We all know the importance of having a clean home. It keeps us happier, healthier, and prevents us from getting infections.
Although washing your bedsheets is a part of common cleaning routines, there’s one area that tends to be neglected: your mattress. When you remember that you spend 8 hours on your mattress, night after night, neglecting cleaning your mattress becomes a big deal.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered with our guide on how to disinfect a mattress at home, as well as some handy devices you might want to speed up the process.
Why do you need to disinfect a mattress?
Not convinced your mattress needs disinfecting? Let us drop some information on you here that might change your mind.
According to The Sleep Council:
- The average adult produces 285ml of sweat a night;
- The average adult sheds 454g of dead skin a year, making great food for dust mites;
- The average bed contains 10,000 dust mites, which means more than 2 million dust mite droppings in your mattress.
Unfortunately, washing your sheets alone isn’t enough to get rid of all this grime. Although a sheet acts as a protective barrier between yourself and the mattress, dead skin cells and other grime will naturally start to build up and collect in your mattress, which will attract more dust mites that feed on it.
It’s why mattresses will actually get heavier the longer you have them. Yuck.
The longer you leave a dirty mattress, the worse it can get. In fact, the Sleep Council also say that a dirty mattress can contain worrying levels of staphylococcus, enterococcus, norovirus and even MRSA.
How often do you need to disinfect a mattress?
Because dust mites and skin cells are microscopic, you won’t be able to really see when a mattress is dirty.
The lessons learned on how to disinfect a mattress aren’t something that you’ll need to do every week. In fact, even doing it twice a year should be good enough to keep the worst bacteria and germs at bay. If you’re already in the habit of flipping your mattress over twice a year, it’s a good idea to add disinfecting it to this task.
If you get the mattress stained, it’s also a good idea to disinfect your mattress as you clean it up.
How to disinfect a mattress at home
When it comes to how to disinfect a mattress, there are a number of methods that you can use at home.
Some of these methods will use everyday household cleaners for a freshen up. But if you’re after a deeper clean, you may need to pick up a few cleaning devices to help disinfect your mattress.
1. Use a simple antibacterial spray
Antibacterial spray is a great once over to ensure there are no harmful bacteria growing on your bed. For this, you can buy any spray from a supermarket, or make your own with Vodka, which is naturally sanitising. You don’t need to head for the top shelf here either, cheap vodka works just as well as the expensive stuff.
- First, vacuum the top of your mattress to try and remove as much dirt, dust, dead skin, hair, or other particles from your mattress.
- Lightly spray the vodka or antibacterial spray onto the mattress. You want to give it an even covering, without getting it too wet.
- Wait for it to dry completely before putting a fresh pair of sheets back on.
- Removes Sweat & Urine Odours – Envii Bed Fresh will eliminate all sweat and urine odours from your mattress & bedding. Using millions of beneficial bacteria & enzymes to neutralise the source of the odour
- Eliminates Stains – Removes stains caused by urine, sweat, pet faeces, sick and vomit. Works on fresh or dried stains, leaving behind a fresh floral scent.
- Natural Bacteria Deodoriser – Containing only natural ingredients, Bed Fresh is safe to use around all pets and children leaving all sheets, duvets & fabrics feeling clean.
2. Steam clean your mattress
For those suffering from allergins, you might want to give your bed a stronger clean to remove more dust mites. This involves giving your mattress a steam clean.
Don’t have a steam cleaner? Check out our recommended products at the end of this article, or rent a commercial one from your nearest hardware store.
- Vacuum the mattress first to remove as much dirt, dust, dead skin, hair, or other particles as possible.
- Run a steam cleaner across the mattress in short bursts. Do not get it overly wet, as mattresses don’t cope with being wet so well.
- Follow the steam cleaning with a few dry passes of the cleaner to get as much dirt as possible from the mattress.
- Allow it to fully dry before putting a fresh pair of sheets back on. To speed up the drying process, open the windows or use a fan if it’s available.
Be careful not to wet the mattress too much when steam cleaning, as this can damage the materials.
- Remove stains like a pro: This professional-style spot cleaner uses water, formula and powerful suction to clean and protect soft surfaces
- Clean anywhere, anytime: spray, scrub and lift spots and stains from carpets, rugs, upholstery, stairs, auto interiors and more
- Large, seperate clean and dirty water tanks result in greater cleaning capabilities with less trips to the sinks
How to disinfect a mattress and remove stains
Have some stains in your mattress that you need to remove?
Try these home remedies to help clean, disinfect and keep your mattress healthy as possible.
Urine stains
For this, you’ll need white vinegar, baking soda and paper towels. The faster you act, the better.
- Blot up the urine with paper towels or a cloth, being careful not to rub it into the mattress.
- Spray plenty of white vinegar over the stain and let sit for 15 minutes.
