How to Pressure Wash a Mattress

You might be surprised to know that you can wash your mattress with a pressure washer! It’s actually a great way to get rid of dust, dirt, and grime that builds on a mattress over time.

If a pressure washer can wash the grease out of a BBQ grill, it can handle a mattress.

However, there are certain steps you need to take in order to avoid damaging the fabric of your mattress when pressure washing it.

One word of caution: You will be getting your mattress wet in this cleaning process, which means it will take some time to dry your mattress. You may want to make sure you have an air mattress & sleeping bag or another temporary sleeping arrangement in place before you start this process.

What you need to pressure wash your mattress

-A pressure washer, or pressure washer gun attachment,  with a low-pressure nozzle attachment

-Sheets

-Towels

-Baking soda or vinegar

-Dish soap (optional)

Step by step guide to pressure washing your mattress:

Step 1

Start by stripping the bed and removing all sheets, blankets, and pillowcases.

Step 2

Vacuum the mattress to remove any loose dirt, dust, or hair.

Step 3

Fill the pressure washer detergent tank with water and add a small amount of baking soda, vinegar, or dish soap (one of the three). You want to avoid mixing vinegar with baking soda or dish soap as they will likely neutralize each other. Here’s a bit more on how to pressure wash with baking soda & vinegar

A general rule of thumb for dish soap in a pressure washer is one tablespoon per quart of water.

Step 4

Attach your pressure washer to your garden hose.

Step 5

Set the pressure washer to the detergent or soap setting and spray your mattress thoroughly with your cleaning solution and let it stand or “dwell” for 10 minutes.

Step 6

Rinse with a fan setting or a 45° tip and a low PSI. We’re essentially taking a soft wash approach here. So you want to me able to spray your hand holding it 8 inches away from the gun and not damage your skin. Start at the lowest PSI setting and work your way up until you start to feel some discomfort.

Step 7

Slowly move the nozzle over the mattress in a back and forth motion, being careful not to press too hard or stay in one spot for too long.

Inspect the fabric on the mattress every so often to make sure you’re not damaging it.

Step 8

Let the mattress air dry completely before putting fresh sheets on it.

That’s all there is to it!

Pressure washing your mattress is a great way to remove the natural gunky build up that a mattress absorbs over time.

Don’t forget! Use the lowest setting on your pressure washer and hold the nozzle a few feet away from the mattress while you’re rinsing it.

If you pressure washer has a variety of nozzle attachments, start with one that has a wide angle output. This will ensure you don’t damage the fabric of your mattress in the cleaning process.

Pressure Washing a Mattress: Choosing the right pressure washer

Pressure washers come in a variety of sizes and styles, each designed for specific cleaning tasks. The two most important factors to consider when choosing a pressure washer are the unit’s power and the type of nozzle attachment.

More powerful pressure washers can clean tougher stains, but they may also damage delicate surfaces. Therefore, it is important to select a unit that has enough power to handle the cleaning job at hand without causing any damage.

In addition, different nozzle attachments can be used to vary the stream of water, which can be helpful when cleaning different types of fabric.

For example, a wide-angle nozzle can be used to clean large areas quickly, while a narrow-angle nozzle can be used to remove stubborn stains. By taking these factors into account, you can choose the right pressure washer for any cleaning job.

Using Baking Soda & Vinegar to Clean Your Mattress

Baking soda and vinegar are two of the most versatile cleaning agents around. They can be used to clean everything from fabric to driveways, and they’re both environmentally friendly and relatively inexpensive. But what makes these two ingredients so effective at cleaning?

Baking soda is a naturally occurring compound that is mildly abrasive. This means that it can help to loosen dirt and grime, making it easier to remove. Vinegar, on the other hand, is a weak acid that can help to break down dirt and grime. Combined, these two ingredients make an incredibly effective cleaning duo.

One of the best things about using baking soda and vinegar for cleaning is that they are gentle enough to use on a wide range of surfaces. You don’t have to worry about damaging delicate materials.

Like the fabric on your mattress!

And because they’re both environmentally friendly, you can feel good about using them without harming the planet.

A Helpful Video on Pressure Washing a Mattress

How to Dry Your Mattress after Pressure Washing It

Drying your mattress can be tricky and time consuming so be sure you’ve made other sleeping arrangements before you spray that sucker down with a pressure washer.

One method for drying your mattress is to use a hairdryer. Set the hairdryer to its lowest setting and hold it about six inches away from the mattress. Move the hairdryer around so that you evenly distribute the heat. You may need to repeat the process a few times to wick away most of the moisture.

Once the mattress is dry, you can fluff it up by running your hands over it or by using a vacuum cleaner with the brush attachment.

Other methods for drying a mattress include air drying and sun drying.

Air drying involves hanging the mattress in a well-ventilated area, such as a garage or shed, for several days. This will allow the moisture to evaporate from the mattress.

Sun drying involves placing the mattress in direct sunlight. The heat of the sun will help to speed up the evaporation process. 

Whichever method you choose, be sure to dry your mattress thoroughly before using it again. Moisture can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can be harmful to your health.

Conclusion

There you have it! Pressure washing a mattress is a great way to clean it without damaging the fabric. Just be sure to choose the right pressure washer and use the appropriate nozzle attachment to avoid damaging the fabric.

You can also use baking soda and vinegar to clean your mattress, both effective and environmentally friendly cleaning agents.

Also be sure to dry your mattress thoroughly after pressure washing it.