There are many items in our home that we probably neglect to clean. They are often the ones that are out of sight, and thus out of mind. A mattress is one of them. We worry about keeping the bed sheets nice and clean, but what about what the bed sheets cover?

Mattresses are just as vulnerable to stains, wear and tear, and other dirt and grime as anything else and it's just as important that they are properly cleaned. But with such a bulky, large mattress – after all, you can't fit it into a clothes washer like you can a blanket – whatever are you to do to keep it clean?

First off, why should you keep it clean? Well, the obvious answer is for sanitary purposes. You don't want to sleep on something that has built-up mildew or dirt. A bed sheet only provides limited protection. In fact, the dirtier your mattress is, the more likely you will have to deal with dust mites and allergies that will keep you up in the middle of the night.

The second answer is that a mattress will become worn down if it's not carefully maintained and thus become uncomfortable and lose its sturdiness.

Maybe you've got a toddler who wets their bed, or you like to eat and drink on your bed, but your mattress is bound to incur some damage from time to time. But fortunately there are many easy ways to combat this problem.

One of these ways is to flip your mattress over twice a year. This will mean that no one side will get more wear and tear than the other and thus your mattress will last a longer time and you'll have more of a cozy cushion as you sleep. As well, both sides of the mattress will endure equal damage as far a stains go and thus those stains and buildups of dirt will actually be easier to manage later.

It's a given that you will have a bed sheet covering your mattress. But what about adding another protective layer to your mattress? Not only will this add more life to your mattress, but it can add more comfort to you as you sleep. Mattress covers are smart investments and while you may have to replace a cover from time to time, it beats having to replace an entire mattress! There are some covers that are extra padded or especially designed to ward off dust mites and other allergens that plague mattresses. These are quite nifty as they will prevent you from tossing and turning at night for more reasons than one.

Allergies aren't something you want to have to deal with when you're trying to get a good night's rest Ironically, however, mattresses are prime spots for the buildup of pesky dust and dander. However, by simply taking a vacuum cleaner and/or a broom to the mattress, you can prevent allergens from developing. If you are especially allergic to dust, etc, or you have a furry pet that often hops into bed with you, you'll have to vacuum often.

For those mattresses that are soiled, and seem to beyond the point of no return, what can you do? You obviously can't soak the mattress in a bath tub or in the clothes washer. Thankfully, there are products you can buy that will help you out. Upholstery shampoos are great and they come with instructions that you must follow carefully. Laundry detergent can work just as well, too, however. But how do you apply these solutions? You can rub the cleaner into the mattress with a damp scrubber. Next, let the mattress dry. If possible, let it sit out in the sun! Otherwise, you might have to get a hair dryer or fan to get it to dry quickly and thoroughly. It's crucial that no water is left behind in the mattress when it's put back in place.

While it's certainly not a piece of cake to keep your mattress clean and certainly not easy to remember to clean it in the first place, it's no less important.

The best tip is to prevent your mattress from getting too soiled or stained from the start. This way, you can avoid a major headache down the road. And it's really not that difficult to flip the mattress over every six months and take a vacuum to it ever so often. So if you can take these preemptive strikes, you can make it easy on yourself later.

Who wants so sleep on a dirty, sagging mattress? Probably not you. So hopefully this guide has prepared you to keep your mattress in great shape.