How to clean a mattress and keep it clean

A mattress collects a lot. Over years it absorbs sweat, skin cells, dust mites’ waste, body oils and, sometimes, spills and accidents. Most of this is invisible, but it gives a mattress its musty smell and its yellowing, and it feeds the dust mites that cause allergies. A regular vacuum, a good protector and a careful spot clean do most of the work. Deep cleaning is a matter of drying, not scrubbing: the aim is to remove what you can without wetting the inside of the mattress.

Always check the care label on the mattress before you clean it. Some labels give specific cleaning instructions, and the maker’s advice comes first.

What you need

• A vacuum with an upholstery or brush attachment
• Baking soda
• Mild dish soap and cool water
• A spray bottle
• Clean white cloths
• An enzyme cleaner for urine, if needed
• A fan, or a dehumidifier, for drying
• A mattress protector, for prevention

Stripping the bed

Remove the sheets, the duvet, the pillows and the mattress protector. Wash them on a hot setting if the labels allow, and dry them fully. Take the pillows out to air on a sunny day if you can, because sunlight helps to kill dust mites and freshen the fibers.

Once the bed is bare, you can see the whole mattress, and you can check it for stains and damp spots.

Vacuuming

1. Vacuum the top, the sides and the edges of the mattress with the upholstery attachment. Work slowly, and pay attention to the seams and the handles, where dust and crumbs collect.
2. Turn the mattress if the maker allows it, and vacuum the other side. Some mattresses are designed to be flipped, and others are one-sided. Check the label.
3. Vacuum the base, and the bed frame if it has a fabric cover or slats where dust sits.

Vacuuming removes loose dust, skin and dust mite waste, and it prepares the mattress for the next step.

Baking soda for odor

Baking soda absorbs odors without adding any scent of its own.

1. Sprinkle a light, even layer of baking soda over the top of the mattress. Do not use so much that it piles up.
2. Leave it for at least fifteen minutes, and up to an hour for a strong smell.
3. Vacuum the baking soda up thoroughly, going over the surface several times so no powder is left in the fabric.

For a stronger smell, you can repeat the process, or leave the baking soda on overnight with the window open and vacuum it in the morning.

Spot cleaning stains

Work on a stain straight away if you can. A dried stain is harder to lift, and it may set. Use the least amount of liquid possible.

1. Mix a few drops of mild dish soap in a cup of cool water. Dip a clean white cloth in the mixture and wring it out well so it is barely damp.
2. Dab the stain gently. Do not rub, because rubbing pushes the stain deeper and roughens the surface.
3. Blot the area with a clean dry cloth to lift the moisture and the stain.
4. Repeat until the stain lifts, then dab the area with a cloth dampened in plain water, and blot dry.

For blood, use cold water only, never hot, because heat sets it. For sweat or body oils, the same soapy method works. For yellow marks, a little hydrogen peroxide can help on a light fabric, but test it on a hidden corner first, since it can lighten some fabrics.

Urine and vomit

Urine soaks deep into the foam, so spot cleaning alone is often not enough. Use an enzyme cleaner made for pet or human urine, and apply it generously to the stained area. Let it work for the time on the label, then blot it dry and allow the mattress to air. Do not use ammonia cleaners, because the smell can attract repeat accidents.

Vomit should be scraped off first with a spoon or a flat edge, then cleaned with the soap method and the enzyme cleaner if there is a lingering smell.

Drying the mattress

Drying is the most important step after any clean. Trapped moisture in the foam or the springs turns into mold, and mold is very hard to get rid of.

• Keep the mattress in an airy room, with the window open if the air outside is dry.
• Stand it on its side, or prop it up, so the air can reach both sides and the base.
• Run a fan across the surface for several hours, and use a dehumidifier in a damp room.
• Check the mattress by pressing a dry cloth into the surface. Wait until the cloth comes away dry in the middle, not just at the edge.

Drying a mattress can take many hours, sometimes a day or more. Do not put the bedding back on until the mattress is completely dry.

Using a protector

A mattress protector is the best way to keep a mattress clean. It sits between you and the mattress, and it takes the sweat, the spills and the dust. Choose one that is machine washable, and wash it every one to two weeks along with the sheets. A waterproof protector keeps liquids away from the foam, but make sure it is breathable, so the mattress does not trap heat and moisture.

Dust mites and allergies

Dust mites live in the fibers of a mattress, and they feed on the skin cells we shed while we sleep. Vacuuming removes some of them, and washing bedding in hot water kills many more. Allergen-proof covers, which encase the mattress or the pillow, block mites from reaching the sleeper, and they are useful for people with asthma or allergies. A cover does not kill mites that are already inside, so vacuum the mattress first, then fit the cover.

Keep the bedroom cool and dry, because mites thrive in warm, humid rooms. Air the bed each morning, and wash the bedding weekly in hot water if the fabric allows. If allergies or asthma are a serious problem, talk to a doctor or an allergy specialist, because cleaning helps but may not solve the problem on its own.

Common mistakes

• Soaking the mattress, which leaves water in the foam and the springs.
• Putting the bedding back before the mattress is dry.
• Rubbing a stain, which spreads it and roughens the fabric.
• Using ammonia on urine, which brings the smell back.
• Using a steam cleaner on the mattress, which can leave the foam wet inside.
• Skipping the protector, so that sweat and dust reach the mattress.

Keeping the mattress fresh

Vacuum the mattress every three to six months, and turn or rotate it if the maker recommends it. Air the bed each morning by pulling back the duvet for an hour or two. Wash the protector and the bedding regularly, and change the pillows as they wear.

When to replace a mattress

A mattress that has permanent stains, a deep sag, lumps or springs that you can feel, or a smell that does not go after a proper clean, may need to be replaced. Most mattresses wear out within about eight to ten years, and a worn mattress can affect your sleep and your comfort. If the mattress is damp inside, or if there is mold on the underside, replace it, because the mold can spread to the room.