How to Clean a Mattress in 4 Steps From Stains and Odors

It’s no secret that buying a mattress can be an expensive investment. With top-range models costing as high as $10,000, the correct mattress cleaning techniques can help you save enough money to be able to afford a car or even that vacation you’ve been talking about for months.

In this article, we’ll look at the best ways to maintain a mattress and keep it clean and uncontaminated, even if you’ve got kids or an unruly puppy. You don’t need to shell out hundreds of dollars; you can do the job at home with these simple steps!

How to Clean a Mattress: The 4 Basic Steps

Basic mattress cleaning involves washing your bedding, vacuuming the mattress, and spot cleaning. You can also add baking soda.

1. Wash the Bedding

First, remove all bedding material, such as sheets and blankets. These should be changed and cleaned once or twice every week, especially during summer or if you sleep with pets. You can do a generic wash of your mattress cover with your hands or a washing machine.

2. Vacuum the Mattress Thoroughly

Vacuuming your mattress should be done regularly to prevent the buildup of dust mites and their allergens, bacterial endotoxins, fungi, and metabolic wastes. One study showed that daily vacuuming reduced dust mite allergens by almost 90%, from 4.07 micrograms (one millionth of a gram) to 0.42 micrograms over eight weeks. Bacterial toxins fell from 13.6 to 3.4 units [1].

These benefits make thorough, regular vacuuming essential for people with inflammatory conditions such as dermatitis, asthma, and hay fever. If you have any of these conditions, you may benefit from vacuuming your mattress once or twice a week. If that sounds like a bit much for you, once every two to four weeks should do [1].

3. Spot Clean

When considering how to spot-clean a mattress, dish detergent in warm water is best for grass and dirt stains. Bodily fluids, such as urine, sweat, or organic stains from wine, are best removed with an enzyme-based or upholstery cleaner. Enzyme-based options are commonly sold for pet stains.

4. Optional: Apply Baking Soda

Baking soda neutralizes odors and absorbs moisture, and thorough drying prevents mold and mildew growth. You may find the most substantial results from leaving the baking soda for 24 hours and placing your mattress in the sun. However, that means you may have to sleep on the couch.

Afterward, you must vacuum your mattress again to remove the baking soda.

How to Deep Clean a Mattress at Home

Deep cleaning a mattress involves the above steps, with some extras. If there are stains, you can scrub the mattress with a mild stain remover and leave it to dry, followed by baking soda. We strongly advise you to do this if you have just bought a second-hand mattress.

If you have a single-sided mattress, we recommend thoroughly vacuuming the underside to remove dust, hair, dirt, and other stains. Double-sided mattresses should also be vacuumed and spot-cleaned for stains.

to give your mattress a clean smell, mix a few drops of essential oils with water and a small amount of baking soda. Lightly spray across the mattress and allow it to dry.

How Often Should You Clean a Mattress?

The general rule is to clean your mattress once every six months. If you have an atopic condition such as asthma, dermatitis, or allergies, you may benefit more from cleaning your mattress every two to three months.

3 Effective Mattress Cleaners

A natural, effective mattress cleaner spray and other household compounds include vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice, and salt. Do not use methylated spirits, as they can delaminate mattress toppers.

Phenolics can also damage toppers, so it’s essential to learn how to clean a mattress topper properly. However, chlorine-releasing substances may be a safer option if you need to remove blood stains from a mattress [2].

1. Vinegar

As a mild acid, vinegar has some disinfectant properties, meaning it can kill certain bacteria and mold. It can also help break down acidic stains like rust, coffee, tea, and red wine. Vinegar is also your go-to if you want to learn how to clean urine from mattresses and other organic odors.

For the best results, use a spray bottle with equal parts vinegar and water. Then, lightly spray the affected area and leave it for 10-15 minutes, but be careful not to soak it. After that, blot with a clean cloth or towel. We recommend adding a couple of drops of essential oil to the mixture to help mask the vinegar smell.

2. Baking Soda

Baking soda is a staple ingredient in many natural cleaning and personal care products. One lab study showed that it impaired the growth of almost 56 out of 70 fungal species tested [3].

