Why mattress cleaning matters#

The average person spends a third of their life in bed, and over 8 hours a night the human body sheds approximately 2 grams of skin cells. Dust mites, microscopic arachnids that feed on skin cells, thrive in the warm, humid environment of a mattress. A typical mattress contains between 100,000 and 10 million dust mites. Their droppings are a common trigger for allergies, asthma and eczema. Regular cleaning reduces dust mite populations and the allergens they produce.

How often to clean#

  • Every 1–2 months: Vacuum the mattress surface
  • Every 3–6 months: Deep clean with baking soda deodorising treatment
  • Immediately: Treat any stains or spills as they happen (speed is the most important factor in stain removal)
  • Annually: Professional steam cleaning (optional but effective)

Regular cleaning: step by step#

  1. Strip all bedding and wash it at 60°C minimum to kill dust mites. (At 40°C, dust mites survive.)
  2. Vacuum the entire mattress surface using the upholstery attachment. Work in overlapping strokes, paying attention to seams and edges where debris accumulates.
  3. Sprinkle baking soda generously over the entire surface. Baking soda is a natural odour absorber and mild deodoriser.
  4. Leave for 2–8 hours (the longer, the better, leave overnight if possible).
  5. Vacuum thoroughly again to remove all baking soda residue.
  6. Air the mattress by opening windows and allowing air circulation for several hours before remaking the bed.

Freshening tips#

  • Add a few drops of essential oil (lavender, tea tree) to the baking soda before sprinkling for a pleasant scent and mild antibacterial effect
  • Sprinkle the baking soda treatment on a dry, sunny day when windows can be opened
  • Avoid getting the mattress wet during regular cleaning, excess moisture encourages mould growth inside the foam or filling

Maintaining cleanliness between deep cleans#

  • Use a quality mattress protector (see our mattress protector guide), it dramatically reduces the amount of material that reaches the mattress surface
  • Wash the protector at 60°C every 1–2 months along with your bedding
  • Allow the bed to air for 20 minutes after waking before making it, this evaporates overnight moisture accumulation

Cleaning by mattress type#

The method above is safe for any mattress. Where types differ is in how much water they tolerate and how long they take to dry.

  • Memory foam absorbs liquid like a sponge and can take two days to dry fully. Spot-clean only, use as little liquid as possible, blot hard and dry with a fan. Never soak it and never use a steam cleaner.
  • Pocket-sprung and hybrid mattresses tolerate slightly more moisture because air moves through the spring layer, but the fillings above the springs still hold water. Same rules, slightly more forgiving.
  • Latex is naturally antimicrobial and dries faster than foam, but degrades under UV, so dry it indoors, not in direct sun.
  • Natural fibres (wool, cotton, cashmere) should not be treated with bleach or enzyme cleaners, which damage the fibres. Mild detergent and cold water only.

Every one of these is easier with a washable protector on top, because 90% of what needs cleaning never reaches the mattress. Our protector guide matches one to your mattress type.

Frequently asked questions#

Can you use a carpet cleaner on a mattress?#

Not recommended. Carpet cleaners push a lot of water into the fabric and foam and cannot extract enough of it back; the result is a damp mattress that can develop mould. Blotting with a barely damp cloth is safer.

How do I get the smell out of a mattress?#

Vacuum, sprinkle bicarbonate of soda over the whole surface, leave it for several hours (ideally in sunlight for a sprung mattress or by an open window), then vacuum thoroughly. Repeat if needed. For urine odour, an enzyme cleaner applied sparingly first.

Can you steam clean a mattress?#

Pocket-sprung mattresses with synthetic covers, cautiously and briefly, followed by thorough drying. Never memory foam or latex: heat and moisture damage the material and the foam will hold the water.

How long does a mattress take to dry?#

A lightly spot-cleaned sprung mattress dries in a few hours with a fan. Memory foam can take 24–48 hours; if you must sleep on it, put a towel and a waterproof protector over the damp area. Never put bedding on a damp mattress.