Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to use your trusty carpet cleaning machine on other surfaces around the house besides just carpets? Many people are curious if a Carpet Cleaner can safely and effectively clean mattresses too.
Is It Safe to Use on a Mattress?
The first thing to consider is safety. Most carpet cleaner machines are designed with carpet fibers in mind. Using it on a mattress introduces some risks you’ll want to be aware of before giving it a try. Mattress materials can react differently to the cleaning chemicals and water that come out of a carpet cleaner. Some potential issues include water damage if too much moisture is absorbed into the mattress or chemicals leaking through to the inside layers over time.
As long as you use the machine carefully and avoid soaking the mattress, it’s generally considered safe to spot clean small spills or stains with a carpet cleaner. Just go slowly and blot excess water well afterwards. Never fully saturate the entire mattress. Stick to spot treating only problem areas as needed.
Will it Actually Clean the Mattress?
When it comes to overall cleaning performance, a carpet cleaning machine may help lift some surface-level dirt and stains from a mattress but won’t do a full deep clean like it can for carpets. Mattress materials like foam, latex, and inner springs don’t respond the same way to aggressive agitation from cleaning tools. You also can’t fully saturate the mattress like you would carpet fibers.
For light surface refreshing, a carpet cleaner can work well on fabric-covered mattresses for things like dusting, minor spills, and freshening. Just don’t expect it to remove set-in stains or odors embedded deep within the mattress. At best, it may help prepare a mattress for other cleaning methods like baking soda treatment or professional steam cleaning.
What Settings Should You Use?
If you do decide to spot test a carpet cleaning machine on your mattress, start with the gentlest settings possible. Choose the lowest water flow, weakest suction power, and avoid any rotating brushes. Stick to a hand tool attachment without any aggressive agitation.
When treating spots, blot cleaning fluid well before extracting to avoid soaking in. Work in small sections and extract frequently as you go. Avoid over-wetting the mattress. It’s better to do multiple light passes than one heavy saturation. Always check for colorfastness first in an inconspicuous area if using any cleaners.
Is There a Better Way?
While a carpet cleaner can work in a pinch for light surface refreshing, there are better methods tailored specifically for deep mattress cleaning. Baking soda is a natural odor and stain fighter that’s gentle enough for mattress use. Simply sprinkle baking soda generously all over the mattress and let it sit overnight before vacuuming away.
For embedded odors, consider an enzymatic cleaner. Look for pet-friendly, odor-eliminating formulas safe for use on fabrics. Follow instructions for pre-treating problem spots. Steam cleaning using a rental steamer or professional service is also highly effective for sanitizing mattress surfaces without harsh chemicals.
The most thorough option for a full mattress clean is to hire a professional cleaning service. They have industrial-strength equipment and specialize in deep cleaning mattress materials without risk of damage. A pro can remove set-in dirt and stains you can’t conquer yourself.
Final Thought
A carpet cleaning machine can work in a pinch for light surface refreshing of mattresses. But for deep cleaning embedded stains and odors, it’s safer and more effective to use baking soda, enzymatic cleaners, steam, or professional services tailored specifically for mattress cleaning. Always test cleaners first and avoid over-wetting the mattress when using a Carpet Cleaner.