Learning how to clean a mattress is important for keeping your sleeping space fresh and hygienic. Even the best mattresses need regular care to stay in good shape, and to keep them free from smells, sweat, dead skin and dust mites.
You should aim to clean your mattress at least twice a year for general maintenance, but if you spill something on it, tackle that straight away to avoid it causing deep-staining or damage.
If have allergies, you'll benefit the most from keeping your mattress fresh as regular cleaning kills off allergy-triggering dust mites. A decent mattress protector is your friend here too, while a mattress topper adds an extra layer of (comfy) protection.
Here we look at how to clean a mattress properly, including how to tackle spills, smells and stains, and why you should also invest in one of the best mattress protectors for your bed. If you are upgrading, the forthcoming 4th of July mattress sales are a good time to buy as they usually bring with them some of the lowest prices since Black Friday.
How to clean a mattress: why it’s important
You should aim to deep clean your mattress every six months or so. Regular care and cleaning keeps it clear of dust, dirt and dead skin cells – all the things that provide a feast for allergy-triggering dust mites to snack on.
Other reasons to clean your mattress regularly include the accumulation of sweat and body oils, which can stain your mattress and cause it to smell and make it softer than you'd like - we explain this more in our feature on how to make a mattress firmer. Using a mattress protector is a great way to keep your mattress clean and fresh for longer, as they can be removed and machine washed much more regularly.
Before you clean your mattress, read the care instructions (usually found on the mattress label or on the brand's website). We say this because they may be specific things that you should or shouldn’t be doing for your specific mattress.
For instance, if you have a memory foam bed and need to clean up a spill, don't use too much water because mildew can grown in a foam mattress that's left wet for too long. Let's now go through the basics of how to clean a mattress...
How to deep clean a mattress: step by step
Even if you use a mattress topper or mattress protector, and change and wash your bed sheets regularly, you should still aim to deep clean your mattress twice a year. This will keep it feeling fresher, smelling nicer and lasting longer. Set a reminder to do this essential chore every six months, to make it part of your household routine. Here’s how to deep clean a mattress easily:
- Strip the bed and wash your bedding.
- Vacuum over the mattress evenly, making sure the attachment gets into any creases or edging.
- Deodorize the mattress by sprinkling on a layer of baking soda. Leave it there for a few hours – overnight/all day if you can – so that it has longer to draw out any odors.
- Vacuum up the baking soda.
- If your mattress is flippable, then repeat the previous three steps on the other side. If not, just rotate it. This spreads out wear and tear.
- Place the mattress next to an open window or as close to fresh air as possible. Even better, place the mattress in direct sunlight as UV rays help kill mold and bacteria.
If your current mattress can’t be cleaned, is covered in stains and has signs of sagging, then it’s time to get something new. For a good memory foam mattress that's covered by a Forever Warranty, read our round-up of the best Nectar mattress sales. For luxury sleep for less, check out our guide to the best Saatva mattress sales and deals.
How to clean a mattress: urine and spillages
Whether its spilled coffee, or urine or blood that has seeped into the mattress, you need to tackle these as soon as they happen. This will reduce the chances of staining and they'll be easier to clean too, as they won’t have a chance to get deeper into the mattress.
You can use a simple cleaning solution of detergent or white vinegar with water to spray it onto the stain. If the spillage is biological – for example, blood or urine – then make sure the solution contains an enzyme-based detergent to dissolve the stain.
Remember, mattresses can develop mold if they get too wet, so never pour water directly onto them. Here’s how to clear up a recent spill:
- Strip the bed and wash the sheets in the washing machine.
- Using a cloth or paper towels, blot as much liquid as you can from the mattress. Try to do this fairly gently, without rubbing it, as it will spread the spillage around and deeper into the mattress.
- Clean the stain with a 50:50 solution of white vinegar (or enzyme-based detergent) and water. Use a spray bottle and try not to soak the mattress. If the stain is stubborn, you can leave the solution on for ten minutes or slightly longer. Now blot the solution with clean paper towels or a cloth.
- Take some baking soda and sprinkle it over the stain. You should leave this on for at least 7-8 hours. Once it’s dry you can vacuum it up.
- Air your mattress near an open window, and in direct sunlight if you can.
If the spill is not so recent then, once you have lightly sprayed on your cleaning solution, they try brushing the area gently with a toothbrush, and leave it for 10-15 minutes before blotting it gently. Repeat until the stain fades.
How to clean a mattress: bed bugs
Bed bugs are tiny but you can still spot them with the naked eye. Close-up images show that these household pests have an oval body that’s dark brown in color, but after feeding on your blood their bodies swell and become more red in color.
Bed bugs can’t fly nor do they move quickly, but they do thrive in moist environments where food is plentiful. In this instance, a warm mattress full of dead skin and sweat. They then shed and go on to lay hundreds of eggs, continuing the infestation in your mattress.