- Soak up the extra vinegar with a cloth or paper towel.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the stained surface and allow it to sit for several hours to soak up the moisture. If possible, try to leave it overnight.
- Vacuum up the baking soda once dry.
- HG Stain Remover: Extra strong upholstery and carpet cleaning spray, gentle on fabrics and tough on stains. Carpet stain remover ideal for cleaning sofas, cushions, rugs, curtains and soft furnishings
- Fast acting fabric spray: Removes some of the most stubborn stains including wine, coffee, pen, mud, chocolate, sauce, lipstick, shoe polish, fruit juice, grease and even works as an oil stain remover
- Effective fabric and carpet shampoo formula: Enhanced with active oxygen for a deep clean. Always perform a patch test. Not suitable for for oriental rugs or materials unsuitable for wet cleaning
Vomit stains
For this, you’ll need paper towels, white vinegar, liquid soap or washing up liquid and a strong stomach.
- Scrape any remaining vomit off the bed, being careful not to rub into the mattress. Rubber gloves are preferred.
- Remove the sheets and put them straight into the wash on the highest temperature setting available. If you have removable pads that you can machine wash, put this on the same cycle.
- Mix 1 cup warm water, 1 cup white vinegar, and 1 teaspoon of liquid soap (or washing up liquid) and put into a spray bottle.
- Spray the mixture over the stain until it’s damp. Don’t get the mattress overly wet.
- Soak up the excess fluid with paper towels.
- Allow it to dry fully. To kill any remaining germs, gently spray the area with rubbing alcohol.
Bloodstains
For this, it is not enough to know how to disinfect a mattress. You’ll need 3% hydrogen peroxide, salt, and cornflour. And not to get any ideas about how effectively this will remove blood stains.
- Soak the bedsheets in cold water for several hours.
- Dab the stain with cold water.
- Combine ¼ cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide, 1 tablespoon of sale, and half a cup of cornflour to make a paste. Be careful using the hydrogen peroxide and ensure it doesn’t come into contact with your skin.
- Put the paste onto the stain using a spoon or spatula and allow to dry.
- When dry, remove using a dull knife and vacuum the surface.
Sweat stains
For this, you’ll need power laundry detergent.
- Mix ½ a cup of laundry detergent with 2 cups of warm water. Mix well, until suds form.
- Apply a thin layer of the suds onto the stain with a clean sponge. Rub gently in circular motions until the stain starts to fade.
- Using a new sponge, wipe away the detergent and allow to try.
- Vacuum the mattress once fully dry.
Speed up the process with our top product picks
Now you know how to disinfect a mattress, let’s talk about how you can do with faster, quicker and with less elbow grease.
The team at Sleep4Beginers have tried and tested products all over the market, and these are our top 4 picks for handy devices that will help simplify the whole process.
1. Mamibot Bed Cleaner Dust Mite Vacuum Handheld Cordless Mattress Cleaner
Check current stock levels, price, and reviews on Amazon
The Mamibot Bed Cleaner is a handheld vacuum cleaner designed to remove dust mites, pollens, and common bacteria from your bed.
It uses ‘flapping’ pads to drive dust mites off the surface of the mattress, making it much more effective than a regular vacuum cleaner. Once the mites have been ‘flapped’ off the surface, this handheld cleaner uses UV lamps to kill 99.999% of dust mites, helping to relieve allergies and disinfect your mattresses quicker than ever before.
It’s lightweight and designed to get into the crevices of your mattress, but can also be used for your rugs, carpets, chairs, or pillows.
- Maybe You Don't Konw What Will Mites Bring YOU: Mites are really disaster if you are allergic . No matter if you are adult or a child, or a baby, allergy symptoms like runny nose, sneezing and coughing will be annoying your life seriously. That will disrupt your ability to breathe easily and cause sleep disruptions. Skin rashes are also a common symptom.
- Mamibot UVLITE200 Cordless Handheld Design : New designed cordless mattress cleaner to remove dust mites, pollens, and common bacteria, kills 99.99% mites with patented U-Type UV lamp.Release you from long-cables and uncomfortable cleaning experience. It is necessary if you want a real healthy and comfortable familty.
- The Efficient Mites Remover: There are reasons choosing the UVLITE200 to help you: Strong flapping speed; 2-speed suction switch; U-Type UV lamp; Longer duration.The wavelength of the UV is 253.7nm which can kill germs,viruses,microbes,dust mite,etc.
2. BISSELL SpotClean Pro
Check current stock levels, price, and reviews on Amazon
The BISSELL SpotClean Pro is a handheld spot cleaner that uses water, formula, and powerful suction to clean and protect soft surfaces.
Steam cleaning is another great way on how to disinfect a mattress. If you’re planning on giving one to your mattress to remove more dust, grime, and dirt, this spot cleaner has got you covered.
