How to revive old mattresses with affordable cleaning hack

Mattress maintenance might seem like a daunting chore, but it’s essential for a good night’s sleep – and your health.

Sleep expert Kora Habinakova of Sleepseeker advises mattresses should be deep cleaned at least twice a year, adding that we should also “regularly give it a quick clean to prevent odours, and long-lasting stains and keep it in generally good condition.”

Cardiff Mattress Cleaning agreed, writing: “Dust mites and fungi can trigger allergies that disrupt your sleep and affect your health when you are lying in bed.”

But while the advice may be clear, many of us find the prospect of giving our mattress a good scrub less than appealing. Luckily there are a few tricks you can use to make the task less impossibl.

TikTok user @tsagana24 showed off her cost-effective mattress cleaning method and people were delighted. Her video, captioned “Omg, after 2 children, my mattress was ready for the trash, but now it’s like new and I saved a lot of money” has captured the attention of viewers.

This cleaning enthusiast encourages people to rejuvenate their existing mattresses rather than purchasing new ones. She reveals the transformation of her own mattress from stained and neglected to “like new”.

Her secret formula is a mixture of washing machine powder and boiling water, combined with two tablespoons of baking powder, a tablespoon of toothpaste, and four tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide.

Firstly, give the concoction a thorough stir. Then, soak a towel in the blend, place it atop an unplugged iron, and scrub your mattress for a deep clean.

The woman donned a glove to safeguard her other hand. The video shows the stains visibly diminishing, and after she’s done with the iron, she gives it another go-over with just the cloth.

In the comments section, one person remarked: “I think the hydrogen peroxide did most of the leg work here Colgate is just for a minty fresh smell.”

Another quipped: “Baking soda being used for EVERYTHING except baking”, while someone else advised: “Just use a mattress protector”.

Parenting gurus at Huggies advocate a similar approach but without toothpaste, swapping washing powder for dish soap, and using a spray bottle instead of an iron.

They recommend: “When you’re ready to start cleaning, you’ll want to mix up 8 oz. hydrogen peroxide, 3 teaspoons of baking soda, and 2-3 drops of dishwashing liquid (the kind for your sink, not a dishwasher) into a spray bottle,” they said.

They recommended that you generously spritz the stain and let it dry. Once it’s dry, you’ll notice a layer of baking soda residue. Vacuum this off to finish.

It’s crucial, however, to remember that chemicals like hydrogen peroxide are hazardous and must be kept out of children’s reach.