How to Clean a Mattress: A Practical Guide

Sheets get washed every week, the mattress underneath almost never. A dry afternoon, a vacuum and some baking soda are enough to change that.

Oct 3, 2026 · 4 min

Modern minimalist bedroom, bed and bedroom

Most of us wash our sheets regularly and never give the mattress underneath a second thought. Yet that mattress spends years absorbing sweat, skin flakes, dust and the occasional spilled cup of tea. A thorough clean every few months keeps it fresher, helps with dust and odours, and can stretch the time before you need a new one. The good news is that it requires no special machine, only patience and a dry afternoon.

What you will need

A vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment and a crevice tool
Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
Clean white cloths or microfibre towels
Mild washing-up liquid and cold water
An enzyme-based cleaner for organic stains, if needed
A spray bottle and a soft brush

Before you start, check the care label or the maker's instructions. Memory foam, latex and hybrid mattresses can be sensitive to moisture and to certain products, and some warranties are affected by stains or the wrong cleaning method.

Step by step: a routine deep clean

Strip everything. Remove sheets, protector and any toppers, and wash them on the hottest cycle their labels allow.
Vacuum slowly. Go over the top, sides and seams with the upholstery tool. Use the crevice tool along piping and around buttons, where dust gathers.
Treat stains. Deal with any marks now, using the methods below.
Deodorise. Sift a thin, even layer of baking soda over the whole surface and leave it for several hours, longer if you can. A bright room with an open window helps.
Vacuum again. Remove all of the powder thoroughly.
Flip or rotate. If your mattress is designed to be turned, flip it; otherwise rotate it head to foot. Clean the second side too if it is double-sided.
Let it breathe. Leave it uncovered as long as you can before making the bed again.

How to handle common stains

The golden rule is to use as little liquid as possible. A mattress dries slowly, and moisture trapped inside can lead to mildew. Always blot rather than rub, and always test a cleaner on a small hidden patch first.

Stain	Gentle approach
Sweat and yellowing	Dab with a cloth dampened in cold water and a little washing-up liquid, blot dry, then follow with baking soda.
Urine	Blot as much as you can, apply an enzyme cleaner according to its label, blot again and let it dry completely.
Blood	Use cold water only, since warm water can set it. Dab with a mild soap solution and blot.
Food and drink	Lift any solids, blot the liquid, then treat with a mild soap solution.

A word on chemicals: keep bleach away from mattress fabric, and never mix cleaning products, especially anything containing bleach with ammonia or with acids such as vinegar. Some combinations release dangerous fumes. Keep the room well ventilated, wear gloves for stronger products and keep children and pets out until everything is dry.

Drying is the step that matters most

A damp patch hidden under a fitted sheet is an open invitation to mould and lingering smells. After any wet treatment, open the windows, run a fan across the surface or let daylight fall on the mattress. Press a dry towel into the treated area to check for moisture before you make the bed. In cool, damp weather, give it a full day.

On warm days the bedroom can turn stuffy while the mattress dries. Several ideas in our piece on keeping a house cool without air conditioning double as quick ways to move fresh air through a room.

How often should you clean a mattress?

There is no single rule, but a simple rhythm works for most households:

Weekly: wash sheets and pillowcases.
Monthly: wash the mattress protector and air the bed for an hour with the covers pulled back.
Every few months: vacuum and deodorise as described above, and rotate the mattress.
As needed: treat spills and accidents straight away.

Homes with pets, young children or allergies may want to vacuum more often. A good waterproof, breathable protector is the most useful accessory of all, because it stops most stains before they ever reach the mattress.

When cleaning is not enough

Some problems are beyond home care. Deep sagging, broken springs, smells that survive several cleans, or mould that has spread into the filling all suggest it is time for a replacement. If you suspect bed bugs, look for small dark spots along the seams and contact a professional pest service rather than trying to clean them away yourself.

A clean mattress also fits naturally into a wider bedroom reset. If you are clearing a crowded room at the same time, our guide to decluttering your home one room at a time suggests where to begin.