Mattress Cleaning Guide: How to Deep Clean Your Mattress

Your mattress plays a significant role in your overall sleep quality, and keeping it clean is essential for a comfortable and hygienic sleeping environment. While you may regularly change your bedding and sheets, giving your mattress a deep clean every once in a while is a proactive step to maintain its longevity and ensure a healthy place to rest. We spend roughly one-third of our lives in bed, so investing some time in deep cleaning your mattress is a worthwhile endeavor.

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Continue reading to learn 11 detailed steps on how to deep clean your mattress at home. These steps cover everything from vacuuming to deodorizing and stain removal, allowing you to rejuvenate your mattress and make it feel as good as new.

Step 1: Check the Care Guide

Before embarking on the cleaning process, it’s crucial to understand your mattress’s specific requirements. Different types of mattresses may have varying cleaning methods and recommendations from the manufacturer.

Check the care guide that comes with your mattress to ensure you follow the appropriate cleaning instructions. Additionally, determine whether your mattress is double-sided or single-sided, as this will impact whether you can clean both sides or just the top.

Step 2: Gather Your Cleaning Supplies

To start the deep cleaning process, gather the necessary cleaning supplies to ensure a thorough job. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:

• Vacuum cleaner (if possible, one with an upholstery attachment)
• Mild laundry detergent or dish soap
• Baking soda
• A cloth or sponge
• Cold and lukewarm water

Step 3: Wash Your Bedding and Pillows

Begin by removing all bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, and any mattress protectors or toppers. These should be laundered in a hot wash cycle if your washing machine permits it.

High-temperature washing and a subsequent tumble-dry cycle will effectively eliminate germs, dust mites, and bacteria that may have accumulated on your bedding.

Cleaning your pillows, if possible, or their removable covers will contribute to a fresher and more hygienic sleeping experience.

Step 4: Air Out Your Mattress

With your bedding removed, open the windows in your bedroom to allow fresh air to circulate. This simple step helps in airing out your mattress and removes any stale odors that might have developed over time.

Step 5: Vacuum Your Mattress

Before moving on to deeper cleaning, vacuum your mattress thoroughly. Use small, circular motions while ensuring you cover the entire surface. Vacuuming helps remove dust, dirt, loose hair, and dead skin cells that accumulate on the mattress.

If your vacuum cleaner has an upholstery attachment, it can be particularly useful for this task. For an added freshness boost, sprinkle a small amount of baking soda evenly over the mattress surface before vacuuming to neutralize any lingering odors.

Step 6. Tackle Any Mattress Stains

Addressing stains promptly is essential to prevent them from setting and becoming more challenging to remove. While it’s best to treat stains as they occur, sometimes this isn’t possible. Here’s a detailed approach to stain removal:

How to Remove Stains from Your Mattress

1. Identify the Stain: Determine the type of stain you’re dealing with, whether it’s from sweat, spilled liquids, or other sources.
2. Prepare a Cleaning Solution: Mix a solution of mild laundry detergent or dish soap with lukewarm water. Ensure the mixture is not too concentrated, as using harsh chemicals or excessive moisture can harm the mattress.
3. Dab, Don’t Rub: Apply the cleaning solution to a clean cloth or sponge and gently blot the stained area. Avoid rubbing, as this can push the stain deeper into the mattress fibers.
4. Repeat as Needed: Continue blotting the stain until it fades. Depending on the stain’s severity, this process may need to be repeated several times.
5. Rinse and Dry: After stain removal, use a clean, damp cloth to rinse the treated area. Ensure that you remove any residue from the cleaning solution. Allow your mattress to air dry completely before proceeding with the next steps or replacing your bedding.

For specific stain types, such as sweat or urine stains, here are more detailed instructions:

How to Remove Sweat Stains from a Mattress

1. Create a Cleaning Solution: Mix light laundry detergent or dish soap with lukewarm water.
2. Dab the Stain: Apply the solution to the sweat stain with a cloth or sponge and gently dab until the stain fades.

How to Remove Urine Stains from a Mattress

1. Prepare a Cleaning Solution: Mix gentle laundry detergent or dish soap with lukewarm water.
2. Use Wet Paper Towels: Blot the urine stain with wet paper towels, replacing them regularly for hygiene.
3. Continue Dabbing: Keep dabbing at the stain until it’s completely gone. Urine stains may require more time and effort to lift due to their potency.

