How and Why to Clean a Mattress

Did you know you spend about a third of your life on your mattress? But when was the last time you gave it a good, deep clean? The seldom-used living room sofa probably feels the bristle of a vacuum brush more often than your mattress. It’s time to change that. Besides promoting a more pleasant and productive night’s sleep, a clean, cared-for bed can last longer. It might even help prevent nasty and costly pest infestations. Crystal Cleaning explains how and why to clean a mattress.

Back when mattress flipping was a thing, the conventional wisdom was that you should turn it twice a year, and take that opportunity to clean it. These days, many mattresses, including the pillowtop variety, can’t be flipped because they have a proper top and bottom. But cleaning your mattress two times a year remains a reliable rule of thumb. (Check the mattress label for instructions since the manufacturer might recommend rotating the mattress head to foot to ensure even wear.)

Step 1

Start the cleaning process by stripping the mattress of all sheets and bedding and toss the items into the wash. To remove tough stains, always use a top-rated detergent and the hottest water setting on your washing machine; dry on high heat.

If your mattress has a fresh stain, tackle it immediately after removing your bedding. Grab the appropriate stain remover, a couple of dry cloths, and treat it as if you were cleaning a carpet—blot, don’t rub the stain in.

Step 2

Next, vacuum the entire mattress surface with the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Pay attention to seams and crevices. These places carry dirt, dust, dead skin, and other distasteful stuff; switching to your vacuum’s crevice attachment can help get in deep.

If you have a pillowtop mattress, the same advice applies: Use the crevice tool to get into the folds of the pillowtop and get around the seams as much as possible.

Step 3

Once vacuuming is complete, check for dry stains and spot-treat them with an appropriate cleaner. An upholstery cleaner or enzyme-based pet-odor remover can do the job on many bodily fluids or organic liquids, like wine. For other stains, such as dirt or grass, try a simple solution:

One teaspoon mild dish detergent
One cup of warm water.

Step 4

Next, deodorize the mattress by sprinkling baking soda over the entire surface. If this is your first cleaning, don’t be afraid to empty a whole 1-pound box onto the mattress. For best results, leave the baking soda there for 24 hours. That means you might need to sleep elsewhere in your home—or plan the project around an overnight trip. If you can place the mattress near a window, the sunlight will add its sanitizing power.

Step 5

After the baking soda has had a chance to tackle odors, go back over the mattress with your vacuum’s upholstery attachment. If you don’t already own a mattress cover, we recommend buying one. Adding a mattress pad between the cover and bottom sheet will also help absorb moisture.

Along with the periodic deep cleaning described here, these extra layers of protection will help prevent mites, fleas, and other pests from sharing your bed. That should help you sleep tight.