicated.

Below is a chore chart you can download and use freely. It’s one I used with my son. Feel free to use it and change it according to your child’s age and the chores in your household. Remember to start small. You may want to delete all chores but one until your child gets the hang of things. I started with one task and added them as my child was capable of handling more responsibility.

Kids Checklist

The checklist can contain Tasks such as what we have listed below and in the day of the week it should be done, put a check in that column so the kids now what to do.

• Feeding the dog
• Helping to make breakfast and eat a good meal
• Help check the school lunch menu. Is it a good day to eat healthy at school or pack a lunch
• Brush teeth, comb hair and wash face
• Fill up water bottle for school
• Help water the outdoor plants
• Help set the table for meals and help clear when finished
• Help empty the dishwasher
• Pick up their room and clean up toys
• Empty garbage cans and take out the trash
• Pick a book for family reading night
• Bring dirty clothes basket to laundry room and help sort clothes
• Help put clothes away
• And you can always add more items according to your daily schedule

Reaping the Reward: Your Child’s Pride and Responsibility

Teaching your child to clean their room is sometimes hard work. Especially if they are older and you’ve picked up after them thinking that you would wait until they are older. You should focus on the benefits as you are going through the learning process:

• Having children clean their own room is a good way to teach responsibility and gives a child a sense of pride and accomplishment.
• Making a habit of keeping a room clean also goes a long way when children grow up and have a home of their own to keep clean.
• The best part is that after it becomes a habit for your child….you’re job just got easier!

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How to Clean and Remove Stains from a Mattress.

How to Clean and Remove Blood, Vomit and Urine Stains From a Mattress

Have have ever watched one of those TV shows where they inform you of all the germs, allergens and contaminants that are on a mattress?

Ignorance was bliss…but now, after being totally sickened, you will most likely want to know how to keep your mattress as clean as possible. Maybe that’s why you are reading this article now!

Mattresses are expensive, and you should clean your mattress regularly to prolong its useful life. This not only means a more comfortable nights sleep, but piece of mind knowing that you are getting the most out of your purchase. With proper cleaning, dust mites will be kept to a minimum, odors will be nonexistent and any allergy problems should be greatly reduced.

The cleaning and maintenance process should start right when you bring the mattress into your home, but it’s never too late to try to revive your old mattress and have it smelling sweet once again.

Cleaning Vomit/Feces Stains From a Mattress

This may not happen often but inevitably when someone gets the flu (especially children) you may be faced with having to deal with this unpleasant problem. Not to worry, there are definite ways to clean and disinfect this kind of mess.

If you have a pair of cleaning gloves, put them on to keep your hands clean.

1. Remove as much of the solids as possible and flush down the toilet. A dustpan is a great tool for this kind of job (you can hose it off later outside).
2. Take the sheets and mattress pad off and put them in the wash.
3. Using cotton or terry cloth towels (whatever you have available) soak up as much remaining liquid as you can. Blot to absorb don’t rub.
4. Make a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and warm water in a spray bottle.
5. If you don’t want to use vinegar, you can mix a solution of warm water (2 cups) and dish soap (1 tablespoon).
6. Spray the area lightly (don’t saturate) then use an absorbent towel to soak up the liquid. In fact, you should use as many clean towels as needed because you can always wash a towel, and a towel is much cheaper than replacing a mattress.
7. Gently blot the stain without rubbing, as rubbing can spread the stain and damage the mattress fibers.
8. Repeat this process of spray and blot until the stain and odor is gone. If you use vinegar, you may smell it until the mattress dries.
9. Rinse with plain water to remove any residue from the cleaning solution.
10. With a clean towel, gently blot to soak up as much of the wetness as possible.
11. Let the mattress air dry completely before replacing bedding.

Deodorizing Vomit/Feces

If you’ve followed the disinfecting steps above and still notice an odor on your dry mattress:

1. Sprinkle baking soda lightly on the soiled area.
2. Rub in lightly.
3. Let the baking soda sit undisturbed on the mattress to absorb the odor.
4. Vacuum the baking soda off the next day.

Removing Vomit/Feces Stains

1. Use a spray bottle and spray full strength household type hydrogen peroxide (3% solution) directly on the stain.
2. Do not over saturate the mattress.
3. Let the hydrogen peroxide air dry for a few hours.
4. If the stain appears to have lightened, you can repeat this process until the stain is gone.

Note: Hydrogen peroxide converts to water after being exposed to light, so there is no need to rinse.

