Keeping your mattress clean is essential for a good night’s sleep and your overall health. Over time, mattresses accumulate dust mites, dead skin cells, stains, and odors that can affect your well-being.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to deep clean a mattress at home using simple tools and techniques, ensuring your mattress stays fresh and hygienic.
Why Should You Deep Clean Your Mattress?
Deep cleaning your mattress is more than just a housekeeping task – it’s crucial for a healthy living environment.
Mattresses are breeding grounds for dust mites, bacteria, and allergens, which can trigger allergies, asthma, and other health problems. Cleaning your mattress regularly helps eliminate these harmful particles, providing a cleaner sleeping space.
Additionally, sweat, skin oils, and spills can seep into the mattress fibers, causing stains and unpleasant odors over time. By deep cleaning your mattress, you extend its lifespan and improve the quality of your sleep, making your bed feel fresher and more comfortable.
What Materials Do You Need for Cleaning a Mattress?
Before starting the cleaning process, make sure you have all of the necessary tools. Here’s a brief checklist of the supplies you’ll need:
Vacuum cleaner (with upholstery attachment)
Baking soda
Stain remover or enzyme cleaner
Steam cleaner (optional)
Clean cloths or sponges
Each of these products serves a specific purpose in the cleaning process. For instance, a vacuum cleaner removes loose dirt, dust, and debris, while baking soda helps to neutralize odors. Stain removers tackle spills, and a steam cleaner disinfects deep within the mattress fibers. I’ll explain how to use each of these in the following sections.
How to Deep Clean a Mattress (Step By Step Guide)
Deep cleaning a mattress might seem like a daunting task, but by following a simple step-by-step process, it becomes manageable. Here’s my step-by-step guide to deep cleaning a mattress using common household items.
Step 1: Strip the Bedding
Before starting, remove all your bedding, including sheets, mattress protectors, and pillowcases. Throw them in the wash while you’re cleaning the mattress to ensure your entire bed is fresh and clean.
Step 2: Vacuum the Mattress
Vacuum the entire mattress surface with a vacuum cleaner equipped with an upholstery attachment. Pay special attention to seams, edges, and corners, as dust mites and dead skin cells often accumulate in these areas. Vacuum all sides, if possible.
Step 3: Treat Stains
Next, identify any stains on the mattress and treat them accordingly:
- For sweat or oil stains: Sprinkle baking soda directly onto the stain, let it sit for 30 minutes, and vacuum it up.
- For tougher stains (e.g., urine, blood): Use an enzyme cleaner or a mixture of water and mild detergent. Spray it onto the stain, blot with a clean cloth, and allow it to dry.
Step 4: Deodorize with Baking Soda
To freshen up your mattress and neutralize any odors, generously sprinkle baking soda across the entire surface. Leave the baking soda to sit for a few hours – or ideally overnight – to absorb any lingering smells.
Step 5: Vacuum Again
After the baking soda has had time to work its magic, vacuum the mattress thoroughly once more. This step ensures that all the baking soda, along with any absorbed odors, is removed.
Step 6: Spot Clean with Steam (Optional)
If you have a steam cleaner, use it to give your mattress a deeper clean and to disinfect. The heat from the steam will kill dust mites, bacteria, and other microorganisms. Be cautious not to over-wet the mattress, as excess moisture can lead to mold.
Step 7: Allow Mattress to Air Out
After cleaning, let your mattress air out for several hours to ensure it’s completely dry before replacing any bedding. If possible, place the mattress near an open window to help it dry faster.
Step 8: Flip or Rotate the Mattress
Finally, depending on the type of mattress you have, either flip or rotate it to promote even wear. Rotating or flipping your mattress every six months helps prevent indentations and prolongs its lifespan.
How Do You Vacuum a Mattress?
Vacuuming is the first step to deep clean a mattress, and it’s often overlooked. A vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment is great for this job. Here’s how I vacuum my mattress for a thorough clean:
Remove all bedding: Strip off the sheets, mattress protector, and any other covers.
Use the upholstery attachment: Run the vacuum across the entire mattress surface, paying special attention to seams and edges where dust tends to accumulate.
Focus on the crevices: Mattresses often have small crevices and indents where dust and skin flakes can build up, so make sure to vacuum those areas carefully.
Repeat on both sides: Flip the mattress over (if possible) and vacuum the underside as well.
Vacuuming removes dust mites, dirt, and loose particles, leaving the mattress much cleaner before tackling deeper stains and odors.
How to Remove Stains from a Mattress?
