How to Clean a Mattress In 8 Simple Steps
Let’s be honest — when was the last time you cleaned your mattress? If you can’t remember, don’t worry; you’re not alone. Some people keep up with mattress care regularly (if that’s you, kudos!), but if you’re overwhelmed and unsure where to start, we’ve got you covered.
In this article, we’ll walk you through how to clean a mattress in eight simple steps and explain how Beddy’s can make the job easier.
1. Gather Your Mattress Cleaning Supplies
You’ll need a few household cleaning supplies to freshen up your mattress. For this, you should round up:
- A vacuum cleaner with a hose attachment or a cordless handheld vacuum
- Baking soda
- Mild dish soap or laundry detergent
- A small bucket of cold water
- White vinegar
- Hydrogen peroxide (3% solution)
- Clean towels
- A spray bottle
2. Strip the Bed and Wash All the Bedding
Remove your sheets, pillowcases, blankets, and comforter from your mattress and throw them in the wash. Before starting the load, check the manufacturer's label on your sheets, pillowcases, comforter, and blankets for specific instructions on how to clean your bedding. If you own Beddy’s zipper bedding, follow these simple tips for success.
3. Vacuum the Mattress
Dust and debris can often sneak into the crevices of your mattress. Use a cordless handheld vacuum cleaner or the upholstery attachment from a traditional vacuum to clean the entire surface of your mattress from top to bottom.
4. Spot-Clean Your Mattress to Remove Stains
While you may try your best to keep your mattress stain-free, accidents can happen, especially if you live with kids or pets. That’s why spot-cleaning is essential for keeping your mattress clean and in good shape. In this section, we’ll share how to spot-clean certain stains from your mattress.
How to Remove Blood and Other Dark Stains
Bug bites, surgical incisions, injuries, unexpected nosebleeds, and menstrual bleeding can often leave a blood stain on your mattress. When this happens, it’s important to act quickly. Here are a few tips on how to get blood out of a mattress:
- Blot the Stain: Use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot the blood stain. If the blood is fresh, gently blot the stain with cold water and soak up as much of it as possible.
- Apply Baking Soda Paste for Fresh or Dried Stains: Mix 2 tbsp of baking soda for every 1 tbsp of water until the paste is thick enough to spread on the stain. Apply the mixture to the spot and leave it for 30 to 60 minutes, then blot away with a damp cloth.
- Use Hydrogen Peroxide for Stubborn Stains: First, test a small, hidden area for discoloration. If safe, apply 3% hydrogen peroxide to the stain, let it sit for 5-10 minutes, and blot with a clean rag.
How to Remove Urine From a Mattress
If your child accidentally wets the bed, don’t worry! Here are a few tips on how to get pee out of a mattress:
-
Blot the Area: Use a clean cloth or paper towel to blot up the excess urine.
-
Sprinkle Baking Soda: Cover the affected area with baking soda, let it sit for 15 minutes, then vacuum it up.
-
Apply a Vinegar Solution: Mix a cup of white vinegar with a cup of water and spray the solution on the area. Leave it for 15 minutes, then blot with a clean cloth.
-
Air Dry: Let the mattress air dry with the help of an open window or fan if available.
5. Scatter Baking Soda Over the Entire Mattress
Sprinkle baking soda evenly over the surface of your mattress to say goodbye to those unwanted odors. Leave the baking soda on for a few hours to absorb odor and moisture for best results.
6. Vacuum Again and Air Out
After the baking soda has had enough time to work its magic, the next step is to vacuum it up thoroughly and allow the mattress to air out.
7. Protect Your Mattress
A mattress protector acts as a shield from spills, stains, dust, and other wear and tear. If you don’t have a protector yet but intend to get one, here are a few things to remember.
What to Look for in a Mattress Protector
Choose a mattress protector made of waterproof material, such as vinyl or TPU, to protect your mattress from spills, accidents, and moisture. Consider a mattress protector with allergen protection to prevent pet dander and dust mites.
How to Clean and Care for a Mattress Protector
Check the manufacturer's label for specific cleaning instructions for your mattress protector. If it’s machine washable, you can put it in your machine with mild detergent and wash it with cold water on a gentle cycle. Then, let it air dry to prevent heat damage from the dryer.
How Often to Wash a Mattress Protector
Wash your mattress protector every one to three months to keep your mattress fresh. If you have allergies or pets, wash it more often, especially if you find a spill or stain.
8. Keep Out Dust With Beddy’s Zipper Bedding
Nobody likes sharing the bed with dust mites. Beddy’s zipper bedding has L-shaped zippers on each side to keep everything in place and make it harder for unwanted dust and allergens to accumulate in your bed. Plus, they’re easy to remove and wash — just be sure to wash the two pieces separately.
How to Put Beddy’s Back on Your Bed
To place your Beddy’s back on your bed after washing, spread the fitted sheet over your mattress. Then, lay out the blanket portion to line up with the top of your mattress and zip everything up. After everything is lined up, simply smooth out the edges, and you’re good to go!
How Often to Clean Your Mattress
Now that you know the basics of how to clean a mattress, you might be wondering: how often should you clean your mattress? As a general rule of thumb, you should deep clean your mattress once every six to 12 months. Of course, you’ll want to clean your mattress more often if there's a spill or an accident, and vacuum your mattress every one to two months to keep your mattress fresh between cleanings.
Looking for a Shortcut? Try Beddy’s ZipClean Mattress
Beddy’s ZipClean Mattress is the mattress care shortcut you wish you’d discovered sooner. It features a waterproof underside to protect the inner layers and a removable top that you can quickly zip off and toss in the wash.
How to Clean Our Washable Zipper Mattress
Washing our zipper mattress is simple! Remove the bedding, unzip the top layer of the mattress, and throw everything in the wash. You don’t have to worry about washing the top layer as often as your sheets.
Ready to enjoy the ease and convenience of Beddy’s ZipClean Mattress? Shop now!
