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You can upholstery-clean a mattress with a fabric-safe cleaning solution and an upholstery extractor, but the mattress must not become soaked. Use the lowest amount of water possible, extract several times, and let the mattress dry completely before adding bedding.
Always check the mattress care label and manufacturer guidance first. Some mattresses should only be vacuumed or spot-cleaned. Foam mattresses, pillow tops, and mattresses with glued layers can be damaged by too much moisture.
What You Will Need
Gather these items before you remove the bedding:
- Vacuum with an upholstery attachment
- Clean white cloths or microfiber towels
- Mild liquid detergent
- Upholstery cleaning machine, if allowed
- Mattress-safe upholstery cleaning solution
- Small bowl or spray bottle
- Fan or dehumidifier
- Baking soda, if desired
- Waterproof mattress protector for later use
Avoid using a strong carpet cleaner unless its instructions clearly say it is suitable for mattresses and upholstery. Carpet formulas may leave too much soap or require more rinsing than a mattress can handle.
Check Whether the Mattress Can Be Upholstery-Cleaned
Read the mattress label, care instructions, and warranty information before using water or a cleaning machine.
A mattress may need spot cleaning only if it has:
- Thick memory foam layers
- A removable cover with separate washing instructions
- Tufting that can hold water
- Glued fabric or foam layers
- Electrical parts or adjustable features
- A care label that says not to wet-clean it
Do not remove a mattress cover just because it has a zipper. Some covers are not meant to be removed. Taking one off may make it difficult to put back on or may affect the mattress warranty.
When the instructions are unclear, use the gentler method: vacuum the mattress and spot-clean only the stained areas.
How to Upholstery-Clean a Mattress
1. Remove All Bedding
Strip off the sheets, mattress pad, protector, blankets, and pillows.
Wash the removable bedding according to each care label. Starting with clean bedding keeps dirt and odors from going straight back onto the mattress.
Move the bed away from the wall if possible. This allows air to reach more sides of the mattress while it dries.
2. Inspect the Mattress
Look for stains, loose threads, torn fabric, damaged seams, and areas that are already damp.
Do not use an extractor over torn fabric. The suction may pull the fabric or make the damage worse.
Check the sides and seams for small objects, pet hair, crumbs, and dust. Pay extra attention to tufted areas and piping around the edges.
3. Vacuum the Entire Surface
Use the upholstery attachment rather than a bare vacuum hose.
Vacuum slowly across the top of the mattress. Make overlapping passes so you do not miss sections. Then clean:
- The seams
- The sides
- The corners
- Around buttons or tufting
- Under the mattress, if you can safely lift or turn it
Vacuuming first is important. Wetting dust, skin flakes, pet hair, or crumbs can turn them into a muddy residue.
4. Test the Cleaning Solution
Mix or prepare the upholstery solution according to its label. Do not make it stronger than directed.
Test it on a small, hidden section of the mattress. Apply a small amount, blot it, and allow it to dry. Check for:
- Color changes
- Fabric damage
- Stiffness
- Water rings
- Sticky residue
A white cloth makes it easier to see whether dye is transferring from the mattress fabric.
5. Treat Stains First
Blot stains with a small amount of cleaning solution. Work from the outside of the stain toward the center so it does not spread.
Do not scrub hard. Rough scrubbing can damage the fabric or push the stain deeper into the padding.
For a basic spot-cleaning solution, mix a small amount of mild liquid detergent with cool or lukewarm water. Use mostly foam rather than pouring the liquid directly onto the mattress.
Apply the solution to a cloth first. Then dab the mattress. Blot the area with another cloth that is lightly dampened with clean water.
Different stains may require different treatment. Check the mattress manufacturer’s guidance and the cleaner label before using stain removers, peroxide, enzyme cleaners, or other products.
6. Prepare the Upholstery Cleaner
Use a machine with a proper upholstery hand tool. A full-size carpet-cleaning floor head is too large and may release too much water.
Fill the clean-water tank according to the machine instructions. Use only a compatible cleaning formula.
Do not add extra detergent. Too much soap can leave a sticky film that attracts more dirt.
Choose a low-moisture or upholstery setting when available.
7. Clean One Small Section at a Time
Begin at one corner and work across the mattress in small sections.
Make one light wet pass. Then make several slow suction-only passes over the same area. The goal is to remove as much moisture as possible.
Follow these basic rules:
- Do not hold the spray trigger in one place.
- Do not make repeated wet passes unless needed.
- Do not push the tool hard into soft foam.
- Do not flood seams, buttons, or tufted areas.
- Do not clean the underside unless there is enough time and airflow for both sides to dry.
The mattress should feel lightly damp, not wet or heavy.
8. Extract Extra Moisture
After cleaning the full surface, empty the dirty-water tank if needed. Then go over the mattress again without spraying.
Move the upholstery tool slowly. Extra dry passes can remove water that is sitting below the surface fabric.
Press clean, dry towels over damp areas. Do not rub. Towels can lift more moisture from the outer cover.
9. Dry the Mattress Completely
Place the mattress in a well-ventilated room. Open windows when weather and outdoor air conditions allow.
You can upholstery-clean a mattress with a fabric-safe cleaning solution and an upholstery extractor, but the mattress must not become soaked; you can sanitize a mattress without washing the whole thing by vacuuming it, cleaning small spots, using a mattress-safe disinfecting product when allowed, and letting it dry fully.
Use fans to move air across the top and sides. A dehumidifier can also help remove moisture from the room.
If the mattress can be safely stood on its side without bending or damaging it, this may improve airflow. Check the manufacturer’s handling instructions first, especially for heavy foam or hybrid mattresses.
Do not put sheets, a protector, or a mattress pad on until the mattress is completely dry. Covering a damp mattress traps moisture.
