Q&A for How to Clean a Mattress

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How do I remove yellow stains from a mattress without hydrogen peroxide?

Chris Willatt
House Cleaning Professional
Chris Willatt is the owner and founder of Alpine Maids, a cleaning agency in Denver, Colorado started in 2015. Alpine Maids has received Angie's List Super Service Award for three years in a row since 2016 and has been awarded Colorado's "Top Rated Local House Cleaning" Award in 2018.

Chris Willatt

House Cleaning Professional

Expert Answer

If you don't have hydrogen peroxide, you can cover the stains with oxidizing bleach. Let it soak into the mattress for about 15 minutes and then scrub it away with water.

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Question

How do you disinfect a mattress?

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Staff Answer
This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.

wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Getting your mattress out into the sunshine for a bit can help freshen it and kill surface bacteria naturally. You can also spray your mattress with an antiseptic fabric spray, such as Clorox Bleach-Free Fabric Sanitizer or Tide Antibacterial Fabric Spray. Vacuum the mattress thoroughly to remove dust and debris before using the spray.

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Question

What’s the best way to deep-clean a mattress?

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Staff Answer
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wikiHow Staff Editor

Staff Answer

Using a handheld vacuum cleaner attachment can help you get deep into your mattress to pull out dirt, dust, and dust mites. You can also try massaging baking soda into your mattress for a deeper clean. Steam cleaning is another good way to get down into the deeper layers and kill bacteria.

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Question

Is it okay to steam clean a mattress?

wikiHow Staff Editor
Staff Answer
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Staff Answer

Yes, you can. Vacuum the mattress first to remove dust and loose particles, then run the steam cleaner over the entire mattress. If possible, put the mattress out in the sun to dry out. The UV rays will also help kill lingering bacteria.

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Question

How do I clean blood stains off my mattress?

Community Answer

Spray it with equal parts cold water and H2O2 (hydrogen peroxide). It will foam as it releases. Blot the foam with a clean rag damp with cold water. Repeat until the stain is gone.

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Question

How do I get pee stains out of a mattress?

Community Answer

Use hot water and vinegar. This makes a soluble remedy to remove the stain and pick up the odor from your mattress.

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Question

How can I remove fecal stains from a mattress?

Community Answer

Try baking soda. Leave it overnight and then remove the baking soda with a vacuum cleaner.

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Question

How do I remove a Coke stain from a mattress?

Community Answer

Try using stain remover and a toothbrush. You will have to scrub very hard, but it may come out.

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Question

How do I remove an ink stain from a mattress?

Community Answer

You can try cheap hairspray to bring up the stain. Spray the stain, try blotting - not rubbing - and then spray lightly with water and blot. Allow it to dry. Repeat as necessary. You can follow up with an upholstery cleaner, blot up the upholstery cleaner and allow it to dry again.

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Question

I spilled soda on my bed and didn't realize it had gone through to the mattress cover until it had already dried. What will take the stain out?

Community Answer

Mix boiling hot water and soap together, then get a towel or something to blot it with. Do not rub it in.

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Question

How do I remove a dried red jello stain from a memory foam mattress topper?

Community Answer

Soak the area affected with water first and then try a fabric cleaner pen (like Tide To Go or something similar). If that doesn't get rid of it, then soak that area of the mattress in a tub of soapy water (using dish soap might help, or a small amount of laundry detergent).

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Question

How do I remove a mattress cover that contains a zipper all the way around?

Community Answer

Find the pull tab for the zipper. If there is no pull tab, you can make one out of ribbon or a paper clip. As a last resort, cut the mattress cover off.

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Question

Where can I buy an enzyme cleaner?

Community Answer

They can be found online, and in pet stores. They are usually used to clean pet-related stains.

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Question

Is baking powder the same as baking soda?

Community Answer

No; baking powder contains baking soda, but in a smaller concentration because it also includes other ingredients. You can use baking powder instead of baking soda for cleaning, but you'll have to use more of it.

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Question

Besides a vacuum cleaner, what else would work for the cleaning?

Community Answer

Bicarbonate of soda is good for removing odour and moisture. But vacuum cleaners remove most dirt, dust and skin cells, so they remain the best option overall. You can also finish by lightly spritzing with anti-bacterial spray that contains a pleasant odour.

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Question

Can you vacuum dry your mattress in still damp?

Sherri Gordon

Community Answer

It is not advisable. The damp baking soda can stick to the walls of your vacuum hose. It can also clog your vacuum filters.

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