Living as a profuse sweater is quite a challenge. You always need to take extra measures to avoid staining your favourite clothes. But no matter how careful you are, sweating while sleeping will leave a discoloured patch on your mattress, which can be quite a hassle to clean. That’s where this guide comes in handy!

In today’s article, I’ll show you the ideal way to remove sweat stains from your mattress. The good news is that this method is much easier than you think and doesn’t need special cleaners. So, without further ado, let’s dive right in with our professional mattress cleaners tips!

A Simple Guide to Get Rid of Sweat Stains on Mattresses

The following guide will walk you through a step-by-step process to overcome all kinds of sweat stains on mattresses.

Step 1: Gather Your Supplies

To save yourself the effort of going back and forth, it’s always best to have all the necessary items ready before you start cleaning your mattress. To effectively clean sweat stains from mattresses, you’ll need the following items:

  • Clean lukewarm water
  • Spray bottle 
  • Vacuum cleaner with upholstery attachment
  • Cleaning towels
  • Baking soda
  • Dish soap or mild detergent (chlorine-free)
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Enzymatic cleaner

Always check the mattress’s care guide to ensure you’re not using harsh chemicals that may damage its surface. If you have hypersensitive skin, you may also want to wear protective gloves to avoid irritation while cleaning.

Learn More: Cleaning Your Mattress

Step 2: Prepare the Mattress for Cleaning

If your mattress has sweat stains, your toppers, bedding, and pillows will typically suffer the same faith as the parts directly in contact with the body.

Getting these items out of the way will make your job much easier while working on the mattress stain. Additionally, now that they’re off the bed, you can throw them into the washing machine for a quick clean-up while you work on the mattress.

Learn more: How to Get Pee out of a Mattress

Step 3: Put Your Stain Cleaning Mix Together

You can use a variety of compounds to clean sweat stains from mattresses. The simplest is a soapy solution made from 10 parts lukewarm water and 1 part dish soap. Alternatively, you can use mild detergents when dealing with a relatively older stain. This is because detergents offer better results when it comes to treating discolouration.

Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide to the mix for additional power. Peroxides, like bleach, are great for removing coloured stains without damaging the fabric. You might be tempted to add vinegar to the mix, but I recommend you skip it. While highly effective, it can leave a pungent odour on your bed. Hydrogen peroxide is equally effective, so you’re not missing out.

Learn more: Deep Clean Foam Mattress

Step 4: Spray, Blot, and Scrub the Stain

Blotting is a great way to make the stains less stubborn while cleaning. Dip the cleaning cloth in some clean water, wring it, and then place it on the stained area for a few seconds. Now that the stained area is wet. You should lightly spray the area with the cleaning solution you’ve created in the previous step, but don’t soak it.

Allow the cleaning solution to sit for 5 to 10 minutes. You don’t need to scrub harshly. Instead, blot the area gently and let the solution do all the hard work. Repeat this step a few times until the stain disappears completely.

Always test any cleaning solution on a small, inconspicuous area of your mattress before applying it to the sweat stain. This ensures you don’t accidentally cause any discolouration or damage.

Step 5: Use Enzymatic Cleaner for Tougher Stains

Although the solution used in the previous step is highly effective, it may not be powerful enough for some stubborn stains.

A surefire way to get rid of these challenging stains is to use an enzymatic cleaner. This one contains special enzymes that break down biological compounds like blood, urine, and sweat.

Here are some essential tips to keep in mind before using these cleaners:

  • Always make sure that they’re safe for upholstery and mattresses before applying them
  • Check the care guide to avoid any active ingredients you shouldn’t use.
  • Test it on a hidden spot to ensure the enzymatic cleaner won’t damage the mattress.
  • Follow the instructions on the cleaner on how to use it

Step 6: Apply Baking Soda to the Stained Area

While hydrogen peroxide is excellent for disinfection, baking soda is also ideal for deodorisation!

Generously sprinkle baking soda over the entire surface of your mattress and let the soda do its magic for 30 to 60 minutes. Don’t worry about the light moisture on the mattress, as the baking soda will also absorb it.

After the waiting period, thoroughly vacuum the entire mattress to remove all the baking soda. This should leave you with a fresh-smelling, clean mattress.

Step 8: Allow the Mattress to Air Dry

Lastly, it’s always a good measure to let air dry your mattress after cleaning it. Some moisture might still be lingering deep inside the mattress.

Moisture can be a breeding ground for mould and mildew, so you must give your mattress time to dry completely before covering it. If you’re in a hurry, you can use fans to circulate the air and give the mattress a drying boost.

Learn More: How to Remove Blood Stains from Mattress

How to Prevent Sweat Stains on Mattresses

Now that you’ve successfully cleaned your mattress, here are some reliable tips to help you avoid the stains from showing up in the future:

  • Invest in quality bedding, which adds an extra layer of protection to prevent sweat from penetrating deep into the mattress.
  • Inspect the mattress more frequently and clean the stains before drying up (much easier to clean)
  • Regularly air out your mattress by removing bedding and pillows, allowing it to breathe for a few hours.
  • Keep bedroom windows open whenever possible to promote air circulation and prevent moisture build-up.

Final Thoughts

Sweat stains can be quite annoying, but they’re surprisingly easy to clean if you use the proper technique.  In addition to the previously mentioned tips, remember to adjust your layering while sleeping if you feel too hot while sleeping.