Drying may take several hours or longer, depending on:
- How much water was used
- Mattress thickness
- Room humidity
- Airflow
- Fabric and fill materials
- Whether one or both sides were cleaned
Plan the cleaning for early in the day. A guest room or spare sleeping surface is helpful in case the mattress is not dry by bedtime.
How to Clean a Mattress Without an Upholstery Machine
A machine is not always necessary. For light dirt or a small stain, spot cleaning is often safer.
Vacuum Thoroughly
Vacuum the top, sides, seams, and edges using an upholstery tool.
Apply Cleaner to a Cloth
Mix a small amount of mild detergent with water. Dip a cloth into the mixture, then wring it out well.
Dab the stained area. Do not pour cleaner directly onto the mattress.
Blot With a Damp Cloth
Use a second cloth lightly dampened with clean water. Blot the area to remove soap residue.
Press With Dry Towels
Push dry towels onto the cleaned spot to absorb moisture.
Air-Dry
Run a fan toward the area until it is fully dry. Keep the mattress uncovered during drying.
This method works well for a guest bed, dorm mattress, RV bed, or child’s mattress when only a small area needs attention.
Can You Use Baking Soda on a Mattress?
Baking soda can help absorb some surface odors, but it does not replace washing or stain treatment.
Sprinkle a thin, even layer over a dry mattress. Let it sit for a few hours, then vacuum it slowly with an upholstery attachment.
Do not apply baking soda to a wet mattress. It may form clumps and become difficult to remove from seams or textured fabric.
Use a light amount. Thick layers can clog some vacuum filters. Check the vacuum instructions before cleaning up fine powders.
What Not to Use on a Mattress
Avoid methods that add too much water or leave strong residue.
Do not use:
- A garden hose
- A pressure washer
- A steam mop
- A full-size carpet floor nozzle
- Large amounts of dish soap
- Undiluted bleach
- Strong fragrance oils
- Very hot water unless the care instructions allow it
- A hair dryer held close to the fabric
- Bedding before the mattress is dry
Steam cleaners can release heat and moisture deep into the mattress. Only use one if the mattress manufacturer specifically allows that method.
Never mix cleaning products. Some combinations can create harmful fumes or damage the mattress fabric.
How to Avoid Water Rings
Water rings often happen when one small area becomes much wetter than the fabric around it.
To reduce the risk:
- Use very little solution.
- Blot instead of pouring.
- Clean beyond the visible edge of the stain.
- Feather the moisture outward with a lightly damp cloth.
- Extract or blot evenly.
- Dry the area quickly with moving air.
A test patch is especially important on dark, patterned, or delicate mattress fabric.
How Often Should You Clean a Mattress?
Vacuuming the mattress every few months is enough for many bedrooms. Clean spills and stains as soon as practical, following the care instructions.
A whole-surface wet cleaning should not be done on a fixed schedule unless the manufacturer recommends it. Frequent wet cleaning can leave moisture or detergent inside the mattress.
Mattresses may need more frequent vacuuming in homes with:
- Pets that sleep on the bed
- Children who snack in bed
- Guest rooms used by many visitors
- Open windows that bring in dust
- Long periods without a mattress protector
How to Keep the Mattress Cleaner
A washable mattress protector makes routine care easier. Choose one that fits the mattress depth without pulling tightly at the corners.
Pocket depth is the height the fitted protector can cover. Measure from the bottom of the mattress to its highest point, including a built-in pillow top.
Wash the protector according to its care label. Some waterproof layers can be damaged by high dryer heat.
Other helpful habits include:
- Washing sheets regularly
- Keeping food and drinks away from the bed
- Vacuuming pet hair before it builds up
- Cleaning spills promptly
- Allowing the bed to air out before making it
- Checking the bed frame for dust
- Rotating the mattress when the manufacturer recommends it
For an RV, dorm, or small bedroom, leave extra drying time because airflow may be limited.
When to Stop and Get Professional Help
Consider professional cleaning when:
- The mattress care instructions require it
- A stain covers a large area
- The mattress was deeply soaked
- The fabric is delicate or damaged
- The mattress is too heavy to move safely
- Odor remains after careful cleaning and drying
- You are unsure which cleaning method the materials can handle
Ask the cleaner what method they plan to use and whether it is suitable for the specific mattress construction. Check current manufacturer guidance before arranging the service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a carpet cleaner on a mattress?
You can use some carpet-cleaning machines if they have an upholstery hand tool and the instructions allow mattress cleaning. Use a low-moisture method and make several suction-only passes. Do not use the large floor-cleaning head on the mattress.
Can I sleep on a mattress after upholstery cleaning?
Only sleep on it after it is completely dry. A mattress may feel dry on the surface while deeper layers are still damp. Use fans and allow plenty of airflow before replacing the bedding.
Can I clean a memory foam mattress with an upholstery cleaner?
Many memory foam mattresses should not be wet-cleaned with an extractor because foam can hold moisture. Check the mattress care instructions. Vacuuming and careful spot cleaning are often the safer choices.
How much cleaning solution should I use?
Use the smallest amount needed. Follow the cleaner and machine instructions rather than adding extra detergent. The mattress should be lightly damp after cleaning, never soaked.
Can I use laundry detergent in an upholstery machine?
Only use a formula approved for the machine. Regular laundry detergent may create too much foam or leave residue. Check the equipment manual and mattress care instructions.
How do I dry a mattress faster after cleaning?
Use several suction-only passes, press the surface with dry towels, and direct fans across the mattress. A dehumidifier may also help. Keep all bedding off until the mattress is fully dry.
Should I clean both sides of the mattress?
Clean both sides only if the mattress is designed to be flipped and you have enough airflow and drying time. Many modern mattresses have a single sleeping surface. Check the manufacturer’s guidance before turning or flipping it.
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