A good night’s sleep is essential for our overall health and well-being. And a clean mattress plays a vital role in ensuring we get the quality rest we need. Over time, mattresses accumulate dust, sweat, dead skin cells, and even dust mites, which can compromise our sleep environment and potentially trigger allergies or respiratory issues. Therefore, knowing how to properly clean your mattress is crucial for maintaining hygiene and prolonging its lifespan. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the steps to effectively clean your mattress and keep it fresh.
How To Clean a Mattress
Step 1: Gather Your Supplies
Before you begin, gather the necessary cleaning supplies:
- Vacuum cleaner with upholstery attachment
- Baking soda
- Upholstery cleaner or mild detergent
- Spray bottle
- Clean cloths or towels
- Essential oils (optional, for fragrance)
Step 2: Strip the Bedding
Start by removing all bedding, including sheets, pillowcases, and mattress protectors. Launder the bedding according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This step ensures that you’re working with a clean surface.

Step 3: Vacuum the Mattress
Using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner, thoroughly vacuum the entire surface of the mattress. Pay close attention to seams, edges, and crevices where dust and dirt tend to accumulate. Vacuuming helps remove dust, pet hair, and other debris that may be embedded in the fabric.
Step 4: Deodorize with Baking Soda
Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and can help neutralize any odors lingering in your mattress. Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda evenly over the entire surface of the mattress. Gently rub it in with a clean cloth or brush, then let it sit for several hours, preferably overnight. Baking soda absorbs moisture and odors, leaving your mattress smelling fresh.

Step 5: Spot Clean Stains
If your mattress has any stains or spills, spot clean them using a mixture of mild detergent and water. Avoid using harsh chemicals or bleach, as they can damage the fabric and affect your health. Dampen a clean cloth with the detergent solution and gently blot the stained area until the stain lifts. Be careful not to saturate the mattress, as excess moisture can lead to mold or mildew growth.
Step 6: Disinfect with Upholstery Cleaner
For an extra layer of cleanliness, you can use an upholstery cleaner to disinfect the mattress surface. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for application and allow the cleaner to penetrate the fabric. Once applied, use a clean, damp cloth to wipe away any residue.
Step 7: Allow the Mattress to Dry
After cleaning and disinfecting, allow the mattress to air dry completely before putting the bedding back on. You can speed up the drying process by opening windows, using fans, or placing the mattress in a well-ventilated area with good airflow. Ensure the mattress is thoroughly dry to prevent mold or mildew growth.
Step 8: Add a Fresh Scent (Optional)
If you want to add a pleasant fragrance to your mattress, you can sprinkle a few drops of your favorite essential oil onto the surface before vacuuming up the baking soda. Lavender, tea tree, or eucalyptus oil are popular choices for their calming and antibacterial properties.
Step 9: Protect Your Mattress
To maintain a clean and hygienic sleep environment, consider using a mattress protector. A waterproof or hypoallergenic mattress cover can help prevent stains, spills, and dust mites from accumulating on your mattress, prolonging its lifespan and keeping it fresh for longer.

Regularly cleaning and maintaining your mattress is essential for a healthy sleep environment. By following these simple steps, you can effectively clean your mattress, remove stains and odors, and enjoy a restful night’s sleep. Remember to vacuum regularly, spot clean stains promptly, and invest in a quality mattress protector to keep your mattress looking and feeling its best for years to come. Your body and mind will thank you for it!

