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How to Clean and Deodorize Your Mattress with Baking Soda Banish mattress odors with this all-natural ingredient Co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH and Annabelle Reyes
Last Updated: November 6, 2025 Fact Checked
Cleaning a Mattress with Baking Soda
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Removing Stains
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How Often to Clean Your Mattress
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Q&A
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This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH and by wikiHow staff writer, Annabelle Reyes. Michelle Driscoll is a professional cleaner based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 7 years of experience, Michelle is the founder of Mulberry Maids, specializing in cleaning homes and small offices. Mulberry Maids services Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins and Loveland, and offers a variety of services, including commercial cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and regular home cleaning. Michelle holds a Master's in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 370,005 times.
Did you know that your mattress can accumulate a lot of dust, dirt, bacteria, and unpleasant odors over time? Because of this, most experts recommend cleaning it about two times per year.[1]XResearch source If it’s been a while since you’ve freshened up your mattress, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll take you through the entire process of cleaning your mattress with a special ingredient you probably already have in your kitchen—baking soda!
How long should I leave baking soda on a mattress to clean it?
Sprinkle 1-3 cups (208-624 g) of baking soda over your entire mattress in an even layer. To freshen up your mattress, let the baking soda sit for 30 minutes to an hour. To perform a deep clean and tackle intense odors, let the baking soda sit for up to 24 hours. Afterward, vacuum up all the baking soda.
Steps
Section 1 of 3:
Clean & Deodorizing Your Mattress with Baking Soda
1 First, vacuum up any dirt or dust on the surface of the mattress. Strip your bed of any pillows, sheets, blankets, or duvets, and toss them in the washing machine. Once your mattress is bare, vacuum over the entire surface with a handheld vacuum or the upholstery attachment of a regular vacuum. Pay special attention to the crevices, seams, and folds in the mattress, as dirt and dust may be hidden in these places.[2]X Trustworthy Source Consumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source
Make sure you also vacuum the sides of the mattress! Dirt and dust can collect in this area as well.
2 Sprinkle 1-3 cups (208-624 g) of baking soda on the mattress. Make sure to give the mattress a liberal dusting that covers the entire surface area in an even layer of baking soda.[3]XResearch source Using a clean sponge or washcloth, gently rub the baking soda into the mattress to make sure it penetrates the surface.
If your mattress hasn’t been cleaned in a while or has a strong smell, feel free to use a little extra baking soda to cover it in a thicker layer.
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3 Let the baking soda sit for up to 24 hours. Give the baking soda time to settle in and do its job. As the baking soda sits on the mattress, it will absorb moisture, neutralize odors, and loosen dirt and dust, so that you can vacuum them up easily.[4]X Trustworthy Source Consumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source
If your mattress is only a little dirty and just needs a quick freshening up, let the baking soda sit for 30 minutes to a few hours.[5]XResearch source
If you want to perform a deep cleaning on your mattress and get rid of strong odors, leave the baking soda on your mattress for a full 24 hours.[6]X Trustworthy Source Consumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source
4 Vacuum up the baking soda. Carefully run the vacuum over the entire surface area of the mattress, paying special attention to the seams and crevices. Keep vacuuming the mattress until you’re sure that all the baking soda has been removed.[7]XResearch source
5 Flip the mattress over and repeat the entire process on the other side. Once you’ve finished the top of your mattress, flip it upside-down and clean the bottom using the exact same method. Sprinkle another 1-3 cups (208-624 g) of baking soda and let it sit for a few hours. Afterward, vacuum up the baking soda, and that’s it! Your mattress is completely cleaned.[8]XResearch source
Advertisement Section 2 of 3:
Spot-Cleaning Stains on Your Mattress
Apply spot cleaner to any visible stains. Use a commercial enzyme cleaner or make your own cleaning solution by mixing 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) mild dish detergent and 1 cup (240 ml) water in a spray bottle. Apply the spot cleaner to any stains you see on the surface of the mattress, then dab the areas with a wet cloth until the stain lifts.[9]XResearch source
For sweat, urine, and blood stains, it’s usually best to use a store-bought enzyme cleaner, but the homemade cleaning solution will also work.
Stains like red wine or coffee tend to be more difficult to remove and may require a stronger spot cleaner. For these situations, try mixing equal parts cold water and hydrogen peroxide in a spray bottle.[10]XResearch source
Section 3 of 3:
How often should you clean your mattress?
