Tips on how to freshen your bed in time for Christmas

Sure, we clean our sheets, but how often do we clean our mattress? Even if we have a mattress protector, our mattress can be the breeding ground for germs and smells.

But how can you clean your mattress? Not everyone has a steam cleaner and it’s not like you can put it in the wash. Luckily there’s a simply solution that doesn’t require much work!

This mixture helps lift dirt and residue while absorbing moisture. The vacuuming sucks away any lurking dust mites as well.

What you’ll need:

• 500g bicarb soda
• Essential oil of your choosing
• Vacuum cleaner

Directions:

1. Before beginning, flip or rotate the bed.
2. Open the box of bicarb soda and add 10 to 20 drops of your favourite essential oil. Close the box and give it a good shake to distribute the essential oil and break up any large clumps.
3. Sprinkle the bicarb soda over the bed, using the entire box.
4. Rub the bicarb soda mixture into the bed for a deep clean.
5. Let it sit for at least an hour.
6. After an hour, vacuum the mattress and you’re done!

How else can you freshen up the bedroom?

Yellowing of pillows is very common and is mainly caused by sweat and the type of fabric your pillowcase is made from.

And even if you have pillow covers underneath your pillow cases, you may have noticed the yellowing can still occur. Many people simply toss the pillow and buy a new one when this occurs however, there is a solution. It’ll work like a charm!

What you need:

• Hot water
• 1 cup laundry detergent
• 1 cup powdered dishwasher detergent
• 1/2 cup bleach

Directions

1. Before washing, check the care label on the pillow to confirm it can machine washed.
2. Start the machine and make sure all the detergent dissolves before adding the pillows (top loading washing machine). For a front loading machine, fill a tub with the mixture and do the soaking there before transferring to washing machine.
3. Once dissolved, add the pillows and allow the washer to fill the rest of the way with hot water.
4. Agitate the pillows for several minutes; turn pillows over to make sure the top of the pillow get the full effect.
5. Put machine on a second rinse cycle or just run through twice.
6. For down/feather pillows: use low key setting. Place couple of tennis balls in clean socks to help fluff the pillows as they tumble dry. Or simply set pillows outside in the sun to dry.