How to clean your mattress with baking soda

Baking soda, also known as bicarbonate of soda, is non-toxic and a natural product, meaning there’s no risk of any harm (to you or your mattress) from harsh chemicals. In addition, it will naturally remove odours and help to balance out the pH of many smells, including body odours. Here are the steps to cleaning your mattress with baking soda:

Cleaning a mattress with baking soda doesn’t require a lot of materials and tools, but it’s a good idea to have them all to hand before you start. These are the household products you’ll need, most of which you should have already:

•  Baking soda 
•  Cleaning sponge or soft brush 
•  Vacuum cleaner 
•  A few drops of essential oils (optional)

Step 2. Strip the bed

Take all your bedding off the bed and don’t forget to remove any mattress toppers, pads or protectors along with electric blankets or specialist cooling covers. This is a good opportunity to get both linens and bedding washed – should they need to be obviously. 

Step 3. Vacuum the bed 

Mattresses can harbour all sorts of allergens, including dust mites, bacteria and pet dander. So before you start to apply baking soda, make sure to vacuum your whole mattress thoroughly to remove dead skin cells, dust and dust mites. 

Vacuum the entire surface of the mattress, making sure to cover any nooks and crannies. Pay particular attention to the edges and seams of a mattress, as debris can accumulate there. Many vacuum cleaners will have specific attachments to make this easier. 

Step 4. Sprinkle on baking soda 

Sprinkle a decent amount of baking soda over the entire mattress. If there are any areas with a stain, use the brush or cloth to gently work the soda into that area. If you want to add essential oils, this is the time to do so. Lavender, for example, is well known for its naturally calming scent which can help you to relax and fall asleep.

Teat tree oil is also good to add in, as this is naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal, which will help to give your mattress a deeper clean. Add four to five drops of essential oils to your baking soda and shake firmly or stir to mix together. Leave this to settle before sprinkling on the bed. Leave the baking soda on for at least 30 minutes – mattresses with heavier stains could need 60-90 minutes.

 Step 5. Vacuum again to remove the baking soda 

Once the baking soda has been on the mattress for the required time, vacuum all of it off the mattress. You should be left with a fresh and clean mattress. Don’t forget, if your mattress is a flippable one, don’t forget to repeat this on the other side.

Other mattress cleaning tips

As well as using baking soda, you can clean your mattress by blotting any fresh spills with water, or by using white vinegar to spray on stubborn stains (remember that you’ll need to wipe over this with a damp cloth to remove the smell of vinegar). For more tips, read our article on . 

How to keep your mattress cleaner for longer

Keeping on top of your mattress cleaning will make lighter work of things in the long run. Keeping your mattress clean helps to keep it allergen and bacteria free, as well as helping it to smell nicer and improve the inside air quality. Follow these tips to keep your mattress cleaner for longer:

• Remove fresh stains and spillages immediately
• Wash bed sheets in hot water on a weekly basis
• Vacuum your mattress every time your strip your bed 
• Deep clean your mattress with baking soda at least twice a year 
• your mattress as instructed 
•  Always use one of the to protect your bed against spills and accidents