how to do a clean

When it comes to buying a mattress, most of us spend a ton of time researching the best one. Whether it's a bed in a box or from a store, we want to make sure that our mattress is non-toxic, comfy, and affordable. But once you've gone ahead and invested in the mattress of your dreams, have you ever given any thought to how dirty it might get? Even if you change your bedding regularly and don't allow any pets or shoes on your bed, you may be surprised to find that your mattress isn't as clean as you think. That's because over time, things like dead skin cells, dust mites, dirt, bodily fluids, and a host of other things that make you say "ick" can accumulate on your mattress. In fact, Amerisleep reports that after seven years, mattresses can house more than 16 million colony-forming units (CFUs) of bacteria. Yuck!

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So, what should you do? "Cleaning is how you care for your mattress," says Mary Gagliardi, aka "Dr. Laundry," the in-house scientist and cleaning expert for Clorox. "Cleaning your mattress eliminates things like dust and pet dander, and also helps it last longer." Another way to extend the life of your mattress is by purchasing one of the best mattress toppers.

How often you should clean your mattress

First and foremost, it's important to note that "clean" doesn't always mean soap and water—especially when it comes to mattresses. In fact, Gagliardi stresses that "it's important to avoid getting a mattress too wet." Otherwise, the interior will become a breeding ground for mold and mildew. That's why Gagliardi recommends vacuuming your mattress. "At a minimum, vacuum every three to four months when you rotate and flip a mattress (also an important part of mattress care)," she says. "If you have a mattress that doesn't require flipping, you should still rotate it every three to four months, so be sure to vacuum at the same time."

What to use to clean a mattress

For routine cleaning, Gagliardi recommends a vacuum with a HEPA filter that doesn't return everything you are vacuuming up back into the room. "Routine cleaning of a mattress really just involves vacuuming with the upholstery attachment on the vacuum to get into the crevices and quilted covering," she says. One of these dependable vacuum cleaners should do the trick!

How to deep clean a mattress

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It's always a good idea to deep clean rugs and surfaces in your home. But should you deep clean a mattress? No, not if you mean scrubbing it with soap and water. According to Gagliardi, getting a mattress really wet is bad for it. In fact, getting a mattress too wet can ruin it altogether. Instead, she recommends routine cleaning with a good vacuum and spot cleaning stains.

How to get stains out of a mattress

The most common mattress stains are typically from bodily fluids like sweat, urine, and blood. And contrary to popular belief, you can get blood out of your bedding. For these stains, you'll want a good mattress cleaner that doesn't get your mattress too wet. Gagliardi recommends this hydrogen peroxide–based Clorox Urine Remover, since it works on protein-based stains like urine and blood, and is safe for use on mattresses. Spray this product onto the stains and then wait three minutes before blotting the treated area with a clean, damp cloth.

If you don't have a store-bought mattress stain remover on hand, you can make your own quickly and easily using a combination of everyday items that you already have in your home. The Sleep Foundation recommends making a 1:1 solution of cold water and hydrogen peroxide. Apply that solution to the stain and blot using a clean cloth. Then, using another clean cloth, blot the stained area with fresh water. Repeat this process until the stain is removed. A mixture of half vinegar and half water is also an effective and more natural way to spot clean your mattress.

Whether you use a commercial mattress stain remover or make your own, the last step is the most important. That is to let your mattress air-dry completely. Gagliardi suggests running a fan to circulate air in the room. Once the mattress is completely dry, then you can put the bed linens back on.

How to remove odors from a mattress

If your mattress is smelling a bit funky but has no obvious stains, there are a few ways to remove odors. Gagliardi recommends spraying the surface of your mattress until damp—not saturated—with Clorox Fabric Sanitizer Aerosol Spray. Again, allow the mattress to air-dry completely before putting your sheets back on.

Another surefire way to remove odors from a mattress is with good old baking soda. Sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the entire surface of your mattress, and allow it to sit for a few hours. The baking soda absorbs moisture and neutralizes odors. Once you've allowed the baking soda to sit for a few hours, vacuum it up using your vacuum's upholstery attachment, and then put your bed linens back on.

When is it time to replace your mattress?

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When it comes to common stains like blood or sweat and urine, the latter of which can be the cause of those pesky yellow stains, Gagliardi says they are all absolutely worth cleaning. But there are times when you should replace your mattress sooner than the typical seven years. According to Gagliardi, a mattress should be replaced if it gets too wet and cannot dry out properly. For example, if your house floods, it's probably a good idea to cut your losses and replace your mattress.

