Expert urges you clean your mattress with vinegar this season — and it has an unexpected benefit

White vinegar is renowned as a natural and versatile cleaner, but did you know you can use it on your mattress? Vinegar can lift smells and stains from your bed and it has an unexpected benefit for the squeamish: spider repellent.

“You should use [white vinegar] as needed whenever you get stains or spots on your mattress," says Chris Willatt, cleaning expert and founder of cleaning company Alpine Maids. “Vinegar is acidic, and that acidity also gets rid of powerful and stinky smells."

The strong smell of vinegar is a big 'no' for spiders, keeping them away from the attractive hiding spots your mattress conceals.

Read on to find out how to clean your mattress with white vinegar, what to avoid and some other tips for keeping your bed spider-free.

How to use vinegar to keep spiders off your mattress

An informal poll of the Tom's Guide sleep team revealed most of us have experienced the nightmare of a spider under the pillow.

And as spider season continues, warm, dark beds become even more appealing to creepy crawlies.

Spraying vinegar on your patio helps keep spiders out of the house but for a more direct approach, apply vinegar to your mattress, pillow and bed frame (see below for how to create the right solution and application method). It's a natural deterrent that repels spiders without killing them and it's safe to use around your pets.

If you don't like a pre-bed jolt of fear from a surprise arachnid (even spider lovers can admit it's a shock), this is a quick solution for more restful sleep.

What are the benefits of using vinegar to clean a mattress?

Willatt says white vinegar is great for lifting set-in mattress stains and odors, often resulting from night sweats.

And in fact, now is the best time of year to be cleaning your mattress.

Why? Because the moisture, sweat, and oils, that accumulate on your mattress during the hotter and more humid weather can lead to stains and odors — and vinegar is perfect for removing these issues.

The non-toxic cleaning solution is also great for accidents, too. "It works best when you have a pet or child pee on the bed or spill a strong liquid on it," Willat says.

And as an added side effect, distilled vinegar is unappealing to spiders, keeping them from hiding beneath your pillows.

What mistakes should you avoid when cleaning a mattress with vinegar?

What's a common mistake you should avoid when cleaning with this DIY solution?

“Using too much vinegar or not diluting your solution with water," answers Willatt.

We recommend mixing white vinegar with water to create a diluted cleaning solution that's effective without saturating your bed.

"Your mattress is going to smell awful when you go to bed if you soak it in vinegar,” warns Willatt.

For a more fragrant anti-spider solution (although without the cleaning aspect) consider making a lavender oil spritz. Like vinegar, the strong smell of lavender repels spiders but be cautious when using essential oils around pets.

How do you clean a mattress with vinegar?

The first thing you need to do is grab a bottle of white vinegar. Next, dilute the white vinegar with water in a container to create a cleaning solution. "You want equal parts white vinegar and water,” advises Willatt.

While you maybe tempted to use a vinegar in a spray bottle, as you would to clean a window, the cleaning expert doesn't recommended this for a mattress.

“I would stick to spot cleaning," he says. "Treat it like any other stain. You blot it, then get a damp cloth and blot it again, allowing the vinegar to seep in. Let it sit for ten minutes and then wipe it."

If you're using vinegar as a spider deterrent, make sure to target the pillows and bed frame as well, using the same method as above.

Tips to keep spiders out of your bedroom

Spiders are an unwelcome bedfellow for many of us and while they're rarely a reoccurring problem (spiders don't infest your mattress like bed bugs) you can still take steps to keep them from coming back:

• Clear up mess: Clutter makes the perfect hiding spot of spiders so avoid leaving your laundry on the floor. And as a bonus, a clean room is an easy habit that can improve your sleep.
• Use essential oil pillow sprays: Creepy crawlies are rarely a fan of strongly scented essential oils, a key ingredient in many pillow mists. Be aware that some essential oils aren't safe for pets.
• Vacuum regularly: Vacuuming removes cobwebs and yes, you can vacuum your mattress. We recommend incorporating your bed into your regular vacuuming schedule.
• Clean under the bed: The underside of the bed frame is easy to overlook when cleaning but make sure to vacuum and dust this area regularly if you want to avoid spiders. Also, don't use the space under your bed as a storage free for all.
• Air and make your bed daily: This tip won't keep spiders away but it might help you catch (and safely remove) any unexpected arachnids before you've climbed into bed for the night.

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