How to Clean a Mattress at Home? A Simple Guide Without Chemicals or Expensive Products

2026 07 02

A mattress is one of the most frequently used pieces of furniture in the home — and one of the least often cleaned. On average, a person spends around 2,500 hours per year on their mattress. During that time, sweat, dust mites, dead skin cells and — if you're unlucky — stains accumulate. The good news: a mattress can be cleaned effectively at home, without expensive products or professional help.

How Often Should You Clean a Mattress?

Deep cleaning — twice a year (ideally in spring and autumn when changing seasonal bedding). Surface cleaning and airing — every 1–3 months. Stains — as quickly as possible after they appear, without waiting.

Step 1: Strip Everything Off and Wash It

Before cleaning the mattress, remove all bedding, pillowcases and the mattress protector. Wash everything at 60 °C — this temperature kills dust mites.

If you don't yet have a mattress protector — this is the simplest way to reduce the frequency of cleaning in the future. A waterproof fitted sheet or mattress topper protects against moisture, sweat stains and stains penetrating the mattress itself.

Step 2: Vacuum Thoroughly

Use a vacuum cleaner with a soft attachment and go over the entire mattress surface — not just the top but the sides too. Pay particular attention to seams and edges where the most dust and mites accumulate.

Many people skip this step because the mattress looks clean. But dust mites are microscopic — invisible to the naked eye, yet present in almost every used mattress.

Step 3: Neutralise Odours with Baking Soda

Plain baking soda is one of the best natural deodorants for textiles. It absorbs moisture and neutralises odours without any chemicals.

How to use:

Sprinkle baking soda evenly over the entire mattress surface
Leave for 30 minutes (or several hours — the longer the better)
Vacuum thoroughly

If you have essential oils — add a few drops of lavender or tea tree oil to the baking soda before sprinkling. This adds freshness and extra antibacterial properties.

Step 4: Remove Stains

The most important rule here: do not pour water over the mattress. A wet mattress dries very slowly inside and can develop mould. Use as little liquid as possible.

Fresh stains (sweat, coffee, food):
Dampen a clean cloth with cold water and gently blot the stain — never rub, as this pushes it deeper. You can add a drop of liquid soap.

Old stains:
Mix baking soda with water to a paste consistency, apply to the stain, leave for 30 minutes, then gently wipe away with a damp cloth and vacuum thoroughly.

Blood stains:
Use only cold water — hot water sets blood stains. You can use hydrogen peroxide (3%) — apply, wait 5 minutes, wipe off. Test on a small area before treating the whole stain.

Urine stains (especially relevant in children's beds):
Blot as much as possible with a dry cloth straight away, then apply a mixture of water and vinegar (1:1) with a drop of liquid soap. Leave for 10–15 minutes, wipe away, then sprinkle with baking soda and vacuum.

Step 5: Dry Thoroughly

This is the most important step, often rushed through. A damp mattress is an environment for mould and bacteria.

Open windows or switch on a fan
If possible — take the mattress outside and place it in the sun (UV rays provide additional disinfection)
Never cover the mattress with bedding until it is completely dry

Drying time depends on the air — on average 4–8 hours.

Step 6: Flip the Mattress

Most people never do this. But regular flipping (every 3–6 months) distributes wear evenly and extends the mattress's lifespan. If the mattress is single-sided — rotate it 180 degrees.

What Not to Do When Cleaning a Mattress

Do not pour large amounts of water or cleaning product — the mattress will not dry inside
Do not use a steam cleaner on memory foam mattresses — the heat can damage the foam structure
Do not scrub stains — only gently blot from the edges towards the centre
Do not cover a damp mattress — wait until it is completely dry

How to Clean the Mattress Less Often in Future?

The simplest solution — protect the mattress from the start. A waterproof fitted sheet or mattress topper keeps moisture, sweat stains and dust mites away before they reach the mattress itself. This is especially important in children's beds, for allergy sufferers and for those who enjoy breakfast in bed.

A mattress topper also improves sleep comfort — double the benefit with one purchase.

In Summary

Cleaning a mattress at home requires neither expensive products nor a great deal of time. Baking soda, a vacuum cleaner, cold water and good ventilation — that is enough for 90% of cases. The most important things are regularity and a quick response to stains while they are still fresh.

And the best cleaning is the one you never need to do: protect the mattress in advance and sleep soundly.