I’m Obsessed with Cleaning, but Didn’t Realize How Dirty My Bed Was Until I Found This Mattress Vacuum

Credit:

Better Homes & Gardens / Daisy Rodriguez

Even as a cleaning-obsessed shopping writer who’s always researching and reviewing the latest cleaning gadgets, I never really thought I needed a vacuum cleaner specifically for my mattress. First of all, who has time to vacuum the bed, and secondly, when I do find the time, shouldn’t my regular handheld vacuum suffice? I mean, I’m doing everything else right: I change the sheets and pillow cases often, freshen up the blankets with linen spray once in a while, and run one of the best air purifiers for allergens in my bedroom almost 24/7. So, why should I have to vacuum the bed—especially when it’s not even allergy season?

But according to the experts, vacuuming the mattress eliminates all kinds of stuff you didn’t even know was there, like lingering bacteria, dust mites, pollen, and even viruses, so it’s good to do it twice a year, at minimum. It’s especially important if you have seasonal allergies to pollen, are allergic to dust mites, or regularly sleep with pets in your bed; in those cases, you should be vacuuming your mattress and blankets once a month.

And while any old handheld vac will work, mattress vacuum cleaners are outfitted with bed-specific features that allow them to get deep into the springs, drawing out and sterilizing what other vacs couldn’t. Now that I can’t imagine my cleaning routine without a bed vacuum, my go-to is the Jimmy BX5 Pro-120V Corded Mattress Vacuum Cleaner, which not only keeps my bedroom fresh, but also reduces my allergies and helps me sleep better, too.

Jimmy BX5 Pro-120V Corded Mattress Vacuum Cleaner

Credit:

Amazon

With impressive 500-Watt power and suction of 15 Kpa, this tiny-but-mighty vac sucks up everything from mites and dust to the invisible flakes of skin that mites feed on—ew!—and is powerful enough to take on the bed, yes, but also the couch and small areas of carpet, too. I even use it on the sides of the box spring, which I’ve noticed is a hot-spot for dust buildup. My favorite feature is the UV-C light because it brightens my cleaning path, but the super strong UV light actually sanitizes and kills what’s left behind—no matter how deeply embedded.

It’s easy to use, especially because at just 6 pounds, it’s lightweight enough to bring it room to room, tackling the beds. It works super fast on each mattress, too, thanks to a wide suction port that allows it to cover a large amount of surface area at once. I can get each bed done in two minutes flat—including the king mattress—and move on. I also love that the UV light automatically turns off when tilted or lifted off the mattress; this way, I don’t have to worry about any unwanted UV light exposure.

I never realized how much the yucky things between my sheets were affecting my bedroom’s air quality, and therefore, my sleep quality. My stuffy noses are fewer and farther between now, and seeing how much gunk this vac removes from the bedding even inspired me to frequently clean the nooks and crannies of my bed frame with a battery-operated air duster. It’s amazing how much yucky stuff loiters around the bed, and I never even realized.

I’ve also used it on upholstery, couches, and pet beds (I have a constantly-shedding Husky mix) with impressive results as well. My one critique is that it’s corded, and while going cordless is one of the most liberating upgrades you can give your cleaning gadgets, I’m unwilling to shell out the extra $100 for a few feet of freedom—not when this one gets the job done so well, for so much less.

I didn’t know I needed this, and I certainly didn’t know how many allergens were lurking in my bedroom, until I visibly saw how much the Jimmy BX5 Pro-120V Corded Mattress Vacuum Cleaner removed. Now, I can’t imagine living and sleeping in such poor, allergen-infested conditions ever again. Buy it now at Amazon and it’ll be the best $130 you ever spent on a cleaning tool—promise. Plus, shop more of my favorite products for keeping my home allergy-, dust-, and dander-free, below.