Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Bhg
  • Shop
  • News
  • Food
  • DIY
  • Garden
  • Renovating
  • Decorating
  • Health
  • TV
  • Hard to Find
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Better Life

The best way to clean your mattress

The combination of dust, mould, mildew, body sweat, and more makes mattresses the ideal breeding ground for bacteria and dust mites. - by Better Homes and Gardens
  • 25 Feb 2022

We all know to clean our sheets, but what about the mattress? If you haven't cleaned the one thing you sleep on every night, it's time for a wake-up call.

WATCH: Juliet's bedroom makeover

If you think that changing your sheets every week and washing your mattress protector regularly is enough, think again. Not only do we spend one-third of our lifetime in bed but it is covered in sweat and dry skin and if you’ve got kids it’s likely to also have urine, blood, vomit stains, and other funky smells.

A good mattress is an investment that you’ll likely have for many years to come, which is why it is so important to look after it properly. Every year it is important to give your mattress at least one deep clean.

Check out our need-to-know tips for cleaning and maintaining your mattress. You'll sleep better knowing you can trust the cleanliness of your own bed!

Here are a couple of cleaning rules to follow for good bed hygiene:

  • Wash your sheets once a week
  • Change your pillowcase every 2-3 days
  • Wash your mattress protector every 2 months
  • Give your duvet a wash at least twice a year
mattress-clean

Vacuum it

Vacuum your mattress every month or so, or every time you change the sheets if you or your family members have severe allergies. Use the softest setting (carpet or rugs), and run the vacuum very slowly over the mattress so it has time to inhale the dust and dust mites. Break out the crevice tool for the edges. If you can, flip your mattress afterwards to avoid sagging in particular areas.

Use bicarb soda

Everyone's best cleaning tool, bicarb soda, makes a return in the bedroom. If your mattress isn’t smelling too fresh, clean it naturally in a couple of simple steps. Firstly, sprinkle with bicarb soda and leave it to sit for 10 minutes before vacuuming. Bicarb naturally neutralises odours - say than ten times fast.

Beat it annually

Bring it out into the sun once a year, brace it against the wall and beat it with a broom on both sides. Airing out your mattress outside for a few hours will freshen it and the sun's rays will naturally kill bacteria. Just make sure it doesn’t rain as your mattress will be too heavy to move!

While you have the mattress removed, vacuum the box spring, too. Lightly spritz the mattress with straight distilled white vinegar to help kill bacteria and mold and discourage dust mites.

Slay stains

Treat any stain immediately. The longer liquids sit in a mattress, the likelier they are to foster mould and mildew growth.

Try the shaving cream method:

What you’ll need:

  • Shaving cream
  • Water
  • White vinegar

What to do:

  1. Apply shaving foam and leave for 15 minutes.
  2. Wipe with a solution of equal parts water and vinegar. 
  3. If the stain has lifted give the bed a quick vacuum otherwise try our stubborn stain remedy.

For stubborn or old stains try this:

What you’ll need:

  • Bicarb Soda
  • Hydrogen peroxide
  • Liquid dish soap
  • Tea tree essential oils

What to do:

  1. Mix together bicarb soda, hydrogen peroxide, and a dollop of liquid dish soap.
  2. Lightly dab onto the stain using a clean rag and leave it to dry before vacuuming.

Other helpful solutions for common mattress stains:

  • Blood: A 50-50 hydrogen peroxide-water solution.
  • Urine, faecal matter, or vomit: An enzyme cleaner (use before trying other methods, as residue from other cleaners, will kill the enzymes before they can work.)
mattress-cleaning

Other hacks

Freshen Fast

Use a mixture of cornstarch and baking soda to remove smells – simply shake them onto the mattress, let sit for a few hours, then vacuum.

Sheet Strategy

When washing sheets, strip the bed in the morning and don't put new sheets on until evening. This will give your mattress extra time to air.

Pad It

Remember, mattress toppers aren't just for comfort, they make your mattress easier to keep clean!

Go Pro

For serious stains, consider calling a mattress-cleaning professional. Look for someone who will clean with steam rather than using chemicals, and it helps to pre-treat the stains yourself with natural products.

  • Better Life
  • Hacks
  • Cleaning

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Plus, your chance to win

Subscribe Now
Treat yourself to a subscription

Recommended to you

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR
Watch 6:32

YOU’LL NEED A WEDGE TO HANG THAT DOOR

{headline}

{headline}

This is how often you should replace your mattress

This is how often you should replace your mattress

Joh visits Harry Garside at home

Joh visits Harry Garside at home

How to stop your dog barking in the car

How to stop your dog barking in the car

The top eight spots where mould is hiding in your house

The top eight spots where mould is hiding in your house

{headline}

{headline}

The best mould removal products

The best mould removal products

How to prevent mould growing in your wardrobe

How to prevent mould growing in your wardrobe

Does your airbnb have a hidden camera?

Does your airbnb have a hidden camera?

{headline}

{headline}

Our top picks of the best dryers to take for a (gentle) spin

Our top picks of the best dryers to take for a (gentle) spin

The best dehumidifiers to use on wet and muggy days in Australia

The best dehumidifiers to use on wet and muggy days in Australia

My horse Willow: Rachel’s story

My horse Willow: Rachel’s story

The best umbrellas in Australia that are worth investing in right now

The best umbrellas in Australia that are worth investing in right now

The best oil heaters to brace yourself for the cooler nights ahead

The best oil heaters to brace yourself for the cooler nights ahead

10 best electric blankets for a toasty night's sleep

10 best electric blankets for a toasty night's sleep

9 of the best energy efficient portable heaters for colder months in Australia

9 of the best energy efficient portable heaters for colder months in Australia

Bhg
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
Bhg Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • All Recipes
  • BHG Shop
  • Girlfriend
  • Home Beautiful
  • New Idea
  • New Idea Food
  • Practical Parenting

Our Network

  • marie claire
  • Beauty Crew
  • Who
  • Women's Weekly Food
  • Bounty Parents
  • That’s Life
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Better Homes and Gardens

Magazine Subscription Offer

Treat yourself to a subscription-Save up to 25%

Shop This Offer
Treat yourself to a subscription