How to Clean a Mattress: Step-by-Step, Stains and How Often
Short answer: strip the bed and wash the bedding, vacuum the whole mattress with an upholstery attachment, spot-clean stains by blotting (never soaking), then sprinkle baking soda over the surface, leave it for several hours and vacuum it up. Do the underside too. The Sleep Foundation suggests a full clean about every 6 months, plus right away after any spill, and a waterproof mattress protector to cut down how often you need to.
What you need
- A vacuum with an upholstery attachment
- Baking soda, enough for a thin layer over the whole mattress
- Clean rags or towels, several
- Cold water
- A gentle cleaner: a bleach-free, unscented laundry detergent, dish soap, or an enzyme cleaner for biological stains
Go easy on soaps and cleaning products. The Sleep Foundation warns that harsh products can damage the mattress fabric and that detergent is hard to fully remove from a mattress, so a mild or unscented product is the safer choice.
From Sleep Foundation, “How to Clean a Mattress”, read October 28, 2026.
How to clean a mattress, step by step
- Strip and wash the bedding. Wash the sheets, pillowcases and blankets, and check your pillows’ labels to see if they are machine washable. Hot water helps get rid of dust mites, but follow each item’s care label to avoid shrinking or fading.
- Look it over. Check the top, sides and seams for stains, discoloration and smells so you know which spots need extra attention.
- Vacuum the whole surface. Use the upholstery attachment on the top and the sides, and stretch the fabric at the seams to pull out debris.
- Spot-clean stains (see the method below), then let the cover dry completely.
- Sprinkle baking soda. Spread a thin layer over the entire surface. It helps absorb moisture and neutralize odors. Leave it for at least a few hours, longer if you can, and open the windows for airflow.
- Vacuum again to lift the baking soda. For a very dirty mattress, repeat the baking soda and vacuum steps.
- Do the other side. Flip the mattress and repeat the vacuum, spot-clean and baking soda steps. If your mattress is one-sided (most modern ones are), you can still clean the underside; just turn it carefully and don’t press hard on it.
Steps from Sleep Foundation, “How to Clean a Mattress”, read October 28, 2026.
How to remove a stain without soaking the mattress
- Put a small amount of cleaning solution on a clean cloth, not on the mattress.
- Gently blot the stain.
- Wet a second clean cloth with cold water and blot the same spot to lift the solution.
- Repeat until the stain is gone, using as little liquid as possible.
| Stain | What the Sleep Foundation suggests |
|---|---|
| Blood, sweat, urine and other biological stains | An enzyme cleaner, or just the foamy suds from a mix of dish soap and water |
| Other stains | A 1:1 mix of cold water and hydrogen peroxide is a common option |
| Stubborn stains | You may need to try more than one solution, with the same blot-and-rinse method each time |
| Fresh spills | Clean right away, before the stain sets |
From Sleep Foundation, “How to Clean a Mattress”, read October 28, 2026.
Memory foam? Use even less water
The method is largely the same for a memory foam mattress, but memory foam is not designed to get wet, so use as little cleaning solution as you can and let it dry fully before you put the sheets back on.
From Sleep Foundation, “How to Clean a Mattress”, read October 28, 2026.
How often to clean (and the best time to do it)
- Full clean: about once every 6 months.
- Spills: immediately.
- Timing: start first thing in the morning so the baking soda can sit for 8 hours or more and the bed is ready by evening, or do it the day before an overnight trip and let the baking soda sit overnight.
- Sheets and pillowcases: wash at least once a week, more often if pets sleep in your bed.
- Other bedding: duvet covers once or twice a month, comforters and blankets every 2 to 3 months, and pillow inserts every 4 to 6 months, depending on the pillow.
From Sleep Foundation, “How to Clean a Mattress” and “How to Take Care of Your Mattress”, read October 28, 2026.
Keep it clean: protector, pad or topper?
| Layer | Main job | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Mattress protector | A barrier against dirt, sweat, dust mites and moisture | Fits under the fitted sheet; most are machine-washable and most are waterproof or water-resistant, which also helps prevent mold and mildew |
| Mattress encasement | Seals all six sides of the mattress | Designed to keep out bed bugs |
| Mattress pad | Adds a layer of cushioning | Not made for protection, but can reduce some wear |
| Mattress topper | Changes how firm the bed feels | Also not made for protection; see our topper guide |
There is a warranty reason too: the Sleep Foundation notes that virtually all mattress warranties have a clause that voids the warranty if the mattress is dirty, so a protector helps keep that coverage. Skipping food and drinks in bed is the simplest way to avoid stains in the first place.
From Sleep Foundation, “How to Take Care of Your Mattress” and “How to Clean a Mattress”, read October 28, 2026.
Mattress cleaning checklist
- Bedding stripped and washed per care labels
- Stains and smells spotted before you start
- Top, sides and seams vacuumed
- Stains blotted with a cloth, never soaked
- Cover fully dry before the baking soda goes on
- Baking soda left for several hours, windows open
- Vacuumed again, then the underside done
- Waterproof protector on before the sheets go back
Shop mattress protectors and toppers on Amazon
Check each protector’s size, fit depth, waterproofing and washing instructions on the listing.
Keep reading
See all toppers and protectors, or read how often to replace a mattress if cleaning can’t save yours.
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