A good night’s sleep starts with a fresh bed—and that includes a clean mattress. Over time, even the best mattresses collect dust, sweat, dead skin cells, and allergens. But don’t worry: you don’t need special tools or hours of free time to keep yours in great shape.
This guide walks you through some tips on how to clean a mattress at home, step by step. It’s simple, doable, and worth it for the health and comfort benefits.
Why Cleaning Your Mattress Matters
It’s easy to remember to wash your sheets, but the mattress itself? That’s a different story. Over time, it quietly collects a surprising amount of dust, sweat, skin cells, unpleasant smells and even allergens like pet dander and dust mites. All of that can affect how you sleep, especially if you deal with allergies or sensitive skin.
Cleaning your mattress regularly helps cut down on sneezing, stuffy noses, and those mysterious morning sniffles. It also helps eliminate odours that build up slowly over time, even if you can’t quite smell them yet. A fresh mattress doesn’t just look better—it feels better, too.
And here’s a bonus: keeping your mattress clean can actually help it last longer. When it’s cared for properly, it holds its shape, support, and comfort much better over the years. A little routine maintenance can make a big difference in how well you sleep and how long your mattress lasts.
Step-by-Step: How to Clean a Mattress Properly
You don’t need any fancy cleaning supplies, tools, or special products to get your mattress fresh again. Just a vacuum, a few simple ingredients, and a little time. Here’s how to do it:
1. Strip the Bed
Start by removing all your bedding—sheets, pillows, mattress protectors, and anything else on top. Toss the linens in the wash (hot water is best if you’re dealing with dust mites or allergies).
If you use a mattress topper, now’s a good time to clean or air that out too.
2. Vacuum the Surface
Grab the vacuum cleaner’s upholstery attachment and slowly go over the entire surface of the mattress. Pay special attention to seams and edges where dust and crumbs tend to hide. If you haven’t cleaned your mattress in a while, you might be surprised by how much the vacuum picks up.
Pro tip: If you can, vacuum the sides of the mattress as well as underneath—it all adds up.
3. Spot Clean Any Stains
If you see any visible stains, now’s the time to tackle them. The key here is to never spray cleaner directly onto the mattress. Mattresses don’t dry quickly, and too much moisture can lead to mould or damage.
Instead, you’ll want to spot-clean using a stain remover, and which one you use depends on the type of stain. For things like sweat stains, urine stains, or other biological stains, an enzyme cleaner is your best bet. Hydrogen Peroxide is great for blood stains. These break down the proteins in the stain and help lift them without harsh scrubbing.
Here’s how to do it:
- Spray the cleaning solution onto a clean white cloth, not the mattress.
- Gently blot the stained area with the damp cloth—no rubbing.
- Dampen a second clean cloth with cold water and blot again to rinse the area.
- Repeat as needed, using just a few drops. You want to use as little product and moisture as possible.
This gentle cleaning process is ideal for most common mattress stains—and helps prevent damage while still getting the job done.
If your mattress is compatible, you can also do a brief steam cleaning for an additional step.
4. Deodorise with Baking Soda (or Sunlight, If You Can)
After spot-cleaning, it’s time to freshen things up. If you can place your mattress in the sun, do it. A few hours of direct sunlight can naturally kill bacteria, evaporate excess moisture, and give your mattress that fresh-outside feeling. It’s one of the best ways to deodorise without using any products at all.
But if dragging your mattress out isn’t realistic (we get it), baking soda is an excellent option for cleaning your mattress. Just sprinkle a light, even layer across the entire mattress and let it sit for at least 30 minutes, but we recommend leaving it for longer if you have the time. Baking soda helps pull out odours and any lingering dampness from spot-cleaning.
Once it’s done its thing, grab the vacuum and go over the mattress again to remove the powder.
5. Let It Air Out
Once you’ve vacuumed up the baking soda, give the mattress a little extra time to air out, especially if you used any moisture during spot cleaning. Open a window, turn on a fan, or let some fresh air circulate if the room allows.
The goal is to make sure everything is completely dry before putting the sheets back on. Trapping moisture under your bedding can lead to odours or mildew down the line, and no one wants that. A dry mattress really is a happy mattress.
How Often Should You Clean Your Mattress?
To keep your mattress fresh and in great shape, it’s important to clean it regularly. Here’s a simple guide to help you stay on track:
- Regular Cleaning (Vacuum + Baking Soda): Aim to do a routine mattress cleaning every 1–2 months. Do a quick vacuum and sprinkle baking soda to help remove dust and odours from your mattress.
- Deep Cleaning (Add Stain Removal + Airing Out): Every 6 months, do a more thorough cleaning. This includes spot-cleaning to remove stains, airing out the mattress, and giving it a full once-over with baking soda. This helps extend the life of your mattress and creates a hygienic sleep environment.
- After Spills, Accidents, or Illness: Clean right away to avoid any stains or lingering smells. The sooner you address spills or accidents, the easier it is to prevent them from setting in.
Long-Term Tips to Keep Your Mattress Fresh
Want to spend less time cleaning and more time sleeping? Here’s how to protect your mattress between cleanings:
- Use a waterproof mattress protector: A mattress cover is your first defence against spills, stains, and dust mites. Wash it monthly.
- Rotate your mattress: Turn it head-to-foot every 3–6 months to help it wear evenly.
- No food or drinks in bed: A morning cup of coffee is nice… until it spills.
- Limit pets on the bed: We love them, but they bring fur, dander, and the occasional accident.
What Not to Do
To keep your mattress in top shape, there are a few cleaning mistakes you’ll want to avoid:
- Don’t soak your mattress: Avoid applying too much moisture. Soaking can cause mould or mildew to form inside the mattress, which is a nightmare to deal with. Some mattresses, especially memory foam, are not designed to handle any liquid at all, so always check the care instructions.
- Avoid harsh cleaners: Stay away from bleach, ammonia, or any harsh chemicals. These can break down the materials in your mattress.
- Don’t skip drying time: Always make sure your mattress is completely dry before remaking the bed. Trapping moisture underneath can lead to funky smells and unwanted bacterial growth.
Time for a Fresh Start?
Cleaning your mattress may not be something you think about often, but a little care goes a long way. By vacuuming regularly, spot-cleaning stains, and giving your mattress time to air out, you can extend its life and enjoy a fresh, clean sleeping surface. Remember to flip it every few months, and always make sure it’s completely dry before putting your bedding back on.
If your mattress has seen better days, it might be time for a fresh start. Check out Letto’s adjustable beds. With you in mind, they are designed for lasting comfort and easy care, perfect for ensuring a good night’s sleep for years to come.