Technically speaking, your mattress is one of the items you come in contact with the most throughout your life. Therefore, keeping it clean and fresh is essential to enjoy a blissful night’s rest.

While you might think that cleaning a mattress is a lot of work, it’s much simpler than you think once you know exactly what to do, and that’s what this guide is all about.

Today, I’ll show you how to clean a mattress in 9 simple steps with several helpful tips.

Step 1: Start By Checking the Mattress Manual/Care Guide

Before deep mattress cleaning, you should start by looking at the mattress care guide.

This can be provided separately with the mattress or printed on the mattress label on one of the sides.

The care guide contains all specific care instructions and necessary information for cleaning based on your mattress’s materials and construction. This includes items to use and avoid and whether it’s double-sided or single-sided.

The guide also tells you how often to rotate and flip the mattress. Following the manufacturer’s guidelines will ensure you clean your mattress effectively while maintaining its quality and lifespan.

Learn more: How to Remove Sweat Stains from Mattress

Step 2: Gather your Cleaning Tools and Supplies

After checking the mattress’s care guide, you’ll know about your cleaning routine and the right cleaning supplies.

If you can’t access the care instructions for your mattress, here’s a quick look at some of the items you’d typically need for the process:

  • Vacuum cleaner, preferably with the upholstery attachment (you can also use a car handheld vacuum cleaner)
  • Scrubbing tool with medium-soft bristles
  • A clean piece of cloth
  • Baking soda for deodorising and stain/moisture absorption
  • Mild (bleach-free) detergent or dish soap
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Enzymatic cleaner (optional)
  • Your favourite essential oil (optional)

Avoid using harsh chemicals or tools because they can damage the mattress fabric irreversibly.

Step 3: Remove the Bedding and Pillows to Clean Them Separately

Remove any bedding, pillows, or protectors on top to access the mattress. Since these covers are usually the first line of contact, they typically get more dust and grime with time.

Therefore, this should be an excellent time to check their care guide and give them a quick wash and dry.

Learn More: How to Get Blood Out of Mattress

Step 4: Vacuum The Mattress

Exposing the mattress is enough to start cleaning it at first, so you don’t have to move it off the bed.

Turn on your vacuum cleaner and run it across the surface of the mattress. Start from one side of the mattress and slowly work your way across. Try to overlap your strokes to ensure you don’t miss a speck.

You can also use the crevice tool to tackle any hard-to-reach areas between the mattress and the headrest.

Learn more: Memory Foam Mattress Cleaning

Step 5: Spot-Clean Any Stains

Starting with vacuuming doesn’t only get rid of lingering dust, but it also helps you inspect the mattress quickly for spots and stains.

You must act quickly by blot drying for fresh stains and spills. In that case, resist the urge to scrub because it’ll spread the stain further. However, scrubbing should be okay for older ones.

In that case, dilute your mild detergent or dish soap with lukewarm water in 1 part soap to 10 parts water. You don’t need much – a little goes a long way.

If you’re in doubt, you can test your solution in a hidden area to check for discolouration before applying it to the stains.

Spray your solution on the stain and let it sit for a few minutes, then use a scrubber or a sponge to wipe the stain off. Be patient and gentle while cleaning to get the best results.

You can also use the same method with enzyme cleaners to remove stubborn stains like sweat, blood, and urine.

Step 6: Disinfect and Deodorise the Mattress

For further disinfection, spray a heavily diluted peroxide solution over the mattress and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Remember to test it first because not all fabrics react well to hydrogen peroxide.

Alternatively, you can generously sprinkle baking soda all over the mattress’s surface. Leave it for 30 minutes to an hour to absorb as much odour and moisture as possible.

To remove the baking soda, use the vacuum cleaner again and ensure you cover all crevices and seams.

As a finishing touch, you can add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to give your mattress a lovely scent, which is also comforting while sleeping.

Step 8: Let the Mattress Air Out

This step is necessary to remove any lingering moisture within the mattress and to prevent mould.

It’s also a good idea to expose the mattress to sunlight whenever possible, as it can be an extra layer of disinfection and considerably speeds up drying.

The UV rays in sunlight kill both bacteria and mould effectively. However, letting fresh air in should be enough if it’s a rainy day.

You can also improve ventilation in the room by turning a standing or ceiling fan on and directing it toward the mattress.

Step 9: Flip, Rotate, and Repeat

Now that the first side of the mattress is clean and dry, it’s time to repeat the same process on other sides if necessary.

This should also be a good time to flip and rotate the mattress, which is the key to extending your mattress’ life and maintaining its quality. Different mattresses may vary here, so check the care guide to see if it’s a good time to do so.

Wrap Up

This marks the end of today’s guide, showing you how to clean a mattress properly. As you can see, cleaning your mattress is a relatively simple process once you break it down into the basics.

Always consult the care guide before using any particular cleaning compounds, even if they’re marked safe for mattresses.