You spend about a third of your life on your mattress, and you probably clean it far less than you clean your kitchen floor. Over the years it collects sweat, skin flakes, dust mites, and the occasional accident from a sick kid or a long night. You cannot throw it in the washer, so it is easy to put off.
The good news is that cleaning a mattress is mostly patience, not elbow grease. The big mistake people make is using too much liquid. A soaked mattress dries slowly and can grow mold deep inside the foam, which is far worse than the stain you started with. This guide shows you how to clean a mattress the right way: match the cleaner to what made the stain, blot instead of pour, and keep the inside dry.
Dealing with a pet accident? Cat and dog urine need a slightly different approach because of how strongly they smell and how often pets return to the same spot. That is covered in its own guide.
The Quick Answer
- Strip the bed and wash everything. Sheets, pillowcases and the mattress protector.
- Vacuum the whole mattress. Use the upholstery attachment and go slowly over seams and edges.
- Spot treat stains by type. Enzyme cleaner for urine and vomit, cold water for blood, a peroxide mix for yellow sweat stains.
- Deodorize with baking soda. Sift a thin layer over the top and leave it for at least four hours.
- Vacuum again and let it air out. Do not make the bed until the mattress is completely dry.
Why Less Liquid Is the Whole Secret
Most mattresses have foam layers under a thin fabric cover. Foam acts like a sponge. Pour a cup of cleaner on a stain and it does not stay on the surface. It sinks deep into the foam, where air cannot reach it. That moisture can take days to dry, and in a warm, humid bedroom, it can turn into mildew and a musty smell that never leaves.
So every method below uses a spray bottle or a damp cloth, never a bucket. You blot, you let the cleaner work, and you blot again with dry towels. If a stain needs more, you repeat a light treatment rather than adding one heavy one.
How to Deep Clean a Mattress at Home
Plan this for a morning when you can open the windows or run a fan, so the mattress has all day to dry. Every six months is a good rhythm, and it pairs well with flipping or rotating the mattress.
- Strip the bed. Wash the sheets, pillowcases and mattress protector in the warmest water their labels allow. A clean washer helps here, so if yours smells musty, run a cleaning cycle on the washer first.
- Vacuum the mattress. Use the upholstery attachment and move slowly in overlapping rows across the top and sides. Use the crevice tool along the seams and the edge piping, where dust and dead skin collect.
- Spot treat any stains. Use the stain guide below. Work on each spot before you add baking soda.
- Sprinkle baking soda. Shake a thin, even layer across the whole top through a sieve or flour sifter. A pound box covers a queen mattress. Leave it at least four hours. All day is better.
- Vacuum again. Pick up every bit of powder with slow passes.
- Rotate or flip, then air it out. Rotate it head to foot, or flip it if it is a two-sided mattress. Leave it uncovered with good airflow until it is fully dry, then put on the clean protector and sheets.
How to Remove Stains From a Mattress
Different stains need different chemistry. Urine and vomit are protein-based and smell, so enzyme cleaners, which break those proteins down, work best. Blood sets with heat, so it needs cold water. Old sweat stains turn yellow over time and respond best to a light oxidizer like hydrogen peroxide.
Before you use any cleaner, test it on a hidden spot on the side or bottom of the mattress. Hydrogen peroxide can lighten some fabrics, so it is safest on white or light covers.
How to Clean Pee Out of a Mattress
For a child’s accident or an adult incontinence spill, speed is everything.
- Blot right away. Press a dry towel firmly into the spot. Stand on it or press with your whole hand. Swap towels until they come up nearly dry. Do not rub.
- Spray an enzyme cleaner. Lightly mist the area with an enzyme cleaner made for urine, enough to dampen the surface. Let it sit for the time on the label, usually 15 minutes to an hour.
- Blot again. Press with dry towels to pull out the cleaner and what it lifted.
- Cover with baking soda. Sprinkle a thick layer over the damp spot and leave it for several hours or overnight to absorb moisture and odor.
- Vacuum and dry. Vacuum the powder and let the spot air dry fully. A fan helps.
No enzyme cleaner? A common home mix is 8 ounces of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 3 tablespoons of baking soda and a drop of dish soap, stirred until the baking soda dissolves. Mist it on lightly, let it sit an hour, then blot. Mix it fresh, do not store it in a sealed bottle, and use it only on light-colored mattresses.
How to Clean an Old Urine Stain on a Mattress
Dried urine leaves a yellow ring and an odor that comes back on humid days. Lightly mist the area with water to reactivate the stain, then treat it with an enzyme cleaner and let it sit the full hour. Repeat the treat-and-blot cycle two or three times, letting the mattress dry between rounds. Old stains fade in stages rather than all at once.
How to Clean Vomit From a Mattress
Put on gloves. Scrape up solids with a spatula or a piece of cardboard and toss them. Blot as much liquid as you can. Cover the spot with a thick layer of baking soda and leave it for 30 minutes to soak up moisture and smell, then vacuum it up. Mist with an enzyme cleaner, let it work, and blot dry. Wash your vacuum’s attachment afterward.
How to Clean Mattress Sweat Stains
Yellow patches where your head and back rest are sweat and body oil. Lightly spray them with the peroxide, baking soda and dish soap mix, or with an oxygen-based cleaner diluted in water, and let it sit for an hour. Blot with a damp cloth, then a dry one. You may need two rounds.
How to Clean Period Blood Off a Mattress
Always use cold water. Heat sets blood permanently. Blot fresh blood with a cold, damp cloth. Then dab on a little 3% hydrogen peroxide; it will fizz as it lifts the stain. Blot, repeat if needed, and finish with a cold water blot. For a dried stain, an enzyme cleaner left for 10 to 15 minutes softens it first.