How to Remove Blood Stains from a Mattress

When it comes to removing blood stains from a mattress, there are a few important steps to keep in mind to ensure a successful cleanup. Blood stains can be stubborn, but with the right approach, you can effectively remove them without causing damage to your mattress.

1. Use Cold Water: The key to tackling blood stains on a mattress is to always use cold water. Cold water helps break down the proteins in the blood more efficiently than warm water. Avoid using warm or hot water, as it can set the stain.
2. Avoid Excess Water: Be cautious not to use too much water when dealing with blood stains, especially on memory foam mattresses. Excessive moisture can harm the foam and fillings inside. Instead, ensure that your cloth, towel, or sponge is only slightly damp, not soaking wet. After removing the stain, allow your mattress to dry thoroughly.

Here are three effective methods for removing blood stains from your mattress:

Dish Soap Method

If you’ve noticed the blood stain relatively quickly, this method can work well for you.

• Mix dish soap or mild laundry detergent with cold water.
• Dampen a cloth or sponge with this soapy mixture.
• Gently blot the affected area until the stain starts to lift.

Baking Soda Method

This method is convenient for removing dried blood stains from your mattress.

• Rinse a cloth with cold water.
• Dab the stain with a damp cloth.
• Sprinkle baking soda over the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes.
• Rinse the cloth with cold water again.
• Dab the stain until it gradually lifts.
• Repeat this process as needed and allow the mattress to dry completely.
• Once dry, vacuum the mattress surface to remove any remaining baking soda.

Vanish Method

Vanish can be effective in tackling tougher blood stains on your mattress.

• Rinse a cloth or sponge with cold water.
• Press the damp cloth onto the stained area.
• Spray the Vanish solution onto the stain or sprinkle the cleaning powder directly onto it.
• Allow the solution to bubble for a few minutes.
• Once the bubbling stops, gently dab the stain with a cold, damp cloth until it lifts.
• Allow the area to dry thoroughly, and then vacuum the mattress to remove any residue.

Step 7: Deodorize with Baking Soda and Vacuum Again

Begin by ensuring your mattress surface is completely clean and dry. Then, lightly sprinkle a layer of baking soda over the entire mattress. This step helps eliminate any lingering odors. Ideally, leave the baking soda for a few hours for the best results.

Once your mattress smells clean and fresh, use a vacuum to remove all the remaining baking soda. This ensures that your mattress surface is completely clean before you put your bedding back on.

Step 8: Spray with Essential Oils and Baking Soda Mix

To maintain a fresh-smelling mattress for a longer period, create a mixture of a small amount of baking soda, water, and your choice of essential oils in a spray bottle. Lightly spray this mixture onto the mattress. You can opt for soothing scents like chamomile or lavender to help you relax and sleep better.

If you don’t have essential oils or prefer a ready-made solution, you can use a mattress or room spray. Be cautious not to make the mattress too damp while spraying.

Step 9: Flip and Repeat

Check your mattress care instructions to see if it’s double or single-sided. For double-sided mattresses, flip it and repeat steps 1 and 2 to ensure both sides are thoroughly cleaned. If you have a single-sided mattress, simply vacuum the underside to remove dust, dirt, or hair.

Step 10: Clean the Bed Frame

Whenever you deep clean your mattress, it’s a good idea to clean your bed frame or divan base as well. Dust and vacuum the bed frame or divan to remove dirt and dust, paying extra attention to the slats and where the mattress sits. If your bed frame isn’t upholstered, use a damp cloth to wipe down the rest of the frame.

Step 11: Put Clean Bedding and Sheets Back On

Finally, put your freshly cleaned bedding and sheets back on the mattress for a super fresh and cozy feel. There’s nothing quite like falling asleep in clean, comfortable bedding.

How Often Should I Deep Clean My Mattress?

Ideally, deep clean your mattress every 6 months if it’s dirty. This is also a good time to flip or rotate your mattress, if applicable.

If your mattress isn’t dirty, deep cleaning isn’t essential every 6 months. However, maintain regular mattress cleaning by airing it out and vacuuming the surface each time you change your sheets. If you use a mattress topper, be sure to keep it clean as well.

Why Should I Deep Clean My Mattress?

Deep cleaning your mattress is crucial for your health and maintaining hygiene. Every night, you shed dead skin, hair, and approximately a pint of fluid while you sleep. Deep cleaning ensures a clean and healthy sleeping environment.

Lightly cleaning your mattress from time to time is a good habit to remove dirt and hair. However, a deep clean every 6 months is necessary to eliminate germs and bacteria that accumulate in every mattress over time.