How to Look After Your Mattress: Dealing with Stains

Mattress Cleaning: The In-Depth Guide (You Spend 1/3 of Your Life on It)

A mattress is one of the most important items in your home. We spend roughly one third of our lives sleeping, which means the cleanliness and condition of your mattress directly affect your comfort, wellbeing and overall sleep quality.

A good mattress can last for many years — but like anything used daily, it collects dust, sweat, dead skin and, sometimes, stains. Two of the most common issues we see are sweat staining and urine accidents. The good news is that routine care can prevent most problems, and knowing what to do early can save you money (and stress).

Why routine mattress care matters

Most people clean carpets and sofas regularly, but the mattress is often forgotten — even though it can influence:

• Health: Dust mites, allergens and contaminants can build up over time, especially affecting allergy and asthma sufferers.

• Sleep comfort: Uneven wear and sagging can lead to discomfort and poor sleep.

• Mattress lifespan: Regular care helps a mattress keep its structure and support for longer.

• Hygiene: A clean mattress means a healthier sleeping environment.

Neglect isn’t always deliberate — it’s simply easy to forget. But a few simple habits make a huge difference and require no specialist tools.

Simple routine steps that protect your mattress

1) Buy a mattress protector straight away (don’t wait)

A high-quality mattress protector is one of the best investments you can make. It creates a barrier that helps protect your mattress from:

• sweat and moisture,

• spills and stains,

• friction and colour transfer from bedding,

• and day-to-day contamination.

Most good protectors are machine washable and significantly reduce the build-up of dust mites and dead skin within the mattress.

2) Rotate (and flip, if possible) every 3–6 months

Rotate the mattress 180 degrees and flip it if the model allows it. This helps prevent uneven wear, especially if:

• you tend to sleep in the same position,

• you sleep with a partner and body weights differ,

• the mattress is heavy and tends to compress in certain areas.

Yes, it can be awkward — but it noticeably improves comfort and lifespan.

3) Vacuum the mattress whenever you change bedding

This is one of the most overlooked steps — and one of the most important.

Dead skin cells feed bacteria. Add moisture and salts from sweat, and you create the perfect environment for microbial growth and hygiene issues. Even with a protector, you should vacuum the mattress regularly.

When changing bedding:

• wash the protector,

• vacuum the mattress thoroughly (including edges and seams).

Many mattresses are never vacuumed — and after a few years, a mattress can contain a surprisingly large amount of dead skin even if it doesn’t look “dirty”.

4) Let your mattress breathe (air it out)

Airing out your mattress is simple and effective:

• remove all bedding,

• leave the mattress uncovered for a few hours,

• ventilate the room (open windows where possible).

This helps to:

• reduce moisture build-up (mould risk),

• minimise odours,

• reduce allergens (sunlight can help, when available).

Also: air out the bedroom daily. Two adults sleeping in a small room can create a lot of humidity — and that humidity affects the mattress.

5) Consider professional mattress cleaning once a year

We recommend professional mattress cleaning around once per year, depending on lifestyle (pets, children, allergies, sweating, etc.).

Why? Because many household cleaning machines:

• lack the extraction power needed to rinse and remove contamination from deeper layers,

• can introduce too much moisture,

• and may leave the mattress damp for too long — creating a risk of mould.

It’s also important to recognise that higher-end mattresses may contain delicate fibres (e.g., wool, viscose) and can be damaged by incorrect chemicals or over-wetting.

Professional cleaning ensures the right method, the right chemistry and safe drying.

The two most common mattress problems: urine accidents and sweat stains

These are the issues we deal with most often.

Urine accidents

Urine can happen for many reasons — children, pets, illness, or simply an unfortunate accident. The main problems are:

• the stain (often yellowing),

• the odour (ammonia + bacteria),

• and the risk of deeper contamination if not treated quickly.

Sweat staining

Sweat stains build gradually over time through:

• moisture,

• mineral salts,

• dead skin,

• bacterial activity.

Both urine and sweat often lead to yellow staining, but urine typically requires odour neutralisation and deeper treatment.

Sweat or urine stain? Don’t panic — assess first

Before doing anything, take a moment to assess the situation. Rushing often leads to mistakes (over-wetting, using the wrong chemicals, spreading the contamination).

Ask yourself:

1) Is it superficial or severe?

• Superficial: limited to the surface, noticed quickly, small area. DIY may be possible.

• Severe: large amount, seeped deeper, noticed late, strong odour. Call a professional.

2) Is it fresh or already dry?

• Fresh: easier to blot and treat before it sets.

• Dry: harder to lift; odours may have penetrated deeper layers.

3) What fibres are involved?

• Synthetic fibres (polyester, many foam constructions) can be more forgiving but may trap odours if not treated properly.

• Natural fibres (cotton, wool, viscose) are often more absorbent and more sensitive — the wrong DIY approach can cause permanent damage.

DIY urine & sweat stain removal (only for the right scenario)

If the stain is superficial, fresh, and your mattress top fabric is synthetic (not wool/cotton/viscose), you can try the following method.

If the stain is severe, older, strongly odorous, or the mattress contains delicate fibres — skip DIY and call a professional.

What you’ll need

• Clean towels or paper towels

• White vinegar

• Baking soda

• Water

• Spray bottle

• Vacuum cleaner

• Optional: enzyme-based cleaner

• Optional: wet vac / upholstery extraction tool (suction only)

Step 1: Blot (do not rub)

Blot up as much liquid as possible using clean towels. Press gently but firmly. Replace towels often.

Step 2: Apply a vinegar solution

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the affected area (do not soak it). Leave for 10–15 minutes.

Vinegar helps neutralise ammonia and reduce odours.

Step 3: Blot again

Blot to remove moisture.

Step 4: Apply baking soda

Sprinkle a generous layer over the damp area. Leave for several hours (ideally overnight). Baking soda helps absorb moisture and neutralise odours.

Step 5: Vacuum thoroughly

Vacuum all baking soda residue properly, including seams.

Step 6: Inspect and repeat if needed

If the stain/odour remains, you may repeat — but be careful not to over-wet.

Optional: enzyme cleaner (for stubborn odours)

An enzyme-based cleaner can help break down organic contamination. Follow the product instructions and ensure the mattress dries fully afterwards.

Step 7: Dry completely

The mattress must be fully dry before re-making the bed. Use ventilation and a fan if needed.

Important: If you have a home machine with an upholstery attachment, use suction only. Do not rinse heavily — excessive water often pushes contamination deeper and increases drying time.

When to call a professional mattress cleaner immediately

Call straight away if:

• the accident is large or old

• the odour is strong

• the stain has dried and spread

• the mattress contains wool/cotton/viscose or other delicate fibres

• you’ve tried DIY and it hasn’t worked

Professional equipment and specialist chemistry make a major difference — especially for deep contamination and long-standing odours.

If you live in Yorkshire, you can contact us to get help and book an appointment. We offer affordable services and quick appointments.

📩 office@trustcleaner.co.uk