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Although there are many ways you can spruce up your home, nothing uplifts the mood like some deep cleaning. While dusting and mopping everything is step one, it is equally important to know how to clean your mattress.

Yes, mattresses are quite ignored when it comes to cleaning and we're here to change just that. Read this guide to know how to clean a memory foam mattress and increase its lifespan.

How to Clean a Mattress in Easy Steps

You will need the following equipment and readily available household cleaners:

Equipment

Vacuum cleaner (with attachments)
A set of cleaning rags
A spray bottle
A bowl
Spoons and cups for measuring

Materials

Dishwashing liquid
Ice cold water
Hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 3%
Soda (baking)
Table salt – (to remove blood stains on mattresses)
White powdered laundry detergent – (for wine or vomit stains)

Steps & Instructions

While everyone has a personal method, let's understand how to properly clean a mattress.

Step 1: Take off all bedding from the bed.

Before you begin cleaning your mattress, remove all sheets and blankets from your bed. Make sure to include your pillows and fabric mattress toppers in your laundry list as well.

Step 2: Deodorize Your Mattress

Baking soda works well as a natural deodorizer. To help it bind with surface moisture and kill odor, sprinkle a generous coating on your mattress and gently rub it in with your hand.

Step 3: Vacuum It

You'll need to vacuum your mattress after you've deodorized it. If you have one, use the upholstery attachment for this. Avoid using a rolling brush attachment because it can catch or damage the mattress surface.

Step 4: Spot Clean Those Mattress Stains

You need to be vigilant when learning how to deep clean a mattress. If you need to clean certain spots, do not pour water or detergent on them as mattresses develop mold if left damp.

Make sure to tackle one kind of stain before you move on to the next. Before dealing with blood stains or rusty brown areas, remove all yellowed pee stains from your mattress. Read below the steps to remove each kind of stain.

Step 5: Flip it over and do it again

You may want to turn your mattress and clean the underside until the top is clean and dry. If one side of your mattress has a pillow-top and the other doesn't, the flat side won't need stain care.

Step 6: Ensure Your Mattress Is Protected

Once you are done, make sure to protect your mattress with a mattress cover and a fitted sheet. You may never have to deep clean your mattress or remove stains if you wash your mattress cover once a month.

How to Clean Mattress Stains

How to Clean Sweat Stains

Those off-white and slightly yellow stains on your mattress could be sweat. The oils on your skin, not just the salt and moisture from your body, cause those stains. Spray some hydrogen peroxide and let it air dry. Vacuum the surface of the bed with an upholstery brush attachment or a handheld vacuum cleaner to remove those stains completely.

How to Clean Urine Stains

If you have to clean urine stains from the mattress, you will need hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, vinegar, and rags. Blot the excess liquid, add baking soda and liquid detergent in a bowl, and dab this mixture on the spot with a rag. You can also neutralize the odor with a vinegar solution.

For old stains, using a hydrogen peroxide solution is advisable. Remember to dry out the area with or with another rag.

For detailed instructions on removing urine stains, read our blog- how to clean pee out of the mattress.

How to Clean Blood Stains

Anyone who has removed stains from clothes or surfaces knows that blood is a tough stain to remove. If you have blood spots on your mattress, here what you can do:

Make a paste with baking soda and cold water.
Apply it to the stain.
Leave it for 30 minutes.
Remove the paste with a damp cloth.

Alternatively, you can make a paste with baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. That can also work wonders in removing blood stains from your mattress.

For more ways to clean blood from a mattress, visit our blog- how to clean blood from a mattress.

Household Cleaners To Clean Your Memory Foam Mattress

1. Baking Soda and Vinegar

One of the best ways to clean a smelly mattress is to use baking soda. It helps eliminate odor and makes the mattress smell fresh. Sprinkle the powder all over the mattress, gently rub it in and vacuum it after 10 minutes of resting.

You can also use a water and vinegar solution to eliminate any odor. Remember to air dry and dab off any excess liquid.

2. Salt, Hydrogen Peroxide and Cornstarch

Often in the process of knowing how to clean a wet mattress, we forget that a magic stain removal potion made from table salt and hydrogen peroxide can be used.

Apply the paste to the entire stain area.
Scrape out the dried paste.
Saturate the stained area with cold water and blot it dry.
Remove the salt with a scraper once it has dried.

3. Meat Tenderizer

Wondering how else to spot clean a mattress? A meat tenderizer may be a surprise household item that you may not have thought of.

Combine meat tenderizer and water and rub it into your mattress. Allow it to sit for an hour before removing it with a cool water-soaked cloth.

4. Essential oils and Baking Soda Mix

It can be an effective way to do away with the smells in your mattress. You can apply a mix of essential oils and baking soda to your mattress to leave it smelling like your favorite essential oil.

Tips to Keep Your Mattress Clean

Following are some proven tips to keep your mattress clean.

Wash your bed linen regularly

Replace your sheets every two weeks at the very least. If you don't, the microscopic life that lives on your sheets could make you sick.

Clean spills right away

Many of us enjoy binge-watching our favorite shows. Accidental spills will occur, and it is recommended that you clean the spill as soon as possible to avoid unpleasant odors or permanent stains.

Protect your mattress with a mattress protector

Mattress protectors are machine washable waterproof covers that fit over your mattress like a fitted sheet. They help protect your mattress from stains and spills and increase its lifespan.

Flip and rotate your mattress regularly

At least once every three months, you should flip or rotate your mattress. This extends the life of the mattress and keeps it clean.

Conclusion

Cleaning a mattress with common household items like white vinegar, baking soda, and dishwashing soap is possible. We hope this guide helped you understand how to clean a dirty mattress and achieve that fresh feeling in the morning.

FAQs

What can you spray on a mattress to disinfect it?

In a spray bottle, blend half a cup of white vinegar and one cup of water. Mist the mattress with a light mist (take care not to soak). Allow it to rest for 30 minutes, gently dab the mattress using clean, dry paper towels.

How often should you clean your mattress?

Cleaning your mattress twice a year is a good idea. However, if it gets dirty, you can clean it more frequently.

Should I steam clean my mattress?

Yes, steam cleaning your mattress is an option. It will remove dust mites, bed bugs, and other allergens.

Can I use carpet cleaner on the mattress?

No, carpet cleaning solutions are much stronger and can damage your mattress, especially if they are made of soft foam or feathers.

How to clean a mattress stain without a vacuum cleaner?

You can do that by using baking soda. Leave the baking soda on the bed until your bedding is finished washing and drying. Vacuum the baking soda off the mattress.

How to clean dog pee out of a mattress?

Mix hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap. Gently shake it, you'll end up with a bubbling mix to clean up on top of a pee-stained mattress. Dab the wet area with dry rags or paper towels to drain excess liquid and let the mattress air dry to get rid of urine odor.

Does baking soda kill bacteria on the mattress?

Yes, you can easily deodorize and clean your mattresses using baking soda. It helps kill bacteria by disinfecting the mattress leaving it spic and span.

How much does it cost to deep clean a mattress?

Mattress washing costs anywhere from $50 to $150 on average, while the average is $100.

How to clean a pillow top mattress?

Firstly, remove any dust and debris from the mattress with the vacuum cleaner. Sprinkle baking soda all over the mattress to get rid of odors and allow for 20-60 minutes of resting time before vacuuming excess powder off.

How to clean a mattress pad?

In a spray bottle, combine equal parts chilled water and distilled white vinegar. Spray it on the affected area. Using a dry cloth, gently wipe off any excess moisture.