Stains are inevitable, especially if you enjoy breakfast in bed or have kids and pets. But don’t worry – most stains can be treated with household items like baking soda and vinegar.
Using Baking Soda for Mattress Stains
Baking soda has natural deodorizing and stain-removing properties. Here’s how I use it to clean common stains:
Blot the stain: For fresh stains, immediately blot (don’t rub) the area with a clean cloth to absorb as much of the liquid as possible.
Apply baking soda: Sprinkle baking soda generously over the stain.
Let it sit: Allow the baking soda to sit for 30 minutes to an hour. For tougher stains, leave it for a few hours.
Vacuum: Once the baking soda has absorbed the moisture and odor, vacuum it up.
Treating Tough Stains with Enzyme Cleaner
For stains like urine, blood, or sweat, an enzyme-based cleaner is more effective. Enzymes break down the proteins in these stains, making them easier to remove. Simply apply the cleaner to the stain, let it sit for 15 minutes, and then blot with a clean cloth.
Can You Disinfect a Mattress at Home?
Disinfecting your mattress is crucial, especially after illness or if you’re looking to kill bacteria and germs that regular cleaning might miss. Fortunately, you can do this without using harsh chemicals.
Steam cleaning: This is one of the most effective ways to disinfect a mattress. The heat from the steam kills dust mites, bacteria, and other microorganisms that may be living deep within the mattress fibers.
Baking soda: This natural cleaner not only neutralizes odors but also has mild disinfecting properties. Sprinkle it across the mattress and let it sit for a few hours before vacuuming.
UV-light cleaners: These gadgets are designed specifically for sanitizing surfaces like mattresses. UV light can eliminate bacteria and viruses without using liquids or chemicals.
| Disinfecting Method | Effectiveness | Time Needed | Ease of Use |
| Steam Cleaning | Very high | 20-30 mins | Moderate |
| Baking Soda | Moderate | Several hours | Very easy |
| UV-Light Cleaner | High | 10-15 mins | Easy |
How to Eliminate Odors from a Mattress?
Over time, odors can build up in your mattress, especially from sweat or spills. Here’s my favorite method to keep the mattress smelling fresh:
Apply baking soda: Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the entire surface of the mattress. Baking soda absorbs odors effectively.
Let it sit: Leave the baking soda on for at least a few hours, or overnight for best results.
Vacuum it off: Vacuum up the baking soda, and your mattress will be much fresher.
For an added touch, I like to mix a few drops of essential oils (like lavender or tea tree) with the baking soda before applying. This not only helps with deodorizing but also leaves a pleasant scent behind.
Should You Flip or Rotate Your Mattress After Cleaning?
Flipping or rotating your mattress helps prolong its lifespan and keeps it comfortable. After a deep clean, it’s a good idea to rotate (or flip, if applicable) the mattress to even out the wear.
Rotate the mattress: If you have a modern one-sided mattress, rotate it 180 degrees so that the head becomes the foot.
Flip the mattress: For older, two-sided mattresses, flip it over entirely.
Rotating and flipping prevent indentations and ensure your mattress wears evenly over time.
How Often Should You Deep Clean Your Mattress?
Deep cleaning a mattress should be done at least every 6 months, but it also depends on your lifestyle. For instance, if you have allergies or pets, you might want to clean it more often.
Here are some additional tips for keeping your mattress clean between deep cleans:
Use a mattress protector: A waterproof mattress protector can keep sweat, spills, and allergens from penetrating the mattress.
Wash your bedding regularly: Clean your sheets, pillowcases, and mattress protector weekly to prevent dust buildup.
Air out your mattress: Whenever possible, let your mattress air out by removing the bedding for a few hours.
What Are The Common Mattress Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid?
In deep cleaning services in London, While cleaning a mattress seems straightforward, there are some common mistakes you’ll want to avoid:
Using too much water: Mattresses are thick and absorbent, and using too much water can cause mold growth inside the mattress.
Harsh chemicals: Strong cleaners can damage the fabric or inner layers of the mattress. Stick to gentle, natural solutions like baking soda and vinegar.
Not letting it dry properly: Always ensure the mattress is completely dry before putting bedding back on. Moisture trapped inside can lead to odors and mold.
Conclusion
Deep cleaning your mattress is an essential part of home deep cleaning that contributes to better sleep and a healthier living environment. With the right tools like baking soda, a vacuum, and a little time, you can easily deep clean your mattress and keep it fresh, stain-free, and hygienic. By following these tips, you’ll be extending the lifespan of your mattress and enjoying a more comfortable sleep space.
