How to Clean Your Mattress the Right Way Without Damaging It
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Most people never think about cleaning their mattress until something goes wrong.
A spill. A stain that has been there longer than you want to admit. An odor that has slowly crept up on you. Or simply the realization, somewhere around the five-year mark, that you have been sleeping on the same surface every night without ever giving it a proper clean.
You are not alone. Mattress cleaning is one of the most overlooked parts of home maintenance, largely because a mattress does not look dirty in the same obvious way that a carpet or upholstery does. But the reality is that a mattress accumulates sweat, dead skin cells, dust mites, allergens, and bacteria over time, and all of that has a real impact on both your sleep quality and your overall health.
The good news is that cleaning your mattress properly is straightforward, as long as you know what you are doing and what to avoid. The wrong approach, harsh chemicals, excessive moisture, or aggressive scrubbing, can damage the materials in ways that shorten the life of your mattress significantly.
At Sleep Basil, we have spent over 25 years in the mattress industry. We care deeply about helping our Denver customers protect their investment, and that means understanding not just which mattress to buy, but how to take care of it properly once it is home. This guide covers everything you need to know.
Why Cleaning Your Mattress Matters More Than You Think
Before we get into the how, it helps to understand the why.
Dust Mites and Allergens
Dust mites are microscopic organisms that live in mattresses, pillows, and upholstered furniture. They feed on the dead skin cells that humans naturally shed during sleep, and they thrive in warm, humid environments. A typical mattress that has never been properly cleaned can harbor a significant dust mite population.
For most people, dust mites themselves are not the primary irritant. It is their waste products that trigger allergic reactions. Symptoms include sneezing, congestion, itchy or watery eyes, and respiratory discomfort, often most noticeable in the morning after a night of exposure.
If you wake up congested or with allergy symptoms that clear up once you have been out of bed for a while, dust mites in your mattress may be contributing to the problem.
Sweat and Moisture Accumulation
The average person sweats between half a liter and a full liter of moisture per night during sleep. Even with the best mattress protector in place, some of that moisture finds its way into the mattress over time. In the absence of regular cleaning and airing out, that accumulated moisture creates conditions that can support mold and mildew growth inside the mattress materials.
This is not just an odor issue. Mold exposure during sleep can have real health consequences, particularly for people with respiratory sensitivities or compromised immune systems.
Protecting Your Investment
A quality mattress from Sleep Basil is a meaningful investment, and proper care directly affects how long it performs at its best. Materials that are allowed to accumulate dirt, moisture, and microbial buildup degrade faster than materials that are properly maintained. Regular cleaning is one of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to extend the life of your mattress.
Most mattress warranties also require evidence of reasonable care and the use of a mattress protector. A mattress that has been improperly cleaned or damaged by moisture may not qualify for warranty coverage.
What You Need Before You Start
Gathering the right supplies before you begin makes the process much smoother. Here is what we recommend having on hand:
- A vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment
- Baking soda (a full box for a queen or king size)
- Cold water
- A clean spray bottle
- Mild dish soap or enzyme-based upholstery cleaner
- White cloths or clean white towels (avoid colored cloths that could transfer dye)
- A fan or access to good air circulation
What you want to avoid having anywhere near your mattress during cleaning: bleach, hydrogen peroxide in high concentrations, ammonia-based cleaners, steam cleaners (for most mattress types), and any cleaner not specifically formulated for fabric or upholstery.
The General Cleaning Process: Step by Step
This process applies to most mattress types, including memory foam, hybrid, and innerspring. We will cover specific considerations for natural latex and other specialty materials in a separate section below.
Step 1: Strip the Bed Completely
Remove all bedding, including sheets, mattress protectors, and any toppers. Wash your sheets and protector according to their care instructions. This is also a good time to inspect your mattress protector for wear. If it has been in use for several years and is showing signs of degradation, it may be time to replace it.
Step 2: Vacuum the Entire Surface
Using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner, go over the entire top surface of the mattress, including along the seams and the sides. Work in slow, overlapping passes to pick up as much dust, dead skin cells, and surface debris as possible.
Do not rush this step. A thorough vacuum is the foundation of the entire cleaning process and removes a significant portion of allergens and dust mites before you introduce any moisture.
Pay particular attention to the seams and any tufted or quilted areas, as debris accumulates in those recessed areas more than on the flat surface.
