Your mattress collects more than you would like to think: sweat, skin cells, dust and the occasional spill. The good news is that a proper clean needs nothing more exotic than a vacuum cleaner, mild detergent and a box of baking soda.
Quick answer: Strip the bed, vacuum the whole mattress surface and seams, spot-clean any stains with a little mild detergent solution (blot, never soak), then sprinkle baking soda over the surface and leave it for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming it off. Let the mattress air fully before remaking the bed, and fit a washable protector so you rarely have to deep clean again.
What you will need
- A vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment
- Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
- Mild washing-up liquid or gentle laundry detergent
- Clean cloths or towels, and cold water
- A few hours with the bed stripped, ideally on a dry day with the window open
How to clean a mattress step by step
1. Strip and wash your bedding
Take everything off: sheets, pillowcases, protector and duvet cover. Wash bedding at 60 degrees where the label allows, which also kills dust mites. Our guides to washing pillows and dealing with dust mites cover the rest of the bed.
2. Vacuum the whole surface
Go over the top, sides and seams slowly with the upholstery attachment. The seams and border are where dust and skin cells gather most, so take your time there. Vacuum the bed base too while everything is stripped.
3. Spot-clean stains
Mix a small amount of mild detergent with water, dampen a cloth and blot the stain from the outside in. Never pour liquid onto a mattress and never scrub: moisture that soaks into the comfort layers is very hard to get out again, and on a memory foam or hybrid mattress a soaked core can be permanently damaged.
| Stain | What to use | Key rule |
|---|---|---|
| Sweat and yellowing | Baking soda left to sit, or a lightly applied mix of mild detergent and water | Patience beats saturation: repeat light treatments |
| Urine | Blot dry first, then mild detergent solution, then baking soda over the area once blotted | Work quickly and blot, never rub |
| Blood | Cold water and a little detergent, dabbed gently | Cold water only: heat sets protein stains |
| Tea, coffee and drinks | Blot up as much as possible, then mild soapy water on a cloth | Blot first: most of the spill comes out with the towel |
For stubborn old marks, the Sleep Foundation's guide to yellow mattress stains covers the heavier options. If a stain will not lift, remember it is cosmetic: a protector will hide it and stop the next one.
4. Deodorise with baking soda
Sprinkle a generous, even layer of baking soda across the whole surface. Leave it for at least 30 minutes, or several hours if you can: it draws out moisture and absorbs odours as it sits. Then vacuum it all off slowly.
5. Air and dry completely
Leave the mattress bare with the window open until any damp patches are completely dry. Remaking the bed over a damp mattress traps moisture, and moisture is what mould, mildew and dust mites want. Sunlight and airflow are your friends here.
6. Rotate before you remake the bed
While the bed is stripped, rotate the mattress head to toe. Most modern hybrids are one-sided, so rotate rather than flip, and check your bed base is still supporting it evenly.
How often should you clean a mattress?
Vacuum the mattress roughly once a month, or whenever you change into freshly washed bedding and have a few extra minutes. Do the full deep clean with baking soda every six months or so, and after any spill or illness.
The Sleep Foundation's cleaning guidance follows the same rhythm: regular light cleaning, occasional deep cleaning, and dealing with spills immediately rather than letting them settle in.
The easiest way to keep a mattress clean: stop it getting dirty
Everything above gets harder the longer a mattress sleeps unprotected, because sweat and spills soak past the surface where no amount of cleaning reaches. A washable mattress protector changes that completely: the protector takes the nightly moisture and the accidents, and it goes in the washing machine instead of you scrubbing foam.
The REM-Fit Tencel Cool Mattress Protector, a Good Housekeeping Winner 2026, pairs a waterproof membrane with a breathable Tencel surface that wicks moisture, so it protects without making the bed sleep hot.
REM-Fit Tencel Cool Mattress Protector
Good Housekeeping Winner 2026: a waterproof, machine washable barrier with a cooling Tencel surface, so the mattress underneath stays clean.
Shop the Tencel Cool ProtectorIf you prefer a natural cotton feel, the REM-Fit Cotton Mattress Protector does the same protective job with a soft quilted cotton surface that washes easily at home.
REM-Fit Cotton Mattress Protector
A soft, breathable cotton protector that takes the daily wear and washes clean with your bedding.
Shop the Cotton Protector✓ Machine washable ✓ Free UK delivery ✓ Good Housekeeping Winner 2026 (Tencel Cool)
You can compare all three materials, including the naturally cooling bamboo option, in the full mattress protector collection.
When cleaning is not the answer
A clean mattress is not the same as a supportive one. If yours sags, has a visible dip, or leaves you stiffer in the morning than you were at night, no amount of baking soda will fix the structure.
Our guide to how often you should change your mattress covers the signs it is time, and fitting a protector from day one keeps the next mattress cleaner for far longer than this one.
Frequently asked questions
Does baking soda really clean a mattress?
Yes, within its limits. Baking soda absorbs moisture and neutralises odours sitting in the surface layers, which is most of what makes a mattress smell stale. It will not remove deep staining, but combined with vacuuming it handles the routine freshen-up well.
Can I use a carpet cleaner or steam cleaner on a mattress?
It is risky, especially on memory foam and hybrid mattresses. Both push moisture deep into layers that cannot be wrung out or tumble dried, and trapped moisture leads to mould and mildew. Blotting with minimal liquid is the safer method.
How do I dry a mattress after cleaning it?
Airflow and time. Leave the bed stripped with windows open, point a fan at any damp area if you have one, and do not remake the bed until the surface feels completely dry to firm hand pressure.
How do I get yellow stains out of a mattress?
Fresh sweat marks respond to baking soda and light detergent treatment. Old, set yellowing is oxidised and usually permanent, so treat what you can, cover the rest with a protector, and treat it as the prompt to protect the mattress properly from now on.
How often should you change your bedding?
Weekly is the standard advice for sheets and pillowcases, with the label-permitting 60 degree wash if dust mites or allergies are a concern. Wash your mattress protector every couple of weeks to monthly, and your pillows every three to six months.
