An adult and young child sitting together reading on their clean mattress

How to Clean Your Mattress and Keep It Brand New

Last Updated: June 12, 2022

What’s inside your mattress? Learn how to clean your mattress and keep it looking — and feeling — brand new for longer with our quick ‘n’ easy guide.

JUMP TO SECTION

The average person spends a whopping third of their life sleeping — or attempting to sleep. In that time, your mattress comes into contact with sweat, body oil, dirt, dead skin cells, various body fluids, pet dander, as well as dust and allergens from your surroundings.

Regardless of how clean you and your sheets are, oils and debris still make their way inside your mattress. Once inside, they create odors and provide a warm home for microscopic organisms to breed and feast. Ick.

We’ve put together an in-depth guide with the best ways to clean your mattress and keep it feeling brand new.

What you’ll need to clean your mattress

How to clean your mattress

1. Wash your sheets

First things first, wash your bedsheets with a plant-based detergent. If it’s been a few months — or you’ve never done it before — wash your pillows, too.

2. Vacuum

Vacuum the entire mattress to remove any dust and debris. Make sure to get the sides of the mattress, and pull the fabric taut to get any particles that are hanging out in the crevices.

3. Spot clean

Mix a few drops of natural dish soap in a bowl filled with water.
Dip a microfiber cloth into the mixture and dab any areas that need a lil’ TLC, like darkened spots or spots with sweat stains.
Dip another cloth into a bowl filled with clean water and dab away the soapy mixture.
Repeat until all stains are removed and let the mattress air dry.

4. Deodorize

Sprinkle a fine layer of baking soda over the surface of your mattress. Baking soda absorbs odors and moisture, and helps keep your mattress fresh. Let the baking soda sit for three to five hours.

Pro tip: pop open the windows to allow extra air flow while the baking soda does its job.

5. Vacuum, pt. 2

Vacuum the baking soda off of your mattress. That’s it! Your mattress is fresh, clean, and ready to be slept on.

Grove Tip

Hydrogen peroxide for gnarly stains

For extra icky stains — like blood, urine, and vomit — mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a small bowl. Take a clean microfiber cloth and dab the stained area with the hydrogen peroxide mixture. Let the mattress air dry and repeat the process if the stain remains.

Got memory foam? We’ve got solutions. Read our in-depth guide to clean your memory foam pillows and mattress toppers.

How to extend the life of your mattress

Invest in a mattress protector to protect against spills, accidents, and debris.
Use the right box spring or foundation to properly support your mattress.
Rotate your mattress every three to six months to prevent one side from becoming more worn than the others.
Keep your mattress upright when moving it to prevent creasing or damage to the springs.
Open the windows and remove your sheets and mattress covers to ventilate your mattress and reduce dust and moisture buildup.

Clean your entire bedroom from top to bottom with our ultimate bedroom cleaning guide.

Mattress cleaning FAQ

How often should you clean your mattress?

The Sleep Foundation recommends cleaning your mattress every six months. If you spill a liquid or someone has an accident on the mattress, you’ll want to handle those messes ASAP.

When should you clean your mattress?

The best time of day to clean your mattress is in the morning — this way, your mattress has all day to dry out so you don’t end up camping on the sofa overnight.

When is it time to replace your mattress?

On average, mattresses should be replaced every 7 to 10 years. Here are some signs to watch out for that might indicate your mattress needs to be replaced:

Noticeable lumps and sagging
An increase in allergies and asthma symptoms
Waking up with stiffness in your muscles and joints

Ready to tackle the dirtiest spots in your home? Grove Collaborative has you covered with Clean Team. Each week, we’ll do a deep dive into how to clean a different place or item in your home. No spot is too small — and we’ll tell you how to conquer them all, naturally.