How to Clean a Mattress (Without Buying Anything New)

Accidents happen. Coffee spills. Kids crawl into bed with soggy surprises. Life gets messy, and sometimes your mattress catches the worst of it. But before you panic search professional cleaners or sprint to the store for specialty sprays, know this: you can handle most mattress stains with things you probably already have at home. No harsh chemicals. No complicated tools. Just a few pantry staples, a little time, and a lot of blotting.

Before You Start: Mattress Cleaning 101

There are a few golden rules to keep in mind before you go stain fighting. Trust us, following these will save you from making a mess even messier:

• Always blot, never scrub. Rubbing just pushes the stain in deeper.
• Work from the outside in. This keeps the stain from spreading.
• Avoid coloured cloths or dyed cleaners. You do not want to swap one stain for another.
• Skip the heat. No hair dryers, no hot water. Heat can set stains.
• Air dry only. Use a fan if needed, and make sure everything is completely dry before remaking your bed.
• Act fast when you can. The fresher the stain, the easier the fix.
• Gloves up for bodily fluids. Rubber gloves, mask, the whole deal. Safety first.
• Do not soak your mattress. Too much liquid means mould risk.
• Do not remove the cover. Especially if it is not designed to come off (most are not).

And a quick word for the future: invest in a waterproof mattress protector. Seriously. It is the unsung hero of clean bedding.

Your At Home Mattress Cleaning Toolkit

Here is your stain fighting starter kit. No toxic fumes or lab coats required:

• Clear liquid dish soap – cuts through grease and gunk. Choose a clear one to avoid dye transfer.
• Baking soda – absorbs odours and moisture, gently lifts grime.
• White vinegar (distilled) – natural deodoriser with mild disinfecting power.
• Three percent hydrogen peroxide – lifts tough stains and has a natural bleaching effect (best for white mattresses).
• Salt – mildly abrasive and absorbent, great for spot cleaning.

Common Mattress Stains and How to Clean Them

🚽 Fresh Urine Stains

You will need:
• Baking soda
• White vinegar
• Water
• Spray bottle
• Rags
• Vacuum

Steps:

1. Blot up as much as you can. Do not rub.

2. Mix equal parts vinegar and water in the spray bottle and spritz generously.

3. Let it sit for 15 minutes.

4. Blot again until damp but not soaked.

5. Cover with baking soda and leave for 8 to 10 hours.

6. Vacuum up the baking soda and assess. Still smelly? Repeat.

💧 Set In Urine Stains

You will need:
• Three percent hydrogen peroxide
• Baking soda
• Clear dish soap
• Rags

Steps:

1. Mix eight ounces of hydrogen peroxide, three tablespoons baking soda, and two drops of dish soap.

2. Dab the mixture on with a rag.

3. Watch the stain lift. Magic.

4. Let it air dry fully.
   Note: Peroxide may bleach darker fabrics. Use with care.

🩸 Blood Stains

You will need:
• Hydrogen peroxide
• Dish soap
• Salt
• Rags

Steps:

1. Mix two ounces of peroxide, one tablespoon dish soap, and one tablespoon salt.

2. Spread over the stain and wait 10 to 30 minutes.

3. Scrape away the paste.

4. Blot with more peroxide.

5. Let it dry.

😓 Sweat Stains

You will need:
• Three percent hydrogen peroxide
• Spray bottle

Steps:

1. Spray peroxide lightly over the stained area.

2. Let it dry completely.

🤢 Vomit Stains

You will need:
• Vinegar
• Baking soda
• Spray bottle
• Rags
• Vacuum

Steps:

1. Scrape up solids (a dustpan works well).

2. Blot remaining moisture.

3. Sprinkle baking soda over the area.

4. Spray vinegar on top and watch it fizz.

5. Let it sit overnight.

6. Vacuum when dry.

A Quick Note on Safety and Surfaces

These stain removal methods are safe and widely recommended for most memory foam and hybrid mattresses, especially those without removable covers. But here is your friendly reminder:

• Always do a quick spot test in an inconspicuous area first.
• Avoid harsh scrubbing or oversaturating your mattress. Your foam will thank you.
• Hydrogen peroxide works wonders but may slightly bleach darker fabrics, so keep that in mind.
• When in doubt, refer to your mattress care tag or reach out to us. We have got your back. Literally.

Final Thoughts

Mattress stains are annoying, but they do not have to be permanent. With quick action and a few everyday ingredients, you can get your bed looking and smelling fresh again. No expensive cleaners. No drama.

And next time? Get that waterproof protector.
(Fun fact: every Mellow mattress comes with one included, so you are already ahead of the game.)

Explore Mellow mattresses → Built for sleep, built to last, built to be cleaned when life gets a little messy.