Time For A Spring Clean!

Recently the sleep council decided to target dirty mattresses and bedsteads.  Before you move away from your screen in horror though, you may be very interested to hear what they actually found out.

As it’s spring cleaning month and we’re all set on cleaning through the house in full, the bed is often something that gets overlooked.

So let’s see what tips and tricks we can give you that will have your mattress and bed looking new in no time!

Facts:

Each year the average person can shed about a pound of skin – which sadly ends up in our beds.  We may change the sheets and the duvet regularly but the moisture that we also lose goes right in to the mattress every time we sleep.

If you’re an asthma sufferer then you’ll know that keeping your bed free of dust mites and more is vital to health and staggeringly it only takes 2 micrograms per gram of dust mite allergens can cause problems with your asthma.  Any higher than that and you’re looking at more serious health risks!

So here’s some great tips for keeping things clean and making that bed of yours a healthy and pleasant place to be:

Next time you wash your bedding, open the doors and windows to get some air in to the room while your bed is free from the covers and duvet.  This will allow it to air properly and help it dry through thoroughly.

Vacuum the bed thoroughly, including all the little crevices around the edge but be careful not to damage the bed itself. Make sure your dusting and vacuuming includes the headboard.

Turn your mattress.  A lot of people forget to do this, but it’s important to turn it regularly and not just one way around.  You can turn it upside down as well, so make sure this is high on your list as it will also allow for more even wear.

Clean your bed base.  If it’s a wooden bed base then take the trouble to get some lightly soapy water and clean it!  If it’s a divan base then you can clean it with a soft brush to remove dust and dirt. Clean your headboard using the same method.

Vacuum around the walls and of course don’t forget to do under the bed.  This can get very, very dusty and generally be a harbour for allergens that can affect asthma suffers.

Wash your duvet as well!  While it’s tempting to simply wash the covers and replace them, it’s just as important to wash the duvet too.  It will harbour dust, dirt and body moisture, so better to do a good job!  If you have a large duvet that won’t fit in your washing machine, take it to the launderette.  It will be worth the investment!

If your mattress has seen better days though, you may have to be really honest about it and simply look at buying a new one instead!   While cleaning it so it looks and smells fresh is great, if you’re still waking up with back ache then it’s time to spend a bit of money on a new one.

Don’t forget, with one third of your time spent in bed you need to be clean and comfortable so it’s worth the spend!