Step 3: Deodorize With Baking Soda
Once the mattress is vacuumed, sprinkle a generous, even layer of baking soda across the entire top surface. For a queen or king mattress, use a full box.
Baking soda is a natural odor absorber. It works by neutralizing acidic odor compounds rather than masking them. Let it sit for a minimum of thirty minutes. For deeper deodorizing, leave it for several hours or, if circumstances allow, overnight.
If you can get natural sunlight onto the mattress while the baking soda is working, that is even better. UV light has natural antimicrobial properties and helps accelerate the deodorizing process.
Step 4: Vacuum Again
After the baking soda has had time to work, vacuum the entire surface again thoroughly. Take your time to make sure all of the baking soda is removed, including from seams and quilted areas.
Step 5: Spot Clean Any Stains
This is where most people make their biggest mistakes. The key principles for spot cleaning a mattress are: use as little moisture as possible, work from the outside of the stain inward, and never saturate the mattress.
For general stains: Mix a small amount of mild dish soap with cold water in your spray bottle. Lightly mist the stained area, enough to dampen the surface but not soak it. Using a clean white cloth, blot gently from the outside edge of the stain toward the center. Never rub or scrub, as that drives the stain deeper into the material and can damage the surface fibers.
Repeat the blotting process with a clean dry cloth to absorb as much moisture as possible. Then allow the area to air dry completely before putting any bedding back on.
For protein-based stains (blood, urine, sweat): Enzyme-based upholstery cleaners are more effective for protein-based stains because the enzymes break down the organic compounds in the stain rather than just moving them around. Apply sparingly, blot from the outside in, and allow to air dry thoroughly.
For urine stains specifically, after blotting up as much moisture as possible, sprinkle baking soda over the affected area and allow it to absorb remaining moisture and odor before vacuuming.
What to avoid: Hot water sets protein-based stains permanently. Always use cold water. Avoid hydrogen peroxide on colored mattress covers, as it can bleach the fabric. And never use bleach under any circumstances, as it breaks down foam materials and voids most mattress warranties.
Step 6: Allow the Mattress to Dry Completely
This step is critical and frequently underestimated. Any residual moisture left in the mattress after cleaning creates conditions for mold and mildew growth. Before putting any bedding back on, the mattress must be fully dry.
Open windows, run a fan pointed at the mattress, or use a dehumidifier if available. In Denver's dry climate, a thoroughly blotted spot will typically dry faster than in humid environments, but allow a minimum of several hours. For larger treated areas, overnight drying is safer.
If you can stand the mattress on its side to allow airflow to both surfaces during drying, that is even more effective.
Special Considerations for Natural Latex Mattresses
Natural latex is one of the best mattress materials available from a durability and health perspective, and several of the mattresses we carry at Sleep Basil feature natural latex comfort layers or full latex construction. However, latex requires some specific care considerations.
Never use steam on natural latex. High heat degrades the latex material and can cause it to break down, crack, or deform. Steam cleaners, which are sometimes recommended for other mattress types, should never be used on latex.
Avoid oil-based cleaners. Oil-based products can break down the latex structure over time. Stick to mild, water-based cleaners when spot treating a latex mattress.
Keep latex away from direct sunlight for extended periods. While brief exposure to sunlight during the drying process is fine, prolonged direct UV exposure can degrade natural latex. If you are drying a latex mattress after cleaning, indirect light or well-ventilated indoor space is preferable to extended outdoor sun exposure.
Use minimal moisture. Latex is more moisture-sensitive than foam, and getting it excessively wet during spot cleaning can lead to longer drying times and potential material issues. Use a very lightly misted cloth rather than spraying directly onto the surface, and blot thoroughly after treating any stain.
Special Considerations for Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam is highly sensitive to moisture due to its dense, closed structure. Water that penetrates into memory foam takes a very long time to dry, and moisture trapped inside the material creates ideal conditions for mold growth.
The most important rule for cleaning memory foam is: never saturate it. Use the absolute minimum amount of moisture necessary for spot cleaning, blot thoroughly, and prioritize complete drying before replacing bedding.
Avoid any cleaning products that foam aggressively, as the foam from the product can penetrate the memory foam material and be difficult to remove.
How Often Should You Clean Your Mattress?