Removing Blood Stains From a Mattress

1. Using cold water and several clean towels, blot up as much blood as possible to avoid soaking it further into the mattress.
2. Pour a little household strength hydrogen peroxide (3%), into a spray bottle. Do not over saturate.
3. The blood stain will start bubbling up upon contact with the hydrogen peroxide.
4. Blot with a clean towel, switching to a clean section of towel as needed.
5. Repeat this process until the stain is gone.

Removing Urine Stains and Odors

It’s always important to work as quickly as possible to avoid the urine from soaking into the mattress. Most importantly is to avoid soaking the mattress pad with any liquid, and /or forcing the urine into the mattress further.

Start by using a clean absorbent cotton towel and blot up as much liquid as you can.

Removing Urine

You can use a enzymatic cleaner or a pet stain remover if you have some on hand. These work well but are often expensive, not to mention I can never find them on hand right when I need them.

I use a white vinegar solution. It’s inexpensive, natural and effective stain remover and deodorizer.

1. Mix a solution of 50/50 white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
2. Spray the solution on the stain. Working very quickly spray and blot the stain working from the outside edges in.
3. Repeat until the stain has been removed.

A portable steam cleaner is is an ideal tool because you can flush the area with your cleaning solution and then extract most of the liquid back out of the mattress. Use 3 cups of water to 1 cup of vinegar for best results.

Removing Urine Odor

By following the stain removal procedure using vinegar, you will be doing double duty. Vinegar is not only a mild antibacterial and antiviral, it is the most incredible deodorizer you’ll find. I know you’re probably saying that vinegar is pretty smelly itself. That is true when it is applied, but the vinegar odor will dissipate as it dries.

Let the mattress air dry completely. Then give it the sniff test, you should be good to go!

Heavy Duty Urine Odor Removal

If some stubborn smell remains, baking soda is also a natural deodorizer that works wonders.

1. Simply sprinkle baking soda on the urine stain and let it sit for several hours.
2. Vacuum up the dried baking soda and the smell should be gone.

Keeping Your Mattress Fresh

Most people do not think of mattress maintenance as part of their regular cleaning. They launder their sheets weekly and think that everything is clean and fresh.

No matter how clean you (or your sheets are), your mattress will accumulate allergens, odors coming from you and your pets. We (and our pets) are constantly shedding our outermost layer of skin and this debris settles in the sheets and eventually escapes and dwells right on the mattress top.

This said, all is not lost. If your mattress is worth keeping, then all you need to do is follow these tips to sanitize and freshen it up.

Vacuum the Mattress

Yes, a vacuum! You can use a vacuum cleaner with a hose and appropriate attachment and go over the mattress fabric really quickly. Assuming you are doing routine cleaning and not dealing with a pesky stain, simply strip the bed and use the vacuum cleaner to get all loose materials off the mattress and out from under the bed.

This will help remove dead skin, dust and debris that collects in the seams in your mattress. Another bonus of vacuuming is that it fluffs up your mattress allowing for a more comfortable night’s sleep. After I am done with the “top” of the mattress, I like to move it to the side and vacuum the top of the box spring with a handheld attachment. It is amazing how much dust and pet hair can accumulate. This is a good time to flip the mattress and vacuum the other side (if you have a mattress that can be flipped that is).

The entire area around the bed (including all cracks and crevasses) should be cleaned at the same time. This helps limit dust, pet hair and other things from migrating back into the bed.

Flipping the Mattress

Flipping the mattress at least two times each year helps it wear evenly, minimizing wear and tear.

Pillow Top Mattress

Pillow top mattresses cannot be flipped, but they can have the top reversed to the bottom to make sure that the mattress wears evenly.

Standard Mattress

If the mattress is not a pillow top, the bottom of the mattress can flipped to the top, and also have the top and bottom reversed.

• Keep up with how the mattress is moved each time so that all four positions allow the mattress to wear evenly.
• While the mattress is being repositioned, it is the opportune time to clean the box springs and vacuum them thoroughly. When the reverse side of the mattress is placed on top, be sure to clean it completely before putting the mattress cover and sheets back on top.

Keeping Your Mattress Clean

The best way to keep a mattress clean is to protect it.

Buy a Mattress Cover

Purchase a mattress cover that completely envelops the mattress and zips up to keep anything from getting inside. This will keep out dust mites and allergens that will otherwise make their home in the mattress material.

Using a Mattress Pad

A mattress pad is another way to keep a mattress clean, but it needs to be laundered weekly. Utilize the time when the mattress cover or pad is not on the bed to clean and vacuum the frame and mattress. Dust the frame and all the crevices to remove bugs, dead skin and other items that may have become trapped there.

Waterproof Mattress Cover

If you are caring for an elderly parent or if you have young children, waterproof mattress pads/covers are affordable and help protect the mattress.

