Steam Cleaning vs DIY Mattress Cleaning: Which Method Works Best?

Mattresses that are kept clean contribute greatly to the health and comfort of the bedroom. Regardless of how old your mattress is, it gets covered with dust, body oils, sweat, allergens, dead skin cells, bacteria, pet hairs and occasional stains. Regular changing of bed sheets will only help you get the mattress surface clean; however, all the contamination that gets accumulated inside your mattress will remain untouched.

Most people who realize that there are some issues with their mattresses think about what cleaning approach to use: do it yourself or have a professional steam cleaning performed. DIY mattress cleaning can be useful as maintenance cleaning but cannot cope with embedded contamination while professional steam cleaning uses specific equipment and approaches to achieve a high level of cleanliness.

We at Railway City Carpet Cleaning assist homeowners from London and St. Thomas in getting their stained, contaminated and just dirty mattresses clean. The choice between different cleaning methods depends on the state of your mattress and on the problem that needs solving.

Here we offer our readers a comparison of professional steam cleaning and DIY mattress cleaning.

What Happens Inside Your Mattress Over Time?

Even though your mattress might seem like it is clean at the surface level, thousands of microorganisms keep accumulating within its fibers every single day. These may include sweat, oil, flakes of dead skin, dust, pollen, dander from pets, bacteria, and various allergens that accumulate in the mattress' fabric.

Mattresses are different from other surfaces, such as flooring and furniture, since they cannot be easily cleaned using just a simple wipe. A regular vacuum cleaner will help eliminate only loose dirt from the mattress, but not its contaminants.

If the contamination builds up further, the mattress can acquire odors, stains, or simply lose its freshness.

What Is DIY Mattress Cleaning?

Mattress cleaning by DIY method refers to the process of improving the look of the mattress through commonly available home-based cleaning agents and processes. The typical practices undertaken include vacuuming the mattress, sprinkling baking soda for reduction of smells, and application of mattress cleaner on stains.

This technique can be helpful in the maintenance of mattresses as well as for handling any fresh spillage. While vacuuming helps in eliminating the dirt present in loose form, the baking soda might help in reducing any temporary smells.

The main limitation of this technique lies in its inability to remove the contaminants accumulated deeply within the mattress.

What Is Professional Steam Mattress Cleaning?

Professional steam mattress cleaning is an advanced cleaning procedure which uses specialized tools and chemicals. Before cleaning, the mattress is thoroughly examined to determine the material used, the condition, presence of any stains, and special treatment spots on the mattress.

In cases where steam cleaning would be suitable to the mattress, controlled steam is used to loosen up dirt, bacteria, allergens, and oils that may have been clogged underneath the mattress. The dirt, bacteria, and excess water are then removed through the use of professional equipment.

At Railway City Carpet Cleaning, each and every mattress undergoes individual examination to choose the best method of cleaning for your mattress.

Comparing DIY Cleaning and Professional Steam Cleaning

DIY Cleaning versus Professional Steam Cleaning

One of the most significant differences between these two techniques is their depth of cleaning.

DIY cleaning focuses on improving the appearance of the surface of the mattress. This technique can remove light dust, new spots and stains, and any odours, thus it is quite helpful for maintaining the mattress between professional cleanings.

Professional steam cleaning cleans deep inside the mattress. This process is aimed at removing accumulated dust, bacteria, germs, odours, pet hair, stains, and body oils.

Thus, professional cleaning is much more effective when dealing with problems such as urine spots, odour, allergies, or accumulation of dirt and other particles over the years.

When Is DIY Mattress Cleaning a Good Option?

DIY cleaning is a good idea in specific cases, especially when the mattress needs a simple treatment.

The following actions may be appropriate:

• Dusting of the mattress.

• Refreshing it with baking soda.

• Spill removal from the mattress.

• Mattress maintenance between professional cleaning sessions.

• Dust removal from the surface of the mattress.

However, it should be noted that all these methods cannot be taken as substitutes for professional cleaning.

When Is Professional Steam Cleaning the Better Choice?

Whereas cleaning by oneself is helpful for general purposes, however, there are circumstances when professional steam cleaning comes to the fore as the most effective means. In case there are stains, smells, years of dirt buildup or excessive wear of the mattress, cleaning at home usually does not help with solving the problem.

It is recommended that you use professional steam cleaning if:

• Your mattress has stains of urine or any accidents with pets.

• You notice recurring odour after cleaning.

• There are allergies problems.

• The mattress hasn’t been cleaned for many years already.

• Yellow or brown stains can be seen on the surface.

• Allergens may have accumulated due to the long period of time passed.

Benefits of Professional Steam Mattress Cleaning

Apart from giving your mattress a clean appearance, professional steam cleaning gives you several more advantages since it can get under the surface and get rid of dirt, allergens, germs, oils, and other substances that cause odours and which traditional home cleaning leaves behind.

Some of the advantages that homeowners will see are:

• A cleaner mattress.

• Less dust and allergen accumulation.

• More efficient stain and odour removal.

• Increased comfort while sleeping.

• Extended mattress life.

• Healthy sleep environment for all family members.

Professional cleaning keeps your mattress in good condition as well, securing your investment for years to come.

Can Steam Cleaning Damage a Mattress?

The main question that often arises in homeowners’ minds is about safety. This depends on the process of the cleaning itself.

Professionals check the material of the mattress and then choose the right way to do the cleaning. Not all mattresses need the same level of moisture and heat application. Special machines provide steam and remove excess moisture instantly.

If an attempt is made to steam-clean the mattress using home equipment that is not suitable for this task, it might cause moisture to be stuck in the mattress.

This is the reason why the inspection and correct cleaning process are necessary.

Why London and St. Thomas Homeowners Choose Railway City Carpet Cleaning

Customers from London and St. Thomas prefer Railway City Carpet Cleaning as their preferred choice since each mattress is treated based on its condition rather than adopting the same approach.

We assess the mattress before starting the cleaning process to determine any stains, odour, type of fabric, and other factors to help us come up with the best treatment method and ensure that the material of the mattress is preserved.

Through the use of professional equipment and expertise, Railway City Carpet Cleaning assists in getting rid of stubborn dirt, allergens, oils from bodies, and other materials not easily removed through home cleaning methods.

Steam Cleaning vs DIY Mattress Cleaning: Which Should You Choose?

Both methods are useful and necessary at certain times; however, their roles differ. DIY mattress cleaning is perfect for maintaining your mattress in between professional cleanings. Vacuuming, using baking soda, and performing light cleaning will allow you to keep the surface in order and address new stains and spots.

Professional steam cleaning offers a deeper and thorough cleaning process. This method eliminates the dirt that cannot be seen with the naked eye and improves the freshness of the bed as well as the odours on it.

Combining both cleaning methods will lead to optimal results as many homeowners prefer to do the routine cleaning themselves, while having their mattresses professionally cleaned once in 12-18 months.

Final Thoughts

In order to ensure you have a healthy and comfortable sleeping environment, mattress cleaning is necessary. Although home mattress cleaning may come in handy for routine cleaning and removal of recent spills, it does not do an adequate job of removing the deep-seated dirt and odour that accumulate over time. Professional steam cleaning provides a much better alternative.

Are you in need of professional mattress cleaning in either London or St. Thomas? Railway City Carpet Cleaning is ready to assist you with any problems you may be experiencing. Our skilled experts will use professional cleaning equipment and techniques to remove all of the accumulated dirt from your mattress, as well as stains and odours. Call us today at (519) 854-6913 for a free estimate.