How to Clean a Mattress: Top Tips for a Fresh, Stain-Free Bed

Did you know that experts recommend cleaning your mattress every six months?

In light of the fact that we spend around a third of our lives in bed this recommendation makes sense. We sweat in our sleep - especially during hot, humid Kiwi summers – and many of us share our beds with small children and pets. When you think about it, we really do put our mattresses through a lot! Mattresses are also the perfect vessel for accumulating dust. If you suffer from allergies and asthma, you’ll know how much dusty environments can aggravate your airways.

Cleaning a mattress can feel daunting. You can’t just put it through the washing machine! From stain removal through to deep cleaning, we’ve got a whole range of top tips to share.

Whether your little one is toilet training and has had an accident overnight, you’ve dropped your morning coffee, or your mattress is just due for a routine clean – keep reading for our advice around the best ways to clean a mattress.

And – if your mattress is so soiled that it’s not salvageable, at Ezy Peazy we’re here to help. Thanks to our network of professional removalists, we can take the stress and hassle out of mattress disposal.

How to Remove a Stain on a Mattress

Oh no! Has your toddler just upended your entire mug of coffee while you’ve been enjoying a lazy Saturday morning in bed?

It’s a real pain when we realise that we’ve spilled something on our mattress. As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to get onto the stain as soon as possible before it dries. This will give you your best chance of minimising permanent staining.

Your next course of action will depend on what has caused the staining - e.g. blood, coffee, urine or fake tan.

Common cleaning solutions for stains include natural and chemical-based solutions, such as the following:

Baking soda
White vinegar
Hydrogen peroxide
Laundry detergent
Store-bought stain removers

While commercial store-bought stain removers such as Vanish, Sard and Napisan are often effective, many people prefer natural or cheaper options, using things they already have around their home. Read on for our step-by-step tips on getting rid of common stains.

Removing Blood Stains From a Mattress

Had a nosebleed in your sleep that’s seeped through your sheets and into your mattress? Blood stains can be notoriously stubborn and difficult to remove. This is definitely a scenario where the sooner you get onto the stain the better. With blood, it’s best to stick to using cold water. Using hot or warm water can actually make the stain harder to get out, as it can end up setting it.

Our recommendation: Baking soda method

Strip sheets and other bedding from your mattress and put them straight into the washing machine
Next, dab the stain with a cloth or rag that’s been soaked in cold water. It’s important to make sure you dab, rather than rub the stained area, as rubbing can cause it to spread
Then, sprinkle the area with baking soda and let it sit
After 30 minutes, dab the stain again with your damp cloth or rag and wipe the baking soda away
Repeat again if needed

Top tip: Instead of sprinkling the baking soda – after you’ve dabbed the stain with your cloth/rag, you can also try a water and baking soda paste. Use this to lightly scrub the mattress before letting it sit. Baking soda is abrasive, so scrubbing with the paste can help to effectively lift the stain.

If this doesn’t work, you may need to use something heavier-duty – like a store-bought stain remover.

Removing Coffee Stains From a Mattress

Picture this: you’re enjoying a relaxing weekend morning lounging in bed, reading the newspaper, and your puppy bounds in, knocking your cup of coffee out of your hand and spilling its contents. Then, you realise it’s soaked through your sheets onto your expensive mattress!

Thankfully, getting a coffee stain out is relatively straightforward. Like bloodstains, the key is making sure you get onto the issue pronto.

Our recommendation: Laundry detergent

The first step is to blot up any excess liquid with a sponge, towel or paper towels before the coffee seeps too far into your mattress
Next, mix some laundry detergent and warm water together to make a thick paste
Then dab the mixture onto the stain using a clean damp cloth
Allow the paste to sit for five minutes and then use a damp cloth to wipe the area clean
Use a dry towel or paper towels to soak up any remaining moisture and allow your mattress to air dry

Like bloodstain removal, you may need to repeat this process a few times. While there are a number of effective options you can use to get a coffee stain out of your mattress, we’ve found laundry detergent to be the most effective.

If this method doesn’t work, you may need to move onto trying store-bought stain removal products. This is more likely to be the case if you’ve spilt a strong double espresso, rather than a milky instant coffee!

Removing Urine Stains From a Mattress

Is your little one still toilet training and struggling to make it through the night without wetting the bed? This is something parents all over the world know too well!

These accidents aren’t just messy, they can also leave a lingering smell if you don’t know how to clean urine out of a mattress properly.

Again – you’ll want to get onto urine stains as soon as possible – particularly if it’s a pet that’s had an accident on the bed, as dog and cat urine has a much stronger odour.

Our recommendation: Store bought stain removers

First, strip the bed of sheets, blankets and any other bedding that’s been affected and get it straight into the washing machine
Next, blot the urine out of the mattress, using clean towels, rags or paper towels. Blotting, rather than rubbing, is the key here, to avoid spreading the stain
Lightly rinse the area with water. Make sure you don’t over-saturate the mattress
Apply your store-bought stain remover and follow the instructions on the product

Top tip: While some will recommend a natural solution in this scenario, like vinegar or baking soda, we recommend using a store-bought remover that contains enzymes. These help to break down the proteins in the urine and neutralise smells. If the accident has happened in the middle of the night and you don’t have a store-bought cleaner containing enzymes, we’d recommend trying another solution - such as vinegar, water and baking soda - as your first port of call until you can get your hands on an enzyme-based cleaner. It’s important not to leave the stain too long!