I hope you have found this information on HOW TO CLEAN A MATTRESS useful. Be sure to subscribe to my blog to stay updated on more cleaning and organizing hints and tips.
Also, you can get the complete digital printable copy of the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series Calendar and Checklists here. The printable digital download is delivered to your email. It includes 25 pages of printable calendar pages and checklists to help you declutter every room in your home. You can sign up here.
Struggling with the daily housekeeping chores? Check out my ebook on this topic, entitled Make Over Your Homemaking. Use this link to get it at a discounted price.
Need to deep clean? I have lists for you to guide you along.
My How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen list can be found here.
My How to Deep Clean Your Bathroom list can be found here.
My How to Deep Clean Your Kids’ Rooms list can be found here.
My How to Deep Clean Your Living Room list can be found here.
My How to Deep Clean Your Bedroom list can be found here.
Also, to keep up the general housework, you may need to create a daily housekeeping schedule that suits your specific needs. To do so, I have created a helpful series you can read here.
Looking for a “Declutter Your Home” checklist? Read more below.
If you are asking: What is the fastest way to clean a dirty house? You need a basic routine to maintain it once it’s clean. Specifically, to keep up the general housework, you need to create a daily housekeeping schedule that suits your specific needs. To do so, I have created a helpful series you can read here.
Complete Home Declutter (tasks you can do in 30 minutes): Follow each room-by-room “declutter your home” checklist below
I have declutter checklists for every room and every space in your home to guide you along below. What is the best way to declutter? Follow my “Declutter Your Home” checklists to get you started.
Need “Declutter Your Home” checklists for each room? Read more below.
Also, you can get the complete digital printable copy of the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series Calendar and Checklists here. The printable digital download is delivered to your email. It includes 25 pages of printable calendar pages and checklists to help you declutter every room in your home. You can sign up here.
How to Declutter the Guest Room or Your Kid’s Room checklist can be found here.

Also, my How to Declutter Your Laundry Room and Patio checklist is found here.
My How to Declutter Your Coat Closet/Hall Closet/Linen Closet checklist can be found here.
Next, you can find my How to Declutter Your Home Office checklist here.

Find my How to Declutter Your Attic checklist by clicking here.
The How to Declutter Your Garage checklist can be found here.
My How to Declutter Your Living Room checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Kitchen Checklist can be found here.

The How to Declutter Your Entry/Foyer/Mudroom checklist can be found here.
My How to Declutter Your Clothing checklist can be found here.
Also, a How to Declutter Your Bedroom checklist can be found here.
How to Declutter Your Bathroom checklist can be found here.

Happy Decluttering!
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New to deemiddleton.com and don’t know where to start? I recommend going in this order:
Step 1: Check out this post on the 1st step you should take to get organized. If you don’t have a calendar, you can grab my free weekly printable calendar page here. It is in my shopify store, but it is totally free, so you won’t be prompted to put in any payment information. It is a free download and will be delivered straight to your email.
Also, you can get the complete digital printable copy of the Year Long Thorough Declutter Series Calendar and Checklists here. The printable digital download is delivered to your email. It includes 25 pages of printable calendar pages and checklists to help you declutter every room in your home. You can sign up here.
Step 2: Create a daily Housekeeping Schedule. You can use this series to start to set up your own schedule. You can also use this simplified weekly schedule.If you often ask: What is the fastest way to clean a dirty house? Or, if you struggle to get organized and have tried and failed time and again, you can likely find out which of these 11 reasons cause you to fail to get organized.
Step 3: How do you remove clutter?.…Sign up for the Declutter Series and get your entire home decluttered in just 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week.”Declutter Your Home” checklists are provided in each email.
Step 4: What is the fastest way to clean a dirty house? Use a timer and use the Deep Cleaning Checklists above. They will help you get your home sparkling after you’ve decluttered.
Interested in becoming a full-time blogger like me? Check out my blogging series. At the top of every page on my blog, you’ll find a drop down menu. Just select the BLOGGING category.
Check out the most popular posts on deemiddleton.com:
14 Things That Make Your Home Look Cluttered
How to Create a Daily Housekeeping Schedule
How to Clean House When You Are Completely Overwhelmed By Clutter
What is Preventing You From Getting Organized?
Also, check out a great post on decluttering over here from becomingminimalist.com. Joshua Becker has some great tips on decluttering and minimalism.
For further reading, check out the fly lady here. She has some great cleaning and kitchen decluttering ideas plus excellent organization tips to get you started.
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The Year Long Thorough Declutter Series is designed to help you declutter every room and every space in your home. It includes a daily task, so you can track your progress. We declutter 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week. It also includes detailed lists to declutter each room and each space within your home. Subscribe below to receive your daily task.
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