How do you know if you have bed bugs in your mattress? There are several signs of a bed bug infestation – and they don’t just live on your mattress either. Bed bugs can also infest your bedframe and headboard, your bedroom carpets and rugs, and other bedroom furniture and electronics.
Signs of bed bugs in your mattress and bedding include:
- Bed bug bites on your skin – usually red, itchy bumps up to 5cm in diameter
- Bed bug droppings (dark spots) on your mattress and sheets
- Reddish-brown stains from crushed bed bugs
- Small drops of blood on your sheets
- Small and pale yellow eggshells
How to get rid of bed bugs in your mattress
Once you know you have an infestation, it’s time to get to work deep cleaning your mattress (and any related furniture and carpeting). Here’s what you need to do…
Step 1: Know if your mattress can be saved or not
It’s entirely possible to get rid of bed bugs, but if you have any holes or tears in your mattress, then it’s going to be much harder to get rid of the infestation. That’s because bed bugs can burrow into those holes and tears, making it tricky to reach them. Here we’d recommend buying a new mattress instead.
Step 2: Scrub all mattress seams and crevices
Using a stiff brush, scrub all mattress seams, edges and crevices to dislodge any lurking bed bug eggs. Remember, these are small, pale yellow eggs and they could be anywhere on your mattress.
Step 3: Vacuum everything
Once you have dislodged any eggs and have brushed all of your mattress with a stiff brush, it’s time to vacuum. You’ll need to vacuum the top, sides and bottom of your mattress, and then every inch of carpet in your bedroom. This includes rugs. We’d also remove and wash all curtains, blinds and other bedding.
Step 4: Steam clean your mattress or use a bed bug spray
Most people opt for either a bed bug spray or a steam cleaner here. Sprays are highly effective but loaded with chemicals that could damage your mattress, so read the mattress manufacturer’s care and cleaning guidelines too. The alternative is to use a steamer on the top, bottom and sides of the mattress.
Step 5: Encase the mattress completely
After cleaning your mattress and treating it for bed bugs, use a full mattress encasement to prevent any stray bed bugs from escaping. Full mattress encasements cover the top, bottom and sides of your mattress and are zipped up to offer full coverage. For advice on which one to choose, read our best mattress protectors guide.
How to clean a mattress: sweat stains
Anyone who sleeps hot will also be prone to sweating more in the night, which, over time, could seep into the mattress and turn it yellow. However, if you can stay on top of regularly maintaining your mattress this staining can be avoided – simply sprinkle baking soda onto any staining that you see appearing, give it a gentle rub and leave for half an hour, before vacuuming it up.
If the sweat stains are more stubborn, then try spraying on a solution made with equal parts water, liquid soap, and hydrogen peroxide. Spray lightly onto the stain, so as not to soak the mattress, and let it sit for 20 minutes.
Blot the solution with a paper towel. You can then sprinkle over some baking soda, leaving it on for several hours (or overnight) to dry thoroughly before vacuuming it up. Air the mattress near an open window, in direct sunlight if you can.
Using a mattress protector will provide an extra barrier to help prevent sweat reaching your mattress. If you sleep hot regularly, then try sleeping on a cooling mattress, or investing in a mattress topper that has a cooling surface to help keep your temperature regulated.
It’s worth mentioning that mattresses can also become yellow naturally with age, and this discoloration cannot be removed. In most cases it’s usually a sign that you need to buy a new mattress, especially if you have had it for more than eight years.
How to clean a mattress: dust mites
Dust mites can be found in every home – in mattresses, carpets, and curtains for example – and if they’re left to build up, their droppings can trigger allergy symptoms such as sneezing, itching and a runny nose.
Because they feed off dead skin cells (from you and your pets), and get water from humid air, it’s essential to keep your mattress clean, your bed sheets regularly washed and also make sure there’s not too much clutter in your bedroom.
Using a mattress protector and pillow protectors with a tighter weave helps create a barrier to prevent mites getting into your mattress.
If you can wash sheets at a higher temperature of around 130 degrees Fahrenheit (54 Celsius) that will help kill them off. Using a dehumidifier to bring the moisture levels down in the bedroom will also keep them at bay.
How to clean a mattress: conclusion
On top of deep cleaning your mattress every six months or so, you can help keep it clean in the months in-between too. Here is a checklist of things to remember to keep your mattressing looking great, smelling fresh, and giving you a healthy surface to sleep on for years to come:
- Use a mattress protector to add a barrier against accidental spills and dust mites.
- Clean up spillages right away.
- Wash your bed sheets once a week in hot water.
- Check your mattress regularly to see if any new stains have appeared. If so, clean them immediately.
- Deep clean and vacuum your mattress every six months or so.
- Flip or rotate your mattress (as recommended by the manufacturer) to keep the surface even, and prevent a build-up of sweat or oils in any one area.
- Clean your headboard regularly to remove dust and stains.
Read more:
- Memory foam vs hybrid mattresses: which one is right for you?
- Black Friday mattress deals: an expert guide
