Cleaning a Mattress: Step by Step and Stain by Stain
Wipe down the surface regularly and air out the mattress every time you change the bedding. Dab stains with a slightly damp cloth and mild detergent without rubbing; the mattress must never get soaked.
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In short
Every morning: Don't make the bed right away so the mattress can air out uncovered.
About every 3 months: Flip or rotate the mattress.
For bloodstains: Start by using cold water, because temperatures above 40 degrees cause protein to set in the fabric.
As a preventive measure: A washable mattress protector absorbs the stain instead of the mattress and can be put in the wash.
How often should I clean my mattress?
How often depends on the task: air it out every time you change the bedding, flip or rotate it about every 3 months, and deep clean it once or twice a year. Here’s an overview of the recommended intervals:
Every morning: Don't make the bed right away. Pull back the bedding and leave the mattress uncovered while you air it out so that the moisture from the night can escape.
Regularly: Wipe down the surface or brush it off.
Every time you change the bedding: Air out the mattress.
About every 3 months: Flip or rotate the mattress.
Once or twice a year: Give it a thorough cleaning; Öko-Test cites this as a rough guideline, which is usually sufficient. Wash a mite-proof cover as often as recommended by aha! Allergy Center Switzerland.
Once a year: Let your mattress air out for several hours outdoors in a shady spot, advises the consumer magazine K-Tipp.
How do I clean a mattress, step by step?
A thorough cleaning consists of five simple steps: wash the cover, vacuum, blot stains, air out, and flip the mattress. The mattress should never get soaked during this process.
Remove the cover or protector. If it is removable and washable according to the care label, put it in the washing machine. The temperature is indicated on the label.
Vacuum the surface. Vacuum or brush the sleeping surface. Do not beat the mattress: According to K-Tipp, this can damage it.
Dab at stains. Use a slightly damp cloth and a mild detergent, and dab without rubbing. For more information, see the " Removing Stains" section.
Air it out. Leave the mattress uncovered afterward so the moisture can escape.
Flip or rotate. For a mattress that can be used on both sides, flip it about every 3 months, rotating it 180 degrees. For a mattress with a fixed sleeping side, rotate it only about every 3 to 6 months.
Reversible mattress: flip and rotate. Mattress with a fixed sleeping side: rotate only.
How do I remove stains from a mattress?
Blot a stain immediately with paper towels—don't rub it: It's much easier to remove when it's fresh than when it's dried in, and rubbing will just work it deeper into the fabric.
After that, the same basic rule applies to every stain: use a slightly damp cloth and a mild detergent; dab instead of rubbing; and never let the mattress get soaked through. The cards below explain what to do specifically for urine, blood, sweat, vomit, and spilled beverages.
Urine
Do it right away
Blot it up with an absorbent cloth, then pat it dry.
Medium
A solution of water, vinegar, and dish soap, followed by a rinse with water. According to VerbraucherService Bayern, this is sufficient for upholstery as long as the urine hasn't penetrated deeply.
Avoid
Wait and see: If the urine has penetrated deep into the upholstery, according to VerbraucherService Bayern, you’ll need a professional cleaning company with specialized equipment and an enzyme-based cleaner.
Blood
Do it right away
Pat dry with paper towels.
Medium
Cold water on a slightly damp cloth—use this first and before any cleaning product.
Avoid
Hot water: At temperatures above 40 degrees, protein coagulates and becomes embedded in the fabric.
Sweat and yellow stains
Do it right away
Treat early and work with the soil only slightly moist—do not soak it.
Medium
Apply a mild dish soap mixed with water to a cloth, then dab with clean water and let it dry quickly. For old sweat stains on cotton or linen upholstery, the University of Georgia Extension also recommends diluted white vinegar (1 part vinegar, 2 parts water).
Avoid
Too much water: It can leave a mark on upholstery fabric. Test each product first on an inconspicuous area.
Vomit
Do it right away
Blot it up immediately; do not rub. Then rinse with cold water first.
Medium
Next, use a mild cleaning solution approved by the manufacturer for the upholstery: For upholstered furniture, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends a cleaning solution approved by the manufacturer.
Avoid
Start with hot water: According to Iowa State University Extension, vomit is a protein stain, and heat sets it into the fabric. If the stain is deep, don't keep soaking it—instead, contact a professional upholstery cleaning company.
Beverages
Do it right away
Blot the stain with paper towels while it's still fresh.
Medium
Water and a little soap on a slightly damp cloth.
Avoid
Salt, lemon, and baking soda: In a test conducted by Stiftung Warentest on espresso and red wine stains on cotton, they were of little help.
Which home remedies are helpful, and which ones are harmful?
There is little evidence to support this: In a test conducted by Stiftung Warentest, only liquid hand soap proved effective against fresh stains out of four home remedies; salt, lemon, and baking soda were of little help.
The test involved fresh espresso, grass, pesto, and red wine stains on cotton fabric, which was then put in the washing machine. Since a mattress cannot be washed, the results cannot be applied directly to it. However, this does not support the use of salt, lemon, or baking soda.
To combat odors, Öko-Test recommends using baking soda as a dry cleaning method: sprinkle it on, let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum it up or brush it off. Baking soda neutralizes unpleasant odors without getting the mattress wet. VerbraucherService Bayern also recommends baking soda for odors in upholstery; the area must be completely dry before sprinkling it on. Neither organization mentions a specific test.
