How to clean a mattress refers to the routine of vacuuming, spot treating stains, deodorizing and fully drying a mattress without soaking it. The goal is to lift dust, sweat and spills out of the surface layers while keeping moisture away from the foam or springs inside.
Most mattresses need a deep clean twice a year and a quick spot treatment whenever something spills. That’s the whole job. How to Clean a Mattress The hard part is knowing which method is safe for your mattress, because soaking foam or scrubbing a stain too hard can do more damage than the stain ever did.
Look, if you’re staring at a dried yellow patch right now, here’s what actually works: vacuum, treat the spot with as little liquid as possible, deodorize with baking soda and let everything dry fully. The sections below show you how, by mattress type, stain and smell.
This works best for everyday home care of mattresses, toppers and covers. It won’t help with a bed bug infestation, a flood-soaked mattress or widespread mold. Those need a professional.
How to Clean a Mattress Step by Step
How do you clean a mattress? You clean a mattress by vacuuming it, treating stains with a small amount of cleaner, sprinkling baking soda to absorb odors, and letting it dry completely. How to Clean a Mattress According to Tom’s Guide, it’s a good idea to clean your mattress about every six months, even if nothing has spilled. tomsguide
To clean a mattress at home, follow these steps:
- Strip the bed and wash all the bedding.
- Vacuum the whole surface with an upholstery attachment.
- Blot stains with a mild cleaner.
- Sprinkle baking soda and wait several hours.
- Vacuum it off.
- Air dry fully before remaking.
What You Need
- A vacuum with an upholstery attachment (a handheld works)
- Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
- Mild dish soap or an enzyme cleaner
- A spray bottle and clean white cloths
- A soft brush
- A fan
- A washable mattress protector
Here’s the thing: you don’t need a cupboard full of products, and more products rarely means a cleaner mattress.
How to Clean a Mattress Deeply at Home
Step 1: Strip the bed. Remove sheets, pillowcases and any protector. Wash them on the hottest setting the care labels allow.
Step 2: Vacuum. This is how to vacuum a mattress properly: work in slow overlapping passes, then go along seams, edges and any tufts where dust collects. Flip or turn it if the design allows.
Step 3: Spot clean. To spot clean a mattress, dab a small amount of mild soap and water onto the stain with a cloth. Blot from the outside in. Never rub.
Step 4: Clean the mattress with baking soda. Sprinkle a thin, even layer over the whole surface. Leave it for several hours, or longer if there’s a smell. It pulls out moisture and odors without wetting the mattress.
Step 5: Vacuum it off. If you’re wondering how to clean a mattress without a vacuum, use a stiff brush in slow strokes and wipe with a barely damp cloth. It takes longer, but it works.
Step 6: Dry and protect. Leave the mattress bare in a well-ventilated room until it’s completely dry. Then fit a clean protector before the sheets go back on.
Most people assume a wetter mattress is a cleaner one. The opposite is true. How to Clean a Mattress Moisture that sinks into the layers is hard to remove and can cause odors or mold, so light, controlled dampness beats generous spraying every time.
How Often Should You Clean a Mattress?
I’ve seen conflicting advice for How to Clean a Mattress some sources say every three months, others say every six. My read is every six months for most households, and sooner when there are kids, pets or allergies.
Some experts argue a regular vacuum and a good protector are enough. How to Clean a Mattress That’s valid for a lightly used guest bed. But if sweat, spills or pets are part of daily life, a full deep clean still earns its place.
DIY or Professional?
How much does professional mattress cleaning cost? Professional cleaning costs roughly £20 to £80 in the UK, depending on size. According to Expert Reviews, a double mattress averages around £42, citing Check trade. Call a pro for set-in stains, allergy concerns or a mattress you can’t move.
How to Clean a Mattress by Type
How do you clean a memory foam mattress? You clean memory foam with as little moisture as possible: vacuum it, blot stains lightly with a mild solution and air dry it fully. Foam absorbs liquid like a sponge, so soaking it is the one mistake you can’t easily undo.
Memory Foam and Foam Mattresses
For how to clean a mattress memory foam, or any foam mattress, work with light mist and plenty of blotting. If you’re dealing with how to get stains out of a memory foam mattress, apply a small amount of cleaner to a cloth, not directly to the foam. Then let it air dry with a fan. Avoid direct sun for long periods, which can degrade foam.
Other Mattress Types
- Pillow top: Vacuum between the layers and seams. Spot clean the top only, because deep soaking reaches the padding underneath.
- Futon and sofa bed: Vacuum thoroughly, spot treat, and air it out in a bright room.