Alternative solution: Vinegar, water and baking soda

If you don’t have a store-bought cleaner, or want to use a natural method, try filling a spray bottle with 1-part white vinegar to 2-parts cold water
Spray the urine- soaked area with the vinegar and water solution and let it sit for 10 minutes
Once 10 minutes has passed, dab the area to soak up any excess moisture
Following this, sprinkle the area with baking soda and let it sit for at least eight hours before vacuuming it up. Because it’s alkaline, the baking soda will help to neutralise the acid in the urine, while also drawing out any left-over moisture

Removing Fake Tan Stains From a Mattress

While your fresh spray tan makes your skin look lovely and golden, it can look unsightly when it transfers onto your sheets and mattress. Professional spray tans are notorious for staining bedding. Bodybuilders who compete on stage will know this well!

Figuring out how to get fake tan out of a mattress is tricky, as it’s highly pigmented and we usually don’t notice it immediately.

Our recommendation: Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide is a mild bleaching agent which makes it particularly useful for combating fake tan stains, however, it can be a skin irritant, so we advise donning gloves before getting started
Mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water in a spray bottle
Spray onto the stain and leave it to sit for 15-20 minutes before blotting away any excess
Repeat this as many times as needed until you see the stain lifting
Allow your mattress to air-dry

How to Remove Mould From a Mattress

New Zealand homes, especially those that are older, are notorious for being damp and mould-prone.

If you’ve just stripped your bedding to change your sheets and have discovered your mattress is flecked with mould spores, you may be feeling dismayed.

Not only does it look awful, but mould can also pose a health risk. Depending on how advanced the mould is, you may need to throw your mattress away. If that’s the case, consider booking a local tasker through the Ezy Peazy platform who can quickly and efficiently take care of mattress disposal for you.

If the mould coverage is light and you want to give DIY cleaning a go, read on.

Our recommendation: Hydrogen peroxide

Remove all your bedding and put it straight in the washing machine
Next, give your mattress a good vacuum on both sides to suck up any loose mould spores
Put on a pair of gloves. Hydrogen peroxide can be a skin irritant, so it’s important you’re protected
Make up a solution of one-part hydrogen peroxide to three-parts water
Then dip a cloth or scrubbing brush into the solution and scrub the areas of mould
Next, put the mattress outside to dry and ventilate outdoors. This is particularly important if you have a damp home. If it’s a sunny day, putting the mattress in direct sunlight will also help kill remaining mould spores. Make sure you turn your mattress frequently to promote even drying and ensure it’s propped up rather than sitting flush against a wall or laying on the ground.

Water Damaged Mattress Cleaning

While it’s not something you typically expect to happen to your mattress, there are a number of ways mattress water damage can occur. Perhaps you’ve been moving house and have had your mattress strapped to the roof of your vehicle, only for there to be a huge downpour – or maybe your bathroom has sprung a leak, causing internal flooding in your home and your mattress is one of the casualties.

It's not always game-over when this happens. If you get onto the situation quickly enough and it isn’t completely drenched through it’s possible to save your mattress. Keep in mind, the longer your mattress sits, the more likely it is for mould and mildew to set in.

The material your mattress is made from will also impact how easy it is to rescue. A pocket spring mattress is easier to dry, as there are areas of air within it, whilst a memory foam mattress is denser and could be extremely difficult – if not near impossible – to completely dry out.

Important note: If the water damage to your mattress is the result of a natural disaster – proceed carefully. Sometimes flood waters are contaminated with sewage, harbouring bacteria and posing a potential biohazard. You shouldn’t attempt to salvage your mattress in these instances.

How to deal with mattress water damage:

Try to remove as much moisture as possible by pressing towels into the surface of your mattress to soak up excess liquid
Depending on how wet the mattress is, sprinkling baking soda over its surface can help draw out fluids. Let the baking soda sit for an hour or so and then vacuum it up. If you have a wet/dry vacuum cleaner – even better. This will help you suck even more moisture out
Air-dry your mattress. If it’s a sunny day, you can prop your mattress up against a wall outside. It’s important that it’s not sitting flat against the wall, but rather, leant at an angle to ensure airflow. Make sure you rotate the mattress every few hours so it dries evenly. Sunshine is also a wonderful natural sanitiser and helps to inhibit mould growth
If you haven’t been blessed with sunshine, you can try the above step indoors, using fans and dehumidifiers. Again, make sure you turn the mattress every few hours
Don’t use the mattress until you’re confident it’s completely dry. Putting it back on its bed base while it’s still partially damp is a sure-fire way to promote mould and mildew
Make sure you keep an eye out for mould over the coming weeks and months. Depending on how bad mould growth is, you may be able to rid your mattress of it using our tips on mould removal found earlier in this blog – otherwise, it may be time to face the music and toss it out.