In other instances, she points out that you'll definitely want to replace a sagging mattress. How can you prevent sagging? She advises that you rotate and flip your mattress (if it can be flipped) on a regular basis, as directed by the manufacturer. She points out that most mattresses have a life span and that they should last that long when properly cared for. After that, you can evaluate your mattress' condition and decide when to replace it.

Remember to wash your mattress pad cover, too

When it comes to caring for your mattress, Gagliardi also advises cleaning your mattress pad cover on a regular basis. "At a minimum, wash it when you vacuum and rotate the mattress using a good detergent and 1/3 cup bleach," she says. "Mattress covers [should] be clean, white, and germ-free, too!" And speaking of mattress covers, she recommends looking for one that is "waterproof" as opposed to "water-resistant." Water-resistant just means it resists water but can't prevent it from getting through completely. In the event of an accident on a water-resistant mattress cover, you're likely to end up with stains.

Sources:

• Mary Gagliardi, aka "Dr. Laundry," Clorox's in-house scientist and cleaning expert
• Amerisleep: "Bacteria in your Bed"
• Sleep Foundation: "How to Clean a Mattress"

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Where is this movie quote from?

If you think you know all about surprising movie trivia facts, you'll be a whiz at guessing the movies that made these quotes famous. Click on to test your knowledge of these famous lines and movie titles.

A. Forest Gump

B. A Streetcar Named Desire

C. Gone With The Wind

Gone with the Wind (1939)

In Gone with the Wind, Scarlett runs down the stairs after Rhett Butler in the hopes of winning him back. She asks what she should do and where she should go, but he had enough of her antics and responded with, "Frankly, my dear, I don't give a damn." This is one of the most famous movie quotes of all time.

A. Shrek

B. Monsters, Inc.

C. Antz

Shrek (2001)

Shrek is one funny family movie that the whole gang will love. It features plenty of great one-liners, including, "Ogres are like onions." The titular character further explains that ogres are like onions because both have layers.

A. Maid in Manhattan

B. Sunshine Cleaning

C. My Big Fat Greek Wedding

My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002)

We don't think the characters in My Big Fat Greek Wedding know that there are plenty of things you should never clean with Windex. Still, the main character explains that her dad believes Windex cures everything from poison ivy to psoriasis.

A. The Dark Knight

B. Avengers: Endgame

C. Suicide Squad

The Dark Knight (2008)

Hopefully, you guessed correctly because Heath Ledger as the Joker in The Dark Knight is a hard performance to forget. It's unsurprising that Rotten Tomatoes users voted this performance as the most memorable movie moment of the last 21 years. These surprising superheroes facts, however, are more shocking.

A. Braveheart

B. 300

C. Gladiator

Gladiator (2000)

Although this movie is almost 20 years old, the pop-cultural references persist because it's so ridiculously quotable. One of the most famous lines in the movie, directed by Ridley Scott is, "Are you not entertained?" If you don't automatically lift your arms to mimic Russell Crowe's character, then you probably got this question wrong.

A. Bring It On

B. Mean Girls

C. Freaky Friday

Mean Girls (2004)

Quotes from Mean Girls are still relevant and recognized even though the movie is from 2004. People also celebrate October 3rd as Mean Girls Day because of another infamous line from the movie. "She doesn't even go here" seems to be timeless along with these movies that have great one-liners.

A. The Notebook

B. Dear John

C. A Walk to Remember

The Notebook (2004)

Nicholas Sparks knows how to write a great love story. The Notebook is just one of his 11 books adapted to the big screen. Again, it's hard to pick just one famous quote from this movie, but, "I wish I knew how to quit you" is one that sticks out. For an equally challenging quiz, see if you can guess the movie based on just one photo.

A. 27 Dresses

B. Confessions of a Shopaholic

C. The Devil Wears Prada

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Meryl Streep is in at least 68 different movies, and her role in The Devil Wears Prada is just one of her many fantastic and memorable characters. Anyone who works in media, magazines, or fashion is especially familiar with the movie and the scene where Streep says, "Florals? For spring? Groundbreaking." The style alone makes this movie one of the best to watch just for the clothes.

