How to Clean a Mattress With a Carpet Cleaner [6 Steps]

Just because you can’t see them doesn’t mean they’re not there.

Your mattress might appear immaculate. However, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s clean, in the truest sense of the word.

Bacteria and fungi, as well as spores of molds and other allergens, might be lurking around. They might be spreading without any hint.

Imagine how much worse it could be if your mattress had seen its better days.

To ensure that it’s not the case, you want to do a thorough cleaning. But can you clean your mattress with a carpet cleaner?

You might find it ridiculous to even consider the thought at first. But YES! You can use a carpet cleaner to clean your bed.

Carpet cleaner companies claim that their machines work on any fabric. Why would a mattress be any different, right?

In this article, I will share some tips on how to clean a bed with a carpet cleaner correctly and safely.

6 Steps in Using a Carpet Cleaner on a Mattress

Step 1: Strip and Flip

First, you need to roll up your sleeves in here because you’ve got some “workout level” of a chore.

Remove the beddings, lift the mattress to its side, and lean it against the wall. Ensure that it is very stable in its position and will not slide down.

I know you might be scratching your head right now. Why not just clean it lying flat as it is?

Simple. Gravity.

You don’t want dirty water absorbing all the way through the other side of the bed, especially since it’s not that dirty over there. Of course, this is not an exact science, but it would reduce the likelihood.

Step 2: Suck It Up!

Remove the first layer of the problem: the dry materials like dirt, dead skin, and even loose fibers from the mattress and bedding.

I suggest that you do it twice to remove as much dirt as possible. Also, use a crevice tool so that you can reach the quilting, welting, other hard-to-access parts of the bed.

Step 3: Get Ready With the Cleaner

Remember the goal: To clean the mattress.

You don’t want to add more problems to the ones at hand, right?

With this, you need to ensure that the machine is spotlessly clean before it touches the mattress.

As for the solution you will be using, ensure that you will follow the directions to a T when mixing, specifically if it’s your first time using it.

Step 4: Spring Into Action

Start operating the carpet cleaner using the attached hand tool and clean the top part.

Make sure NOT to overwet the mattress. I’m telling you, you’ll be creating more problems.

Prolonged moisture can cause mold and mildew formation. Worse, they come with a pungent smell.

Let the mattress dry, then proceed to the flipside.

Step 5: Do the Other Side

You can either do the same process or just do steam cleaning. It’s really up to you.

Since the bottom of the mattress is highly unlikely to be stained, there’s really no need for any chemical treatment or solution.

Steam cleaning can address the possible existence of allergens and fungi.

If there’s no available steam cleaning machine, you can instead use a garment steamer or iron with a steam function. Both should work just fine.

Step 6: Make the Bed

Once completely dry, return the mattress to its base. Cover it with sheets or bed protectors to prevent mites from returning and keep your mattress guarded against stains.

Replenish with fresh bed linens and pillows.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to clean a mattress without a carpet cleaner?

You can still clean your mattress even without help from a carpet cleaner. Besides baking soda and vinegar spray as standalone cleaning agents, some of the materials you could use are baking soda, dish soap, and hydrogen peroxide.

Sprinkle and spread the baking soda all over the mattress. Leave it there for a while (for a whole day for better results). Vacuum the bed and make sure there are no remnants of the baking soda left.

Mix a teaspoon of dish cleaner and water in a spray container and spray onto the mattress. Leave it there for a while until the soap seeps through the upper layer.

In another spray bottle, combine equal amounts of water and hydrogen peroxide. Spray onto the mattress.

Sprinkle baking soda again and spread it all over the bed using a clean cloth.

Scrub the mattress thoroughly using a brush. After this, vacuum the surface thoroughly to remove the baking soda. Let it completely dry before replenishing the beddings.

What can I use to clean my mattress with carpet cleaner?

• All-Purpose Cleaner – For regular cleaning or scrubbing without any heavy stains, an all-purpose cleaner would be perfect.
• Vinegar Spray – When you want a more organic stain remover, you can make your own solution by mixing equal parts of water and white vinegar. It works just like bleach but is definitely safer.
• Baking Soda – You may have heard a warning never to use baking soda on a wet mattress because it can form into a very sticky paste. However, there’s a safer way to avoid this from happening. If you are trying to remove smells, just sprinkle it on a specific spot or all over. Leave it for a whole day and vacuum everything away before applying any liquid.