Removing sweat stains from your mattress

Achaté team

December 10, 2025 3

Removing sweat stains from your mattress

Everyone sweats while sleeping. Over time, this can cause sweat stains on your mattress: light, yellow or sometimes even greyish patches that seem hard to get rid of.

Luckily, you can remove a sweat stain from your mattress with simple products. And with a little attention, it will stay fresh in the future too.

How sweat stains form in a mattress

Sweat consists of water, salt and fats. The salt in particular soaks into the fibres of the cover or the foam in your mattress. This can cause yellow discolouration and a musty smell.

A well-aired mattress usually dries by itself, but in warm weather or with little ventilation, moisture builds up. This makes the stain visible and can cause the fabric to wear faster. The first tip we'll give you is to air your bedroom and bed every day. Preferably without the duvet.

If you're also dealing with yellowing caused by moisture, take a look at the tips for removing yellow stains from your mattress.

What you need

Lukewarm water
White vinegar or mild soap
Baking soda
Clean cloth or sponge
A spot cleaner or steam cleaner for deep cleaning

A device that works with steam or hot water not only removes the stain but also kills odour-causing bacteria. Especially with thick mattresses, that's a handy addition. You can use our spot cleaner or steam cleaner for this.

Removing sweat stains: 5 simple steps

1. Dab and clean
Mix a little white vinegar with lukewarm water and dab the stain with it. Work calmly and don't use too much moisture. Vinegar helps loosen grease and salt residue.

2. Sprinkle baking soda over the area
Leave it for a few hours. Baking soda absorbs moisture, neutralises odours and lightens the fabric slightly.

3. Vacuum up the baking soda
Use the upholstery setting of your vacuum cleaner or the nozzle of a spot cleaner.

4. Deep clean with steam or hot water
If the discolouration remains, you can treat the surface with a steam cleaner. The heat helps to fully loosen salt crystals and fats.

A spot cleaner works hygienically and safely without chemicals.

5. Let it dry well
Stand the mattress upright near an open window or use a fan. A well-ventilated mattress prevents new stains from forming.

Getting old sweat stains out of your mattress

If the stains are already old and have turned yellow, repeat the process a few times. Start with vinegar, then baking soda, and finish with a short steam treatment. Dried-in sweat often doesn't disappear in one go, but repeated cleaning helps to greatly reduce the colour and smell.

We also have the solution for removing blood stains from your mattress.

Fresh habits against sweat stains

Use a breathable mattress protector or a waterproof mattress cover.
Air the bed regularly. Open the windows and take the duvet off your bed.
Clean the mattress every six months with a light steam treatment for lasting freshness.

Also dealing with urine stains on your mattress? The approach is partly the same, but calls for slightly different steps.

Frequently asked questions about sweat stains

How do I get sweat stains out of my mattress?

Dab the area with lukewarm water and a little vinegar, then sprinkle baking soda over the damp stain and leave it for a few hours. Vacuum up the powder. For old or deep stains, a steam cleaner helps to clean the mattress thoroughly.

Can you remove sweat stains with just baking soda?

Yes, for light stains that works fine. Sprinkle it dry on the area, leave it for a few hours and then vacuum it up. Soda absorbs moisture and odour, but for stubborn stains vinegar or steam is more effective.

Why do sweat stains often stay yellow?

The yellow colour comes from salt and grease soaking into the fibres. You can neutralise this with vinegar, and steam helps to really loosen the dirt.