Quick answer
Freshen your mattress with one cheap ingredient. Step-by-step baking soda method, a stain guide for sweat, urine and blood, and the truth about baking soda and dust mites.
Contents
You wash your sheets, but when did you last clean the mattress under them? Over time it collects sweat, skin flakes, dust and the odd spill. The good news: you can freshen it with one cheap ingredient you probably already own.
This guide shows how to clean a mattress with baking soda, step by step, plus how to treat common stains, what baking soda can and can’t do, and how to keep your mattress fresh between deep cleans.
What You Need
- Baking soda (a 1 lb box covers most queen mattresses)
- A vacuum with an upholstery attachment (a HEPA filter is best)
- A fine sieve or flour sifter for even sprinkling
- Clean cloths and a spray bottle
- Mild dish soap or an enzyme cleaner for stains
- Optional: a few drops of essential oil for scent
How to Clean a Mattress With Baking Soda (Step by Step)
Step 1: Strip the bed and wash the bedding
Remove sheets, pillowcases, the mattress protector and any toppers. Wash them in the hottest water their care labels allow. Hot water and a hot dryer help with dust mites (more on that below).
Step 2: Vacuum the whole mattress
Use the upholstery attachment and go slowly. Cover the top, the sides and the seams, where dust and crumbs collect. A crevice tool helps along the piping and edges.
Step 3: Spot-treat stains
Treat stains before the baking soda goes on. See the stain guide below for the right method for each type. Use as little liquid as possible and blot, never pour or scrub.
Step 4: Sprinkle baking soda evenly
Shake baking soda through a sieve to cover the entire surface in a thin, even layer. Add a little extra over smelly areas. If you like a light scent, mix 5–10 drops of essential oil into the baking soda first and let it dry before sprinkling.
Step 5: Let it sit
Baking soda works by absorbing moisture and odors, so time matters.
| Situation | How long to leave it |
|---|---|
| Quick refresh | At least 1 hour |
| Regular deep clean | 4–8 hours |
| Strong odors | Overnight, up to 24 hours |
Open a window or put the mattress in sunlight if you can. Fresh air and a little sun help it dry and smell better.
Step 6: Vacuum it all up
Vacuum slowly in overlapping lines until no powder is left. Go over the seams twice.
Step 7: Flip or rotate
If your mattress is two-sided, flip it and repeat on the other side. If it’s one-sided (most foam and many hybrids), rotate it head to foot instead. Check your mattress maker’s care guide.
Step 8: Protect it before remaking the bed
Put on a washable mattress protector, then make the bed with clean sheets.
How to Remove Common Mattress Stains
Before you start: never soak a mattress. Too much liquid can seep deep inside, where it’s slow to dry and can lead to mildew. Many mattress warranties also exclude stained or water-damaged mattresses, so check your warranty and care tag first. Always test a cleaner on a hidden spot.
| Stain | What to use | How |
|---|---|---|
| Sweat and yellowing | Mild dish soap in cool water | Dab with a damp cloth, blot dry, then use baking soda |
| Urine | Enzyme cleaner | Blot up as much as possible, spray lightly, let it work, blot, then cover with baking soda |
| Blood | Cold water, then mild soap | Blot with cold water only. Hot water sets blood stains |
| Food or drink | Mild dish soap in cool water | Scrape off solids, dab, rinse with a barely damp cloth, blot dry |
| Old, set-in odors | Baking soda | Leave overnight, then vacuum. Repeat if needed |
For stubborn stains on a light-colored mattress, some people use a small amount of 3% hydrogen peroxide. It can lighten fabric, so test a hidden spot first, use it sparingly, and never mix it with other cleaners.
Baking Soda and Dust Mites: What It Can’t Do
Baking soda is great for odors and light moisture. It doesn’t get rid of dust mites. Mayo Clinic notes that vacuuming removes surface dust but isn’t effective at removing most dust mites and their allergens (Mayo Clinic).
What actually helps:
- Use allergen-proof covers on the mattress and pillows. Their tight weave keeps mites from settling in.
- Wash bedding weekly in hot water of at least 130°F (54.4°C). If your bedding can’t take that heat, run it in a dryer hot enough to reach that temperature for at least 15 minutes, then wash it.
- Keep the bedroom dry and well aired. Dust mites like warm, humid spaces.
How Often Should You Clean Your Mattress?
- Weekly: wash sheets and pillowcases.
- Monthly: wash the mattress protector and vacuum the mattress surface.
- Every 3–6 months: do the full baking soda deep clean and rotate or flip the mattress.
- Right away: treat any spill or accident as soon as it happens.
Mattress Cleaning Myths vs Facts
Myth: Baking soda kills bacteria and dust mites.
Fact: Baking soda absorbs odors and some moisture. It doesn’t disinfect and it doesn’t remove dust mites. Covers and hot washing are what control mites.
Myth: Baking soda and vinegar together give a deeper clean.
Fact: The fizz looks busy, but the two mostly cancel each other out, and adding vinegar means adding more liquid to your mattress. Use baking soda on its own, and if you need vinegar for a stain, use a light mist and let it dry before adding baking soda.
Myth: More water cleans better.
Fact: Soaking a mattress is one of the worst things you can do. Use as little moisture as possible and blot.
Myth: Steam cleaning is safe for every mattress.
Fact: Some mattresses, especially memory foam, can be damaged by heat and moisture. Check the maker’s care guide before steaming.
Myth: A mattress protector isn’t worth it.
Fact: A washable protector is the easiest way to keep stains, sweat and spills out of the mattress in the first place. It also helps keep your warranty valid.
Tips to Keep Your Mattress Fresh Longer
- Use a washable, waterproof mattress protector.
- Let the bed air out for 15–30 minutes before making it in the morning.
- Don’t eat or drink in bed.
- Shower before bed to cut down on sweat and oils.
- Keep pets off the bed, or use a washable throw where they sleep.
Want to refresh the whole room? Our laundry hacks cover hot washing and drying bedding the right way.
The Bottom Line
Cleaning a mattress with baking soda is cheap and easy: strip, vacuum, spot-treat, sprinkle, wait, vacuum again. Do it every few months, treat spills right away, and use a washable protector so your mattress stays fresh longer. For dust mites, rely on allergen-proof covers and hot washing, not baking soda.
