How to Clean a Mattress and Keep It Fresh

A mattress soaks up sweat, skin oils, spills and dust over the years, and it cannot go in the washing machine. A regular routine of vacuuming, spot treating and airing keeps it fresh without much effort. This guide shows how to clean a mattress step by step, what never to do, and how a protector and a bedding schedule make the job easier. Browse our mattresses when it is time for a replacement.

Before You Start: Read the Care Information

Foam, latex, innerspring and hybrid mattresses all hold moisture differently, and the padding layers can be slow to dry. The care information from the maker tells you what is safe. Remove or wash the cover only if the label says it can come off, because many covers are not designed to be taken apart. Stains and moisture can also affect warranty coverage with some makers, so it is worth reading those terms before you treat a large spill.

Gather a few simple supplies:

• A vacuum with an upholstery attachment
• Baking soda
• Mild dish soap and cool water
• White cloths and a dry towel
• A fan, or a room where you can open a window

Step by Step: How to Clean a Mattress

1. Strip the bed. Wash the sheets and mattress protector at the temperatures on their care labels.
2. Vacuum the whole surface. Use the upholstery tool across the top and sides, and the crevice tool along seams, piping and any tufting.
3. Spot treat marks. Use the method in the next section, with as little moisture as you can.
4. Apply baking soda. Sprinkle a thin, even layer over the dry surface and leave it for several hours with a window open.
5. Vacuum it up. Go slowly and cover the surface in overlapping passes until no powder remains.
6. Air it out. Leave the mattress bare in a ventilated room, with a fan if you have one, until it feels completely dry.
7. Remake the bed. Add a clean protector first, then the sheets.

Mattresses are heavy and awkward, so ask someone to help if you need to lift or turn yours. Only flip the mattress to clean the other side if it is designed to be flipped. Many modern ones are one-sided.

Treating Stains and Spills

Blot, never rub. Press a dry towel onto a fresh spill to soak up as much as possible, then:

• Stir a few drops of mild dish soap into a cup of cool water.
• Dampen a white cloth in it, wringing it well, and dab from the outside of the stain inward.
• Dab again with a cloth dampened in plain water to lift the soap.
• Press a dry towel on top, then point a fan at the area until it is dry.

Never pour or spray liquid directly onto a mattress, because it soaks into the padding. Use cool water rather than hot on protein stains such as blood or sweat, since heat can set them. For urine and other organic stains, an enzyme cleaner made for mattresses may help if the label suits your mattress. Keep products separate and do not combine them.

Freshening and Removing Odours

Baking soda absorbs odours without adding a scent of its own. For a mattress that smells a little stale, repeat the baking soda step, then leave the bare mattress in fresh air for the rest of the day. Fragrance sprays only mask odours, and the extra moisture can cause problems of its own.

If a smell lingers after two or three treatments, moisture has probably reached the deeper layers. At that point, check the warranty and consider whether a professional cleaner or a replacement makes more sense.

Protect It: Protectors and a Bedding Schedule

The easiest way to keep a mattress clean is to keep dirt from reaching it. A waterproof or water-resistant protector goes under the fitted sheet and does the work for you. This rhythm suits most households:

• Every week or two: wash the sheets.
• Every month or two: wash the protector, following its label.
• Every few months: vacuum the mattress and air it for an hour or two when you change the bedding.
• Once or twice a year: do the full baking soda freshening above.

Rotation is part of care too. See our guide to how often to rotate and replace your mattress for schedules and signs of wear.

Mistakes to Avoid

• Soaking the surface or scrubbing hard
• Using a steam cleaner, which pushes heat and moisture deep into the padding
• Using bleach, ammonia or other harsh chemicals
• Putting sheets back on a damp mattress
• Speeding up drying with a heater or hair dryer. A fan and an open window are safer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I clean my mattress?

A light clean every few months suits most households: vacuum the surface and seams, and air the mattress when you change the bedding. Do a full baking soda freshening once or twice a year, and treat spills the moment they happen. Wash the sheets and protector more often than that.

Can I use a steam cleaner on a mattress?

It is usually best not to. Steam adds heat and moisture that can soak deep into foam and padding, where it dries slowly and may cause musty smells or damage. Some makers specifically advise against it. Check your care information, and use a barely damp cloth, vacuum and baking soda instead.

How do I get a smell out of a mattress?

Strip the bed, vacuum the surface and cover it with a thin layer of baking soda. Leave it for several hours with a window open, then vacuum it up thoroughly. Repeat if needed. If the smell persists, moisture may have reached deeper layers, and a professional cleaner or a replacement is worth considering.

Do I need a mattress protector?

It is not essential, but it is the easiest way to keep a mattress clean. A protector guards against sweat, spills and everyday soiling, and it is far easier to wash than the mattress. Some makers also expect one to be used for warranty purposes, so check the terms that came with yours.

Try Mattresses at Our Showroom

If your mattress is past freshening, the best way to compare feel is to lie down on a few. Visit our showroom at Unit D200, 9737 Macleod Trail SW in Calgary, browse our beds and the full bedroom collection online, and read our guide to choosing a mattress before you come.