Yep, You Should Be Cleaning Your Mattress — Here's How

Whether you realize it or not, people spend a lot of time in bed — from sleeping and sex to binge-watching TV (and many other things in between). As such, chances are you spend more time on your mattress than you do any other surface in your home, and yet, despite its frequent use, it likely gets cleaned the least.

But the reality is, you should be periodically deep-cleaning the place you spend nearly one-third of your life, because it (like anything else) accumulates dirt, dead skin, and other debris over time. A good rule of thumb is to give it a zhuzh at least twice a year. Along with refreshing your bed, cleaning your mattress ensures for a better night's sleep and better health overall, especially if you suffer from allergies or have pets.

If you're not sure where to start, we've broken down a few easy tips on how to deep clean a mattress. Keep reading for a few different methods.

Looking for an easy DIY hack? The good news is that you don't need harsh chemicals or expensive concoctions to clean your mattress — all you need is a box of baking soda (and, if you're feeling fancy, an essential oil), and a vacuum cleaner.

Before beginning, flip or rotate the bed, which is smart to do every six months to extend mattress life and prevent sagging. While you're working on your mattress, toss your bedding in the wash, and fluff duvets or feather beds in the dryer. Open the box of baking soda and add 10 to 20 drops of your favorite essential oil. Close the box and give it a good shake to distribute the essential oil and break up any large clumps. Lavender, chamomile, sandalwood, and ylang ylang are all soothing scents that would be wonderfully calming. And essential oils are naturally antibacterial.

Sprinkle the baking soda over the bed, using the entire box. Now it's time for a mattress massage! Rub the baking soda mixture into the bed, which really gives your mattress a deep cleaning. Let the baking soda and essential oil work its magic for at least an hour. While you're waiting, wipe down the walls around your bed and the bed frame, creating a nice and clean sleeping area.

After an hour, vacuum the mattress, working slowly to ensure all the baking soda has been removed. Along with freshening your bed, the mixture helps lift dirt and residue while wicking away moisture. And giving your mattress a good vacuuming sucks away any lurking dust mites, which makes everyone sleep easier.

If you don't mind using chemicals on your mattress, you can get a nice deep clean with chemical spot treatments. Before you start, though, it's worth noting that you don't want to apply the cleaning solution directly to the fabric (instead, you'll want to dab), and you never want to fully emerge the mattress under water, as it can ruin the fabric or foam. You'll also need to choose a stain remover depending on the type of mattress you have, as well as the type of stain.

For getting stains like dog pee, blood, vomit, and sweat out of a mattress, we recommend an enzyme cleaner (like the Clorox Pet Urine Remover ($6) for the former, for example). Spray the liquid onto a clean white cloth — remember, you don't want to apply anything directly — and then use it to blot the stain. If you need a little extra help, combine hydrogen peroxide, distilled white vinegar, baking soda, dish soap, and cold water into a bowl and mix. Then, soak the mixture onto a clean white cloth and continue dabbing until the stain lifts.

Once you're done cleaning your mattress, all that's left to do is make the bed, and you're ready for some serious slumber.