Clean your mattress with baking soda 1-2 times a year. Get in the habit of cleaning your mattress with baking soda on a regular basis so it stays fresh and odor-free. Experts recommend doing this every 6 months to prevent dead skin, dirt, dust, and odors from building up over time.[11]X Trustworthy Source Consumer ReportsNonprofit organization dedicated to consumer advocacy and product testing Go to source
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Question Can I leave baking soda on my mattress? Drew Hawkins1 Community Answer While it won't really hurt your mattress, you probably want to remove the baking soda so it doesn't get everywhere. Besides, after about 24 hours, the baking soda will have absorbed all of the odors it can. It's also super easy to remove. Take a vacuum cleaner and use an upholstery attachment to suck up the baking soda without damaging the mattress. You could also use a handheld vacuum if you have one. Make sure you run the vacuum over the seams and crevices in the mattress to ensure all the baking soda is removed. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 9 Helpful 23
Question What happens when you pour baking soda on your bed? Drew Hawkins1 Community Answer Baking soda naturally absorbs moisture and odor-causing particles. That makes it a great natural cleaner for your mattress. Take 1-3 cups (208-624 g) of baking soda and sprinkle it liberally over the entire surface of your mattress, especially if it hasn't been cleaned in a while or has a stong smell. Leave the baking soda to sit for a full 24 hours to work it's magic. While it sits, the baking soda will get rid of smells by drawing out dirt and moisture. You can then vacuum it up to leave your mattress clean and smelling fresh. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 11 Helpful 17
Question How long do you leave baking soda on mattress? Drew Hawkins1 Community Answer It depends on how bad the mattress smells or how long it's been since it was cleaned. Mattresses collect dust, dust mites, and odors easily, so they need to be cleaned regularly. Baking soda is a really simple and effective cleaning agent for mattresses. Sprinkle enough baking soda over your mattress to cover it in an even layer. For minor odors, leave the baking soda to sit for at least half an hour. However, the longer you leave it, the more it absorbs moisture and odor-causing particles. In fact, you can leave it for a full 24 hours for the best results. Then, use an upholstery attachment or a handheld vacuum cleaner to vacuum up all of the baking soda, leaving your mattress clean and refreshed. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 23 Helpful 31
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Co-authored by: Michelle Driscoll, MPH Professional Cleaner This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH and by wikiHow staff writer, Annabelle Reyes. Michelle Driscoll is a professional cleaner based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 7 years of experience, Michelle is the founder of Mulberry Maids, specializing in cleaning homes and small offices. Mulberry Maids services Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins and Loveland, and offers a variety of services, including commercial cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and regular home cleaning. Michelle holds a Master's in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. This article has been viewed 370,005 times. 8 votes - 100% Co-authors: 8Updated: November 6, 2025 Views: 370,005 Categories: Beds | Bedroom CleaningArticle SummaryX
To clean your bed with baking soda, first strip the bedsheets and vacuum any dirt from the mattress. Once you’ve vacuumed the mattress, sprinkle 1-3 cups of baking soda over it. If there’s an area with a strong smell, concentrate more baking soda there. Leave your mattress in front of a window for 24 hours so the direct sunlight can help the baking soda work. After 24 hours, vacuum up the baking soda. Then, flip the mattress over and repeat the process for the other side. It’s best to use baking soda 1-2 times a year to keep your mattress fresh. For more tips from our Cleaning co-author, including how to spot clean stains on your mattress, read on!Did this summary help you?YesNo
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Feb 6, 2025
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Yes No Advertisement If you buy through links on our site, we may earn a commission.Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Michelle Driscoll, MPH Professional Cleaner Co-authors: 8Updated: November 6, 2025 Views: 370,005100% of readers found this article helpful. 8 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote
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Co-authored by: Michelle Driscoll, MPH Professional Cleaner This article was co-authored by Michelle Driscoll, MPH and by wikiHow staff writer, Annabelle Reyes. Michelle Driscoll is a professional cleaner based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 7 years of experience, Michelle is the founder of Mulberry Maids, specializing in cleaning homes and small offices. Mulberry Maids services Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins and Loveland, and offers a variety of services, including commercial cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and regular home cleaning. Michelle holds a Master's in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. This article has been viewed 370,005 times. 8 votes - 100% Co-authors: 8 Updated: November 6, 2025 Views: 370,005 Categories: Beds | Bedroom Cleaning Article SummaryX
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1 First, vacuum up any dirt or dust on the surface of the mattress. Strip your bed of any pillows, sheets, blankets, or duvets, and toss them in the washing machine. Once your mattress is bare, vacuum over the entire surface with a handheld vacuum or the upholstery attachment of a regular vacuum. Pay special attention to the crevices, seams, and folds in the mattress, as dirt and dust may be hidden in these places.[2] 
2 Sprinkle 1-3 cups (208-624 g) of baking soda on the mattress. Make sure to give the mattress a liberal dusting that covers the entire surface area in an even layer of baking soda.[3] Using a clean sponge or washcloth, gently rub the baking soda into the mattress to make sure it penetrates the surface. 
3 Let the baking soda sit for up to 24 hours. Give the baking soda time to settle in and do its job. As the baking soda sits on the mattress, it will absorb moisture, neutralize odors, and loosen dirt and dust, so that you can vacuum them up easily.[4] 
4 Vacuum up the baking soda. Carefully run the vacuum over the entire surface area of the mattress, paying special attention to the seams and crevices. Keep vacuuming the mattress until you’re sure that all the baking soda has been removed.[7] 
5 Flip the mattress over and repeat the entire process on the other side. Once you’ve finished the top of your mattress, flip it upside-down and clean the bottom using the exact same method. Sprinkle another 1-3 cups (208-624 g) of baking soda and let it sit for a few hours. Afterward, vacuum up the baking soda, and that’s it! Your mattress is completely cleaned.[8] Advertisement 
Apply spot cleaner to any visible stains. Use a commercial enzyme cleaner or make your own cleaning solution by mixing 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) mild dish detergent and 1 cup (240 ml) water in a spray bottle. Apply the spot cleaner to any stains you see on the surface of the mattress, then dab the areas with a wet cloth until the stain lifts.[9] 
Clean your mattress with baking soda 1-2 times a year. Get in the habit of cleaning your mattress with baking soda on a regular basis so it stays fresh and odor-free. Experts recommend doing this every 6 months to prevent dead skin, dirt, dust, and odors from building up over time.[11] Advertisement 
Drew Hawkins1 Community Answer While it won't really hurt your mattress, you probably want to remove the baking soda so it doesn't get everywhere. Besides, after about 24 hours, the baking soda will have absorbed all of the odors it can. It's also super easy to remove. Take a vacuum cleaner and use an upholstery attachment to suck up the baking soda without damaging the mattress. You could also use a handheld vacuum if you have one. Make sure you run the vacuum over the seams and crevices in the mattress to ensure all the baking soda is removed. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 9 Helpful 23 