We spend a third of our lives drooling, sweating, and snacking (no judgment) on our mattresses. If yours smells… lived-in, that’s normal. The good news: you can deep clean it and make it smell fresh without buying a new one or calling in a pro.
Give me a couple of hours and a few supplies, and you’ll sleep like a smug, clean-sheeted angel.
Gather Your Tools (No, You Don’t Need a Hazmat Suit)
Here’s your simple lineup:
- Vacuum with upholstery attachment
- Baking soda (a lot of it)
- White vinegar (distilled)
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%)
- Dish soap and/or mild laundry detergent
- Spray bottles and a small bowl
- Clean white cloths or microfiber towels
- Optional: enzyme cleaner for biological stains (sweat, urine, blood)
- Essential oil (lavender or eucalyptus) if you like a light scent
- Fan or open windows for fast drying
FYI: Avoid soaking your mattress. Moisture is the enemy. Think “light mist,” not “spa day.”
Strip It and Spot-Treat the Stains
Pull off all bedding and toss it into the wash with hot water, if the fabric allows.
Hot water helps kill dust mites and odor-causing bacteria. While that spins, let’s handle the battlefield on the mattress.
What Stain Is It? Choose Your Fighter
- Fresh spills: Blot immediately with a dry cloth.
Don’t rub. Push down to lift the liquid.
- Sweat or mystery stains: Mix 1 cup hydrogen peroxide, 3 tbsp baking soda, and a few drops of dish soap. Lightly spray, let it sit 10 minutes, blot, and air-dry.
- Urine or blood (aka protein stains): Use an enzyme cleaner.
Spray lightly, let it work per the label, then blot. Repeat if needed.
- Grease or oil: Sprinkle baking soda, let it sit 30 minutes, then vacuum. If stubborn, spot with a tiny bit of dish soap and water, blot, repeat.
IMO: Enzyme cleaner beats everything for biological funk.
Keep one around if kids, pets, or clumsy snackers live here.
Deodorize Like You Mean It
Now for the odor nuke: baking soda. Sprinkle a generous, even layer over the entire mattress. You can add 5–10 drops of essential oil to a cup of baking soda first if you want a light scent.
Mix well, then shake it out evenly. Give it time to work. Let it sit at least 1–2 hours. If the smell screams, go for 8 hours or overnight.
Open a window or aim a fan to help air things out.
Why Baking Soda Works
Baking soda absorbs acids and neutralizes odors instead of just masking them. It won’t fix mold or a flood situation, but for sweat funk and stale smells, it’s clutch.
Vacuum Like a Pro
Vacuum the baking soda slowly with the upholstery tool. Go in overlapping passes: vertical, then horizontal.
Hit creases, tufts, and edges where dust loves to hide. Pro move: If your vacuum has a HEPA filter, use it. You’ll grab more dust, dead skin, and allergens. If it doesn’t, still fine—just change the bag or clean the canister after.
Refresh With a Light Vinegar Mist (Optional but Powerful)
If odors linger, mix a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
Lightly mist the surface—do not drench—then let it air-dry completely. Vinegar smells a bit at first, but it fades as it dries and takes other smells with it. You can do a fast pass with the fan to speed this up.
Deodorizing Spray Recipe
- 1 cup distilled water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 10 drops essential oil (optional)
Shake, light mist, then air-dry.
If you’re nervous about vinegar, test a corner first.
Don’t Forget the Sides (And Underneath)
Mattress sides collect dust and skin flakes too. Give them a quick vacuum and a light baking soda treatment if needed. If you use a slatted base, vacuum between slats and wipe them down.
Musty smells sometimes come from the bed frame or box spring, not the mattress. Sneaky, right?
Deal With Humidity and Hidden Odors
If your bedroom runs humid, you’ll battle mustiness forever. Add a dehumidifier or run AC periodically.
Keep airflow going. Sunlight helps too—UV light can reduce bacteria—so pull back curtains when you can.
Drying: The Step Everyone Rushes (Don’t)
After spot-cleaning or misting, let the mattress dry completely before you put sheets on. Use a fan, open windows, or point a space heater nearby (not directly on it, we’re not making toasted foam).
Depending on humidity, drying might take 2–6 hours. If it still feels cool or damp, wait. Key rule: Moisture breeds odors and mildew. Patience now saves pain later.
Lock In the Freshness: Protect and Maintain
Once the mattress feels clean and dry, guard it.
A waterproof, breathable mattress protector makes a huge difference. It blocks spills, sweat, and dust mites, and it washes fast. Add fresh sheets and—chef’s kiss—you’re done.
Easy Maintenance Routine
- Weekly: Wash sheets and pillowcases.
Quick vacuum on the mattress if you can.
- Monthly: Sprinkle baking soda for 30–60 minutes, then vacuum.
- Every 3–6 months: Flip and/or rotate the mattress if the manufacturer allows it. Most modern hybrids get rotated, not flipped.
- Immediately: Treat spills and stains. No “I’ll do it later.” Future you says thanks.
Troubleshooting the Tough Stuff
Some smells act stubborn.
If the mattress still smells funky after your first pass, repeat the baking soda overnight treatment. You can also try an enzyme spray across the whole surface (light mist, not a soak), then air-dry completely and follow with baking soda again. If you suspect mold (visible spots that smear when damp, earthy smell that won’t quit), that’s a bigger issue.
You can try targeted cleaning and aggressive drying, but if the core got wet, replacement might be safer. Harsh truth, but your lungs will appreciate it.
FAQs
Can I steam clean my mattress?
You can, but I don’t recommend it for most mattresses. Steam adds a lot of moisture, and if it doesn’t dry fast, you’ll invite mildew.
If you do steam, use low moisture, short passes, and blast it with fans afterward. IMO, baking soda + enzyme cleaner works safer.
Is hydrogen peroxide safe on all mattresses?
Spot test first. Peroxide can lighten some fabrics or leave rings if you over-wet.
For memory foam, go very light—just enough to dampen the stain. Blot thoroughly and let it dry fully.
How do I get rid of urine smell completely?
Use an enzyme cleaner first to break down the uric acid crystals. Let it sit per the label, blot, and air-dry.
Then cover with baking soda overnight and vacuum. Repeat once if needed. Finish with a light vinegar mist if a faint smell lingers.
What if my mattress smells musty after storage?
Air it out near a sunny window, run a fan, and use a dehumidifier.
Do a full baking soda treatment for several hours, vacuum, then vinegar mist and dry. If you see dark spots spreading or the smell stays despite efforts, consider mold and evaluate replacement.
Can I use fabric refreshers or perfume?
You can, but they only mask odors and can build residue. They won’t fix the source.
Use them sparingly after a proper clean if you want a finishing touch. Better yet, essential oil in baking soda gives a cleaner result.
How often should I deep clean my mattress?
Aim for every 3–6 months for a full refresh, with quick monthly baking soda sessions. If you have allergies, kids, or pets, lean toward every 3 months.
FYI, a protector stretches that timeline.
Wrap-Up: Fresh Mattress, Fresh Start
Deep cleaning your mattress doesn’t need a weekend or a wallet meltdown. Spot-treat, deodorize with baking soda, vacuum like you mean it, and keep moisture in check. Add a protector, rotate regularly, and handle spills ASAP.
Do that, and your bed will smell fresh, feel cleaner, and stop side-eyeing you every time you climb in. Sleep smug—you earned it.
