Okay, so I’ll be honest. Up until, like, last year, I didn’t even realise people actually cleaned their mattresses. I mean, yeah, I wash the sheets, pillowcases, even the mattress protector when I’m feeling extra productive—but the mattress itself? That always seemed like something you just…lived with. Maybe flip it every now and then and call it a day.
But then, during one of those spirals where I convince myself my bedroom is secretly a biohazard (don’t judge, we’ve all been there), I went down a rabbit hole. And oh man—turns out mattresses can be full-on dust mite hotels. Sweat, dead skin, crumbs (don’t lie, we all snack in bed), pet hair, the occasional spill… yeah. It adds up.
So, I figured it was time to learn how to properly deep clean my mattress—and honestly, it’s not as scary as it sounds. You don’t need any fancy equipment (unless you wanna go pro, which I’ll get into later). Just some basic stuff and a free afternoon. Here’s exactly how I do it, step by step.
Step 1: Strip the Bed
Start by taking everything off your bed—sheets, pillowcases, duvet covers, mattress protector, all of it. Toss it straight into the wash. If your washing machine has a hot water setting and your bedding allows for it, use that. It helps to kill off any lingering bacteria or dust mites. Sometimes I’ll throw in a splash of white vinegar or baking soda just to freshen things up a bit more.
Step 2: Vacuum Like You Mean It
Grab your vacuum cleaner with the upholstery attachment and get to work. You want to go over the whole surface—top, sides, edges, the whole lot. I didn’t realise how much dust and hair lived along the seams until I actually got up close. If you’ve got pets, brace yourself. You might find enough fur to knit a sweater.
Step 3: Spot Clean the Stains
This part always feels like detective work to me. Whether it’s coffee, wine, or mystery marks from who-knows-when, you’ll want to tackle them one by one. Mix a little dish soap with water for the fresh stuff, dab it gently (never rub!), and blot it up. For older stains, I swear by a combo of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and a drop of dish soap. Spray it on, let it sit for 10 minutes, then blot like your life depends on it. Just remember to patch test somewhere discreet—especially if you’ve got memory foam.
Step 4: Go Wild With Baking Soda
You want to coat that mattress like it’s about to be fried. A generous sprinkle of baking soda helps lift odors and any lingering moisture. I usually leave it for at least four hours, sometimes longer if I’ve got plans for the day. If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll mix in a few drops of essential oil—lavender or eucalyptus are my go-tos. It makes the room smell like a spa, even if the rest of it’s a mess.
Step 5: Vacuum Again
Yep, it’s round two. Once the baking soda’s had time to do its thing, vacuum it all up. Be thorough. It can be a bit of a workout if your mattress is on the thicker side, but it’s worth it. Nothing quite like that moment when you realise you’ve just vacuumed up the funk of who-knows-how-many months.
Step 6: Flip or Rotate
If your mattress is double-sided, flip it. If not, rotate it. It helps prevent those weird body grooves that show up after months of sleeping in the same spot. Honestly, flipping the mattress feels like a small victory every time I remember to do it. It’s the kind of thing that makes you feel like a functioning adult, even if you’re eating cereal for dinner.
Step 7: Let It Breathe
Open your windows, let in some air and sunshine if you’ve got it. Fresh air works wonders for reducing any lingering smells. If you’ve got a fan, point it at the mattress to speed things up. This part’s all about airing things out before you make the bed again.
Step 8: Use a Mattress Protector
If you don’t already have one, do yourself a favour and get a decent mattress protector. It saves you so much hassle down the line. I used to think they were optional, but trust me, they’re a game-changer when it comes to mattress cleaning. Crumbs, sweat, spills—you name it, the protector catches it.
Step 9: Know When to Call in the Pros
Sometimes, no matter how hard you scrub, your mattress just needs professional help. That’s when I reach out to Vip Carpet Cleaning London. They’re hands down the best mattress cleaning service London has to offer.
I used them for the first time after a friend’s toddler had an ‘incident’ during a sleepover. Let’s just say no DIY trick was going to cut it. The crew from Vip Carpet Cleaning London showed up, sorted it out fast, and made the mattress look and smell brand new. If you’re based in the city and googling mattress cleaning London at 2am because your bed smells weird, save yourself the stress and give them a ring.
They offer top-tier mattress cleaning services London residents swear by. I’ve recommended them to mates and family, and not one complaint yet.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, I never thought I’d be someone who cared this much about cleaning a mattress. But once you do it properly—even once—it’s hard to go back. You sleep better, breathe easier, and stop side-eyeing that weird stain in the corner. Whether you go DIY or call in the pros, a clean mattress is 100% worth the effort.
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