How Do You Deep Clean a Mattress? What Tools Do I Need?
I am naturally sweaty and only use Fan (no AC) so I sweat through the night and the smell sticks to the mattress (and the pillows).
Is there a way to clean this mattress before I invest in a mattress cover?
If you manage to clean (or end up replacing) the mattress consider getting a waterproof zip-up mattress cover for it, and then put the mattress pad on top of that.
Yes, any smart-ass people who see it will make comments like “Dude, do you piss the bed or something?”. You know what? Fuck them. Beyond the common sweat issue, mattresses are expensive and the whole mattress industry is a scam.
So protecting your overpriced investment from liquids (accidental spills, pet vomit, whatever) is just good common sense. Once you have a mattress pad on top of the zip-up waterproof cover, and then a fitted sheet over the whole thing, it really isn’t all that noticeable.
The zip-ups also help deter bed bugs, I believe. Maybe it’s an old wive’s tale, but I believe that if you get a bedbug infestation, having that zip-up means you’re more likely to be able to salvage your mattress (rather than need to buy a new one), as the bed bugs obviously are unable to infest your mattress.
Also, memory foam mattress pads are just comfy.
I started doing this when my kids up were little, but quickly realized it was a good idea, given how expensive mattresses are.
The only thing I would add is it is worth paying a little more so you don’t hear the crinkle of plastic every time you move. Similarly, the mattress pad is critical, otherwise you’re sleeping on plastic
Are these Mattress Pads and Waterproof Zip-Up Mattress Cover easy to wash? (Using a Washing Machine?)
Yes, they are.
We wash the zip up pad a few times a year. But we do the mattress pad that sits on top when we wash our sheets.
I’ve never seen the need to wash the waterproof cover, unless there was an accident. Then it’s just a sponge or rag with soap and water. It’s never exposed, converted by several layers, and is impermeable.
The mattress pad goes in the wash occasionally