How to Clean and Deodorize Your Mattress with Baking Soda

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Banish mattress odors with this all-natural ingredient
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Did you know that your mattress can accumulate a lot of dust, dirt, bacteria, and unpleasant odors over time? Because of this, most experts recommend cleaning it about two times per year. [1] If it’s been a while since you’ve freshened up your mattress, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll take you through the entire process of cleaning your mattress with a special ingredient you probably already have in your kitchen—baking soda!

How long should I leave baking soda on a mattress to clean it?

Sprinkle 1-3 cups (208-624 g) of baking soda over your entire mattress in an even layer. To freshen up your mattress, let the baking soda sit for 30 minutes to an hour. To perform a deep clean and tackle intense odors, let the baking soda sit for up to 24 hours. Afterward, vacuum up all the baking soda.

Section 1 of 3:

Clean & Deodorizing Your Mattress with Baking Soda

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  1. Strip your bed of any pillows, sheets, blankets, or duvets, and toss them in the washing machine. Once your mattress is bare, vacuum over the entire surface with a handheld vacuum or the upholstery attachment of a regular vacuum. Pay special attention to the crevices, seams, and folds in the mattress, as dirt and dust may be hidden in these places. [2]
    • Make sure you also vacuum the sides of the mattress! Dirt and dust can collect in this area as well.
  2. Make sure to give the mattress a liberal dusting that covers the entire surface area in an even layer of baking soda. [3] Using a clean sponge or washcloth, gently rub the baking soda into the mattress to make sure it penetrates the surface.
    • If your mattress hasn’t been cleaned in a while or has a strong smell, feel free to use a little extra baking soda to cover it in a thicker layer.
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  3. Give the baking soda time to settle in and do its job. As the baking soda sits on the mattress, it will absorb moisture, neutralize odors, and loosen dirt and dust, so that you can vacuum them up easily. [4]
    • If your mattress is only a little dirty and just needs a quick freshening up, let the baking soda sit for 30 minutes to a few hours. [5]
    • If you want to perform a deep cleaning on your mattress and get rid of strong odors, leave the baking soda on your mattress for a full 24 hours. [6]
  4. Carefully run the vacuum over the entire surface area of the mattress, paying special attention to the seams and crevices. Keep vacuuming the mattress until you’re sure that all the baking soda has been removed. [7]
  5. Once you’ve finished the top of your mattress, flip it upside-down and clean the bottom using the exact same method. Sprinkle another 1-3 cups (208-624 g) of baking soda and let it sit for a few hours. Afterward, vacuum up the baking soda, and that’s it! Your mattress is completely cleaned. [8]
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Section 2 of 3:

Spot-Cleaning Stains on Your Mattress

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  1. Use a commercial enzyme cleaner or make your own cleaning solution by mixing 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) mild dish detergent and 1 cup (240 ml) water in a spray bottle. Apply the spot cleaner to any stains you see on the surface of the mattress, then dab the areas with a wet cloth until the stain lifts. [9]
    • For sweat, urine , and blood stains, it’s usually best to use a store-bought enzyme cleaner, but the homemade cleaning solution will also work.
    • Stains like red wine or coffee tend to be more difficult to remove and may require a stronger spot cleaner. For these situations, try mixing equal parts cold water and hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle. [10]
Section 3 of 3:

How often should you clean your mattress?

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  1. Get in the habit of cleaning your mattress with baking soda on a regular basis so it stays fresh and odor-free. Experts recommend doing this every 6 months to prevent dead skin, dirt, dust, and odors from building up over time. [11]
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    Can I leave baking soda on my mattress?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    While it won't really hurt your mattress, you probably want to remove the baking soda so it doesn't get everywhere. Besides, after about 24 hours, the baking soda will have absorbed all of the odors it can. It's also super easy to remove. Take a vacuum cleaner and use an upholstery attachment to suck up the baking soda without damaging the mattress. You could also use a handheld vacuum if you have one. Make sure you run the vacuum over the seams and crevices in the mattress to ensure all the baking soda is removed.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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    Not Helpful 8 Helpful 17
  • Question
    What happens when you pour baking soda on your bed?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    Baking soda naturally absorbs moisture and odor-causing particles. That makes it a great natural cleaner for your mattress. Take 1-3 cups (208-624 g) of baking soda and sprinkle it liberally over the entire surface of your mattress, especially if it hasn't been cleaned in a while or has a stong smell. Leave the baking soda to sit for a full 24 hours to work it's magic. While it sits, the baking soda will get rid of smells by drawing out dirt and moisture. You can then vacuum it up to leave your mattress clean and smelling fresh.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 9 Helpful 17
  • Question
    How long do you leave baking soda on mattress?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    It depends on how bad the mattress smells or how long it's been since it was cleaned. Mattresses collect dust, dust mites, and odors easily, so they need to be cleaned regularly. Baking soda is a really simple and effective cleaning agent for mattresses. Sprinkle enough baking soda over your mattress to cover it in an even layer. For minor odors, leave the baking soda to sit for at least half an hour. However, the longer you leave it, the more it absorbs moisture and odor-causing particles. In fact, you can leave it for a full 24 hours for the best results. Then, use an upholstery attachment or a handheld vacuum cleaner to vacuum up all of the baking soda, leaving your mattress clean and refreshed.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 22 Helpful 31
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-information/how-to-clean-a-mattress
      2. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/mattresses/how-to-clean-a-mattress/
      3. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-mattress/how-to-clean-a-mattress
      4. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/mattresses/how-to-clean-a-mattress/
      5. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-information/how-to-clean-a-mattress
      6. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/mattresses/how-to-clean-a-mattress/
      7. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-mattress-toppers/how-to-clean-a-mattress-topper
      8. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-mattress-toppers/how-to-clean-a-mattress-topper
      9. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/best-mattress/how-to-clean-a-mattress
      1. ↑ https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-information/how-to-clean-a-mattress
      2. ↑ https://www.consumerreports.org/mattresses/how-to-clean-a-mattress/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To clean your bed with baking soda, first strip the bedsheets and vacuum any dirt from the mattress. Once you’ve vacuumed the mattress, sprinkle 1-3 cups of baking soda over it. If there’s an area with a strong smell, concentrate more baking soda there. Leave your mattress in front of a window for 24 hours so the direct sunlight can help the baking soda work. After 24 hours, vacuum up the baking soda. Then, flip the mattress over and repeat the process for the other side. It’s best to use baking soda 1-2 times a year to keep your mattress fresh. For more tips from our Cleaning co-author, including how to spot clean stains on your mattress, read on!

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