How to Clean a Mattress: A Step-by-Step Deep Cleaning Guide

To clean a mattress, remove all bedding, vacuum the entire surface with an upholstery attachment, spot-treat stains with a mild detergent or enzyme cleaner, sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda across the mattress to absorb odors, let it sit for several hours, vacuum thoroughly, and allow the bed to air-dry completely before replacing your sheets.

Why Routine Mattress Cleaning Matters

Most people spend roughly a third of their lives in bed. Over time, mattresses collect dead skin cells, body oils, sweat, dust mites, pet dander, and accidental spills. Failing to clean your mattress regularly can trigger allergies, cause lingering odors, and degrade the internal materials of your bed prematurely. Performing a routine deep clean every six months keeps your sleep environment fresh, hygienic, and supportive.

Supplies You Will Need

Before you begin, gather the necessary cleaning tools and household items. Using the right products prevents fabric damage and ensures moisture is kept to a minimum.

Vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment and crevice tool
Baking soda (one to two standard boxes)
Mild liquid dish soap or laundry detergent
Hydrogen peroxide (3 percent concentration)
Enzyme-based stain remover (especially useful for pet accidents or biological stains)
Microfiber cloths or clean white towels
Spray bottle
Optional: Essential oils (such as lavender, eucalyptus, or tea tree)

Step-by-Step Guide to Deep Cleaning Your Mattress

Follow these detailed steps to thoroughly refresh and sanitize your mattress from top to bottom.

1. Strip the Bed and Wash All Bedding

Remove sheets, pillowcases, mattress pads, and duvets. Launder your bedding in the hottest water setting allowed by the care labels to eliminate dust mites, bacteria, and allergens. While the wash cycles run, you can focus on cleaning the bare mattress.

2. Vacuum Thoroughly

Attach the upholstery brush to your vacuum cleaner and go over the entire top and sides of the mattress. Work in slow, overlapping circles to lift embedded dust, dead skin, and crumbs. Switch to the narrow crevice tool to get deep into seams, piping, button tufting, and pillow-top folds where debris accumulates.

3. Spot-Treat Stains

Never soak a mattress, as excess moisture trapped inside the foam or batting can lead to mold and mildew growth. Instead, apply cleaning solutions lightly to a cloth rather than pouring them directly onto the mattress fabric.

General stains: Mix a few drops of mild dish soap with warm water until sudsy. Dip a clean microfiber towel into the foam and gently blot the stain, working from the outside inward.
Sweat and yellow stains: Combine one cup of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda, and a drop of liquid dish soap in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the stained area, let it sit for 15 minutes, and blot clean with a damp towel.
Biological stains (blood or urine): Spray an enzyme cleaner directly onto a clean rag and firmly press it against the stain. Enzyme cleaners break down the proteins that cause lingering marks and stubborn odors.

4. Deodorize with Baking Soda

Once you have treated visible spots, sprinkle a generous, even layer of baking soda across the entire mattress surface. Baking soda acts as a natural moisture absorber and neutralizer, pulling body oils and stale odors out of the fabric.

For a soothing scent, mix 5 to 10 drops of essential oil into the baking soda before sprinkling. Rub the powder lightly into the mattress surface with your hands to help it penetrate the top fibers.

5. Let the Baking Soda Sit

Allow the baking soda to rest on the mattress for at least two to four hours. If possible, open bedroom windows to allow sunlight and fresh air into the room. Sunlight provides natural ultraviolet sanitizing power that helps kill surface bacteria and speed up drying.

6. Vacuum a Second Time

After several hours, vacuum the entire mattress again using your upholstery tool. Ensure you remove all traces of baking soda, paying extra attention to corners and quilting crevices.

7. Air Dry Completely

Before putting your bedding back on, make sure the mattress is bone dry to the touch. You can speed up drying time by running a ceiling fan, placing an oscillating fan next to the bed, or running a dehumidifier in the room.

How to Clean Specific Mattress Types

Different mattress constructions require specific care to avoid voiding warranties or damaging specialty materials.

Memory Foam: Highly sensitive to moisture and heat. Use very little liquid, avoid steam cleaners completely, and rely heavily on dry baking soda treatments.
Innerspring: More forgiving with spot cleaning, but avoid saturating internal steel coils to prevent rusting.
Latex: Naturally resistant to dust mites and mold, but sensitive to harsh chemicals. Stick to mild soap solutions and water blotting.
Hybrid: Treat the top comfort layers according to their material (foam or latex) while keeping moisture away from the pocketed spring system beneath.

How to Keep Your Mattress Clean Longer

Preventative maintenance makes routine cleaning significantly faster and extends the lifespan of your mattress.

Use a waterproof mattress protector: A high-quality protector shields your mattress from spills, sweat, body oils, and dust mites.
Rotate the mattress regularly: Rotate your mattress 180 degrees every three to six months to ensure even wear and prevent body impressions.
Air it out between sheet changes: Let the bare mattress breathe for an hour before putting on fresh linens.
Address spills immediately: Treat accidents as soon as they happen so liquids do not seep deep into internal core layers.

Conclusion

Knowing how to clean a mattress properly keeps your sleeping space sanitary, eliminates foul odors, and protects your investment for years to come. By vacuuming regularly, treating stains carefully, and deodorizing with baking soda twice a year, you can enjoy a healthier, more restful night of sleep.

Cleneus is reader-supported. Pages carry display advertising and some outbound product links may earn us a commission, which never changes the methods we recommend. Read our disclosure.