At times we are compensated for the links you click at no cost to you. Learn more about why you should trust our reviews and view our disclosure page.
Aside from frequently washing your bedding, it’s also important to clean and maintain your mattress. Sweat and dead skin cells accumulate on a mattress over time which could provide a perfect environment for dust mites and other allergens. To prevent this you should freshen and deodorize your mattress at least once every six months. In this article we give you a step-by-step guide on how to freshen up your mattress and keep it clean year-round.
Step-by-step mattress freshening guide
It’s common knowledge that you should launder your sheets regularly, at least once a week, to prevent the build-up of dirt and dust mites. But that’s not all you have to do to properly clean your mattress. Below is a step-by-step guide that you can follow to freshen up and deodorize your mattress.
Step 1: Vacuum your bed’s surface
Firstly, you need a vacuum with an upholstery attachment and an optional crevice tool if you have a bumpy pillowtop. After stripping the sheets, do a surface vacuum and use the upholstery attachment to clean all the dust and germs accumulated on your mattress. Before vacuuming make sure to wash the upholstery attachment in warm soapy water to get rid of pre-existing dust and germs.
Vacuum the entire surface of your bed from top to bottom and from left to right. If your mattress has bumps use a crevice tool to reach every nook and cranny of its surface. Don’t forget to prop up your mattress and vacuum the other side of it as well.
After vacuuming, let your mattress air out for a few minutes before proceeding to the next step.
Step 2: Deodorize your mattress
There are two common and effective methods of deodorizing your mattress without using any chemical sprays or cleaners. You’ll only be needing some regular household items for both of these methods.
Baking soda
The first method and the one that we recommend is to sprinkle baking soda all over your mattress to neutralize any odors. We suggest using a sieve to get a nice, consistent sprinkle on the entire mattress. Once you’re done, let the baking soda sit on your mattress for at least 30 minutes (or longer for better results).
Then, go ahead and vacuum it up using a clean upholstery attachment. Make sure that you’re using a vacuum that can handle a fine powder like baking soda. This, together with adequate ventilation, should eliminate most odors on your mattress.
Bonus tip – You can mix a small amount of your favorite essential oils with the baking soda before sprinkling it on your mattress. This will give the bed a fresh scent that should soothe you and help you relax.
Water with vinegar
Another way to deodorize a mattress is to use water and distilled white vinegar to neutralize odors. Mix equal parts of water and vinegar in a spray bottle and lightly spray the solution over your mattress. Be careful not to make the mattress too wet and let it air dry completely afterwards. A damp mattress is prime breeding ground for dust mites.
Aside from opening your windows, you can also switch on fans to speed up the drying process. Most lingering odors should disappear once the mattress has dried completely.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch absorbs body oils which could also be making your bed smell. Mix it with baking soda and scatter it all over your mattress. Let it do its thing for 30 minutes to an hour and then vacuum it all up.
Step 3: Spot clean spills and stains
Although this is situational we think it’s good to know the proper way of spot cleaning a mattress. Before anything else, I would just like to mention that while fresh stains and spills should be cleaned immediately, old stains are better left alone. This is because moisture isn’t good for mattresses and these are going to be harder to remove even with extra cleaning products.
Now for fresh stains and spills the first thing you should do is blot it up with an extra absorbent cloth to remove as much moisture as possible. Once that’s done, treat the stain with an enzyme cleaner but try to use as little product as possible. You can use a cleaning toothbrush to scrub it in and work it in really well.
And then instead of pouring water on there to flush the stain, you actually want to use a damp cloth to try and remove as much of the suds as possible. By doing this, you are minimizing moisture and making it easier for the surface to dry.
That would be it for our incredibly easy step-by-step mattress cleaning guide. However, keep in mind that some things like steam cleaning, deep cleaning, and bed bug cleaning should be done by a professional.
Other ways to keep your mattress clean
Here are a few things that we recommend doing to maintain your mattress and prolong its lifespan.
- Clean box spring or foundation- Whether your using a box spring, a foundation, or a platform for your mattress, cleaning your bed’s base prevents dust and germs from passing on to your mattress. Wash the bed skirt if you have one and vacuum the surface of your bed base.
- Keep your room well-ventilated- When you wake up in the morning, there’s a chance that your mattress is damp from your sweat throughout the night. Opening your windows and keeping your ceiling fan on for a few hours after you get up will absorb traces of moisture and keep your mattress fresh.
- Expose your mattress to sunlight- This could help because UV rays are effective for disinfecting objects and surfaces. Remember, a damp mattress can lead to mold growth which can ruin your mattress over time.
- Use a mattress cover/protector- Whether it’s one that looks like an extra fitted sheet that goes right over your mattress or it’s a fully enclosed mattress protector, adding one has lots of benefits. It’s a moisture-proof barrier that keeps your mattress stain-free and prevents it from being exposed to dust mites and other allergens. In addition to that, adding a mattress pad can also add an extra layer of protection for your mattress.
- Rotate your mattress- Spin your mattress once a season and make sure to flip it in the same direction in each time to even out the wear and reduce the risk of body impressions.
FAQs:
You can deodorize a memory foam mattress using any of the two methods that we mentioned above. You could use either baking soda or a water and vinegar solution as your odor neutralizer.
Off-gassing is common especially if you just got a new mattress that’s made of memory foam. To resolve this just let the mattress air out in well-ventilated room and the smell should dissipate in 24-48 hours.
Yes, as long as it is mixed with water in equal parts.
Sprinkling baking soda on your bed can help absorb moisture and odor-causing particles on the mattress surface.
Related product reviews:
Sleepline is the #1 mattress review and sleep information resource on the web.
We personally test every product we review to make sure it meets our strict performance criteria. If we don't like it, we don't recommend it.
- Why is it illegal to remove a mattress tag? (what the penalty is) - July 7, 2025
- Best mattresses for kids (top 5 picks) - January 14, 2025
- Best 12-inch mattress – data-backed performance tests on 11+ brands - January 24, 2024
Psst… the sleep review industry is full of liars, sharks, and thieves. It’s a modern-day version of getting ripped off at your local mattress store. So, why should you trust us?