- How to clean a mattress
- How to remove mattress stains
- How to keep your mattress clean
- How to get rid of bed bugs
Editor's Note: This post was originally posted in May 2016 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness in August 2025.
We sleep on our mattress every night, but when was the last time you cleaned yours? If you’re guilty of neglecting this chore, you need to learn how to clean a mattress right now.
A clean, hygienic sleep environment can significantly impact your sleep quality. According to the Mayo Clinic, good sleep hygiene starts with a fresh, allergen-free bed. Get ready for better sleep, fewer allergies and a healthier home!
Today, we’ll show you exactly how to clean your mattress, from deodorising and removing stains to preventing dust mites, mould and odours. Whether you’ve got a memory foam, hybrid or pocket sprung mattress, these tips will help you keep it fresh and long-lasting.
How to clean a mattress
1. Deodorise with bicarbonate of soda
Does your room smell? Mattresses can trap odours over time – especially smells from pets, sweat, spills. To deodorise a mattress naturally, sift bicarbonate of soda or baking soda evenly across the surface. Bicarbonate of soda is a fantastic natural deodoriser, so it will help to neutralise any lingering odours.
You could add five drops of your favourite essential oil before sprinkling for a relaxing aroma. Lavender is our essential oil of choice! Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or even a few hours if the mattress is particularly smelly.
Once the baking soda has absorbed odours, vacuum it all up. Which brings us on to our next tip…
2. Vacuum your mattress regularly
Vacuums aren’t just for cleaning carpets! The most important step in cleaning your mattress is vacuuming it - and not just once in a blue moon. You should vacuum your mattress every 3 to 6 months to remove dust, dirt, pet hair, dead skin cells and dust mites.
Dust mites feed on dead skin and thrive in warm, dusty environments, making your mattress their perfect home! If you’ve been experiencing allergies or respiratory issues, getting the vacuum out is a good place to start.
Use a clean upholstery or hand-held attachment, and make sure to get into all the creases and edges. For a deep clean, we suggest vacuuming the top, edges and underside! This simple step can dramatically reduce allergens and improve your sleep quality.
3. Air out the mattress
Airing out your mattress prevents moisture buildup and helps with lingering odours. Every 2 to 3 months, or more regularly in the summer, strip off the bedding, open the windows and use a fan to circulate air.
For deep freshness, you can also stand the mattress outside on a dry, sunny day. Sunlight helps kill bacteria, and fresh air will remove damp smells naturally.
4. Don’t forget to flip and rotate your mattress
To avoid sagging and uneven wear, flip and rotate your mattress at the turn of every season. It helps dislodge trapped dust and gives you a chance to clean both sides. If you’ve got a one-sided mattress, just rotate it head to toe.
Doing this extends your mattress’s life and keeps it more comfortable for longer.
5. Keep your mattress dry
Moisture is the enemy of any mattress, especially foam ones. Sweat, spills, and even over-cleaning can introduce water into the fabric, increasing the risk of mould and bacteria. It’s why we don’t recommend steam cleaning your mattress.
Always blot stains with a damp (not wet) cloth and make sure your mattress is fully dry before making the bed again. Use a hairdryer on a low setting or set up a fan to speed things up. If you have a memory foam mattress, it’s best to be super careful when spot cleaning, using as little liquid as possible and being sure to spend more time blotting.
How to remove mattress stains
From sweat and urine to coffee and makeup, mattresses are magnets for stains. Let’s break down some common mattress stains.
Old and stubborn stains
For old or stubborn stains, you’ll need an effective stain remover like hydrogen peroxide. Mix two parts hydrogen peroxide with 1 part washing-up liquid. Apply with an old toothbrush, gently scrubbing in a circular motion. Leave it to sit for 5 minutes and then blot with a damp cloth and leave to dry.
There are so many fantastic uses for hydrogen peroxide! Take a look at our other article.
Fresh protein stains
For fresh protein stains (like sweat, blood or urine), you want to get to work before the stain sets. Begin by blotting them with a cool, damp cloth. Never use hot water, which can set the stain. Next, dab with a dry cloth to absorb moisture. You’ll want to use a pressing motion, rather than a circular motion, to lift the stain. Mix a paste of equal parts bicarbonate of soda, salt and cold water. Apply the paste to the stain and leave for 30 minutes. Brush off and use a damp cloth to remove residue. Let the mattress air dry completely. If you love cleaning with bicarbonate of soda as much as we do, check out our video on all the ways to use it around your home. We've left a link below.
We love using salt for all sorts of things! Take a look at our tips.
Stubborn stains
If you have a stubborn stain, you might want to try an enzyme cleaner. These are specifically designed to break down organic stains and odours. Spray it lightly on the stain, let it sit for 10–15 minutes, then blot with a clean, dry cloth.
Tannin-based stains
For tannin-based stains (like coffee, wine or juice), you’ll need to act fast! Blot with a cold, damp towel and weigh it down to keep the stain moist. Mix washing up liquid with warm water and sponge the mattress clean, being careful not to get the mattress too wet.
Grease or oil stains
For grease or oil stains (from lotion, makeup or food), skip the water and blotting. Instead, cover the stain with talcum powder or baking soda. Let it sit to absorb the grease, then vacuum it away. Follow up with a gentle spot clean, if needed.
Got more cleaning to do? Check out our article and remove annoying stains in a flash!
