How to Clean a Mattress Without Overthinking It
Learn how to clean a mattress and box springs so they don’t keep quietly affecting your sleep or contributing to lingering odors in your home.
I love a clean bed. And for me, “clean” doesn’t just mean it looks clean—it means I know it’s clean.
When I was given a gently used bed, it looked fine. But because it had been moved, transported, and even dropped during the move, I didn’t feel comfortable putting it straight into a bedroom without cleaning it first—especially the box springs.
So before it went into a room, I fully cleaned the mattress and box springs. I vacuumed, steam-cleaned, spot-cleaned, and used baking soda to help remove buildup and odors. It took time, and that was intentional.
Why go to that effort?
Because mattresses and box springs are high-contact items. They collect sweat, dust, skin cells, and odors over time—even when they look clean. And once a bed has been moved, you can’t really see what it picked up along the way.
For me, taking the time to clean it once created a clear mental “reset.” After that, maintenance is easy. I’m not constantly wondering if it’s clean or avoiding the task altogether.
This isn’t something I do often—and it’s not something you need to do every time. This was a one-time deep clean so I could feel calm and confident moving forward.
Today’s decluttering and organizing mission is about cleaning your mattress in a clear, step-by-step way that keeps you moving forward without overthinking or pressure.
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This mattress cleaning checklist is designed to help you get started without overthinking.
You don’t have to figure out where to begin or worry about how “clean” is clean enough. The checklist gives you a simple order to follow, easy decisions to make, and natural stopping points so you can make progress without feeling overwhelmed.
Each step gently guides you to the next.
No guessing.
No jumping around.
No pressure to do it perfectly.
Just follow the steps, do what you can today, and let that be enough.
I’m sharing this mattress cleaning checklist completely free, along with a photo walkthrough if you enjoy reading and a watch-me-clean video if you prefer to follow along visually inside my Facebook group. You’ll find the printable PDF mattress cleaning checklist right here on my blog.
Before You Start cleaning the mattress, It Helps to Set the Right Expectation
This is a simple, straightforward clean.
We’re freshening the mattress — not restoring it, not making it new, and not turning this into an all-day project. The goal is to remove surface dirt, address odors, and leave the mattress clean enough to feel good sleeping on it.
If the idea of cleaning a mattress has ever felt intimidating or messy, this approach keeps things contained. Everything is done in a clear order, with time built in for drying, so nothing gets overworked or overdone.
We’ll clean what needs attention, let it dry properly, and then reset the bed. That’s it.
So enough talking — let’s clean a mattress, shall we? This post may contain affiliate links for your convenience (which means if you make a purchase after clicking a link, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you). You can read my full disclosure policy here.
Materials to CLEAN a MATTRESS
- White vinegar
- Portable carpet & upholstery cleaner
- Microfiber cloths
- Carpet & upholstery spot and stain cleaning formula
- Multi-purpose spot foam cleaner
- Baking soda
- Small scrub brushes (I use the blue brush)
- OPTIONAL: Fan or space heater (to help speed drying time)
- Checklist #3 — (My free PDF Mattress & Box Springs Checklist is available in my free resource library—get the password by filling out the form at the bottom of this page)
How to CLEAN A MATTRESS
Step 1: Get the Free checklist FOR To Clean matress and box springs
Get Checklist #3 to clean a mattress and box springs checklist from my free resource library (get the password to the library in the form at the bottom of this post).
Step 2: Strip the Bed Completely
Remove the sheets, pillowcases, mattress pad, and protector.
If you have time, go ahead and start the laundry. If not, that’s okay — just getting the bed stripped gives you a clean slate and makes everything else easier.
Step 3: VACUUM FIRST
Before adding any moisture, vacuum the entire mattress.
Take a little extra care around the seams and edges. This lifts away dust, skin cells, and debris so you’re not pressing it deeper into the mattress later.
Even if this is all you do today, it makes a noticeable difference — and that counts.
Step 4: Mix the Cleaning Solution
Option 1: Natural Cleaning Mix
In your steam cleaner tank, combine:
- 1 cup warm water
- 1 cup white vinegar
- 1–2 drops clear dish soap
This gently cleans and freshens without harsh chemicals. Use just a tiny amount of soap — more isn’t better here.
Option 2: Store-Bought Cleaner
Use Bissell Pro Oxy Spot & Stain made for portable carpet cleaners, following the dilution instructions on the bottle.
This is a good choice for visible stains or when you want a little extra cleaning power without guessing.
💡 Whichever option you choose, remember: light and controlled is the goal. We’re refreshing the mattress, not soaking it.
Step 5: Spot Clean Stains (If Needed)
If you see any visible stains, now is the time to address them.
Work in small areas by spraying the spot remover on a few stains at a time, and use the scrub brush to loosen the stain. Be sure the scrub brush is wet and use the steam cleaner to spray a little water on the spots.
If there are no stains, feel free to skip this step.
Step 6: Steam Clean Lightly
Lay the mattress flat and steam clean in small sections.
Keep the machine moving and avoid soaking the fabric. Focus on refreshing the surface rather than deep saturation.
Slow and steady is just right.
Watch on Instagram how to clean a mattress.
Step 7: Dry Completely
(This step matters — don’t skip it.)
Let the mattress dry fully before moving on.
- Summer: Open windows and use fans
- Winter: Use a fan or space heater to circulate warm air
Wait several hours until the mattress is completely dry to the touch. Drying now prevents odors later and saves you extra work.
Step 8: Deodorize with Baking Soda
Once the mattress is dry, sprinkle baking soda evenly over the surface.
Let it sit at least 2 hours.
If you have the time, 8–24 hours works even better.
This helps absorb lingering odors and refresh the fabric.
Step 9: Vacuum Again
Vacuum up all the baking soda slowly and thoroughly.
This final pass leaves the mattress clean, fresh, and ready to put the sheets on.
Step 10: Make the bed
Add a clean mattress protector and freshly washed sheets.
Make the bed.
A clean, made bed brings calm — even if nothing else gets done that day. And that is enough.
You just completed a cleaning mission without needing hours of work or perfect conditions. You followed the steps, cared for your mattress, and finished the mission. Small, focused missions like this are how a home stays clean without becoming overwhelming
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- Checklist #2 —
Free file for cleaning a mattress and box spring
Get the password for the library with the free file by filling out this form:
I love seeing your before and after pictures of your clean mattress and/or box springs using my clean your mattress checklist and tips! Please share a photo of your progress in our Facebook group or tag me on social media with #msflomoore.
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Want to remember this? Save this clean your mattress tutorial to your favorite Pinterest board.