Remember: precautions taken beforehand can reduce problems later, but they can’t eliminate the need to perform periodic maintenance on the mattress and bed frame.

Now Enjoy a Good Night’s Sleep

Now you can clean and disinfect your mattress so that no one will have any idea that your mattress was stained. Just be sure to remember the maintenance so it will smell as fresh as it looks.

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How To Clean A Mattress

It’s said that we spend 30% or more of our lives sleeping.

Knowing this fact, you would want this one-third of your life to be spent somewhere that’s clean and comfortable!

I once read somewhere that the average mattress can double its weight over the years (I think it was 10 years) as a result of it being filled with dust mites and their debris. Yuk! If I’m spending one-third of my time on my mattress – I want to make sure it’s a clean mattress.

It really is important to do maintenance cleaning to your mattress to keep it fresh and to ensure it lasts for a long time to come. It’s a fact that a clean and sanitized mattress can make a huge difference in the way you sleep and feel!

All it takes is a few simple steps and regular cleaning.

Vacuum Away Dust Mites

One of the largest causes of a stale-smelling and allergy unfriendly mattress is dust mites.

They are simple to control, though. When you go to flip your mattress (as you should every 6-8 weeks), take a few moments to vacuum each face and all sides. Use the hose on your vacuum with its non-brush, hard surface attachment.

This regular upkeep will go a long way towards keeping your mattress clean and comfortable.

Freshen Up Your Mattress

Here are some general fresh-smelling tips to keep your mattress freshened up.

Tip #1. Use Dryer Sheets to Keep Your Mattress Fresh

Be sure to place a few dryer sheets on the mattress before covering it with the mattress cover and bedding. This will help the mattress smell as fresh as it did when you bought it from the store.

However, make sure the dryer sheets you choose have a scent that you don’t mind sleeping on every night; and if you find yourself developing a headache, it’s time to change scents.

Tip #2. Sprinkle on a bit of Baking Soda

Baking soda is safe and an efficient deodorizer and it’s an odor magnet! Sprinkle some on the top of your mattress then let this sit for an hour or so then vacuum thoroughly.

You can even add a bit of lavender essential oil to the mix, here’s how:

Get yourself a mason jar and poke some holes in the lid (to sprinkle out the mixture) then add:

1 cup of baking soda and drop in 10 drops lavender essential oil. Put the lid on and sprinkle over the mattress. Vacuum thoroughly after an hour or so.

Removing Urine from Your Mattress

Unfortunately, accidents can and do happen. Whether it’s your young child or pet stains, it can be extremely frustrating to figure out just how to save the mattress.

The first step is to blot up as much of the wetness as possible with a dry towel. Lay a towel over the area and apply as much pressure as you can to absorb the urine from as deep in the mattress. Repeat until no more liquid is being released from the mattress.

Next, spray (don’t pour) on a enzymatic cleaner designed especially for urine – these can be found at just about any grocery or home care store.

Repeat the blotting process over the enzymatic cleaner until the towels comes up dry and white (this may take several repetitions).

Finally, sprinkle baking soda over the entire area. The baking soda will help to eliminate any lingering odors and absorb remaining moisture. Leave the baking soda at least overnight, sometimes longer if the stain is larger. Then vacuum the baking soda from the mattress and use as normal.

Removing Mattress Mold and Mildew

A mattress that has had mold or mildew on it can seem impossible clean. If the mold and/or mildew covers more than 50% of the mattress and/or it appears to be extremely deep (not just on the surface), we recommend a new mattress for your overall health. However, if there’s just a small area that has mildewed, you may be able to salvage the mattress.

Take the mattress outside on a dry, sunny day. Be sure you’re wearing a protective mask, and then vacuum the mattress with a garage vacuum (Shop Vac). Allow the mattress to sit in the sun for the rest of the day. If you want to leave the mattress for more than one day of sunning, be sure to bring it in before the dew settles for the night.

Removing Cigarette Odors

Cigarette smoking in bed is never recommended for obvious safety reasons, but still some do and it leaves a mattress saturated with cigarette odors.

Even if you don’t smoke in bed, if someone in your house smokes inside, your mattress is likely to have absorbed some of the cigarette odors. To remove these less-than-pleasant odors from your mattress, we recommend starting with taking the mattress outside on a sunny, dry day.

Spray the mattress with a fabric odor remover or neutralizer such as Febreeze, and let the sun naturally bake the mattress until it’s fresh. Then, bring the mattress inside and sprinkle baking soda on it. Allow the baking soda to sit overnight, and vacuum in the morning.

