WE ALL know how important it is to regularly clean our bedding, but did you know you should also be giving your mattress a good clean.

It turns out stains, dirt, and grime which build up on your mattress, so making sure it's fresh is a must.

How to clean a mattress

Although cleaning your mattress might feel like a huge chore, it's actually a lot easier than you might think.

In fact, you probably have everything you need to clean in at home already.

According to the pros at Architectural Digest: "Mattresses can harbour dust mites, dead skin, dirt, and other debris, which means they need to be cleaned regularly—particularly if you suffer from allergies, have pets, or are just an avid midnight snacker."

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1. Wash the bedding set

The first step is to strip your bedding off.

Put this in the washing machine to clean while you get to work on the mattress itself.

You should wash your bedding once a week, if possible.

2. Grab your cleaning supplies

You wont need any unusual cleaning tools, unless you have some hefty stains to get rid of.

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All you really need is:

• a vacuum cleaner (with an upholstery attachment if possible)
• baking soda
• laundry detergent or dish soap
• a sponge
• a bucket of lukewarm or cold water

3. Open a window

Ventilation is key when doing any major cleaning because chemicals can build to become unsafe in the home.

An open window will also help when it comes to airing out your mattress.

4. Vacuum your mattress

Vacuum the mattress in small circular motions to pick up any dirt on the surface.

Try to get into any crevasses on the surface and if possible, use an upholstery attachment for better cleaning.

" If someone does have allergies in your home, you may need to vacuum more frequently and/or make purchasing a mattress cover a necessity," the cleaning pros at The Spruce advise.

5. Spot clean stains

This is where your laundry detergent mixed with lukewarm water comes in.

Dab the mixture onto any stains to lift the dirt, but make sure you don't rub as this can push stains further into the material.

You could use a steam cleaner for this step if you already have one.

Let this air dry completely before continuing with the next steps.

6. Cover with baking soda

Baking soda is not just an ingredient, but it can also be a powerful cleaning agent.

Sprinkle a layer of baking soda over your entire mattress and leave it to air for at least a few hours; if possible, leave it overnight.

This is a deodorizing agent so it will remove any lingering smells from the mattress.

7. Vacuum again

Once your mattress smells fresh, you can vacuum off any remaining dirt and baking soda.

This will lift anything you missed in your first pass and other dirt that has lifted.

Take the time to also vacuum your headboard if it's fabric, or wipe it down if it's made from metal or wood.

8. Flip the mattress

This can be a good time to flip your mattress and repeat the cleaning process on the other side.

You should flip your mattress every three months to keep it in good condition and prevent any lumps and bumps forming in one place.

If you don't want to do this, you can just put your bedding back onto your bed.

Cleaning hacks and tips

Here are some tips to help you clean your home like a pro:

• How to clean your washing machine in a few easy steps
• Keep on top of cleaning your oven regularly
•  Clean your shower to ensure it's always sparkling
• How to clean your microwave using cheap household items
• Here's how to get rid of that nasty limescale in your kettle
• You're cleaning your carpet all wrong – here's how to get it spotless again in no time
• Unblock a toilet without a plunger
• Clean your fabric or leather sofa in a few easy steps
• If you haven't cleaned your mattress in ages, here's how
• Steps to cleaning your dishwasher to leave it looking brand new
• This is how to clean mirrors and windows without streaking
• Keep your toilet clean in four easy steps
• Give your TV screen a once-over
• Did you know your Venetian, Roman, vertical, or roller blinds also need cleaning?
• Deep-clean your fridge in five simple steps

Can I clean a memory foam mattress?

You can clean the memory foam mattress in the same way you do any other mattress.

Unfortunately, if you have stubborn stains, you cannot use a steam cleaner on a memory foam mattress since the heat and moisture from a steam cleaner can damage the structure of the memory foam.

If you have a tough stain, you might need to up the elbow grease and consider using a mattress protector to keep from getting it dirty again in the future.

How often should I clean my mattress?

This may come as a shock, but you should actually clean your mattress every few months.

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If this doesn't fit in your busy schedule, try and do it at least three times a year.

Even if you just vacuum the mattress every few times that you change your bedding, this should help keep it clean.

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