Anything that makes the mattress wet can cause damage: it must never get soaked. Always use a slightly damp cloth.
What helps get rid of dust mites in a mattress?
The best ways to combat dust mites are a dry, cool bedroom, bedding washed in hot water, and a dust-mite-proof cover.
According to the Federal Environment Agency, dust mites live primarily in mattresses and bedding, feed on skin flakes, and thrive in warm, humid conditions. This is why the following care is recommended:
Keep it dry: Don't make the bed right away in the morning, and air out the bedroom several times a day for 5 to 10 minutes. aha! Allergy Center Switzerland recommends keeping the humidity below 50 percent.
Sleeping in a cool room: Aha! The Swiss Allergy Center recommends a maximum of 20 degrees in the bedroom, while the Federal Environment Agency recommends a maximum of 18 degrees.
Wash on a hot cycle: Wash bedding at a minimum of 60 degrees every week, according to aha! Allergy Center Switzerland.
Use a tight-fitting cover: A mite-proof cover (encasing) prevents mites from penetrating the mattress. It should be washed once or twice a year.
According to the Federal Environment Agency, you should avoid using mite sprays: The active ingredients wash away and harm the environment.
It completely covers the mattress and is machine washable up to 95 °C.
What should you do if you find mold or mildew stains?
When it comes to mold, cleaning alone is often not enough: The key is to eliminate the moisture.
Water stains or mold?
Don’t assume that water stains are harmless or that they can be easily distinguished from mold. The Consumer Advice Center of North Rhine-Westphalia (Verbraucherzentrale NRW) calls the statement “Those are just water stains, not mold” a misconception: Every mold growth starts small. The Federal Office of Public Health lists water stains—that is, discoloration—as signs of moisture or mold. If you notice widespread discoloration or a distinct moldy odor, you should have the area inspected for possible mold growth.
The Federal Environment Agency notes that when dealing with mold, it is essential to identify and eliminate the source of the moisture. In the case of a mattress, this means air coming from below and above; the “Prevention” section explains how this occurs.
A mattress is also made of upholstery and fabric. According to the Federal Environment Agency, mold can penetrate deep into upholstery; in such cases, cleaning it is often not possible without unreasonable effort, and when in doubt, it is better to dispose of it. Stains and odors left behind by mold in textiles may be impossible to remove under certain circumstances.
According to the Consumer Advice Center, it is difficult to remove mold from upholstered furniture and textiles, and they often have to be thrown away.
How can I prevent stains and moisture?
A removable, washable cover or mattress protector makes care much easier: It absorbs the stain and can be put in the wash.
A mattress protector is worth it starting the very first night when you're trying out a new mattress: To return it, the mattress must be free of damage and stains; otherwise, the refund amount may be reduced.
Air helps prevent moisture buildup. The body releases about half a liter of moisture each night; without air circulation, it builds up in the mattress. The slatted frame ventilates the mattress from below. Therefore, don’t use the space under the bed for storage, and leave the bed uncovered during the day.
The slatted base allows air to circulate through the mattress from below.
Keeps liquids away from the mattress: a terry cloth surface over a waterproof membrane; according to the product page, it is washable up to 90 °C.
Clean or replace: when is it no longer worth it?
Replace your mattress if visible indentations remain, if you're not sleeping as well as you used to, or if you wake up feeling stiff in the morning. Cleaning won't fix that.
A mattress typically lasts 7 to 10 years, and high-quality models can last even longer. The Federal Environment Agency also recommends replacing a mattress every seven to ten years. For information on mold, see the relevant section.
Don't just blindly buy the same model again: Your body and sleeping habits change, so it's worth trying a new one.
Conclusion
It doesn't take much effort to keep a mattress clean: vacuum it regularly, air it out every time you change the sheets, and flip it about every 3 months. Blot stains immediately with a little water and without rubbing. A washable mattress protector makes maintenance much easier; if visible indentations remain, it's time for a new mattress.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I vacuum the mattress or beat it out?
Vacuum or brush it; do not beat it: According to K-Tipp, beating the mattress can damage it. Instead, dust it off at regular intervals with a brush or vacuum cleaner.
Is professional mattress cleaning worth it?
There is little verified information on this. In 2003, Stiftung Warentest tested a cleaning service that comes to your home: Afterward, it found hardly any dust mite allergens, bacteria, or mold on the sleeping surface, but plenty of dust mite allergens remained on the side of the mattress. It found no evidence of the deep-cleaning effect advertised. The test is old and pertains to a single provider.
Can I clean the mattress with a steam cleaner or a wet vacuum?
It’s best not to use a steam cleaner: Kärcher, a manufacturer of such devices, advises against steaming mattresses because too much moisture can damage them. For stubborn stains, Kärcher recommends a wet/dry vacuum, also known as a spray-extraction machine: It sprays water mixed with detergent onto the surface and then vacuums up both the water and the detergent along with the dirt. The same rule applies here: The mattress must never get soaked through.
Author
Kai Mildenberger
Freelance writer specializing in mattresses and bedding
Reviewed by Oliver Klotzbach, Head of E-Commerce at Mara Vital