The powerful emergency spot cleaner uses 750W of power for quick and easy cleaning, and also includes a sample bottle of BISSELL Wash & Protect Formula. With an easy-grip handle, the spot cleaner will be able to provide a deep clean for every corner of your mattress and also be used for your rugs, carpets, chairs, or pillows.
- Remove stains like a pro: This professional-style spot cleaner uses water, formula and powerful suction to clean and protect soft surfaces
- Clean anywhere, anytime: spray, scrub and lift spots and stains from carpets, rugs, upholstery, stairs, auto interiors and more
- Large, seperate clean and dirty water tanks result in greater cleaning capabilities with less trips to the sinks
3. HG Stain Spray Extra Strong
Check current stock levels, price, and reviews on Amazon
Don’t fancy making up homemade remedies to remove your stains? The HG stain spray is perfect for you.
Incredibly effective, this spray has proven results removing even the most stubborn of stains, including wine, coffee, chocolate, sauce, lipstick, shoe polish, fruit juice, grease, sweat, and general yellowing that your mattress may have.
It’s designed to be used for all types of upholstery, including mattresses, carpets, and sofas. Simply spray into the stain, leave it to work, and then remove it with a clean cloth.
- HG Stain Remover: Extra strong upholstery and carpet cleaning spray, gentle on fabrics and tough on stains. Carpet stain remover ideal for cleaning sofas, cushions, rugs, curtains and soft furnishings
- Fast acting fabric spray: Removes some of the most stubborn stains including wine, coffee, pen, mud, chocolate, sauce, lipstick, shoe polish, fruit juice, grease and even works as an oil stain remover
- Effective fabric and carpet shampoo formula: Enhanced with active oxygen for a deep clean. Always perform a patch test. Not suitable for for oriental rugs or materials unsuitable for wet cleaning
4. Envii Bed Fresh – Mattress and Bedding Deodoriser, Freshener and Urine Cleaner Spray
Check current stock levels, price, and reviews on Amazon
The Envii Bed Fresh spray is designed to eliminate odours and stains from mattresses caused by sweat or urine. It uses friendly, probiotic bacteria to eliminate unwanted smells and stains from your bedding. Bed Fresh is capable of working on a wide range of smells from sweat and urine, to baby sick and even pet accidents. Bed Fresh not only eliminates these bodily fluid smells but will also eliminate the stains they leave behind.
Leaving a light refreshing smell on your mattress, it’s also a good spray to use in between disinfecting your mattress to keep it smelling nice, fresh, and like new.
- Removes Sweat & Urine Odours – Envii Bed Fresh will eliminate all sweat and urine odours from your mattress & bedding. Using millions of beneficial bacteria & enzymes to neutralise the source of the odour
- Eliminates Stains – Removes stains caused by urine, sweat, pet faeces, sick and vomit. Works on fresh or dried stains, leaving behind a fresh floral scent.
- Natural Bacteria Deodoriser – Containing only natural ingredients, Bed Fresh is safe to use around all pets and children leaving all sheets, duvets & fabrics feeling clean.
Do you need a new mattress?
A mattress is one of the most important pieces of furniture you’ll ever buy. It’s designed to be slept on for 8 hours a night, meaning it needs to be in its best condition to help you get a restful night’s sleep and feel at your best.
We’ve covered how to disinfect a mattress. But, some mattresses can’t be saved by disinfecting them. After all, mattresses don’t last forever. The general advice is that they have a lifespan between 6-8 years, depending on how well it’s been taken care of.
If you’re noticing any of the following:
- Waking up with a runny nose or itchy eyes;
- Have a sore back or muscles in the morning;
- Trouble sleeping or getting comfortable at night;
- A noisy bed that squeaks when you move;
- A lumpy or uneven mattress.
Then this is a sign that you need a new mattress.
But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered there. If you’re searching for a new mattress, check out our reviews of the best mattresses in the UK to help you decide.
Top-Rated Online Mattresses:
| Mattress Brand | Type | Firmness | Our Rating | Review | Official Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Memory Foam | Medium-Firm | 9.7 | Read Review | Visit Website |
 | Memory Foam | Medium-Firm | 9.5 | Read Review | Visit Website |
 | Hybrid | Medium-Firm | 9.4 | Read Review | Visit Website |
How to disinfect a mattress at home
Now that you have learned how to disinfect a mattress at home, remember that there are a number of methods you can use.
Firstly, you can use a cleaning antibacterial spray, or vodka, on your mattress to help kill bacteria. For a deeper clean, you’ll want to use a steam or spot cleaner to really remove the dust mites and dead skin cells that are building up.
For extra help disinfecting your mattress, make sure to check out the products we got listed above.
Now all that’s left is for you to get a good night’s sleep on your new, clean mattress. Need some advice on getting to sleep? Check out our sleep tips here.
