Is Your Bed Clean Enough

The bedroom is somewhere we like to retreat in search of calm and peace, as well as, rest after a day’s hustle and bustle of life. It should feel like a sanctuary. However, it won’t feel like one until we recreate it.  One of the major steps to achieving a sanctuary-like bedroom is proper cleaning. Unfortunately, we clean other parts of our bedroom and forget about some important aspects of the bed. The sheets, pillowcases, and mattress cover may be clean, but what about the pillows, mattress, and the blankets?

Your bed is not clean enough until you have thoroughly dealt with everything on your bed.  Of course, some of the items will be cleaned more often than others. The most important thing is to make to make sure you do not forget about them completely. What are some of these items that should not be forgotten?

Blankets

We are reluctant about taking our fluffy companions to the washer. However, their material can harbor a lot of dust and form proper breeding grounds for germs. This makes it necessary to clean them at least once a month, or by their sixth week of use. A frequent cleaning schedule is required. Many fabrics used on blankets are safe to clean at home with the washer.

Before putting it in the machine, do a color test to see if the dye used runs. You will know whether to launder it separately or if you wash it with other items. Set your machine to the gentle cycle and use a mild detergent with cold water. Warm or hot water, agitated beating, and strong detergents can cause your blanket to shrink, stretch, or fade.

Pillows

You may have heard that pillows are better cleaned at the dry cleaners. However, that doesn’t mean you cannot maintain them in tip-top shape from home. Most pillows can be washed at home. They can either be washed by hand or machine. Check the tags to see if there are any washing instructions. To keep off molds, dust mites, sweat and dead skin or scales, clean your pillows every three to six months. You will also improve the quality of your sleep.

Front loading washers are great for washing bedding. Load a reasonable number of pillows in your machine and distribute evenly. Using warm water and a mild detergent, run the machine on the gentle cycle. Rinse thoroughly and allow them to air dry. You can also use a dryer depending on the fiber material.

Comforters

Comforters are often forgotten; however, they collect a lot of dust, body fluids, oils and any cosmetic products.  For you to make your bed clean and fresh, consider cleaning your comforters regularly.

Check the washing instructions given for the kind of material. Comforters can usually be cleaned in a washing machine with warm water and a mild detergent.  Kill any remaining bacteria by exposing them to UV sunlight during drying.

The Mattress

Even if your mattress has a cover, some body fluids, dust particles, hair and other dirt still find their way onto its surface. Unfortunately, we tend to overlook it and that allows bacteria suitable ground to breed. This creates a hazardous sleeping surface where you can easily contract allergy related infections such as flu, asthma, and respiratory tract illnesses, among others.

Invest in a washable cover.  Wash regularly. An effective way to get rid of even the notorious bugs is by using baking powder and a vacuum cleaner.

Vacuum the surface to collect any loose dirt. Then dust the surface generously with baking powder. Allow it to sit for about 20 minutes then vacuum again. Wipe away any remaining marks with a damp cloth. Flip the mattress and repeat this process. If possible, set the mattress up and allow both sides to dry.

What other bed items do you think you are overlooking? A clean bed is not only comfortable but also safe to sleep on, but healthy to sleep on. Use the above ideas to purge any dirt and bacteria that could be endangering your health during your sleep.

Beverly Jenkins is proud of her staff at The Tidy Maids house cleaning service in Raleigh, NC. She has 24 years of experience in house cleaning, customer service, and business operations. She knows all the tips and tricks and do-it-yourself hacks when it comes to cleaning and her clients’ homes are the best proof for that.