It’s said we spend a spend a third of our lifetimes sleeping, but strangely enough, mattresses are an often overlooked spot to clean. The surfaces receive a barrage of hair, skin and sweat, as well as dust mites and other allergens.
Of course, mattresses’ sheer size makes them tricky to clean. To help stop them from becoming a breeding ground for germs, a mattress expert has shared a way to turn them into fresh and clean sleeping surface – using just a pot lid. Martin Seeley, the CEO of MattressNextDay, has revealed how the pot lid method can clean your mattress – and why you should.
Martin said: “Mattresses can become incredibly dirty over time. They accumulate dead skin cells, which serve as food for dust mites, and absorb sweat, body oils, and other fluids.
“In fact, a typical used mattress can contain up to 10 million dust mites. These microscopic creatures and their waste can trigger allergies and asthma. What’s more, the average adult sweats up to 700ml per night which is a staggering 255 litres per year, creating a warm, moist environment perfect for fungus and bacteria to thrive.
“With all of this in mind, think about the last time you cleaned your mattress. If it’s been six months or more, you would benefit from using the pot lid method to effectively remove these unwanted inhabitants and create a cleaner, healthier sleeping environment.”
The pot lid cleaning method
With this method, the pot lid effectively becomes a brush big enough to clean a mattress.
He began: “The pot lid method is a game-changer for mattress cleaning. It works by using the flat surface of a pot lid to distribute pressure evenly, allowing you to gently remove dirt and allergens without damaging the mattress material.
“When combined with a microfibre cloth and a mild cleaning solution, the pot lid acts like an oversized scrub brush, effectively lifting dirt and allergens from deep within the mattress fibers. It’s eco-friendly, cost-effective, and suitable for all types of mattresses.”
The mattress expert says it will be easier and more effective to clean without introducing too much moisture into your bed.
He explained: “The pot lid’s size allows you to cover a larger area with each pass, making the cleaning process more efficient. Its weight provides just enough pressure to work the cleaning solution into the mattress surface without oversaturating it. This is particularly important for memory foam mattresses, which can be sensitive to excessive moisture.”
How to clean mattresses with a pot lid
Martin has provided a step-by-step guide on how to clean your mattresses with this method.
1. Prepare the cleaning solution
“Mix a mild cleaning solution using warm water, a small amount of laundry detergent, and a touch of rubbing alcohol. For tougher stains, you can add a teaspoon of baking soda.”
2. Prepare your pot lid
“Dampen a microfiber cloth with the cleaning solution, ensuring it’s wet but not dripping. Wrap the cloth tightly around a pot lid, securing it well to prevent slipping.”
3. Clean the mattress
“Use circular motions for your mattress whilst applying medium pressure. For memory foam, use light pressure and straight lines to avoid pushing moisture too deep into the foam.”
4. Spot clean
“For stubborn stains, consider spot cleaning with a mixture of white vinegar and baking soda before using the pot lid method.”
5. Dry and finish
“Allow the mattress to dry completely before use, otherwise you may be susceptible to mould. If possible, place the mattress in sunlight to aid drying and natural disinfection.”