- Cotton and bamboo: Natural fibers hold moisture, so dry them more slowly and thoroughly.
- King size: The cleaning method is the same, but plan more drying time and an extra pair of hands to turn it.
- White mattress: To make a mattress white again, treat yellowing with a spot method from the stain chart below and dry it fully. Test hidden areas first.
- Used, second-hand or new: For a used mattress, vacuum and deodorize it before you sleep on it. To clean a mattress that has been in storage, air it out first, then vacuum and use baking soda.
Toppers, Pads, Protectors and Covers
To clean a mattress topper, check the care label first. Foam toppers usually need spot cleaning, while some fabric pads and covers can go in the washing machine. For how to clean a mattress protector or how to wash a mattress cover, follow the label’s temperature advice and dry fully. Washing the protector often is the easiest way to keep the mattress clean.
Quick Comparison
| Option | Best For | Key Benefit | Limitation |
| Vacuum + baking soda | Routine refresh, light odors | Adds almost no moisture | Won’t lift deep stains |
| Mild soap spot clean | Fresh spills and surface marks | Cheap and gentle | Can leave rings if overwet |
| Enzyme cleaner | Urine, vomit, sweat | Breaks down organic matter | Needs time and a test patch |
| Steam cleaner | Sturdy innerspring, heavy dust | Deep heat clean | Adds moisture and heat |
Baking soda vs steam cleaner: baking soda is better suited for light odors and routine refreshes because it adds almost no moisture. ow to clean a mattress A steam cleaner works better on sturdy innerspring mattresses with heavy dust or bed bug concerns. The key difference is moisture: steam adds heat and water, which foam handles poorly.
My opinion, and one you might push back on: skip the steam cleaner on foam altogether. Steam adds the very thing foam struggles to release. If a manufacturer’s guide explicitly approves steam, follow it. Otherwise, it’s not worth the risk.
How to Remove Stains from a Mattress
The best way to remove stains from a mattress is to act quickly. Blot first, treat second and never scrub. People type these questions in dozens of ways, such as how to get stains out of mattress, how to clean a mattress stains or how to take stains out of mattress, but the method depends on the stain type.
| Stain | What works | Avoid |
| Urine (fresh) | Blot, enzyme cleaner, baking soda | Rubbing, soaking |
| Urine (dry or old) | Lightly mist enzyme cleaner, wait, blot, baking soda | Heat, which can set the smell |
| Blood | Cold water, blot; mild soap if needed | Hot water |
| Old or dry blood | Cold water, patient blotting, then mild soap | Scrubbing hard |
| Sweat and yellow stains | Paste of baking soda and a little mild soap; peroxide only after a patch test | Strong bleach |
| Period stains | Cold water first, then mild cleaner | Hot water |
| Vomit | Scrape solids, blot, enzyme cleaner | Over-wetting |
| Poop | Remove solids, blot, enzyme cleaner | Rubbing it in |
Urine
How to get urine out of a mattress is one of the most searched questions on this topic, and the method is simple. Blot up moisture with towels. Apply an enzyme cleaner, let it sit, then blot again. ow to clean a mattress Cover with baking soda, wait until dry and vacuum. For how to get urine out of a mattress when dry, lightly dampen the spot with enzyme cleaner first so it can reach the dried residue.
If you need to know how to clean a mattress that has been peed on, how to clean pee out of a mattress or how to get pee stains out of a mattress, the same steps apply. For how to clean urine from a foam mattress or how to get urine out of a memory foam mattress, use even less liquid and dry longer. For how to clean a mattress after bed wetting, add a washable waterproof protector afterward.
Blood and Period Stains
How to get blood out of a mattress comes down to cold water and patience. Dab with a cloth dipped in cold water, then blot dry. How to clean a mattress Repeat. For how to remove old blood stains from a mattress or how to get dry blood out of a mattress, apply mild soap and blot carefully. For how to get period blood out of a mattress, treat it as soon as you spot it.
Sweat and Yellow Stains
For how to get sweat stains out of a mattress, make a paste of baking soda with a little mild soap, dab it on, leave it and vacuum when dry. For how to clean a mattress and get yellow stains out of a mattress, hydrogen peroxide can help on light-colored fabric, but test a hidden corner first because it can lighten fabric.
For how to get old stains out of a mattress, expect to repeat the process a few times. Old stains rarely vanish in one go.
Searches for how to clean a mattress with bleach come up often. Don’t do it. Bleach can weaken fabric, leave fumes and discolor the surface. And never mix bleach with vinegar or ammonia.
