Cleaning a mattress with baking soda: 5 proven methods for a fresh bed
You sleep on it every night, you sweat into it and you shed millions of skin flakes on it. Yet the mattress often doesn't get the cleaning it deserves. Many people reach for expensive chemical sprays, while the best solution is probably already in your kitchen cupboard: baking soda.
Do you want to clean your mattress with baking soda to remove nasty odours, moisture and stains? In this article we list all the methods that work. We separate fact from fiction and explain when you're better off cleaning your mattress with soda and when you need heavier artillery.
Why baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) works
Baking soda, or sodium bicarbonate, is a natural mineral with unique properties.
- Neutralising: It is alkaline, which means it neutralises acids (such as in sweat and urine). This makes the smell disappear instead of just masking it.
- Absorbent: The powder structure works like a sponge for moisture and grease (skin oils).
- Abrasive: As a paste it has a mildly abrasive effect, perfect for loosening stains without damaging the fabric.
This makes cleaning mattresses with soda a safe, cheap and eco-friendly choice.
Method 1: The dry refresh (basic maintenance)
This is the safest and most commonly used method for regular maintenance. It freshens up your mattress and kills bacteria by drawing out moisture.
- Vacuum: Always start by thoroughly vacuuming your mattress to remove loose skin flakes and dust mites. Use a powerful vacuum cleaner with a clean upholstery attachment, such as the Achaté Stick Vacuum PRO, to avoid spreading floor dirt into your bed.
- Sprinkle: Spread a generous layer of pure baking soda over the entire mattress (use a sieve for an even distribution).
- Brush in: Gently brush the powder into the cover with a clean, soft brush.
- Wait: Leave it for at least 4 hours (the longer, the better).
- Vacuum up: Vacuum up all of the baking soda again. You'll see that the powder has turned greyish from the dirt it absorbed.
Method 2: Cleaning a mattress with baking soda and vinegar
Struggling with odours or light stains? The combination of cleaning a mattress with baking soda and vinegar creates a chemical reaction (fizzing) that loosens dirt.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the stain or the smelly area.
- Put cleaning vinegar (white distilled vinegar) in a spray bottle.
- Mist the vinegar over the soda. Note: don't soak it! It will start to fizz now.
- Let it work for 30 minutes.
- Dab it dry with a clean cloth and then let the mattress air completely until it is bone dry. Vacuum up the residue.
Method 3: Paste for stubborn stains (yellow rings)
For yellow sweat stains or small blood stains, a paste works better.
- Mix a cup of baking soda with a little water and optionally a spoonful of salt. Salt draws out extra moisture.
- Stir until you have a thick paste.
- Spread the paste on the stain and let it dry completely (this can take a few hours).
- The paste forms a hard crust that has pulled the dirt out of the fabric. Carefully scrape it loose and vacuum it up.
Method 4: Baking soda with essential oil
Want to not only clean but also leave a nice scent? Then add 5 to 10 drops of essential oil (such as lavender or tea tree) to the powder before sprinkling it over the mattress (Method 1). Warning: Some oils can cause stains or irritation for sensitive skin or pets. Use in moderation.
Method 5: Cleaning a mattress with soda crystals
Sometimes it is recommended to clean a mattress with soda crystals (washing soda). This is not the same as baking soda. Soda crystals (sodium carbonate) are much more aggressive and can damage the fibres of your mattress or the adhesive layer.
Our advice: Only use soda crystals for very heavy soiling and always test them first on an inconspicuous spot. In 99% of cases, baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is powerful enough and much safer.
When does baking soda NOT work?
Baking soda is a miracle product, but it isn't magic. In these cases you need a different solution:
- Old urine/blood: If stains have been there for years, you often can't get them out completely with soda. The proteins are then fixed in the fabric.
- Deep soiling: Soda mainly works on the surface. Has a cup of coffee or a puddle soaked into the mattress? Then the dirt is deep in the foam. Soda can't reach it there.
In these cases a spot cleaner (spray extraction device), such as the Achaté Spot Cleaner, is the only rescue. It rinses the fibres deep clean with water and sucks it straight back up, something powder can't do.
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