How to Clean a Mattress with Baking Soda

Keeping your mattress clean isn’t just crucial for your health – it also promotes better sleep by removing dust, allergens, stains, and odours. A clean mattress helps reduce allergy symptoms, prevents mould growth, and extends the life of your bed. One of the most affordable and effective ways to refresh your mattress at home is by using baking soda.

Baking soda, also known as sodium bicarbonate, is a gentle yet powerful natural cleaner. It neutralises odours, absorbs moisture, and helps disinfect surfaces. While it may not always remove deep or old stains, it’s a fantastic solution for deodorising, freshening, and maintaining your mattress between professional cleanings.

At a Glance – Quick Tips

The Advantages of Using Baking Soda to Clean Mattresses

Before cleaning with baking soda, it’s helpful to understand how it works and why so many cleaning experts recommend it.

Cleaning Mild Stains

Baking soda is an alkali that reacts with acidic stains, breaking them down and making them easier to blot away. It works best on fresh, light stains but may not be strong enough for set-in blood or urine marks without extra help.

Moisture Absorption

Baking soda is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from its surroundings. This makes it perfect for tackling sweat patches or minor spills and preventing mould growth inside the mattress.

Deodorising

Unpleasant mattress odours often come from sweat, bacteria, or minor accidents. Baking soda neutralises these smells by altering the chemical composition of odour-causing molecules, leaving your bed fresher.

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Disinfection

By raising surface pH, baking soda creates an environment hostile to many bacteria and microbes. While it’s not a hospital-grade disinfectant, it can reduce bacteria and improve hygiene when combined with fresh air and sunlight.

A Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning a Mattress with Baking Soda

Here’s the best way to use baking soda for a safe and effective mattress refresh.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

• Baking soda (enough to cover the surface in a thin layer).
• Spray bottle with cold water (add a few drops of essential oil if desired).
• Vacuum cleaner with upholstery attachment.
• Clean cloths or sponges.

Optional: Keep mild detergent, hydrogen peroxide, or enzyme cleaner on hand for stubborn stains.

Learn more: How to Clean your Mattress from Bed Bugs

Step 2: Prepare Your Mattress for Cleaning

Remove all bedding, including sheets, pillows, and protectors. Wash linens separately to ensure they’re clean before you remake the bed.

Step 3: Vacuum Your Mattress

Thoroughly vacuum the mattress to remove dust, skin flakes, hair, and allergens. Pay close attention to seams and tufts where debris collects — this helps baking soda penetrate more effectively.

Step 4: Sprinkle Baking Soda on the Mattress

Lightly mist the mattress with cold water to help the powder work, but avoid soaking. Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the entire surface and let it sit for at least 30 minutes — up to 2 hours for maximum effect. For a pleasant scent, mix a few drops of essential oil into the water spray.

Step 5: Vacuum Off the Baking Soda

Once the resting time is up, vacuum the mattress again, ensuring you remove all traces of powder. If stains remain, use a stronger cleaner, such as diluted dish soap, hydrogen peroxide, or an enzyme spray designed explicitly for organic stains.

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Step 6: Let the Mattress Air Out

After vacuuming, allow the mattress to air dry thoroughly before replacing bedding. If possible, open windows to let in fresh air and sunlight, which naturally disinfects. Use a fan for quicker drying.

How Often Should You Clean a Mattress with Baking Soda?

Most experts recommend refreshing your mattress with baking soda every 3 to 6 months. If you sweat heavily, have pets, or suffer from allergies, more frequent cleaning may be beneficial. It’s also a good habit to clean your mattress whenever you rotate or flip it.

Beyond baking soda, give your mattress a full deep clean at least once a year. This can include spot-treating with stronger cleaners, vacuuming both sides, and using a professional service for stubborn stains or odours.

Limitations of Baking Soda

While baking soda is excellent for odours, moisture, and light marks, it’s not a miracle cleaner. It won’t always remove:

• Deep-set biological stains (e.g., blood, urine, vomit).
• Large spills that have soaked into the mattress core.
• Persistent mould or mildew issues.

In these cases, combine baking soda with stronger cleaning solutions or call a professional for deep extraction.

Extra Tips for a Fresher Mattress

• Air it out: Let your mattress breathe in sunlight whenever possible to disinfect naturally.
• Use a protector: Waterproof protectors prevent sweat, spills, and allergens from seeping in.
• Rotate regularly: Flip or rotate your mattress every 3–6 months to distribute wear.
• Wash bedding weekly: Clean sheets, pillowcases, and protectors to minimise buildup.
• Vacuum monthly: A quick vacuum helps keep dust and allergens in check between deep cleans.

Final Thoughts

Baking soda is a simple, safe, and effective way to clean and refresh your mattress. It’s ideal for routine care, odour removal, and moisture absorption. While it may not tackle heavy stains on its own, it’s an essential first step in mattress maintenance.

If stubborn stains or smells remain, or if you’d like a full deep clean, our professional mattress cleaning service in London offers specialised treatments to restore freshness and hygiene. We also provide end-of-tenancy cleaning that can include mattress care, ensuring your home is spotless from top to bottom.