How to Get Smells Out, Sanitize and Handle Mold
If you want to know how to get smell out of a mattress, find the source first. Urine, sweat, spills and trapped moisture each need slightly different treatment.
Urine smell: For how to get urine smell out of a mattress or how to remove urine smell from mattress, enzyme cleaner is the most reliable first step. How to clean a mattress It breaks down the source, while masking sprays just cover it.
Sweat smell: For how to get sweat smell out of a mattress, use baking soda and plenty of airing. A sweaty mattress usually needs a protector and better ventilation as well.
General freshening: For how to deodorize a mattress or how to freshen up a mattress, sprinkle baking soda, leave it several hours, then vacuum. How To clean a mattress with baking soda and vinegar, use vinegar sparingly in a light spray on a stain, because the vinegar smell lingers and too much moisture can cause trouble.
Sanitizing and Disinfecting
For how to sanitize a mattress or how to disinfect a mattress, heat, sunlight and cleaning are your realistic home tools. How to clean a mattress Vacuum, clean, air it in a bright, ventilated room and wash the covers. Be cautious with strong chemicals, since the mattress can’t be rinsed.
Dust, Dust Mites and Bed Bugs
To clean a dusty mattress, vacuum slowly and often, especially around seams. For how to disinfect a mattress from bed bugs, this guide doesn’t cover infestations. Call a pest professional, and use a certified bed bug encasement.
Mold and Mildew
How to get rid of mold on a mattress is a question where the honest answer is often “replace it.” According to North Carolina’s public health department, upholstered furniture and bedding with more than a small area of mold should usually be removed and discarded. How to clean a mattress A mattress is porous, so mold can sit deep inside where cleaning doesn’t reach.
For a faint musty smell with no visible growth, airing the mattress and using baking soda can help. If you’re searching how to remove mold from a mattress or how to clean mold off a mattress and you can see spreading spots, treat that as a sign to replace.
Drying, Common Mistakes and Keeping a Mattress Clean
What most guides skip is the drying. How to clean a mattress A clean mattress that stays damp becomes a smelly one.
How to dry a mattress after bed wetting or a spill: For how to dry a mattress after bedwetting, how to clean a wet mattress or how to dry a memory foam mattress, press towels into the area, then aim a fan at it and open windows. Drying often takes several hours to a day. Don’t remake the bed until it’s fully dry.
How to Clean a Mattress Mistakes to Avoid
- Soaking the mattress with water or cleaner
- Rubbing stains in instead of blotting
- Using hot water on blood or protein stains
- Skipping the patch test on a hidden corner
- Putting sheets back on a damp mattress
- Mixing cleaning chemicals, especially bleach with vinegar or ammonia
How to Keep a Mattress Clean
For how to keep a mattress clean, the habits matter more than the products:
- Use a washable protector and wash it regularly.
- Vacuum monthly.
- Air out the bed when you change the sheets.
- Rotate or flip as the manufacturer advises.
- Avoid eating or drinking on the bed.
- Treat spills immediately.
Learning how to clean a mattress properly takes one afternoon. Keeping it clean takes a protector and a few small habits.
How To Clean A Mattress FAQs
What’s the best way to clean a mattress at home?
Vacuum it, spot treat stains with a mild cleaner, sprinkle baking soda, vacuum again and dry fully. Use as little moisture as possible.
How do I get urine out of a mattress?
Blot, apply enzyme cleaner, let it sit, blot again, then cover with baking soda and vacuum once dry. Don’t rub, and don’t soak foam.
Should I use a steam cleaner on a mattress?
Only on sturdy innerspring mattresses, and carefully. Steam adds heat and moisture, so skip it on memory foam unless the manufacturer’s guide approves it.
Why does my mattress still smell after cleaning?
Moisture may be trapped inside, or the stain may have reached deeper layers. Dry it longer, repeat an enzyme treatment and check for mold if a musty smell persists.
When should I replace a mattress instead of cleaning it?
Replace it when mold spreads beyond a small area, bed bugs persist, or soiling soaks through and the smell keeps coming back.
How long does a mattress take to dry?
Often several hours to a full day, depending on moisture, airflow and mattress type. Use a fan, open windows and don’t remake the bed until it’s dry.
Final Thoughts
Knowing how to clean a mattress comes down to a simple routine: vacuum, blot, treat, deodorize and dry. Match the method to the mattress type, be gentle with foam and never let moisture linger. Do that every six months, and treat spills straight away, and your mattress should stay fresher for years. Bookmark this page for the stain chart, and start with the vacuum.