Short answer
Strip the bed and wash the bedding in hot water if the labels allow. Vacuum the whole mattress with the upholstery tool, seams included. Mist stains lightly with cool water and a drop of dish soap, or an enzyme cleaner for urine and sweat, then blot: never rub or soak. Sprinkle baking soda over the top, leave it several hours, vacuum it up and let the mattress air out.
How to clean a mattress, step by step
1Stains and a stale smell
Sweat, body oils, spills and accidents soak into the top layers. Over time they leave yellow marks and a sour smell.
Read all the steps
- Stains and a stale smell. Sweat, body oils, spills and accidents soak into the top layers. Over time they leave yellow marks and a sour smell.
- Strip it and vacuum every seam. Wash the sheets and mattress pad in hot water if the labels allow. Vacuum the top and sides with the upholstery tool, slowly along the seams.
- Mist the stains and blot them. Cool water with a drop of dish soap, or an enzyme cleaner for urine and sweat. Spray lightly and blot with a clean cloth. Never rub, never soak.
- Baking soda over the whole top. Sift a thin, even layer over the mattress and leave it at least a few hours, overnight if you can. It soaks up moisture and odors.
- Vacuum it up and let it air out. Vacuum up every bit of baking soda. Open a window or run a fan until the mattress is completely dry, then make the bed with a protector.
- Still not fixed? Call a house cleaner Especially if: the stain or smell comes back once it dries, a sign it soaked deep into the foam.
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What not to do
- Do not pour water on the mattress or soak it: water trapped in the foam can grow mold.
- Do not use hot water on blood or urine. Heat sets those stains, so use cool water.
- Do not use bleach on the cover. On white fabric, 3 percent hydrogen peroxide can lift old stains, but test a hidden spot first.
- Do not make the bed until the mattress is completely dry.
A fresh urine accident
Act fast. Pull off the bedding and press dry towels on the spot to soak up as much as you can. Spray an enzyme cleaner made for urine and let it work as the label says. Blot again, let it dry, then cover the spot with baking soda and vacuum it the next day.
Check the tag first
The care label tells you what the cover is made of and whether it zips off for washing. Memory foam should get as little water as possible. Stains can also void some mattress warranties, one more reason to use a waterproof protector.
When to call a house cleaner
- The stain or smell comes back once it dries, a sign it soaked deep into the foam.
- You see dark spots of mold, or the mattress got soaked after a water leak.
- You find signs of bed bugs along the seams: call a pest control company, not a cleaner.
- You want several mattresses or upholstered furniture deep cleaned at once.
Frequently asked questions
How do you deep clean a mattress?
Strip it, vacuum it with the upholstery tool and blot stains with a light mist of cleaner. Then cover it with baking soda for several hours and vacuum again. Let it dry fully before making the bed.
How do I get urine out of a mattress?
Blot up as much as you can right away, then spray an enzyme cleaner made for urine and let it work. Once it is dry, cover the spot with baking soda and vacuum it later.
Does baking soda really deodorize a mattress?
Yes, it absorbs moisture and odors from the top layers. Use a thin, even layer, leave it at least a few hours or overnight, and vacuum it all up.
How do I get yellow sweat stains out of a mattress?
Blot them with cool water and a drop of dish soap, or an enzyme cleaner. On a white cover, 3 percent hydrogen peroxide can lift old stains, but test a hidden spot first.
How long does a mattress take to dry after cleaning?
A lightly misted spot dries in a few hours with a fan or an open window. Do not put the sheets back until it feels completely dry.
How often should I clean my mattress?
Vacuum it every few months and clean spills right away. A waterproof protector that you wash with the sheets does most of the work.