Short answer
Strip the bed and check the mattress label for care guidance. Vacuum the whole surface, sides and seams with an upholstery tool, then spot clean marks with a cloth barely dampened in cold water and a little mild detergent, blotting rather than rubbing. Freshen it with a light sprinkle of bicarbonate of soda, vacuum it off, and let the mattress dry completely before making the bed.
The one rule: keep the filling dry
A mattress is a deep block of foam, springs, memory foam or natural fillings such as wool and cotton. Unlike a carpet, which dries from the top, water that soaks into a mattress has nowhere to go and can stay damp inside for a long time. A mattress that stays damp can start to smell or grow mould.
So every step in this guide uses as little moisture as possible. Never pour liquid onto a mattress, never soak it, and do not use a carpet cleaning machine on it.
Check the label first
Look for the manufacturer's label, usually on the side or at one end. It tells you what the mattress is made of and often gives cleaning advice. Memory foam, latex, hybrid and natural-fibre mattresses each have their own limits; memory foam in particular can be damaged by too much moisture or heat. Some warranties ask for the mattress to be kept free of stains, so it is worth reading the paperwork if you still have it.
Step by step
- Strip all the bedding, including any mattress protector, and wash it according to its labels.
- Vacuum the whole sleeping surface slowly with the upholstery tool, then the sides. Use the crevice tool along the seams, the edges and around any buttons or tufting, where dust gathers.
- Spot clean marks. Mix a few drops of mild washing-up liquid into a bowl of cold water and whisk it to make suds. Dip a clean white cloth into the suds only, not the water, and dab the mark.
- Blot with a dry cloth to lift the mark. Repeat while it keeps transferring to the cloth, working from the outside in.
- Dab with a cloth barely dampened in plain cold water to remove soap, then blot as dry as possible.
- To freshen the mattress, sprinkle a thin, even layer of bicarbonate of soda over the surface and leave it for as long as you can, ideally in a well-ventilated room with the window open.
- Vacuum the bicarbonate of soda off thoroughly with the upholstery tool.
- If your mattress is designed to be turned, flip it and repeat on the other side.
- Leave it uncovered with good airflow until it is completely dry, then fit a clean protector and remake the bed.
Common marks
For sweat and general discolouration, the suds method above works best when repeated gently rather than by adding more water. For fresh drink spills, blot straight away and keep blotting before treating what is left.
For a fresh accident, strip the bed, blot up as much as you can by pressing firmly with towels, then treat with the suds method and rinse lightly. An enzyme-based cleaner made for organic stains, used sparingly and as its label directs, can help with smells. Always test any product on a hidden area such as the side panel first.
Avoid bleach, strong solvents and steam cleaners unless the manufacturer says they are suitable. Never mix cleaning products.
Drying and keeping it clean
Even a light clean leaves the surface slightly damp. Open a window, keep the room warm or use a fan to keep air moving over the mattress. Do not make the bed until the surface and seams feel completely dry, as bedding traps moisture.
A washable mattress protector is the simplest way to keep a mattress clean for longer, because spills and sweat stop at the protector, which can go in the washing machine. Turning or rotating the mattress, if the manufacturer recommends it, helps it wear evenly.
When to call a professional
Consider a professional clean if there are large or old stains, if smells persist after cleaning at home, if you are moving into a home with mattresses already in it, or if you have several mattresses to do, for example in a holiday let or rental between guests or tenants. Older stains may lighten rather than vanish, and a mattress with damaged springs or sagging foam may be due for replacement rather than cleaning.
We clean mattresses in homes across south Essex, keeping moisture to a minimum so the filling stays dry, and advise on the day when the bed can be made up again.
Rather have it done for you?
Mattresses cleaned at home to lift dust, marks and odours without soaking the filling. Family-run by Jason and Lucas Prior, covering south Essex.
Frequently asked questions
Can you steam clean a mattress?
Only if the manufacturer says it is suitable. Steam and heat can damage memory foam and some fillings, and moisture can get trapped inside. A low-moisture clean is the safer approach.
How do I get stains out of a mattress?
Dab the stain with the foam from a mild washing-up liquid solution, not the water, then blot. Repeat, rinse with a barely damp cloth and dry thoroughly.
Does bicarbonate of soda clean a mattress?
It helps freshen a mattress by absorbing odours and a little moisture. Sprinkle a thin layer, leave it, then vacuum it off thoroughly. It does not remove stains on its own.
Related guides
- How to clean a sofa: start with the care code: how to clean fabric sofas and upholstery safely at home, with a brief note on leather.