Mattress Deep Cleaning

Has it been a while since you cleaned your mattress? Or perhaps you’ve never cleaned it!

You may be thinking about all the dust build-up, sweat, dead skin and everything else your mattress has been subjected to over the years, and wondering, can you deep clean a mattress?

The answer is: yes!

Before you jump in, make sure you check the care instructions on the label. Some mattress materials, like memory foam, need to be treated with extra care.

How to Deep Clean Your Mattress: Step-by-Step

Strip your mattress of any bedding, including mattress protectors and mattress toppers
Vacuum your mattress thoroughly on both sides using your vacuum’s upholstery attachment. Pay special attention to seams and crevices where dust and dirt can stay lodged
Spot clean any surface stains. From blood and urine to coffee and fake tan - our top tips for stain removal can be found earlier in this blog
Once any areas you’ve spot cleaned have dried, you can then dust the surface of your mattress with baking soda and leave it to sit for a few hours before vacuuming it up. This is a great way to deodorise your mattress and draw out any excess moisture left over from spot cleaning
For a more thorough clean, you can steam clean your mattress (note: foam and memory foam mattresses shouldn’t be steam cleaned). This is an excellent way to sanitise and disinfect your mattress, plus tackle any stubborn odour and stains you weren’t able to get rid of earlier. A clothes steamer or steam mop will do the trick for this step
Flip your mattress and repeat the previous steps on the other side
Finally – let your mattress air out, either inside or outdoors. If it’s a sunny day, airing out your mattress in the sunshine will help freshen it up even more. Remember to turn your mattress frequently so it airs evenly, and ensure you have it propped up rather than laying it on the ground or pushing it up against a wall.

Top tip: For an extra deep clean, did you know you can Rug Doctor your mattress? When you hire a Rug Doctor, you’ll be given a set of tools to use, including an upholstery cleaning attachment. This is an excellent way to clean and sanitise your mattress – although you’ll need to be careful to ensure you don’t let your mattress get too wet, as this can encourage mould, mildew and bacteria growth. Rug Doctors are recommended on most mattresses, except those made of foam or memory foam.

Preventing Damage to Your Mattress

The best way to ensure your mattress stays clean is to take preventative measures to minimise staining in the first place. Of course, we still recommend cleaning your mattress regularly to address dust build up – but there are some simple steps you can take to save yourself a cleaning headache down the track.

Use a mattress protector. This will make a big difference when it comes to shielding your mattress from spills, sweat and other potential sources of staining. If you have small children or pets, go a step further and consider purchasing a waterproof mattress protector
Avoid eating and drinking in bed. We know, it’s lovely having breakfast in bed, but if you’re on the clumsier side, having food and drink in bed is a recipe for spills and staining!
Regularly wash your bedding, including your mattress protector. Your bedding can trap sweat and oils from your skin that can cause your mattress to yellow over time. Washing your sheets, pillowcases and other bedding regularly will help prevent this yellowing
Avoid letting your pet sleep on your bed. Nothing is cosier than having a furry friend on your bed at night, but oils from their coat and potential accidents can risk staining your mattress. If you just can’t bear to part with your fur baby at night, consider getting them their own bed or mat that you can put on your bed as an extra layer of protection.

Professional Mattress Cleaning Services

Sometimes your mattress will be so soiled that you need to call in the professionals. Or perhaps you’re a new parent, have a demanding job or other obligations that mean that you just don’t have the time to clean your mattress yourself.

Not to worry – there are lots of professional mattress cleaning services across New Zealand.

Simply head over to Google and type in ‘mattress cleaning service’ along with the area you live in.

Mattress Disposal Services

Is your mattress simply unsalvageable? If you’ve tried everything to no avail and have decided you need to throw your mattress away, we can help.

At Ezy Peazy, we have access to an extensive network of trusted and reliable professionals who can help with a wide range of removal services. Whether you need help transporting your mattress to a refuse station or community recycling centre, professional removalists hired via our platform will ensure your mattress is disposed of smoothly and responsibly.

Posting a job on Ezy Peazy is just that - easy! Simply list your requirements, location, timeframe and preferred price (all for free) and sit back while you wait for offers from local taskers to roll in.

Live in Auckland, Wellington or Christchurch? Follow the links below to book a tasker in your area:

Live in another part of the country? No worries, local mattress disposal services are available near you too.

About Ezy Peazy

Ezy Peazy is an innovative platform that connects Kiwis with skilled professionals all over New Zealand. From household repairs, cleaning and removal services to creative projects and deliveries, Ezy Peazy makes it straightforward to find trusted taskers for a wide range of odd jobs. Founded in 2019, our mission is to empower people to realise the value of their skills and connect them with Kiwis who need a helping hand at home. With transparent reviews, competitive pricing, and a user-friendly experience, Ezy Peazy is revolutionising the way odd jobs are taken care of. Our motto is “a good job done at a fair price.”

How to Clean a Mattress: Everything You Need to Know!