How to Clean a Mattress in 5 Easy Steps (Plus Disinfection Tips)

Your vacuum cleaner's upholstery attachment is great for cleaning your mattress. jopstock/Getty Images

Most of us spend about a third of our lives in bed. But if you were to think about all the germs, bacteria and little critters that make themselves at home beneath your sheets, chances are you wouldn't get much sleep.

Even though you may change and wash your sheets faithfully every week, you still need to know how to clean a mattress as it requires cleaning every six months or so. This is due to dust mites, body oils, sweat and dead skin that make their way through your sheets to the mattress.

With a little effort, you can clean and disinfect the surface of your mattress. (The insides are a different story, unless you happen to have access to an industrial-style steam cleaner and a sterile containment unit.)

How to Clean a Mattress in 5 Simple Steps

First thing's first: Always refer to the manufacturer's cleaning instructions for your specific mattress type.

That said, here are some basic steps:

If your mattress-cleaning spree has been inspired by a fresh spill, pet accident or bedwetting event, use clean towels to soak up as much liquid as possible.
If possible, some recommend cleaning your mattress outside on a warm, sunny, not-too-humid day. The sunlight will help your mattress dry as you clean it, and it acts as a natural disinfectant, helping you kill bacteria with a good dose of UV rays. (If it's too difficult to get your mattress outside, the next best option is to clear some space in your room and lean your mattress against the wall in front of an open window.)
Start by removing as much dust as possible (and maybe a few dust mites, if you're lucky) by going over the entire surface of the mattress with your vacuum cleaner's upholstery attachment and crevice tool.
An easy way to remove stains from a mattress is with a carpet and upholstery cleaner formulated to remove pet stains. Lightly spray the cleaning formula onto your mattress and dab the stain working from the outside edge inward. This should keep the stain from spreading.
When the stain lifts, all you need to do is sponge the area with a damp cloth and then blot the area with a dry cloth.

If you only have light mattress stains, consider using dish soap diluted with warm water. Aim for a ratio of 1 teaspoon of dish soap per cup of water, and focus on the stains.

How to Disinfect a Mattress

Once you've removed the dust and stains, there are a few different methods you can use to disinfect your mattress.

Run a garment steamer or other handheld steam cleaner across the surface to kill germs and dust mites.
Sprinkle baking soda to help freshen the upholstery and remove mild odors. Let it sit a few minutes, then vacuum.
To kill more bacteria, use a disinfectant solution or other cleaning solution. (Turns out vodka is an effective disinfectant!)
Use an antibacterial spray. Hydrogen peroxide is also a natural disinfectant that can help remove organic stains like blood, sweat and urine.
Bleach is great at killing germs, but it's too harsh for the fabric covering on most mattresses. So if you use bleach, dilute it with warm water according to the directions on the label.

Whatever solution you choose, use a clean rag that's been dipped in warm water and — this part is key — wring the rag out thoroughly so that it's just barely damp.

The goal is to clean the surface of the mattress without letting it get saturated with moisture, which can lead to mold or mildew.

How to Dry a Mattress

Be sure to schedule your cleaning earlier in the day to give your mattress plenty of time to dry if you want to sleep on your mattress that night. A few hours of drying time on each side is best, but here are some ways to speed up the process:

Use towels to absorb the wet areas.
Baking soda, in addition to deodorizing, also helps absorb moisture. But be sure to vacuum it thoroughly.
Open more windows to increase airflow into the room.
Position any fans directly at the wet areas of the mattress. You can also use hair dryers on the cool setting — but avoid using high heat.
Propping the mattress up against a wall improves air circulation, and it's even better if you place it in direct sunlight.
Run a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air.

More Advice About Cleaning Mattresses

If you have a memory foam mattress, keep in mind that memory foam absorbs moisture quicker, which can not only lead to mold and mildew, but also damage the memory foam structure. It's better to stick to milder, nontoxic cleaning options, or look for products designed specifically for memory foam.

When you're done cleaning your mattress, consider covering it with a freshly cleaned mattress pad, water-proof mattress cover or mattress protector to keep it clean for longer.

If all this fails (and you learn that your mattress requires an especially deep clean), consider looking into specialized mattress vacuums or professional cleaning.

Lots More Information

Sources

CBS New York. "How to Clean a Soiled Mattress." CBSLocal.com Feb. 22, 2012. (July 5, 2012) http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/02/22/how-to-clean-a-soiled-mattress/
HowToCleanStuff.net. "How to Wash a Mattress." (July 5, 2012) http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-wash-a-mattress/
McDonough, L. S. "How to Deep Clean Your Mattress Quickly and Easily." Good Housekeeping. May 12, 2021. (April 12, 2022) https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/tips/a18944/cleaning-mattress/
Nolah Mattress. "How to Clean and Disinfect Your Mattress [Ultimate Guide 2022]." Dec. 29, 2021 (April 28, 2022) https://www.nolahmattress.com/blogs/blog/how-to-disinfect-a-mattress
Sperber, Kelly. "How to Clean a Mattress?" TheHousingForum.com. (July 9, 2012) http://thehousingforum.com/how-to-clean-a-mattress/