Tackle a Task: Freshen Up Your Bed

Wash your duvet twice a year and pillows at least once every two months. Those filled with synthetic fibres can be washed in a machine (a 60˚C wash will kill dust mites), while feather and down bedding needs to be professionally cleaned.

Tackle stains as soon as possible, especially on a mattress. Soak the mark with a dry absorbent cloth, then dab it away with cold __water and a sponge. Don't use hot __water as it will only set the stain, and use a stain remover on stubborn marks.

Revive your mattress by sifting bicarbonate of soda directly onto it. Leave it for at least an hour to soak up the smells, then vacuum off.

Pre-treat upholstered beds, especially headboards, to avoid marks. Always use a cleaner that's suitable for upholstery to remove stains, following the instructions on the bottle. Wooden bed frames can also become covered in dust - a quick polish will leave them looking as good as new.

Create a cleaning cocktail. Fill a spray bottle with vodka (a natural disinfectant) and equal parts water, then spritz directly onto your mattress. Ensure you leave your mattress to air-dry completely before you make the bed again.

Preserve your bedding with a mattress protector - go for a design with quilting and extra padding for comfort, or wicking and waterproof top layers for practicality. Look out for a machine-washable option, too, so you can wash it with your bed linen.

Give your bed an airing every morning by drawing the covers off and letting your sheets and mattress breathe for 20 minutes before making the bed.

HAND-HELD VAC
Banish dust and irritating mites with this device
V6 mattress hand-held Vacuum cleaner, £250, Dyson

 

SCENTED SPRAY
Spritz directly onto clean bed linen for a fresh summer smell
Lavender linen mist, £12, Crabtree & Evelyn

WOOD POLISH
Give your wooden bedstead some long-overdue TLC
Fragrance-free furniture polish, £7, Daylesford Organic

 

NATURAL DEODORANT
Sprinkle on your mattress, leave for an hour, then vacuum off
Cooks' Ingredients bicarbonate of soda, 89p, Waitrose

MATTRESS COVER-UP
Add another layer of comfort, plus extra stain protection
Waterproof mattress protector, from £30 for a single, John Lewis

HANDY CLEANER
Mix with water in a spray bottle and spritz your mattress to remove odours
Vodka (35cl), £6, Sainsbury's

STAIN BUSTER
Tackle marks on an upholstered headboard
Vanish Oxi Action upholstery cleaner (500ml), £4, Homebase

PILLOW GUARD
Can be washed at 60˚C to kill dust mites and allergens
Pillow protector, £9.50, The Fine Bedding Company

TOUGH SCRUBBER
Clean any stubborn stains with ease thanks to its nonslip handle

All-purpose brush, £6,