Removing Vomit

Recovering from an illness can seem to zap all of your strength, and then you’re left with the less-than-charming task of clean-up. If your mattress was the unfortunate recipient of vomit, it can be cleaned in much the same way as urine listed above.

Use an enzymatic cleaner as described above to remove the vomit stain from the mattress. Then, allow the mattress to sit in the sun and use the sun’s antibiotic properties to kill any remaining germs.

After all, this isn’t a cycle that you want to repeat any time soon!

By keeping your mattress fresh and clean, you’re not only helping yourself sleep well but you’re also helping to keep yourself healthy.

A mattress that is stale and filled with foreign substances such as mold, germs, and dust mite can cause long-reaching health problems. Keep your mattress clean with these simple tips, and you’ll breathe more easily each night as you sleep.

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Cotton Sheet Stain Removal

Cotton is a comfortable fabric to sleep on, it’s easy to care for, and most stains can be removed from sheets, blankets, and pillowcases thanks to the fabric’s unique qualities. With that being said, however, blood and other biological stains are a different story.

Removing biological stains and returning sheets to their whitest and brightest is a bit tougher task.

But don’t automatically think you have to throw out your stained cotton sheets. You may be able to save cotton bedding if you follow these effective steps for tough stain removal:

Stain Removal Basics

Learning the basics will help you have the best chance of removing a blood stain. Before you begin, here are some things to know:

• For optimal stain removal, it’s best to attempt to remove the stain as soon as possible.
• Heat sets almost every stain, making it impossible to remove.
• Old stains are harder to treat than fresh stains.

Shampoo is the secret to removing stains. That’s right, plain old shampoo.

Blood and other biological stains can easily be removed from most washable cotton bedding by using shampoo and COLD water. Shampoo works really well to eliminate hours-old stains in minutes. Any type of shampoo will work, just make sure to use cold water. Here’s the procedure:

Removing Fresh Blood Stains

1. Pour a cupful of shampoo on the stain, making sure that shampoo touches every part of the stain
2. Rub the stained area until the shampoo is completely absorbed
3. Rinse out with cold water. Continue scrubbing the bedding
4. Repeat if needed
5. When the blood stain is gone, launder as usual in cold water

Removing OLD Blood Stains

If the stain is older than 48 hours you will probably need to soak the cotton sheets first in cold water and/or with an enzyme pre-soak, then launder in cold water. Check the stain and do not put the sheets through the dryer until the stain is gone. Remember that heat will set the stain in.

If the blood stain still remains, try using a few drops of 3% hydrogen peroxide from the medicine cabinet. Pour directly on to the stain and let it sit for a few minutes. Rinse and repeat.

Whitening / Removing Yellow Discolorations

Do you love the look of clean white cotton sheets but notice that yours are yellowed even though you’ve used chlorine bleach? What you may not know is that bleach isn’t the “cure-all” stain remover and whitener some people assume. It does not remove many causes of yellowish colored stains on cotton as the yellowing is actually material (usually biological such as urine, sweat or other bodily fluid) that has bonded to the cotton fabric. Continues use of bleach will actually cause your sheets to yellow further because bleach oxidizes, yellows cotton and then ultimately destroys cotton fibers!

To brighten, whiten and keep you sheets looking new try any of the following:

• Borax
• Oxyclean or any “oxygenated” detergent
• Washing Soda

These products are effective and natural whiteners and brighteners that can be used on both colors and white fabric. They work well on biological stains such as urine, sweat, vomit etc. These products also remove the embedded minerals left in the fabric that cause the yellowing. To use borax, oxygen cleaners or washing soda:

• For Fresh Stains: Start with cold water.
• For Set in Stains and to Whiten or Brighten: Use the warmest water that your fabric can handle.

Small Stains

1. Make a paste using either cold water for a fresh stain or warm water for a set-in stain
2. Apply it to the area
3. Let it sit for 20 minutes
4. Rinse but do not dry until the stain is gone

Whitening

1. Add the Borax, Oxyclean or washing soda according to box directions to your regular load of laundry – Do not use bleach!
2. Use the warmest water that is recommended for your fabric
3. Stop your washer midway through agitation to soak for 20 minutes
4. Return your washer to regular cycle
5. Check sheets to make sure stain is gone and sheets look brighter before placing in the dryer.

Fresh stains, old stains, or just whitening and brightening can be an overwhelming task to some but with these tips you can inexpensively eliminate most stains safely and effectively from cotton fabrics. Recent stains will be gone in seconds, and set-in tough stains might need some pre-soaking but it is worth it to save a set of soft, comfy, white and stain free cotton sheets.

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