5 DIY mattress cleaning tips to reduce dust mites, mold and bed bugs

Spring may be the season for cleaning but it’s also a prime time for dust mites, bed bugs and mold to thrive within your mattress. That’s because warmer temperatures and increased humidity create a perfect breeding ground for these unwanted pests.

But the good news is that by cleaning now, you can help to prevent these infestations before they start. Regular cleaning and maintenance are also essential for extending your mattress’s lifespan and ensuring good hygiene overall.

To celebrate Sleep Awareness Week 2025 I’m sharing five essential DIY mattress cleaning tasks that you should tackle right now instead of waiting for spring cleaning to begin. If after reading you decide you need a new mattress after all then our best mattress guide contains our top choices for different sleepers and budgets.

5 DIY mattress cleaning jobs to do now – don’t wait for spring cleaning

1. Vacuum your mattress all over

One of the most effective ways of keeping your bed clean is to regularly vacuum your mattress. Always use the upholstery attachment that comes with your vacuum cleaner so that you don’t risk damaging the fabric or materials of the bed.

Pay special attention to the seams, tufts and crevices where dust and debris tend to accumulate. You may want to use the crevice tool to get into the tight spots and along the edges.

Also use this time to vacuum your bed frame if its made of fabric, this is often neglected but can also harbor dust and allergens. If your frame is metal or wood, give it a wipe-down with a damp cloth.

2. Air your mattress

Your mattress needs to breathe, even during the winter months. Letting your mattress breathe is simply the process of allowing air to circulate around and through your mattress.

Doing this will get rid of excess moisture which can stop mattress mold in it’s tracks, but also get rid of bad odors and potential allergens.

To air out your mattress, simply remove all bedding — including the mattress protector, vacuum the surface and then prop your mattress vertically against the wall in a well-ventilated room. It’s best to turn the mattress half way through the process so both sides get a good airing.

Mattresses are heavy, so you may want to get someone to help you with this. However, if you are unable to shift your mattress or you have no room to prop it up, you can also get good results by stripping your bed and just opening up all the windows.

If possible, position your mattress near a window if your room gets sunshine as the UV rays are a natural disinfectant.

3. Spot clean any stains

Stains happen, they can be the result of accidents, spills, dead skin cells or natural body oils, but it’s essential to clean any stains as soon as possible. The longer you leave them, the more likely that they’ll go deeper into the fabrics and that means mold, stains, odors and the eventual breakdown of your mattress.

First of all, if you notice any liquid, it’s important to deal with this first. Using a clean paper towel or absorbent cloth, dab the area until it comes back dry.

How you tackle the stain depends on how set in the stain is. If the stain is light, then after vacuuming the surface, sprinkle with some baking soda before leaving for at least 4 hours (the longer you can leave it, the better), then vacuum the area to remove the baking soda.

If the stain is deeper, you may want to make a cleaning solution. One of the easiest ways to do this is to mix together one cup of white vinegar, one cup of water and a drop of mild laundry detergent in a clean spray bottle.

Spray this on the affected area, being mindful not to saturate your mattress, and then sprinkle with some baking soda.

After around 15 minutes, you’ll notice the baking soda will start to bubble up, this isn’t anything to worry about, it just means the stain will be breaking down. After around 20 minutes, vacuum the area and then blot with a cloth dipped in cold water. Leave to fully dry before you re-make the bed.

4. Invest in a mattress encasement or protector

One of the best things you can do for your mattress is to buy a mattress encasement or one of the best mattress protectors.

Of course, you’ll still need to practice mattress maintenance regularly but having a mattress protector can make all the difference.

If you’re wondering what the difference between a mattress protector and mattress encasement is, it’s simple: a mattress protector protects five sides of the mattress, whilst an encasement means your mattress is zipped within it protecting all six sides — making it impossible for bed bugs, dust mites or any other allergens to enter.

Both offer a barrier between you and your mattress, though, that means that if there’s an accident, spill or just your general sweat and body oils, that moisture won’t make it onto the surface of your mattress.

They’re also easy to clean with the majority being machine washable. Make sure you do wash your mattress protector or encasement often and always allow it to fully dry before making your bed again.

This will stop your mattress from attracting any unwanted moisture, which can of course lead to dreaded mattress mold and mildew.

5. Use baking soda

If you want to keep your bed stain free and feeling fresh then there’s a natural solution that you most likely already have in your kitchen cupboard.

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and can help to absorb excess moisture and eliminate odors.

When you strip your bed, give the surface a good vacuum and then sprinkle a layer of baking soda over the top and leave for a good few hours, a minimum of four but the longer you can leave it, the better.

Once it’s been allowed to sit, simply vacuum it again to remove any trace of the powder. If you want extra freshness, then you can add a few drops of your favourite essential oil to the baking soda before you apply it.

Also, my top tip with baking soda is to use a flour sifter when applying, this allows you to get a good even coverage and no clumps, which can also reduce wastage.

Why you need to clean your mattress

Regular mattress cleaning is crucial not only to keep you feeling healthy, but also for the health of your mattress.

Over time, mattresses can accumulate dead skin cells, dust, dander, sebum and various other allergens. If you let these build up then they can trigger allergies and respiratory issues, leaving you feel pretty grotty in the mornings.

These conditions also create the perfect environment for pests like dust mites, which can cause asthma symptoms, skin irritations and other health issues.

Your bed will also start to smell and you may start noticing yellow stains appearing on the mattress. These stains aren’t just unsightly, but they can also be a symptom that bacteria is growing on and within the fibers.

This isn’t just a danger for your health but it will also cause the breakdown of your mattress which will lead to a saggy, uncomfortable sleeping surface, leaving you feeling unrested and with aches and pains in the morning and mean that you’ll have to replace your mattress sooner rather than later.

How often should you clean it?

You should be incorporating mattress cleaning into your regular cleaning schedule. Every week you should change your bedding, and whilst that bedding is in the wash it’s the perfect chance to vacuum the surface, although if you don’t have time to vacuum every week, aim to vacuum and deodorize at least once a month.

Every three months you should wash your mattress protector or encasement. Wash in warm water with a small amount of mild laundry detergent and tumble dry on a low heat so that you don’t damage any of the waterproof properties.

You should also be rotating your mattress every three months, as this will prevent sagging and also ensure even weight distribution so you’ll have consistent comfort and support.

Every six months you should deep clean your mattress. One of the best ways to do this is by steam cleaning your mattress. This kills bacteria and removes dust mites.

Although, if you have a memory foam mattress, this should be avoided as the extreme heat and moisture can damage the structure of the foam.

Tom’s Guide created this content as part of a paid partnership with Helix Sleep. The contents of this article are independent and solely reflect the editorial opinion of Tom’s Guide.