Your mattress is one of the most-used items in your home, yet it's often overlooked when it comes to regular cleaning and maintenance. Over time, mattresses accumulate dust mites, dead skin cells, sweat, and allergens that can affect both sleep quality and your health. Proper care not only creates a more hygienic sleeping environment but can also extend your mattress lifespan by several years.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about maintaining and cleaning your mattress, from routine care to tackling stubborn stains and odours.
Why Mattress Maintenance Matters
The average person spends approximately eight hours per night in bed, shedding skin cells, perspiring, and transferring body oils onto their mattress. Over a year, this adds up to litres of sweat and millions of skin cells—creating an ideal environment for dust mites and bacteria to thrive.
Regular mattress maintenance offers several important benefits:
- Improved hygiene: Reduces allergens, dust mites, and bacterial growth
- Better sleep quality: A fresh, clean mattress promotes more restful sleep
- Extended lifespan: Proper care can add 2-3 years to your mattress life
- Protected investment: Mattresses are expensive; maintenance protects your purchase
- Warranty compliance: Many warranties require evidence of reasonable care
A typical mattress can harbour between 100,000 and 10 million dust mites. These microscopic creatures feed on dead skin cells and their waste products are a common trigger for allergies and asthma.
Essential Maintenance Routine
Establishing a regular maintenance routine prevents problems from developing and keeps your mattress in optimal condition. Here's what you should do and how often:
Weekly Tasks
Strip your bedding weekly and allow your mattress to air out for a few hours before making the bed with fresh sheets. This helps moisture evaporate and prevents the damp conditions that dust mites love. Opening windows to circulate fresh air accelerates this process.
Monthly Tasks
Vacuum your mattress thoroughly using the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Pay special attention to seams, edges, and any crevices where dust and debris accumulate. This removes surface dust, dead skin cells, and dust mites before they can penetrate deeper into the mattress.
If your mattress is double-sided or specifically designed to be flipped, rotate it 180 degrees monthly. For single-sided mattresses (most modern designs), simply rotate head-to-foot to ensure even wear distribution.
Quarterly Tasks
Every three months, perform a deeper clean. After vacuuming, sprinkle a thin layer of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) across the entire mattress surface. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes—or several hours if possible—then vacuum it away thoroughly. The bicarb absorbs odours and moisture while helping to neutralise any bacteria.
- Weekly: Air out mattress when changing sheets
- Monthly: Vacuum and rotate mattress
- Quarterly: Deep clean with bicarbonate of soda
- Annually: Professional cleaning (optional but recommended)
How to Clean Common Stains
Despite our best efforts, mattress stains happen. The key to successful stain removal is acting quickly and using the right technique for each type of stain. Always blot stains rather than rubbing, which can spread the stain and push it deeper into the mattress.
General Stain Removal Method
For most fresh stains, this simple approach works effectively:
- Blot excess liquid immediately with clean, dry towels
- Mix one part dishwashing liquid with two parts cold water
- Apply the solution sparingly to the stain using a clean cloth
- Blot gently, working from the outside of the stain toward the centre
- Rinse by blotting with a cloth dampened with plain water
- Blot dry with clean towels and allow to air dry completely
Blood Stains
Blood stains require cold water only—hot water will set the stain permanently. Make a paste of cold water and bicarbonate of soda, apply it to the stain, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Blot away with a cold, damp cloth. For stubborn stains, hydrogen peroxide (3%) can be applied sparingly, but test on an inconspicuous area first as it may lighten some fabrics.
Urine Stains
Urine stains are common, especially in households with young children or pets. Blot as much liquid as possible immediately, then apply a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water. The vinegar neutralises the ammonia in urine and helps prevent odours. After the area dries, sprinkle with bicarbonate of soda, leave overnight, and vacuum thoroughly in the morning.
Sweat and Body Oil Stains
Yellow discolouration from sweat and body oils can be treated with an enzyme-based cleaner or a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, dishwashing liquid, and bicarbonate of soda. Apply, let sit for 15 minutes, then blot clean. These stains often require multiple treatments for complete removal.
Never saturate your mattress with liquid. Excess moisture can penetrate deep into foam layers, promoting mould and mildew growth that's nearly impossible to remove. Always use cleaning solutions sparingly and ensure thorough drying.
Dealing with Odours
Mattress odours can develop from sweat, spills, pets, or simply age. Here's how to freshen your mattress:
- Bicarbonate of soda: The most effective odour absorber. Sprinkle liberally, leave for several hours or overnight, then vacuum thoroughly
- Sunlight and fresh air: If possible, move your mattress outdoors on a sunny day. UV light naturally kills bacteria and helps eliminate odours
- Essential oils: Add a few drops of lavender or tea tree oil to your bicarbonate of soda for extra freshness and antimicrobial properties
- Activated charcoal: Place containers of activated charcoal around (not on) your mattress to absorb persistent odours over time
Using Mattress Protectors
Prevention is always easier than cure. A quality mattress protector is the single most important investment you can make to extend your mattress life and simplify maintenance.
Look for a protector that offers:
- Waterproof barrier: Prevents liquids from reaching the mattress
- Breathability: Allows air circulation to prevent heat retention
- Dust mite protection: Creates a barrier against allergens
- Easy care: Machine washable for simple maintenance
- Secure fit: Deep pockets or encasement design to stay in place
Wash your mattress protector monthly, or more frequently if you sweat heavily or have allergies. Having two protectors allows you to rotate while one is being washed.
When to Consider Professional Cleaning
While regular home maintenance handles most cleaning needs, professional mattress cleaning may be worthwhile in certain situations:
- Severe staining that home methods cannot remove
- Persistent odours despite thorough cleaning
- After illness or bed bugs
- For allergy sufferers who need deep allergen removal
- Before selling or donating a mattress
Professional cleaners use steam cleaning and commercial-grade equipment that can reach deeper into mattress layers than home methods. Expect to pay $100-$200 for professional mattress cleaning in Australia.
Proper Mattress Storage
If you need to store a mattress temporarily, proper storage prevents damage and contamination:
- Clean the mattress thoroughly before storage
- Wrap in a breathable mattress storage bag—avoid plastic that traps moisture
- Store flat if possible; standing upright for extended periods can damage internal structures
- Choose a dry, climate-controlled environment
- Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources
- Don't place heavy items on top of a stored mattress
Final Tips for Mattress Longevity
Beyond cleaning, these habits will help maximise your mattress lifespan:
- Use a proper bed base that provides adequate support
- Avoid sitting on mattress edges repeatedly, which accelerates edge wear
- Don't let children jump on the bed
- Keep pets off the bed or use a protective cover
- Maintain a consistent bedroom temperature and humidity
With proper care and maintenance, a quality mattress should provide comfortable sleep for 8-10 years. Investing a little time in regular cleaning and maintenance protects your investment and ensures healthier, more restful sleep for years to come.