Spring Cleaning Shortcuts

Mattresses: Shortcut

Refresh a mattress with baking soda while its cover gets a thorough washing, followed by a tennis-ball tumble or a dose of fresh air.

Tools

• OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover ($11 for 24 ounces, amazon.com)
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Sieve
• 2 new tennis balls
• Dryer sheets with essential oils, like Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day in geranium ($8, mrsmeyers.com)

Steps

1. Toss the mattress cover in the wash. If it’s stained, first soak in cold water with OxiClean. Then wash with detergent on the hottest setting recommended on the care label, adding 1 cup of white vinegar to deodorize.

2. Working directly over the mattress, pour baking soda into a sieve. Dust the mattress evenly with the soda, which will gradually draw dirt and moisture out of the mattress and eliminate odors. (You’ll leave this light dusting on the mattress when you remake the bed.)

3. When the wash cycle is complete, put the mattress cover in the dryer with a couple of clean tennis balls to fluff it back to form. You could also hang the cover outside on a line to dry.

4. Remake the bed. (Vacuum up the baking soda the next time you change the sheets.) Tuck a few dryer sheets (try ones with essential oils) under the mattress cover to deliver a fresh scent while you sleep.

Time investment: A morning to take care of three or four mattresses.