How to Clean & Disinfect a Medical Mattress

Cleaning and disinfecting a medical mattress not only kills bacteria, fungi and viruses, it also helps to reduce cross contamination from patient to patient. Mattresses need to be clean whenever it is necessary and as directed. Cleaning medical mattresses requires a bleach solution for disinfecting and the right supplies.

Things You'll Need

• Gloves
• Eye goggles
• Apron or other cover-up
• Bucket
• Measuring cup showing liters
• Clean water
• Chlorine bleach
• Rags, shop towels or brush
• Detergent

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Instructions

• 1

  Pour 9 liters of hot water into a bucket or other container. Wear gloves, an apron and eye goggles.

• 2

  Pour 1 liter of chlorine bleach slowly into the bucket of hot water. Agitate by shaking the bucket gently. Try to avoid splashing the bleach.

• 3

  Remove the mattress from the bed. Place the mattress in an outdoor area on a concrete surface.

• 4

  Pour the bleach solution directly on the mattress slowly to avoid splashing.

• 5

  Let the solution soak through to the other side. Apply an extra amount of bleach solution to heavily stained areas.

• 6

  Use a rag, shop towel or brush to scrub stained areas.

• 7

  Apply a mixture of 1 tbsp. detergent and 9 liters of hot water to the mattress. Flood and agitate the mixture with a rag or brush.

• 8

  Rinse the mattress with clean water.

• 9

  Stand the mattress up and let it dry for at least two days in a clean area, preferably with sunlight. Turn often so both sides can dry completely.