How to Clean a Mattress: The Only Guide You’ll Ever Need

A clean mattress gives you better sleep, makes your bed last, and keeps allergens away. A neglected mattress, by contrast, develops stains, mould, and can trigger health issues.

After cleaning plenty of rentals, I’ve learned a few habits that make mattress care much easier. Here’s the routine I stick to for keeping any mattress fresh, clean, and lasting as long as it should.

What You’ll Need

• Upholstery-safe vacuum cleaner (with a flat head and narrow nozzle)
• Spot washer (if you have children or pets)
• Gentle laundry detergent
• Several clean microfibre cloths
• Rubber gloves
• Portable fan or ceiling fan
• Optional: Child- and pet-safe enzyme-based cleaner for biological fluids
• Optional: 3% hydrogen peroxide for accidental spills
• Optional: Mould remover like Concrobium for mattress surface mould

Want to keep things natural? Check out our review on eco friendly cleaning products.

Extras that can help

• Handheld steamer
• HEPA filter air purifier

Heads up: Don’t mix cleaners like enzyme sprays, hydrogen peroxide, or mould removers. They don’t play nice together and can wreck the mattress or create nasty fumes.

Steps to Refresh Your Mattress

1. Remove All Bedding

Start by stripping the bed — sheets, pillowcases, protectors, and toppers. Check the care labels to make sure everything’s machine-washable. Toss what you can into the washer with a gentle detergent on a warm or hot cycle.

Memory foam, latex, or feather-filled toppers need special care. Spot-clean them according to the maker’s instructions to avoid damage. These simple steps clear away dust, sweat, and oils, leaving your bed fresh and cosy.

2. Check Your Mattress for Issues

Look for things like:

• Yellow stains from sweat or spills
• Dark patches — could be mould or mildew
• Musty smells or anything that seems off
• Bug shells or tiny red marks (bedbug signs)

Spot anything? Make a note — we’ll deal with it next.

3. Give Your Mattress a Proper Vacuum

Grab a vacuum that’s safe for upholstery and swap in the flat head or narrow nozzle.

Run it over the whole surface — where you sleep, the sides, and the seams. Focus on the stitching too. That’s where dust mites, pet hair, and skin flakes like to hide.

This clears out the gunk you can’t see but definitely don’t want to sleep on. To top it off, a HEPA air purifier cleans the air and makes the room more comfortable.

Optional: Worried about bed bugs? Run a handheld steamer around the edges — that’s where bed bugs like to hide. Don’t soak the fabric, though. Too much moisture can lead to mould.

4. Treat Stains the Right Way

Before you start, throw on some rubber gloves. They’ll protect your skin from cleaners, spills, and mould spores.

Sweat, Urine, or Vomit

Protein stains like sweat and urine are best cleaned with enzyme cleaners. They break down the source of the smell and staining. Harsh chemicals can do more harm than good here — they may damage the fabric or irritate your skin.

• Give the stained area a spray of enzyme cleaner.
• Let it sit for 10–15 minutes, or as directed on the label.
• Blot the area with a clean, dry microfibre cloth. Press down and lift to soak up the liquid without spreading it.
• Wipe the area with a damp microfibre cloth to clear away the remaining cleaner.

Spilled Drinks, Coffee, or Juice

3% hydrogen peroxide works well on dark stains like coffee or wine. Always remember to spot-test first, as it may cause discolouration on some materials.

• Dab the area with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide using a clean cloth.
• Let it sit for a minute or two.
• Blot the stain until it lifts.
• Run the damp microfibre cloth across the surface to remove any leftover residue.

Noticed musty dark patches? Deal with it quick to stop mould from spreading.

• Spray an EPA-registered mould remover like Concrobium on the affected spots. It kills mould, tackles the spores, and helps stop it from coming back. Spot-test first to ensure fabric safety.

• Wait 10–15 minutes for the cleaner to penetrate and break down the mould.

• Blot with a dry microfibre cloth, then wipe with a damp one to clear what remains.

• Dry the area with a ceiling or portable fan for 8–12 hours. Mould loves damp, so airflow matters — open the windows to help it along.

Important: You can treat small, surface mould patches this way. But if it’s widespread, keeps coming back, or has soaked deep into the mattress — toss it.

Deep mould is almost impossible to remove and poses serious health risks. In my experience, it's not worth the gamble.

5. Put the Spot Washer to Work (Optional, But Worth It)

If you’ve got a spot washer, now’s the time to use it. It’s brilliant for lifting deep-set stains and sucking out excess moisture in one go. Perfect after pet messes or when you’ve treated mould and need to speed up drying.

6. Tackle Lingering Odours

Once the mattress starts drying, give it a quick sniff. If there’s still an odour, the same enzyme cleaner should handle it. If the smell’s gone, you’re all set. No need to add anything else.

7. Let It Dry

This step matters. A damp mattress can cause even more mould or mildew if it doesn’t dry all the way.

Drying Options:

• Open the windows to boost airflow, especially on sunny or breezy days.
• Ceiling or portable fan to keep air moving across the surface.
• Avoid heaters or direct sun as heat can warp foam or weaken the mattress's structure.

Best practice: Leave the mattress uncovered for 8 to 12 hours to dry.

And while you're waiting for it to dry, why not check if your floors could use some love too? Here's our guide on how to clean hybrid flooring without ruining it.

8. Flip or Rotate to Make It Last

• If your mattress is double-sided, flip it over.
• Got a single-sided or memory foam one? Spin it 180 degrees.

This evens out the wear, stops dips from forming, and gives your mattress a longer life.

Do it every 3 to 6 months. ✅

Simple Habits to Keep Your Mattress Fresh

• Spills, sweat, and life’s little messes happen. A waterproof mattress protector catches it all. One with breathable fabric cuts down heat and moisture, helping your mattress last.

• Give your mattress a vacuum once a month to get rid of dust, skin flakes, and allergens.

• Clean up spills straight away so they don’t have time to sink in.

• Got pets? Toss a washable blanket or cover over the bed to catch fur and dirt. It keeps things cleaner and saves you hassle — chuck it in the wash each week.

• Open windows often to lower humidity and help prevent mould and dust mites.

Mattress Cleaning FAQs

How often should you give your mattress a proper clean?

Every six months is a good rule of thumb to keep it fresh and in good shape. If you have kids, pets, or allergies, do it more often. Spot clean straight away when spills or stains appear — don’t let them set in.

Can I clean a mattress without a spot washer?

Yes. Spot washers help with deep stains and moisture, but you don’t need one. Enzyme cleaner, a few microfibre cloths, and some blotting will still get the job done.

Can I sleep on my mattress the same day I clean it?

 Only if it’s completely dry to the touch. If it still feels damp when you press your hand on it, wait longer. Sleeping on it locks in the moisture and might bring back mould or mildew. Give it 8 to 12 hours to air out well.

Is there anything I shouldn’t use on my mattress?

Bleach, vinegar, and strong cleaners are a no-go. They’re harsh on fabric, damage memory foam, and can irritate your skin. Go easy on the liquids too. If too much soaks in, it can sit in the layers and eventually lead to mould.

Final Thoughts

Mattress care isn’t complicated. Stay consistent, use the right tools, and deal with messes as they happen. I’ve cleaned dozens of rentals, and the clean mattresses always stand out. They sleep better, smell fresh, and last longer. The effort pays off.

Bedrooms all sorted? If you’re ready, let’s move on to our how to clean shower screen guide.