Here is a general guide that accounts for typical use:
Every two weeks: Wash your mattress protector and bedding. This is the first line of defense against the accumulation of sweat, skin cells, and allergens.
Every three to six months: Full vacuum and baking soda deodorize treatment. More frequently if you have pets, allergies, or sweat heavily during sleep.
As needed: Spot treat any spills or stains immediately. The faster you address a spill, the easier it is to clean and the less likely it is to penetrate deep into the mattress materials.
Once a year: Consider rotating your mattress head to foot (if the mattress is not one-sided and designed to be used in one orientation only). Check with us or your mattress documentation to confirm whether rotation is recommended for your specific model. Some mattresses, including certain natural latex designs, are not intended to be rotated.
The Single Best Thing You Can Do for Your Mattress
We want to be honest with you: the most effective mattress maintenance strategy is prevention, and the most important preventive step is using a high-quality mattress protector from day one.
A good mattress protector creates a barrier between your body and the mattress, catching the vast majority of the sweat, skin cells, and allergens before they ever reach the mattress itself. It is washable, replaceable, and far easier to maintain than the mattress underneath it.
At Sleep Basil, we carry the DreamFit line of mattress protectors, including options with cooling technology, moisture management, and allergen-resistant barriers. We recommend a protector for every mattress we sell, not because we want to add to the sale, but because it genuinely makes a significant difference in how long the mattress performs and how clean your sleep environment stays.
If you bought your mattress without a protector, it is not too late. Adding one now will slow the accumulation of everything we have described above and help preserve the mattress materials going forward.
When Cleaning Is No Longer Enough
There are situations where cleaning a mattress, no matter how thorough, is not sufficient and replacement is the right answer.
If your mattress has deep, penetrating stains that have reached the core materials, if there is a persistent odor that does not respond to baking soda and airing out, if you can smell mold or see visible signs of mold growth anywhere on or in the mattress, or if the structural materials have degraded to the point where the cleaning process would not restore meaningful support, it is time to consider a replacement.
When that time comes, we are here. At Sleep Basil, we offer free haul-away of your old mattress with the purchase of a new one, within 50 miles of our Denver store. We handle the disposal so you do not have to.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a steam cleaner on my mattress?
It depends on the mattress type. Steam cleaning should never be used on natural latex or memory foam, as high heat degrades those materials. For certain innerspring or hybrid mattresses, light steam treatment on the surface can be acceptable, but we recommend checking your mattress documentation or contacting us before using a steam cleaner on any mattress you purchased from Sleep Basil.
How do I get rid of a urine smell from a mattress?
Act quickly. Blot up as much moisture as possible with a clean towel, applying firm pressure without rubbing. Apply an enzyme-based cleaner sparingly and blot again. Then cover the area with baking soda and allow it to absorb remaining moisture and odor for several hours before vacuuming. Allow to air dry completely. For older, set-in urine odors, the process may need to be repeated, and complete elimination may not always be achievable depending on how deeply the mattress was affected.
Is it safe to vacuum a mattress?
Yes, and it is one of the most effective things you can do for mattress hygiene. Use the upholstery attachment and work slowly in overlapping passes. Regular vacuuming removes a meaningful portion of dust mites, skin cells, and surface allergens.
How do I know if my mattress has mold?
Signs of mold include a musty or earthy odor that does not go away, visible dark spots or discoloration on the mattress surface or interior edges, and worsening respiratory or allergy symptoms specifically during sleep. If you suspect mold growth inside the mattress materials, replacement is the appropriate response. Surface mold in very early stages may be treatable, but internal mold cannot be adequately addressed through cleaning.
Does a mattress protector make a mattress too hot?
Not with the right protector. Low-quality protectors can trap heat, but the DreamFit protectors we carry at Sleep Basil are specifically engineered with breathable, moisture-wicking materials. Our DreamChill and DreamCool options include active cooling technology. We are happy to help you choose the right protector for your sleep style when you visit our Denver showroom.
Phil Lotterhos is the co-owner of Sleep Basil, Denver's locally owned and operated mattress store. With over 25 years of combined experience in the mattress industry, Phil and his co-owner Josh help Denver sleepers find the right mattress for their needs, without the pressure, gimmicks, or guesswork.
Visit Sleep Basil in Denver | Free delivery and haul-away within 50 miles | No-interest financing available