Additionally, baking soda is an all-natural abrasive that can help remove stains. A study comparing a mix of vinegar and baking soda to commercial products found the natural solution was equally effective in cleaning polyester [4].

3. Lemon Juice and Salt

This combo is a natural bleaching agent and stain remover. Lemon juice contains citric acid, which acts as a natural bleach and helps break down stains; salt acts as a mild abrasive and helps absorb the stain. The mixture is best for rust and mildew stains.

Are you unsure how to work the mix? Start by mixing lemon juice and salt to make a paste. Aim for a 1:1 solution by combining equal parts lemon juice and salt. For example, add one tablespoon of salt to every tablespoon of lemon juice.

Then, apply the paste to the stain. After 30-60 minutes, wipe away the paste with a damp cloth. to get better results, you can let it sit in direct sunlight to enhance the bleaching action of the lemon juice.

Expert Insights on Mattress Cleaning

The importance of a clean mattress is well-appreciated for its ability to manage or even prevent certain chronic diseases, as underscored by experts [1]:

“Sensitization to house dust mite allergens is strongly associated with asthma in children and adults, that the development of atopy and asthma follows early childhood exposure, that strict avoidance to house dust mite allergens can reverse asthma symptoms, and there is a dose-response relation between house dust mite allergen exposure and the severity of asthma in house dust mite-sensitized children.”

FAQs on How to Clean a Mattress

Here are some of the most frequent questions many people have when trying to learn how to clean a mattress.

How to Clean a Memory Foam Mattress?

First, strip and wash all bedding in hot water. Then, thoroughly vacuum the mattress surface. Spot-clean the stains using a mild detergent solution or an enzyme cleaner. After spot cleaning, sprinkle baking soda over the entire surface to deodorize and absorb any residual moisture, letting it sit for several hours before vacuuming it up. Finally, ensure the mattress is wholly air-dried, using fans or sunlight if possible.

How to Clean Pee Out of a Mattress?

Enzyme cleaners marketed for pet urine are an effective way to clean a mattress that has been peed on.

What Is the Best Thing to Clean a Mattress With?

For general cleaning and deodorizing, baking soda is arguably the most effective and safest option. Enzyme cleaners are best if you’re looking for a solution on how to get urine out of a mattress when dry. For stain removal, a mild laundry detergent or dish soap mixed with cold water is safe and effective for many common stains.

How Do You Sanitize and Deodorize a Mattress?

Start by thoroughly vacuuming the entire surface to remove dust, allergens, and debris. Then, sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the mattress, letting it sit for several hours or even overnight to absorb smells and moisture. When it comes to sanitizing, lightly mist the mattress with a disinfectant spray designed for fabrics or a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar. Be careful not to soak it.

How Do You Deep Clean a Mattress Without a Machine?

If spot cleaning is not enough, you can cover your mattress with the cleaning solution of your choice and leave it as indicated. You may need to leave it for several hours or overnight, preferably in the sun, for an added antimicrobial effect.

Does Baking Soda Really Clean a Mattress?

Using baking soda on mattress covers or a mattress itself can help remove unpleasant odors such as those from sweat. But it doesn’t “clean” in the sense of eliminating deep stains like a detergent. When used correctly, it will not harm your mattress or reduce its lifespan but can actually contribute to a cleaner, healthier sleep environment, potentially helping your mattress last longer.

How Long Does Baking Soda Take to Work on a Mattress?

A few hours are usually sufficient for routine deodorizing, but a longer duration will yield better results for more intense odors. Always remember to check the mattress manufacturer’s recommendations before you kickstart your journey of learning how to clean a mattress with baking soda.

Final Thoughts on How to Clean a Mattress

In conclusion, learning how to clean a mattress is crucial for a healthy sleep environment, and it doesn’t have to be daunting.

You can easily adopt habits like regular vacuuming to remove dust, dead skin, and debris, deodorizing with baking soda, and spot-cleaning stains with appropriate solutions. But remember to avoid harsh chemicals, excessive water, and heat, which can damage your mattress.

Armed with the knowledge of what to use—and what not to use—along with the four basic steps outlined in this guide, you’re now well-equipped to make an informed decision on what method to use to eliminate those stains on your mattress!