How to Clean a Mattress

You can't put a mattress in the washer, so cleaning one is really three jobs: get the dust and skin flakes out, pull odors out with baking soda, and spot-clean stains without soaking the foam underneath. Plan it for a sunny morning so it has the whole day to dry.

Couple sitting on a new mattress in a showroom

Step 1: Strip and wash the bedding

Take off everything, including the mattress protector and pad, and wash it all in the hottest water the labels allow. Washing bedding in water of at least 130°F (54°C) kills dust mites. Our allergy season guide has more on dust mites and allergens.

Step 2: Vacuum

Use the upholstery attachment and go slowly over the top and sides, paying attention to the seams and the edge piping, where dust collects. A vacuum with a HEPA filter keeps fine particles from blowing back into the room.

Step 3: Spot-clean stains

Work on stains before deodorizing, and use as little liquid as possible. Water that soaks into foam or the springs takes days to dry and can mildew. Apply cleaner to a cloth rather than pouring it on, and blot.

Sweat and body oil (yellow patches): mix a few drops of dish soap into a cup of cool water, dab it on with a cloth, then blot with a clean damp cloth
Urine: blot up as much as possible, then use an enzyme cleaner made for pet or urine stains. Enzymes break down the compounds that cause the smell, which soap alone won't
Blood: cool water only. Dab with a mix of 3 percent hydrogen peroxide and a drop of dish soap, then blot. Peroxide can lighten fabric, so test it first on a corner

Step 4: Deodorize with baking soda

Sift a generous layer of baking soda over the whole surface. A pound box covers a queen mattress. Leave it as long as you can: a few hours at minimum, and all day if you can sleep somewhere else. If the room gets sunlight, open the blinds and let the mattress sit in it. Then vacuum it all up slowly.

Step 5: Flip or rotate

Rotate the mattress 180 degrees so the head is at the foot. That spreads out the wear. Only flip it over if it's a two-sided mattress; most modern ones are built to sleep on one side only.

How often

Wash sheets weekly or every two weeks. See how often to wash bedding
Vacuum the mattress every month or two, or whenever you change the sheets if you have allergies
Deodorize and deep clean twice a year
Rotate every three to six months

Use a protector

A washable, waterproof mattress protector is the best thing you can do for a mattress. It stops sweat, spills and accidents from reaching it at all, and many mattress warranties are voided by stains. Wash the protector when you wash the sheets.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you deodorize a mattress?

Vacuum it, then sift a generous layer of baking soda over the whole surface and leave it for at least a few hours, or all day if you can. Then vacuum it up slowly with an upholstery attachment.

How do you get urine out of a mattress?

Blot up as much as possible, then use an enzyme cleaner made for urine or pet stains, applied to a cloth and blotted on. Enzymes break down the compounds that cause the smell. Use as little liquid as you can so the foam doesn't stay wet.

How often should you clean a mattress?

Vacuum it every month or two, deodorize and deep clean it twice a year, and rotate it every three to six months. A waterproof mattress protector washed with your sheets keeps it clean in between.

Should I flip my mattress?

Only if it is a two-sided mattress. Most modern mattresses are made to be slept on one side, so rotate them 180 degrees instead to even out wear.