How to clean a mattress - 4 quick tips to keep your sanitize your sleep

Mattress being cleaned with a vacuum cleaner
(Image credit: Getty)

Knowing how to clean a mattress is essential for a number of reasons. A dirty mattress can develop foul odors and can be bad for your skin or even make you sick. This simple mattress cleaning hack will eliminate bacteria and will help to reduce the amount of dust mites present in your mattress. 

If you are prone to allergies then you will want to clean your mattress frequently to stop any itching or sneezing that may be keeping you awake at night. Things like sweat and dust can cause nasty yellow stains on your mattress, so keeping on top of the cleaning process is essential if you want to keep your mattress in good shape.

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How often should you clean your mattress?

You should aim to clean your mattress at least every six months. Leaving it any longer can make it a much tougher job and can lead to nasty yellow stains and foul odors. If you have allergies or are sensitive to dust then you should aim to clean your mattress more frequently. Dust can be prevented by simply vacuuming your mattress, but more serious allergens such as dust mites will need a bit of extra attention - people with allergies or sensitive skin should aim to clean the mattress every two to three months. 

How to clean a mattress

What the expert says...

Tobin James, sleep ergonomics expert at TEMPUR® says "In addition to bodily fluids and dead skin cells, on average, a mattress houses between 100,000 and 10 million dust mites – microscopic creatures that cause skin rashes, irritation and can potentially worsen allergy symptoms. It’s therefore vital to ensure you’re cleaning your mattress every six months."

Cleaning a mattress is a relatively quick and easy process. You will only need some baking soda and a vacuum cleaner. The following steps will help to remove dust, dead skin cells and dust mites to reduce allergies and odors. 

1. Remove any sheets or mattress toppers

Make sure that you remove and wash any sheets or mattress toppers so that you can clean the mattress directly.

2. Shake some baking soda over the surface of your mattress

Shake a thin layer of baking soda over the top of your mattress. This will help to neutralize any odors, and it even has antibacterial properties. 

3. Leave the baking soda for 20 minutes

To give the baking soda a chance to work its magic leave it for 20 minutes.

4. Vacuum up the baking soda

Use your vacuum cleaner with a carpet cleaning attachment to vacuum up the baking soda. This may trigger allergies so be sure to wear a mask if you are particularly sensitive. 

Why is it important to clean your mattress?

A dirty mattress can be bad for your skin and your quality of sleep. Things like dust mites and bodily fluids can cause dirt to build up on your mattress which can trigger allergies and give you spots. Keeping your mattress clean is important and is easy to do, and following the above steps will give you good quality sleep and healthier skin.

A dirty mattress can also start to develop foul odors that can disturb sleep or make your bedroom smell. Frequently cleaning it will eliminate this problem and will aid sleep. 

How to keep a mattress clean

There are a few things that you can do to keep your mattress cleaner for longer. Using a mattress topper is a great way to reduce the amount of dead skin or sweat that comes into contact with your mattress. Mattress toppers are easy to clean and can help to reduce any odors from building up. 

Keeping your sheets clean is another important way to prevent your mattress from getting dirty. Changing your bedding weekly will greatly reduce the amount of dirt that accumulates on your Mattress. If your mattress is flippable, then you should flip it every so often to prevent dirt from building up all on one side. 

Memory foam mattresses, such as Tempar mattresses can be cleaned using a damp (not wet) sponge or cloth. This will help to reduce any surface dirt before it penetrates the mattress. 

Monib Zahdeh
TTR Staff Writer

Monib is a former staff writer for Top Ten Reviews. He has a degree in journalism and over four years of experience in the home and garden industry as a Digital Content Specialist for the made-to-measure marketplace Britannia Rose. When he is not reading or writing, Monib enjoys cooking, going on walks, and visiting different historical sites.  

With contributions from