Cleaning Different Types of Mattresses
| Mattress Type | Moisture Limit | Best Approach | Watch Out For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Innerspring | Light spray | Vacuum, spot treat, baking soda | Rust stains if springs get wet |
| Memory foam | Very light, almost dry | Vacuum, enzyme mist, blot, long air dry | Steam and soaking break down foam |
| Latex | Light spray | Mild soap and water on a cloth | Direct sun can age latex |
| Hybrid | Light spray | Treat like memory foam on top | Moisture reaching the coils |
| Air mattress | Wipe freely | Soapy cloth, rinse, dry fully before folding | Folding it damp grows mold |
Check the law tag and maker’s care instructions. Many warranties are voided by stains, which is a strong reason to use a protector.
How to Clean a Foam or Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam is the most moisture-sensitive mattress you can own. Vacuum it, then treat stains with a light mist and lots of blotting. Never steam it or soak it, since heat and water can damage the foam’s structure. Let it dry longer than you think it needs, ideally with a fan pointed at it.
How to Clean a Memory Foam Mattress Topper or Pad
A topper is thinner, so it dries faster. Vacuum both sides. Spot treat stains with a light spray and blot. For a full refresh, some toppers can be hand-washed in a bathtub with cool water and a little mild detergent, then pressed, never wrung, and dried flat for a day or two. Check the label first, and never put foam in the dryer.
How to Clean a Tempur-Pedic or Purple Mattress
Premium mattresses come with specific care rules, and breaking them can void the warranty. In general, both brands recommend vacuuming and spot cleaning with mild soap and water on a cloth, not harsh chemicals or steam. Some models have covers that can come off, while others are not meant to be removed or washed. Read your care guide or the brand’s support page before you start.
How to Clean an Air Mattress or Pack and Play Mattress
These have vinyl or wipeable surfaces, which makes them easy. Wipe them with warm water and a little dish soap, rinse with a clean damp cloth and dry them completely. For a pack and play mattress, skip harsh disinfectants since a baby sleeps on it. Never fold or store an air mattress while it is still damp.
How to Steam Clean a Mattress
A handheld steamer can freshen an innerspring mattress and help kill dust mites on the surface. Hold it a few inches away and move steadily so the fabric gets warm but not wet. Skip it on memory foam, latex and premium mattresses unless the maker says it is safe. Afterward, let the mattress dry for several hours with good airflow.
How to Clean a Used Mattress, and What About Bed Bugs?
If you bought or were given a used mattress, inspect it before it comes inside. Check the seams, tufts and the underside with a flashlight for small rust-colored spots, tiny eggs or live bugs. If it looks clean, give it the full deep clean above, including a steam pass if the type allows.
If you find signs of bed bugs, cleaning alone will not solve it. Vacuuming the seams and using a zippered bed bug encasement helps, but bed bugs hide in frames, outlets and furniture too. Call a licensed pest control professional. Do not drag an infested mattress through the house.
How to Wash a Mattress Protector
A waterproof protector is the single best way to keep your mattress clean. Wash it every one to two months, and right away after any spill. Use warm water, a mild detergent and a gentle cycle. Skip bleach and fabric softener, which can break down the waterproof backing. Tumble dry on low or hang it to dry. High heat can melt or crack the membrane.
| Task | How Often |
|---|---|
| Wash sheets and pillowcases | Weekly |
| Wash the mattress protector | Every 1 to 2 months |
| Vacuum the mattress | Every 1 to 3 months |
| Full deep clean with baking soda | Every 6 months |
| Rotate or flip | Every 3 to 6 months |
A clean bed is one of the quieter health benefits of a tidy home, especially for anyone with allergies or asthma, since dust mites thrive in unwashed bedding.
If bedrooms, laundry and the rest of the house are more than you can keep up with, Brighthouse provides services for home cleaning needs of every size, from a one-time deep clean to a regular schedule, across Nashville, Brentwood and Franklin. Regular home cleaning also means sheets get changed and mattresses get vacuumed on a set schedule.
For Short-Term Rental Hosts
In a rental, a stained mattress can mean a bad review or a costly replacement. Protectors on every bed, washed at every turnover, are the simplest defense. Rental cleaners for short term stays can strip, inspect and remake beds between guests, and if you need a cleaner for your rental property on a regular schedule, Brighthouse can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best way to clean a mattress?
Vacuum it, spot treat stains with a light spray of the right cleaner, cover the top with baking soda for at least four hours, vacuum again and let it air out fully.
How do you get pee out of a mattress?
Blot it dry fast, mist with an enzyme cleaner, let it sit, blot again, then cover with baking soda overnight and vacuum. Repeat for old stains.
Can I use vinegar to clean a mattress?
Yes, a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water can help with odor on a fresh spot. Mist lightly and blot. Enzyme cleaners usually work better on urine and vomit.
How long does a mattress take to dry after cleaning?
A few hours for light spot cleaning. Memory foam can take a full day. Use a fan and open windows, and do not make the bed until it is fully dry.
Can you steam clean a memory foam mattress?
It is best not to. Heat and moisture can damage memory foam and may void the warranty. Use a light mist and blotting instead.
How often should you clean a mattress?
Vacuum every one to three months and do a full deep clean every six months. Treat spills right away.
The Bottom Line
Cleaning a mattress comes down to two rules: match the cleaner to the stain, and keep the inside dry. Enzymes for urine and vomit, cold water for blood, a peroxide mix for sweat, baking soda for odor, and a lot of blotting in between.
Pick a sunny morning this month. Strip the bed, vacuum, treat the spots and leave baking soda on while you go about your day. Put a waterproof protector on before you remake it.
You will sleep better on a bed that is actually clean.
