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