How To Disinfect a Mattress
Updated: Feb. 24, 2023
You and your mattress are pretty close, but when was the last time you disinfected it? A pro shows you how to reduce germs in your mattress.
Time 2 hours
ComplexityBeginner
Cost$20
Introduction
Whether you have a traditional innerspring, memory foam or a popular mattress-in-a-box, all mattresses get dirty. They're repositories for dead skin cells, dirt, sweat and germs. If this is news to you, it's time to clean your mattress.
But what about disinfecting? Is that possible?
"It depends on how you define disinfection," says Allen Rathey, director of the Indoor Health Council. Technically, disinfection means to kill germs on hard, nonporous surfaces, and "mattresses are too porous and thick to effectively and completely 'disinfect' in place," Rathey says.
However, if you define it more informally — say, making something more hygienic — you can do that to a mattress.
One way is to spray it with an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registered disinfectant. "Some of those products will reduce germs on soft surfaces, too," Rathey says, "though not necessarily at the same level as on hard surfaces." Rathey says with this method, it's important to follow label directions. The solution needs to stay in the fibers of the mattress long enough to kill germs.
If spraying your mattress with a harsh chemical isn't for you, Leanne Stapf, chief operating officer of The Cleaning Authority, walks us through a DIY cleaning and disinfection technique that physically removes dirt, skin flakes and other food sources that germs need to thrive.
Project step-by-step (7)
Strip the bed
- Remove all the linens from your bed.
- Toss the sheets in the washer.
- Run a load of laundry while you clean your mattress.
Vacuum
- Vacuum your mattress to remove surface dust and debris.
- Pay attention to the edges and crevices, where dead skin and dust mites settle.
Spot treat stains
- Mix a solution of one teaspoon dish soap or enzyme cleaner and one cup water.
- Apply a small amount to stain with clean towel. Use as little soap/water solution as possible.
- Blot the stain with dry section of towel.
Note: Enzyme cleaners like OxiClean work well on blood and other bodily fluids. Dilute as indicated on package; apply and blot as above.
Spray with vinegar
- Fill a spray bottle with a 50/50 mix of distilled white vinegar and water.
- Mist the surface of your mattress with vinegar solution.
Add baking soda
- Sprinkle baking soda over the mattress.
- Break up chunks of baking soda with your fingers.
- Apply to crevices and seams, where dirt hides.
Allow to sit
- Drape a clean sheet or towels over the mattress.
- Let the vinegar and baking soda work for a few hours.
Vacuum
- Remove sheet or towels.
- Vacuum the mattress to remove baking soda.
- Use the brush attachment for best results.
- Empty the vacuum dirt canister into the trash.
