What you'll need
- Vacuum with upholstery attachment
- Baking soda (1 box)
- Spray bottle with water + a few drops of dish soap
- White vinegar (for odours)
- Microfibre cloths
- Hydrogen peroxide 3% (for stains — spot test first)
Step-by-step
- Strip the bed and wash all linens in hot water.
- Vacuum the entire mattress — top, sides, and around the seams. This pulls out dust mites and skin flakes.
- Spot-treat stains with a paste of baking soda + a little water. Dab, don't rub. Let it sit 30 min, then vacuum.
- Urine/sweat stains: a 1:1 mix of hydrogen peroxide + water + a drop of dish soap. Spot test in a hidden corner first.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the whole top. Let it sit at least 1 hour, ideally 4+. This pulls moisture and odour out.
- Vacuum again, slowly, with the upholstery attachment.
- Air-dry with a fan or open window for 2+ hours before re-making the bed.
When to call a pro
- Mattress is more than 8 years old and heavily soiled — replacement is often cheaper than professional cleaning.
- Bedbug suspicion — call a licensed pest control company, not a cleaning service.