How clean is your mattress? Sometimes we tend to forget about checking the cleanliness of the area where we spend one third of our life sleeping. Everyone makes sure that the items they cover their mattresses with are clean and fresh. But, all of the crisp, immaculate sheets and pristine blankets, quilts and comforters in the world can not hide the fact that the mattress you snooze on every night needs regular cleaning. Here are some tips and tricks to help you make your mattress cleaner.

Common sense will tell you that avoiding situations which could cause dirt and general messiness to accumulate on your bed will go a long way toward helping to keep your mattress clean. Resist the temptation to eat or drink while in bed. Don't let your cat or dog jump on your bed with damp and dirty paws, and train your pet to sleep in his or her own bed. Using your bed for sleeping only can minimize the chances for an accidental spill or stain.

Kids At Home

This a little more difficult when there are children in the household. Kids tend to be messier than adults, and there is the potential for bedwetting accidents with younger children. In this case, the purchase of a waterproof mattress cover will save a mattress from most any catastrophe your child can come up with.

A good weekly vacuuming will help rid your mattress of accumulated dirt and grime. It will also help to control dust mites, by not only sucking them into the vacuum, but will also eliminate the minuscule bits of shed human skin that these little horrors feed on. Don't forget to vacuum the box spring as well as the underside, especially if your mattress is a model that features bed springs that are not enclosed. Your goal is a mattress set that is as dust free as possible.

Accidents And Stains

Still, despite your best intentions, accidents and spills can and do happen. Your best defense is to tackle the stain and odor as quickly as possible to prevent it from becoming a permanent problem.

Different types of stains call for different cleaners, but the technique is basically the same. For a liquid stain - blot, don't rub! Rubbing the stain will only force the offending fluid deeper into the mattress padding, making it impossible to remove completely, and setting the stage for the growth of odor causing bacteria. Instead, blot up as much of a liquid stain as you can, using as many clean cloths or paper towels as it takes.

For dry stains such as dirt or food smudges, brush as much of it off of the mattress as you can.

Urine or blood stains will require a different type of cleaning solution than other stains. For these, head to your local pet store and look for a liquid enzyme cleaner of the type used to clean and deodorize carpets when pets forget their house-training and have accidents. These products break down and remove stain and odor.

Dry Suds

An ingenious and economical cleaner that can be quite efficient at getting out other types of mattress stains is a concoction called dry suds. To make this, you simply use liquid dish detergent and water, plus a portable kitchen mixer. In a suitable container, mix the soap and water with the mixer until you get a huge froth of suds gathered at the top of the container. Apply these suds only to the stain using a cloth or sponge. The concentrated soap works wonders in removing stains and cleaning your mattress.

Whatever cleaner you use, make sure to dry the mattress thoroughly by either using a hair dryer or placing the mattress in the sun for a brief time.

A clean mattress is well within the reach of everyone who is willing to invest a little time and elbow grease in order to remove stains and odors. With the right knowledge, it is an easier task than you might think.