How to Clean Your Mattress: A Complete Guide to a Fresher, Healthier Bed

Let’s be honest — when was the last time you cleaned your mattress?

If your answer is somewhere between “never” and “a long time ago,” you’re not alone. Most people wash their sheets regularly but forget the thing that actually supports them every night: the mattress.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through exactly how to clean a mattress — step-by-step. Whether it’s dust, stains, or that mysterious musty smell. We’ll also show you how to clean pee from a mattress, which is especially important if you have toddlers or pets at home. Accidents happen and knowing how to properly tackle urine stains is key to keeping your bed fresh, hygienic, and odor-free. Plus, we’ll share the tools and products that make the job quicker and more effective.

Why Cleaning Your Mattress Matters

Mattresses are like sponges — they absorb sweat, dead skin cells, dust mites, and even spills over time. If left uncleaned, this buildup can:

• Trigger allergies

• Affect your sleep quality

• Cause unpleasant odors

• Shorten the lifespan of your mattress

Just like you clean your floors or your couch, your mattress needs a little TLC, too.

How to Clean a Mattress: Step-by-Step

Here’s your foolproof plan for getting your mattress fresh and spotless:

1. Strip the Bed

Remove all bedding, including sheets, mattress covers, and pillows. Toss them into the washer while you clean.

Pro Tip: Use hot water if possible — it helps kill dust mites.

2. Vacuum the Surface

Using a vacuum with an upholstery attachment, thoroughly vacuum the entire surface of the mattress. Don’t forget the edges and seams — that’s where dust loves to hide.

But, if it's urine, and the urine is fresh or the mattress is damp, vacuuming too soon can damage your vacuum and spread the moisture.

Instead: Blot up all moisture first with towels or paper towels. Vacuuming should only be done after everything has dried, especially after applying baking soda.

3. Spot Clean Stains

For stains, use a gentle enzyme cleaner or mix a bit of dish soap with water. Lightly dab (don’t soak!) the stained area with a cloth and cleaner. Avoid spraying too much liquid — mattresses hate moisture.

And this Needs to be more aggressive for urine. Instead of mild dish soap: Use white vinegar + water, or a strong enzyme cleaner specifically made for urine. These break down the uric acid and odor-causing compounds in urine — regular spot cleaners often won’t fully eliminate the smell.

4. Deodorize with Baking Soda

Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda across the mattress surface. Let it sit for 8+ hours (the longer, the better). Baking soda neutralizes odors and pulls out moisture.

💡 Want a fresher scent? Add a few drops of lavender essential oil to the baking soda before sprinkling.

5. Vacuum Again

After the baking soda has done its thing, vacuum it up completely. This gives your mattress a clean and refreshed finish.

6. Air It Out

If you can, let your mattress sit in sunlight near a window or outside for an hour or two. Sunlight naturally kills bacteria and eliminates lingering odors.

7. Protect Your Mattress

Once everything is dry and fresh, cover your mattress with a waterproof, washable mattress protector. It acts like a shield against future spills, stains, and dust mites.

🗓️ How Often Should You Clean Your Mattress?

Ideally, deep-clean your mattress every 6 months, and:

• Vacuum it monthly

• Wash bedding weekly

• Use a protector at all times

😴 Sleep Better, Live Healthier

Now that you know exactly how to clean mattress surfaces properly, make it a part of your cleaning routine. A cleaner bed doesn’t just look and smell better — it actually helps you sleep better and feel better.

So go ahead — give your mattress the spa day it deserves!

🛍️ Mattress Cleaning Must-Haves (Amazon Picks)

Here’s a quick roundup of tools to keep your mattress fresh:

Product	Why It’s Great	Link
Handheld Vacuum	Perfect for mattress edges and dust	View on Amazon
Enzyme Cleaner	Removes stains naturally	View on Amazon
Baking Soda	Neutralizes odors	View on Amazon
Mattress Protector	Keeps it clean long-term	View on Amazon