Why do people spray alcohol on their beds? Is it safe for the mattress?

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When it comes to cleaning your mattress, there are many “experts” shouting their cleaning tricks from every corner of the internet. If you’ve seen an online tutorial where someone cleans their mattress with alcohol, you may be wondering if you can do the same. Well, the answer is not entirely simple.

Whether you should clean your mattress with alcohol depends largely on the material of your mattress, the type of alcohol you are using, and the cleaning method you are following. This is especially important if you have invested in the best mattress for your sleep and your body, which can be a significant cost, so you need to take care of it.

Here, we’ll explain how to determine whether or not it’s safe to use alcohol to clean your mattress, plus we’ll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to do it safely. If after reading this you decide that your mattress can no longer be cleaned, the upcoming Memorial Day mattress sales are a good time to buy a new bed for less.

The 3 key benefits of spraying alcohol on your bed during cleaning

Keeping your mattress clean can have a positive effect on the quality of your sleep and your health. And while there are plenty of products on the shelves that can help you clean your mattress, isopropyl alcohol is an incredibly effective disinfectant.

Isopropyl alcohol is different from what you’ll find in your liquor cabinet. Alcohol such as vodka contains ethanol and is intended for human consumption, while isopropanol alcohol contains isopropanol which should not be consumed.

A person wearing pink disposable gloves cleans yellow stains from a white pillow

(Image credit: Getty Images)

There are three key benefits to spraying your mattress with alcohol when cleaning it. Alcohol acts as a disinfectant and kills bacteria and viruses on the surface of the mattress. It can also help fight stains, as isopropyl alcohol will help dissolve them and make them easier to remove.

Isopropyl alcohol can also help neutralize odors. This is because alcohol evaporates quickly, so it is ideal to use if you want to clean an area where there may be a strong smell of body odor or urine.

Worried about bed bugs? While alcohol is not the solution to an infestation, the strong smell could help deter it from entering your mattress. The main benefits of cleaning your mattress with alcohol are:

  • It is a good disinfectant
  • The alcohol evaporates quickly.
  • Eliminates odors

When you shouldn’t spray alcohol on your bed

While you may know the benefits of using alcohol as a cleaning solution, that doesn’t mean it’s suitable for all occasions. One of the main things you should think about before using alcohol to clean your mattress is the type of material your mattress is. Made of.

Memory foam and latex, which are some of the most common mattresses on the market, are particularly sensitive to harsh chemicals like alcohol. If you use it on a mattress made of these materials, over time the mattress will break down, these materials will cause the mattress to break down and eventually fall apart.

The image shows a person wearing blue disposable cleaning gloves cleaning black mold from a white mattress.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Additionally, while alcohol can help with new stains, it is not effective against set stains or for jobs that require deep cleaning. Alcohol could even make these stains worse. If you are looking to remove stains and refresh your mattress, an alternative and more natural solution is to use baking soda. Baking soda will break down acids and absorb moisture and odors for a cooler-feeling sleeping surface.

You also need good ventilation if you are going to clean your mattress with alcohol. Isopropyl alcohol fumes are very strong and can be irritating. If your bedroom does not have adequate ventilation, inhaling it could potentially be harmful.

Proceed with caution when using isopropyl alcohol to clean your mattress if:

  • Your mattress is made of memory foam or latex.
  • You do not have adequate ventilation in your room.
  • Has stubborn and adhered stains or odors

How to clean your mattress with alcohol: a step-by-step guide

Before undertaking any cleaning routine with your mattress, it is very important that you consult the care instructions. Each mattress manufacturer has different advice on the best way to care for your mattress and doing something they don’t recommend could void your warranty, so it’s always best to double check.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Isopropyl alcohol (at least 70% concentration)
  • spray bottle
  • Clean white cloth or sponge
  • Vacuum cleaner with accessory for upholstery
  • Baking soda

Step 1. Do a patch test

Before applying alcohol to your mattress, perform a patch test on a small area to make sure it doesn’t damage or discolor the fabric.

Step 2. Prepare your area

Open all windows and doors to get good air circulation in the area. Isopropyl alcohol can be strong and you should avoid breathing its fumes. It is also advisable to wear gloves while working with it, especially if you have sensitive skin.

Step 3. Vacuum the mattress

Woman in beige shorts vacuuming her white mattress to get rid of bed bugs

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Once you have removed all the bedding from the mattress, take the upholstery attachment of your vacuum cleaner and thoroughly vacuum the entire surface of the mattress. Be sure to go right into the seams and corners to help remove all surface dirt and debris.

Step 4. Fill your spray bottle

Use isopropyl alcohol with a minimum concentration of 70%. It is best to add this to a spray bottle to make it easier to apply. You should never oversaturate your mattress, so using a spray bottle means you can just apply a light mist instead of over-saturating.

Step 5. Dry the area

Using a clean cloth, gently blot the sprayed area using gentle pressure. Do this until the cloth dries again.

Step 6. Let it air dry

Let the mattress air dry completely before replacing the bedding. This could take a couple of hours depending on your environment, so when you decide to do it, make sure you set aside enough time.

It is very important not to replace the bedding while the area is still damp, as this can cause musty odors and mold growth on the mattress. Under no circumstances apply heat to the bed after spraying alcohol on the surface. Not only can heat damage your mattress, but it also poses a fire hazard due to the flammable nature of alcohol.

Step 7. Sprinkle some baking soda

A tablespoon of baking soda next to a spilled jar and a cork lid

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

This is optional, but if your mattress has persistent odors or deep stains, it is a good idea to sprinkle baking soda over the surface of the mattress and leave it for at least two hours, ideally longer and the longer it is on, the more it will set. work.

Step 8. Vacuum again

Once your mattress is dry and you’ve left the baking soda on for as long as you want, it’s time to vacuum your mattress again. Make sure you get deep into the areas and don’t leave baking soda on as it will absorb moisture and you don’t want it to absorb body oils or sweat when you sleep.

Step 9. Replace your bedding

Once you’ve dried and vacuumed your mattress and made sure it’s completely dry, it’s time to replace the bedding. It is not recommended to use alcohol on bedding; Instead, wash the sheets in hot water (after consulting the care instructions) to kill any bacteria or dust mites that may be present.

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