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How to clean a mattress to get it looking new again

Because a mattress is a significant investment, you want to ensure that it lasts—which means learning how to clean a mattress. Mattresses can harbor dust mites, dead skin, dirt, and other debris, so they should be cleaned regularly—especially if you have allergies, have pets, or are a nighttime snacker.

Fortunately, cleaning a mattress does not have to be complicated. Continue reading to learn the eight simple steps to keeping your mattress clean and ready for years of sleeping.

Step 1. Gather materials 

Certain materials are required to deep clean a mattress:

• a vacuum attachment for upholstery
• an enzyme cleaner or dish soap
• laundry detergent
• baking soda
• rags or cleaning cloths
• cold water

It is critical to exercise caution when using soaps and cleaning products on your mattress. You don’t want to use anything that will harm the delicate fabric of your mattress. Remember that removing detergents from a mattress is difficult, so choose products with a mild scent.

Step 2. Remove all the bedding from the bed and wash them

Before cleaning your mattress, remove all sheets and blankets from your bed. This is an excellent time to wash them. To kill dust mites, use the highest laundry temperatures recommended by the manufacturer. Wash your pillows and fabric mattress toppers as well.

Step 3. Vacuum the mattress

Clean the surface of the mattress with your vacuum’s upholstery attachment. Vacuum the bed’s sides to remove dust and stretch the fabric to remove debris from seams.

Step 4. Spot-clean mattress with a stain remover

It’s time to concentrate on getting stains out of the mattress, which means spot-cleaning. Spot-clean these areas with care using the following method:

• Using a clean cloth, apply a small amount of cleaning solution.
• Blot the stained area gently with the fabric.
• Using a different clean cloth, wet it with cold water.
• Blot the stained area gently with a wet cloth.
• Repeat as needed until the stain is gone.

The principal goal here is to use as little cleaning solution as possible while not over-soak the mattress. Never use the cleaning solution directly on the bed; instead, apply and remove the solution with a clean rag.

The best stain removal solution depends on the type of stain. A commercial enzyme cleaner is usually the best option for removing blood, sweat, urine, and other biological stains. You can also use a dish of soap and water mixture, concentrating on the foamy suds that form on top.

Step 5. Apply baking soda

Apply a thin layer of baking soda to the entire surface of the mattress after removing any visible stains and allowing it to dry completely. Leave a layer on top of the whole of the mattress for several hours (or better yet, apply before an overnight trip). 

Baking soda will neutralize the acid while absorbing any remaining moisture or odor. The longer you leave baking soda on the mattress, the more effective it will be! While the mattress sits with the baking soda, open any windows in the room to let light and sunshine in. UV rays from the sun will help kill any mold or bacteria on the mattress.

Step 6. Vacuum thoroughly again

After the baking soda has had its effect, vacuum it up with the upholstery attachment. If the mattress was filthy, repeat steps 4 and 5, though this isn’t usually necessary.

Step 7. Flip the mattress

Once side one is spotless, flip the mattress over and repeat steps 1-5 until both sides are equally fresh and clean. Whether or not deep cleaning the mattress, flipping should be done at regular intervals. People have been told to flip their mattresses every three months, but that only applies to spring mattresses, which compress over time. As mattresses become more specialized, you should check with the model manufacturer.

Mattresses should be flipped every three months as a general rule or more frequently if you notice any sagging. Mattress flipping regularly will help the mattress wear more evenly and last longer.

Step 8. Protect the mattress

It’s time to protect your mattress now that you know how to clean it. Once completely dry, cover your new mattress with a mattress protector to make future cleaning more accessible and protect it from spills, dirt, and other annoyances (i.e., bedbugs).

We recommend cleaning your mattress every six months. Naturally, if you spill something on your mattress, clean it as soon as possible to avoid the stain. The frequency you must clean your mattress will reduce if you use a good mattress protector. Regular cleaning will help your mattress last longer – but it’s still important to know when it’s time for a new mattress and how to dispose of your old one.

Wrap up

Now you know how to clean a mattress to keep it fresh and clean, right? Look at our mattresses if it’s time to replace your mattress. A new high-quality, comfortable mattress is an excellent way to ensure you get a good night’s sleep and wake up feeling refreshed.