How to Clean a Mattress
Mike Stownel
Everybody who has had to buy their mattress quickly and painfully learns how expensive a necessity they are to your everyday well-being. To add, no living space feels complete without the added comfort and overnight support that a mattress brings. Therefore, when disaster strikes and you’ve committed the unforsaken act of spilling on your mattress, just remember to calm down, breathe, and follow the steps shared below.
While not all accidents are reversible, the steps shared in our How to Clean a Mattress Guide go over various in-home techniques that are tried-and-true along with the most common method (and steps) on how to clean a mattress. Additionally, we’ll share how best to protect your bed with the best-rated mattress protectors and address frequently asked questions.
How to clean a mattress
Techniques
- Mattress Stain Remover - Mattress stain removers have their pros and cons. A pro is that their chemically-enhanced cleaning power can power through tuff stains like wine, urine, blood, and sweat. The drawback to mattress stain removers is that the chemical smells may take a while to air out and leave the mattress odor-free.
- Vacuum - Quickly, it is important to stress that vacuuming won’t remove stains from your mattress but relatively larger, dryer particles such as pet dander, hair, food debris, and dirt.
- Airing Out - As rudimentary as it may sound, airing out your mattress in the sun (exposure to UV light eliminates bacteria, mold, and allergens) can naturally clean your mattress. Additionally, airing out mattresses is common in accidents involving urination as the sun’s UV rays not only dry the mattress but help alleviate it of odor.
- Baking Soda - Baking soda is the leading home ingredient used in the steps below and provides an incredibly effective method for removing stains, odors, and liquids. Learn more in the steps shared next.
Pro Tip: To avoid the hazards of mattress stains, consider buying natural latex mattresses as they are impervious to stains, spills, and incredibly durable. The best 100% natural and organic latex hybrid mattress is the Saatva Latex Hybrid Mattress ($899, or only $75/month) with a 15-year warranty and a 180-night home trial.
How to Clean a Mattress at Home
Oh no, an accident has occurred. You’ve spilled your wine, dropped your hot wings, your child peed the bed, the list can go on and on. So let’s get right to it.
- Step 1: We will assume that you already have baking soda, dish soap (or some form of stain remover), a vacuum, laundry detergent, and access to a washing machine that can run cold water. After the incident has just occurred, strip your bed of its fitted and loose sheets, your mattress protectors, and pillowcases and throw them in your washer with cold water. (For general bedding maintenance, washing mattress sheets and bedding tops in warm water will remove dust mites, pet dander, and most allergens).
- Step 2: Use your vacuum’s upholstery attachment to clean up big messes. It is easy to overlook the side and surrounding surfaces, therefore, be thorough. If you own a mattress stain remover, apply the solution to the affected areas or sprinkle the surface with baking soda and let rest for several hours.
- Step 3: Direct the sun’s UV rays over the mattress stain to eliminate bacteria, dry out spills, and prevent odors from finding permanent residence in your mattress. Additionally, air-drying your bed in the sun will prevent mold from forming from leftover over bacterial-debris. Once dry, use your vacuum once more.
- Step 4: Repeat steps one through three until the mattress stain is removed.
Importance of Mattress Protectors
Mattress protectors can prevent you from going through these unforeseeable moments of panic. Not only do you safeguard your mattress against spills and liquids, but you also prolong the lifespan of your mattress by protecting it against dust mites, pet dander, bacteria, and mold. Our following Mattress Protector Guide highlights the industries best mattress protectors, but for a simplified version, here are the top 3 mattress protectors online:
1. Puffy Mattress Protector ($85-115)
Price Range: $795 to $1,995. Offer: $300 OFF + 2 FREE PILLOWS
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Trial period: 101-nights |
Warranty: as long as you own the mattress |
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Financing : 0% APR, Klarna |
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King |
The Puffy Mattress Protector is one of the few fully-enclosed industry-defining mattress protectors. It has hundreds of 5-star reviews, provides dust mite, waterproof, and every-surface mattress protection, and safeguards mattresses of any size. Additionally, this protector comes with Cooling Bamboo Rayon fabric, which facilitates enhanced airflow and improved breathability to help hot sleepers stay cool. Machine washable, naturally hypoallergenic, and backed with a lifetime warranty - try the Puffy Mattress Protector risk-free for 101-nights.
Lifetime Warranty, Free Return. Up To $300 Off. Try It Now
2. Nectar Mattress Protector ($99)
Price Range: $499 to $1,799. Offer: $399 Of Accessories Included With Every Mattress
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Trial period: 365-nights |
Warranty: as long as you own the mattress |
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Financing : 0% APR, Affirm, Splitit |
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King |
The Nectar Mattress Protector provides a near-invisible, silky-soft waterproof barrier around mattresses as thick as 22”. Their protectors are allergen resistant, super stretchy, and have 5-year warranties and a 100% money-back guarantee. It’s soft, quilted top layer provides noiseless protection and enhances the comfort of your mattress. Try risk-free for 50-nights with free shipping and returns or finance for only $17/month.
Free Shipping & Returns, Financing Available. Try It Risk-Free For A Full Year
3. Casper Mattress Protector ($77-$95)
Price Range: $595 to $2,995. Offer: Save up to $940 on select mattress
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Trial period: 100-nights |
Warranty: 10 years |
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Financing : 0% APR, Affirm |
Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, California King |
This five-sided protector is stain and water-resistant, has a low profile, and doesn’t change how your mattress feels or its comfort level. This protector is made from polyester, nylon, and spandex skirting and fits mattresses up to 16” tall. You can try risk-free for 30-nights with free shipping and returns and benefit from a 1-year limited warranty.
The Bottom Line
Removing stains from your mattress comes down to a combination of the severity of the incident, the type of mattress your own and its current level of protection (mattress protector), and the supplies you have on hand to resolve the issue. If you don’t have access to a stain remover, search your home for baking soda or Dawn dish soap (enzyme-cleaner) and apply it to affected areas.
After your stain has been removed, protect your mattress with a mattress protector. The mattress protectors shared above have warranties, free trials, outstanding reviews, safeguard your mattresses from numerous elements, and don’t affect the style or comfort of your bed. To get the most bang for your buck, use our links as they save you up to 20% OFF.
FAQ
- How do you clean and sanitize a mattress?
- What causes yellow stains on a mattress?
- Yellow stains are precursors of mold and can result from oil, sweat, and urination.
- How do you clean pee out of a mattress?
- Remove all bedding sheets, pillowcases, and mattress protectors and throw them in the washer with cold water and laundry detergent. Spray the affected area with a vinegar-based solution (half cup of vinegar, 1 cup of water) and allow the solution to soak for 60 to 120 minutes. Next, cover the area with baking soda and let dry—vacuum and repeat steps until stain lifts. Finalize by air drying your mattress in the sunlight.
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Written by: Mike Stownel
Senior Sleep Health and Mattress Technology Expert
Mike Stownel is a seasoned sleep health and mattress technology expert with over a decade of rich experience. He previously served as a Sleep Wellness Advisor for numerous boutique mattress manufacturers, where he played a crucial role in product development and customer education. Mike also worked as a Consultant for several start-up sleep tech companies, contributing to innovative sleep solution strategies.
His deep understanding of mattress technology and sleep science, combined with practical industry experience, positions him as a trusted authority. Mike`s insights, rooted in both science and market trends, offer invaluable guidance for achieving optimal sleep health.