How to Clean a Mattress

Fresh, clean sheets feel great. But when was the last time you really appreciated a clean mattress? Cleaning your mattress prolongs its life and removes the buildup of dust, skin cells, sweat, and dust mites that collect over time. It’s especially worthwhile if anyone in your home has allergies. The good news is that a thorough mattress cleaning only takes basic supplies and a little drying time.

What You’ll Need

• A vacuum with an upholstery attachment and a crevice tool
• Baking soda
• Mild dish soap or a gentle enzyme cleaner
• Clean white cloths or microfiber towels (white avoids dye transfer)
• A spray bottle and cool water
• Hydrogen peroxide (3%) for certain stains, tested first

Before you start, check the mattress law tag or manufacturer’s care instructions. Some foam and hybrid mattresses have specific guidance, and using the wrong method can void a warranty. The golden rule for every mattress: use as little moisture as possible. Mattresses are thick and hard to dry, and trapped moisture can cause mildew.

How to Clean a Mattress Step by Step

1. Strip and Wash the Bedding

Remove all pillows, sheets, blankets, and the mattress pad or protector. Wash them in the warmest water their care labels allow while you work on the mattress, so everything is fresh when you remake the bed.

2. Vacuum Thoroughly

Use the upholstery attachment to vacuum the entire top surface in slow, overlapping passes. Switch to the crevice tool for seams, tufts, piping, and the sides, where dust and skin flakes collect. Vacuum the box spring or base too.

3. Treat Stains

Spot-treat any stains now (see the stain guide below) and let those areas dry before moving on.

4. Deodorize With Baking Soda

Sprinkle a generous, even layer of baking soda over the whole surface. Let it sit for at least a few hours, or all day if you can. If possible, open the curtains and let sunlight into the room, and open a window for airflow. Baking soda absorbs moisture and odors as it sits.

5. Vacuum Again

Vacuum up all of the baking soda slowly and carefully, using the crevice tool along seams.

6. Let It Air Out and Repeat

Let the mattress air out before you make the bed. If your mattress is flippable, repeat the process on the other side.

How to Remove Mattress Stains by Type

Always blot, never scrub, and never pour liquid directly onto the mattress. Apply cleaner to a cloth or mist lightly, work from the outside of the stain inward, and test any cleaner on a hidden spot first. Use cool water, since hot water can set protein stains.

Sweat and Yellowing

Mix a few drops of mild dish soap into cool water, dampen a cloth, and blot the stained area. For stubborn yellowing, a paste of baking soda and a little 3% hydrogen peroxide can help: apply a thin layer, let it dry, then vacuum off the residue. Hydrogen peroxide can lighten some fabrics, so test first.

Urine

Blot up as much as you can right away with dry towels. Then apply an enzyme cleaner made for urine, following the label, which breaks down the source of the odor rather than masking it. Blot, let it dry fully, and finish with baking soda to absorb lingering smell. This is the go-to approach for children’s and pet accidents.

Blood

Use cold water only. Blot with a cloth dampened in cold water, then dab a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide on the spot (it will fizz) and blot again. Repeat until the stain lifts, then blot with a clean damp cloth to rinse.

Food and Drink Spills

Blot up liquid immediately, then use a mild dish soap solution on a cloth. For coffee or wine, follow with a cloth lightly dampened with equal parts white vinegar and water, then blot with plain water.

Safety note: Never mix cleaning products, especially bleach with ammonia or vinegar, which can release toxic fumes. Avoid bleach on mattresses entirely; it can damage fibers and foam.

How to Get Rid of Mattress Odors

Most musty or stale smells come from sweat and humidity. A long baking soda treatment (several hours to overnight) is the simplest fix. Airflow helps too: strip the bed for a few hours on laundry day to let the mattress breathe, and keep bedroom humidity in check, especially during humid Virginia summers. If an odor returns quickly or you see dark spots, check for moisture or mildew, which may mean the mattress needs to be replaced.

How to Dry a Mattress

After spot-cleaning, press dry towels onto damp areas to absorb as much moisture as possible. Then aim a fan at the mattress, open windows, or run a dehumidifier. Never make the bed until the mattress is completely dry to the touch, including the center of any treated spot.

How Often Should You Clean a Mattress?

A good routine:

• Weekly: wash sheets and pillowcases.
• Every one to two months: wash the mattress protector or pad.
• Every three to six months: vacuum and deodorize the mattress, and rotate it.
• Right away: treat spills and accidents before they soak in.

If anyone in your home has allergies, vacuuming more often makes a noticeable difference.

Should You Flip or Rotate Your Mattress?

Rotating a mattress 180 degrees (head to foot) every three to six months helps it wear evenly and reduces sagging where you sleep. Whether you can also flip it depends on the design. Many modern mattresses, including most memory foam, pillow-top, and hybrid models, are one-sided and should not be flipped. Older or two-sided innerspring mattresses can be flipped and rotated. Check the manufacturer’s guidance if you’re unsure.

Protect It With a Mattress Protector

The easiest way to keep a mattress clean is to keep it from getting dirty. A washable, waterproof mattress protector blocks sweat, spills, and accidents, and a zippered encasement also helps keep out dust mites. Protectors are much easier to wash than a mattress is to clean, and many mattress warranties are voided by stains, so a protector pays for itself.

Help Keeping Your Bedroom Fresh

A clean mattress goes a long way toward better sleep. If you’d like help with the rest of the bedroom and home, our background-checked housekeepers can handle dusting, vacuuming, and more through a one-time deep cleaning or recurring service. Request a free written estimate to get started.