Steam Clean A Mattress For Bed Bugs (6 Proven Steps) 2024

Bed bugs are tiny little creatures that feed on blood, lay eggs, and multiply their count in weeks.

And getting rid of these annoying creatures can be tough because bed bugs are not easy to find and can hide in cracks or holes.

But bed bugs hate high temperatures and they can not stand high heat from steam cleaning.

So if you don’t know how to steam clean a mattress for bed bugs then don’t worry, we got you covered.

This trick will kill all bed bugs, their eggs, and infestation from your mattress.

Let’s get started.

Does Steam Clean Kill Bed Bugs and Their Eggs?

Yes, steam cleaning can easily kill all bed bugs and their eggs from your mattress because bed bugs can’t withstand high temperatures.

Bed bugs need blood, and carbon dioxide but they will get killed in temperatures between 110 Degrees F to 120 Degrees F.

These Degree temperatures can easily kill them and their eggs. And steam cleaners can produce temperatures up to 300 Degrees F.

But you need to maintain up to 120 Degrees F for at least 15 to 20 minutes for killing all bed bugs in your mattress.

This process and its efficiency also depend on how thick your mattress is and how better the steamer’s ability and quality are.

Also Read: Can Sleep Number Beds Get Bed Bugs?

How to Steam Clean A Mattress For Bed Bugs

Lots of people think this process is very complicated but believe me, this process is piece of cake.

So anybody can steam clean a mattress and kill bed bugs but always take precautions if you have kids in your home.

And if you do not follow these steps correctly then even if you killed some bed bugs but the other bed bugs can multiply their count in a week.

So always make sure you killed every single bed bug and killed all its eggs.

Step 1: Vacuum Up Your Mattress

First, you need to vacuum up your mattress because this process can remove all dust, debris, and dirt.

Remove pillows, sheets, and every other object from your mattress and first vacuum up them all then you can start vacuuming your mattress.

There can be millions of debris, dirt, or dust particles on your mattress, with dead skin cells and bacteria.

So vacuuming up your mattress is crucial for removing dead skin cells, sweat, bacteria, dust, debris, and dirt.

Wash the removable and washable beddings on the highest settings with a strong detergent.

Step 2: Rent The Steamer

But before you start your steamer, you need to know that if you don’t have a quality and best steamer then you can rent one at a cheap price.

Any steamer machine that heats at least 130 Degrees F (100 Degrees C) will work.

You can rent a steamer from your nearby hardware shop.

But if you have a steamer then you don’t need to rent it.

Step 3: Fill And Heat the Steamer

Now you need to get your steamer started for that you need to fill and heat the steamer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Fill the reservoir with distilled water, plug it into the power source and allow the steamer to heat.

But don’t use tap water, always use distilled water.

Step 4: Apply the Steamer to the Top of the Mattress

Hold the steamer at least one to two inches above the top of the mattress for your mattress does not get directly contacted with the steamer.

Apply the steam and move slowly in sections for ensuring that you will cover the entire mattress, for killing all bed bugs.

And while blasting, always keep the steam light which will make the mattress damp but not completely wet.

You can control the system via an upholstery attachment or by turning the dial down.

Step 5: Steam the sides

Now follow a similar pattern and process for steam cleaning the sides of the mattress.

Move the steam down to the sides of the mattress.

Hold the steam vertically and glide it across both sides to kill hidden bed bugs in your mattress.

You can also flip it over to the steam clean-down part.

Step 6: Dry the Mattress

This is the last and final step of this process.

After steam cleaning the mattress for 15 to 20 minutes, leave the mattress for at least 2 to 4 hours to dry completely.

You can also dry your mattress in the sunlight or inside your house but keep the windows open.

What Are Other Methods For Killing Bed Bugs?

Steam cleaning is the best way to kill bed bugs but there are other ways to kill bed bugs from your mattress.

Because there may be a possibility that the temperature is not enough to kill all bed bugs from your mattress, in that case, you need to use other ways to kill bed bugs.

Way 1: Use pesticide-grade diatomaceous earth

Sprinkle this pesticide on the infested areas but keep in mind that this trick can take up to 2 weeks to see the results.

Always take precautions like wearing a mask when sprinkling this diatomaceous earth pesticide.

Way 2: Call Professionals

If your mattress is bed bugs infested then bed bugs are not only in your mattress it can be anywhere in your house.

Even if you kill all bed bugs from your mattress but bed bugs can again crawl or jump from other areas of your house to the mattress.

So if you don’t know anything then just call the professional pest service, they will kill all bed bugs from your entire house.

Way 3: Set up bed bugs Interceptors

After killing the bed bugs completely from your mattress, for preventing your mattress from bed bugs use these interceptors.

Slide the 4 interceptors beneath each leg of your bed then pour a little bit of cooking oil into each dish and keep an eye on these containers.

So bed bugs can’t crawl or get into your mattress, they will stick in those interceptors.

Final Words

Although steam cleaning is the best way to kill all bed bugs but there are lots of methods for removing bed bugs from your mattress.

If you are a DIYer then you should use a steam cleaning method.

If not then just call the pest service because killing bed bugs from the mattress is not the solution. 

Because if your house has bed bugs then you need to find and kill them all and it’s impossible for you.

So call the professionals who will remove and kill all bed bugs, their eggs, and infestation from your house.

If you have any questions about steam cleaning the mattress for bed bugs then you can ask them in the comment section of this article.