Quick note: This is a general care guide. Always check your mattress’s care label and warranty first. Some brands void the warranty if a mattress gets soaked or stained. Some links on our site are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
You wash your sheets (hopefully) every week or two. But the mattress underneath? For most of us, it gets cleaned about as often as the inside of the car. And it’s quietly collecting sweat, skin flakes, dust, the occasional spilled coffee, and, if you have kids or pets, things we don’t need to describe.
The good news: learning how to clean a mattress is easy, cheap, and takes one lazy Saturday morning. You probably already have everything you need. Here’s the full routine, plus quick fixes for the stains people actually Google, like pee, sweat, and blood.
What you’ll need
How to clean a mattress in 7 steps
- Strip the bed and wash everything. Sheets, pillowcases, the mattress protector, and the duvet cover go in the wash on the hottest setting the care label allows.
- Vacuum the whole mattress. Use the upholstery tool and go slow. Hit the top, the sides, and especially the seams and tufts, where dust and crumbs hide.
- Spot clean any stains. See the stain guide below. Blot, never scrub, and never pour liquid straight onto the mattress.
- Deodorize with baking soda. Sift a thin, even layer over the whole surface. A kitchen sieve works great.
- Let it sit. Leave it at least a few hours. Overnight is even better if you can crash on the couch or in the guest room.
- Vacuum again. Pick up every bit of baking soda.
- Air it out, then protect it. Open the windows, let it dry fully, and put on a clean mattress protector before you make the bed.
That’s it. That’s the whole “deep clean.” No fancy machine needed.
How to spot clean a mattress (by stain)
How to clean pee from a mattress
Potty-training toddler, a senior dog, a cat with opinions about your new bed. It happens. The key is speed and an enzyme cleaner, which breaks down the stuff that causes the smell.
- Blot up as much as you can with dry towels. Press, don’t rub.
- Spray an enzyme cleaner lightly over the spot, a little wider than the stain. Follow the product directions for wait time.
- Blot again with a clean, damp cloth.
- Cover with baking soda once it’s just damp, and let it dry completely. That can take several hours or overnight.
- Vacuum the baking soda.
For an older, dried urine stain, you may need to repeat the enzyme step two or three times. If you’re cleaning dog pee or cat urine from a mattress, use a pet-specific enzyme cleaner. Pets can still smell what you can’t, and they may come back to the same spot.
Sweat stains (those yellow patches)
Hot sleepers, this one’s for you. Mix a little mild dish soap into cold water. Dab it on with a cloth, then blot with a clean damp cloth. For stubborn yellowing on a light-colored cover, a light mist of 3% hydrogen peroxide can help. Test it first, because it can lighten some fabrics. Then let it dry fully.
Blood
Always use cold water. Hot water can set the stain. Blot with cold water, then dab on a little hydrogen peroxide (on light fabrics) or an enzyme cleaner, and blot again until it lifts.
Coffee, wine, and mystery stains
Blot right away. Then use a small amount of dish soap and water or an upholstery cleaner, and blot until the stain stops transferring to your cloth.
How to clean a memory foam mattress
Memory foam is the drama queen of mattresses. It soaks up liquid like a sponge and takes forever to dry. So:
- Use the least amount of liquid possible. Mist your cleaner onto a cloth, not straight onto the foam.
- Skip steam and heavy scrubbing, which can damage the foam.
- Give it plenty of drying time, with a fan or an open window, before you put sheets back on.
The same rules apply when you clean a foam mattress topper. Many toppers have removable, washable covers. Check the tag, wash the cover, and spot clean the foam itself.
Can you steam clean a mattress?
Sometimes. A handheld steam cleaner can freshen up the surface of an innerspring or hybrid mattress. But check your warranty and care label first, and skip steam on memory foam and latex. If you do steam clean a mattress, keep the steamer moving, don’t soak any one spot, and let the mattress dry completely before you make the bed.
How to clean a mattress topper
Check the care tag first. Many fiberfill and down-alternative toppers can go in a large-capacity washer, or a laundromat machine. Memory foam and latex toppers can’t. For those, vacuum, spot clean, and air them out. A topper is usually much cheaper to replace than a mattress, so a waterproof protector over it is a smart move. Looking for a new one? Here’s our mattress topper guide for California sleepers.
The California bonus: let the sun help
If you’ve got a sunny SoCal patio or balcony, use it. A few hours of dry sunshine on a clean, dry day can help freshen up a mattress topper or the mattress itself, and it helps damp spots dry faster. Just bring it in before evening. In the Bay Area or along the coast, the fog and marine layer can roll in and add moisture right back. On those days, a fan and an open window indoors work better.
How often should you clean your mattress?
- Every 1 to 2 weeks: wash sheets and pillowcases.
- Every 1 to 2 months: wash the mattress protector.
- Every 3 to 6 months: vacuum and deodorize the mattress, and rotate it if the brand recommends it.
- Right away: spot clean any spill or accident.
Many people find that regular vacuuming and washing bedding may help cut down on dust buildup. If you have allergies, ask your doctor what’s right for you.
The best “cleaning” tip: a mattress protector
Honestly, the easiest way to keep a mattress clean is to stop it from getting dirty. A waterproof, breathable mattress protector stops sweat, spills, and accidents before they reach the mattress. Many brands also expect one to keep your warranty valid. If you sleep hot, look for one labeled breathable so it doesn’t feel like sleeping on a plastic bag.
When cleaning isn’t enough
If your mattress has sagging, lumps, a smell that keeps coming back, or you wake up sore more often than not, it might be time for a new one. That’s especially true if it’s been around 7 to 10 years. Start with our California mattress buying guide, or grab a deal with our Black Friday guide.
FAQ
How do you clean a mattress with baking soda?
Vacuum first, then sift a thin layer of baking soda over the whole surface. Let it sit for several hours, or overnight, then vacuum it up. It’s great for odors, but it won’t remove stains on its own.
How do you deep clean a mattress?
Wash all bedding, vacuum thoroughly, spot clean stains with the right cleaner, deodorize with baking soda, vacuum again, and let it air out completely.
How do you clean and disinfect a mattress?
Clean first, because disinfectants don’t work well on dirty surfaces. Then use a fabric-safe disinfecting spray that says it’s safe for mattresses or upholstery. Mist it lightly, follow the label, and let it dry fully. Avoid bleach.
What’s the best way to get pee out of a mattress?
Blot it, treat it with an enzyme cleaner, blot again, cover it with baking soda once it’s only damp, and vacuum when it’s dry. Repeat for older stains.
Can I flip my mattress?
Only if it’s double-sided. Most modern foam and hybrid mattresses are one-sided, so rotate them head to foot instead.
Last updated October 2026. This guide is for general information. Follow your mattress manufacturer’s care instructions. Read our editorial policy.
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