How to keep your mattress clean
1. Always use a mattress protector
When it comes to mattress cleaning, prevention is better than cure. A waterproof mattress protector is one of the best investments you can make, especially if you have kids, pets or a little one who’s toilet training. It protects against sweat, spills, dirt and allergens, making your mattress last longer and stay cleaner.
You should wash your mattress protector regularly, ideally every 1 to 2 weeks. Having a spare on hand means you can easily rotate it when changing your sheets.
2. Wash your bedding
Your bedding plays a huge role in how clean your mattress stays, and how well you sleep!
Wondering how often you should wash your sheets? To keep things fresh, wash your bedding once a week on a hot cycle. We recommend at least 60 degrees centigrade to kill bacteria, germs and dust mites. For more tips on how to do laundry, check out our other post.
Don’t forget to clean duvets and pillows too, every few months. We suggest investing in allergen-proof pillow protectors to create an extra barrier against dust mites and extend the life of your bedding.
Bed sheets need replacing? Here are some thrifty ways to use your old bed sheets.
How to get rid of bed bugs
If you think you have bed bugs in your mattress, don’t wait a second longer - this is a serious issue. Common signs include tiny black spots, shed skins, or rust-coloured stains on your sheets.
If you suspect an infestation, the British Pest Control Association offers expert advice on identifying and treating bed bugs. Standard cleaning won’t work, so you’ll need to call a professional pest control service to treat your mattress, bedroom and any affected areas. They use specialist treatments to eliminate infestation.
To prevent future problems, be sure to wash your bedding on a hot cycle.
Those are all our tips for a clean mattress! Do you have a mattress cleaning hack to share, or any questions? Drop them in the comments below!
Q&A
What's the best way to clean a mattress?
The best way to clean a mattress is to vacuum it thoroughly, deodorise with baking soda, and spot-clean stains using mild cleaning solutions or an enzyme cleaner. Air it out regularly and use a mattress protector to keep it fresh and hygienic.
How do I remove yellow stains from my mattress?
Yellow stains are usually caused by sweat or bodily fluids. To remove them, use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap, or apply an enzyme cleaner for organic stains. Always blot gently and avoid soaking the mattress.
Does baking soda really clean a mattress?
Yes, baking soda is excellent for deodorising a mattress and lifting moisture and odours. While it won’t remove deep stains on its own, it’s a key step in keeping your mattress smelling fresh between deep cleans.
Can you use a little green machine on a mattress?
Yes, the Little Green Machine can be used to deep-clean a mattress, especially for spot-treating stains. Just make sure to use minimal water and let the mattress dry thoroughly before making the bed.
We hope you have found our mattress cleaning advice to be helpful! If you have any further questions, get in touch through the comments section below.
Excellent cleaning tips! Bicarbonate soda, yes works wonders Thank you
Thank you! Happy to hear you enjoyed the article Jyotsna, Anushka
All Good Thinks To do.
Great stuff Bill!
thanks for the tips, i like it :)
Great tips! Baking soda really works amazing! been using it too. You might also want to try adding essential oil or using lysol. Works amazing too! have you tried?
Hi there, thanks! Yes I have tried a few drops of essential oil on the mattress. lavender is lovely!
Excellent info for mattress cleaning. I was only familiar with the this, dragging the mattress outside for sunshine or ultra-violet rays. My mother would leave a mattresses outside all day after a 1/2 day of 4-6 hrs. she would flip it to the other side for the same amount of time. Best freshener yet works with pillows, and upholstery cushions too. Natural Air fresh scent there is and everything is plump like it was new. If you ever did laundry with your Mother as a child I remember the scent of laundry hung out to dry on the clothes line, ultraviolet waves and air gives it a scent that can’t be found no where else not in a can, or bottle. I love the smell of the clothes as we would take them of the clothesline, and when I laid my head on the pillow and the fresh scent of the sheets would put a smile on your face as you drifted off to sweet sleep…
Hi Kevin. Most people don't even realise matresses need airing, but it sounds like your Mother was very thorough indeed. You've definitely sold me on the natural method! Thanks for sharing your lovely story :)
You forgot to mention Bedbugs ( Absolute Nightmare to get rid off ), I was eaten alive with the little blighters, they were everywhere. I tried smoke bombs, harsh chemicals, making myself ill, until someone recommended a good steam cleaner ( I'm mentioning the brand, because it was easily the best, I tried 2 cheaper one's ), the H2O by Thane was amazing, I used it twice a day at times, doing carpets, wardrobes, cupboards, under dado rails, picture frames, suitcases, ( when returning from holiday, breaks etc ) my mattress, my door rug, my driveway, everywhere to kill them and their eggs, I wore my cleaner out, but for peace of mind, and Health benefits, it was amazing
Hi Joseph! We do have an article all about banishing bed bugs > https://experthometips.com/home-remedies-for-bed-bugs
Hi All These tips are wonderful, but may I ask is there a book with all these tips in, as I would not remember all the ingredients that are printed, and If I print something off it usually gets lost so when I would need it i probably would not know where I had put it. everyone in years gone by used to hang their bedding out on the line, but the new mattresses are a lot bulkier than the old flock ones. I can hardly lift the corner of mine to put the fitted mattress topper or the fitted sheet??on. At least we do not have all those heavy wool blankets now that the Duvet has arrived.
Hi Margaret! Thanks for your kind feedback. Unfortunately, we don't have a book, but that's a fabulous idea!
Nice
We're glad you enjoyed it!