Sorry, but your mattress is probably gross. Here’s how to clean it. |
 |
| Marki Williams/NYT Wirecutter |
If it’s been a while since you cleaned your mattress, we’re sorry to say, but there is likely a thriving hidden ecosystem of dust mites in bed with you — along with dead skin cells and sweat. Yuck.
The good news is that freshening up your mattress shouldn’t take more than about 10 minutes. Doing so not only keeps out mites and prevents stains and odors, but it can also help it last longer.
And if you don’t already have one: Get a mattress encasement. A good one can keep all of those skin flakes, dust, and liquid droplets from getting through the pores of your sheets and mattress fabric. That way, moving forward, cleaning your mattress is as easy as zipping off the encasement and throwing it into the machine. And unless it gets soiled, you really only have to do that once or twice a year.
Whip out the vinegar and the vacuum→
We independently review everything we recommend. When you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more ›
Plus: You’re probably not washing your sheets enough |
 |
| Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter |
You should be changing your sheets weekly — which is near-universal advice from all the experts we consulted. Just as is the case with your mattress, your sheets accumulate a lot, night after night. And considering that you likely spend one-third of your life in bed, keeping the sheets clean is worth it. Do it right and you’ll extend your sheets’ life — and ensure they get really clean.
The best way to clean your sheets→
More for a clean and organized bedroom |
Plus: Crisp cotton sheets for your clean bed |
 |
| Connie Park/NYT Wirecutter |
Cotton sheets — the percales and the sateens — are the most common and versatile sheets you’ll buy for your bed. We’ve spent a decade researching, testing, and sleeping in cotton sheets to find the very best ones.
Our new favorite sheets→
Today’s great cleaning deal: A (kind of cute) multipurpose scrubber |
|
 | Don’t let the name fool you: This nail scrubber is actually a great all-purpose tool. It’s compact, durable, and easy to hold. The bristles are stiff but soft, perfect for scrubbing floors and doing the dishes, too. Today, we found it for $9.
Get the deal→ |
|
READ THE REVIEW
The best gifts for people who love to clean→
One last (mattress) thing: How to prevent bedbugs from coming home with you |
 |
| Dana Davis/NYT Wirecutter; source photos by AdobeStock |
You don’t have to let bedbugs, or the fear of them, ruin your travel plans. There are some very simple steps you can take to prevent unwanted hitchhikers from coming home with you — including what to do before you unpack your bags, the red flags to look out for on hotel sheets, and how to protect your luggage.
A lint roller can help→
|
|
 | Sign up for The Recommendation. Independent reviews, expert advice, and intensively researched deals from Wirecutter experts. Get it in your inbox |
|
|
And if your mattress is a little too worse for wear? Here’s our ultimate guide to the very best mattresses.
You can reach the Wirecutter Newsletters team at newsletters@wirecutter.com. We can’t always respond, but we do love to hear from you.
Was this email kindly forwarded to you? Sign up here to get this newsletter in your inbox.