A. Star Trek

B. Star Wars

C. Battlestar Galactica

Star Wars: A New Hope (1977)

This quote might have thrown you for a loop. That's because it's one of the movie quotes most people get wrong. Many people think the quote is, "May the Force be with you." In fact, it's often attributed to Obi-Wan Kenobi, but he never said it in the originalStar Wars films. General Dodonna says this line to his Rebel troops, and later, Han Solo says it to Luke before the latter flies off to take down the Death Star. Obi-Wan does say the line inAttack of the Clones andRevenge of the Sith, too.

A. To Catch A Thief

B. Citizen Kane

C. Casablanca

Casablanca (1942)

Casablanca is a classic movie that people lie about watching. That might be part of the reason why it's common for people to botch some of the famous quotes from the classic film. One that people mostly get right is, "Here's looking at you, kid."

A. Jerry Maguire

B. As Good As It Gets

C. The Story of Us

Jerry Maguire (1996)

Although the movie does focus heavily on sports, the famous quote is more romantic than athletic. The titular character played by Tom Cruise goes on a long-winded rant to try and win back his ex, played by Rene Zellweger, but she cuts him off with, "You had me at 'hello.'" It might not necessarily be one of the best romantic movies of all time, but it's certainly worth watching.

A. Marathon Man

B. Midnight Cowboy

C. Taxi Driver

Midnight Cowboy (1969)

Dustin Hoffman and Jon Voight team up in Midnight Cowboy, and both deliver stellar performances. The famous quote that steals the show, however, is this line that Hoffman says as he crosses a street in New York City. You can see this street in real life along with these 65 other iconic movie sets you can visit.

A. The Hateful Eight

B. Pulp Fiction

C. Kill Bill: Volume 1

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Keeping track of the storylines in Pulp Fiction is part of the fun of watching the crime movie. The stars include John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Bruce Willis, and Samuel L. Jackson, who says, "They call it Royale, with cheese."

A. Unforgiven

B. Dirty Harry

C. Sudden Impact

Sudden Impact (1983)

Harry Callahan's catchphrase, "Go ahead, make my day," is something he says at the beginning and end of Sudden Impact. Callahan, played by Clint Eastwood, says this line to a robber to show that he could be easily provoked. Although Eastwood delivers the line with hutzpah, he had a hard time delivering what became one of the best Oscar jokes back in 1973.

A. Dead Poets Society

B. Good Will Hunting

C. School Ties

Dead Poets Society (1989)

If you've ever had an English teacher impact your life, you're also a prime candidate for watching this 1989 movie. In the film, John Keating, played by Robin Williams, is an unorthodox teacher at an all-boys prep school. "Carpe diem," he tells his students. "Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary." When it feels like things are going against you, remember this famous movie quote along with these uplifting quotes that will stay with you.

A. When Harry Met Sally

B. Sleepless in Seattle

C. You've Got Mail

When Harry Met Sally (1989)

Although Meg Ryan stars in Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail, it's her performance in When Harry Met Sally that led to this famous quote. After Ryan's character does some impressive acting of her own, an extra says, "I'll have what she's having." If the answer to this question was obvious, you'd be a whiz at naming the 20 romantic movies in this picture.

A. Ever After

B. The Princess Bride

C. A Knight's Tale

The Princess Bride (1987)

This film is based on a 1973 book by the same name, and although the book features one of the most romantic quotes, the movie quote that sticks out the most is about revenge. Inigo repeats this line more than once until he finally meets the man who killed his father.

A. Rules of Engagement

B. A Few Good Men

C. Men of Honor

A Few Good Men (1992)

A Few Good Men has a few good movie quotes, but none are more memorable than, "You can't handle the truth." Jack Nicholson delivers this line during a heated courtroom interrogation.

A. The Deep

B. The Shallows

C. Jaws

Jaws (1975)

Police Chief Brody yells, "You're gonna need a bigger boat," during an iconic scene in Jaws after seeing the gigantic shark he hopes to catch.The film is one of the scariest movies of all time.

A. Dirty Dancing

B. Footloose

C. Save the Last Dance

Dirty Dancing (1987)

Johnny Castle, played by Patrick Swayze, rescues Baby after her father tells her to sit away from the dance stage, in the corner. Castle takes her hand, so the couple dances and have the time of their lives. Dirty Dancing is one of the movies with the most rockin' soundtracks ever.

41/41 SLIDES

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