Health benefits aside, a clean mattress can also help prevent pest infestations. That’s why it’s important to pay as much attention to it as you might your couch, and focus on how you clean your mattress, as well as how often.
Back when most mattresses could be flipped over, the conventional wisdom was that you should turn it twice a year, and take that opportunity to clean it as well. These days, most mattresses—including the pillowtop variety—can’t be flipped because they have a proper top and bottom. But cleaning your mattress two times a year remains a solid rule of thumb. (Check the mattress label for instructions because the manufacturer might recommend rotating the mattress head to foot to ensure even wear.)
Sansoni strongly recommends that people also invest in a mattress encasement. “Having one is crucial to keeping your mattress from being ruined by stains and spills,” he says. It can also prevent you from having to hire a professional mattress cleaner. A professional will typically use a chemical formulation, high-temperature water, and/or a steam process to remove stains and deep-clean the mattress. But that comes at a much higher cost. A quality mattress encasement for a queen bed is a relatively affordable, preventative option that can cost around $55 or more.
If stains have ruined your mattress for good and you’re in the market for a new one, check out our mattress buying guide and mattress ratings of more than 280 options. You can also explore our interactive mattress finder to pick the right mattress based on your preferences, from firmness to sleep position. If you’re looking to outfit your mattress with new bedding, check out the best pillows and sheets from our tests.
