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How To Clean Your Mattress Naturally

Baking soda for 30 minutes.
How To Clean Your Mattress Naturally
Tom Greenspan
Updated 
December 21, 2022

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Your mattress is one of those home items that never get a second thought, we clean our sheets and change the bedding regularly, and the mattress gets ignored.

The mattress deserves attention as we spend a third of our lives sleeping!

Baking soda on a mattress is the best way to clean it, but how long should you leave it on for?

Did you know that a person living in an average climate sweat about half a pint of fluid every night? Besides getting absorbed into the mattress, dead skin deposits are also an issue.

A little TLC is clearly in order for the mattress.

Below we answer frequently asked questions so you can sleep in a fresh odorless bed. 

Let's jump in.

How to naturally clean your mattress

If you're looking for a natural way to clean your mattress, baking soda is the best option. Start by removing all bedding and any debris on the mattress. Next, sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the entire surface of the mattress. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes, or even better, overnight. This will help to absorb any odors and stains.

After allowing the baking soda to sit, use a vacuum cleaner with a upholstery attachment to thoroughly remove the baking soda. It's also important to flip and rotate your mattress to ensure even wear and prolong its life.

For any tough stains, you can make a paste of baking soda and water and apply it directly to the stain. Leave for 15-30 minutes before vacuuming up. Regularly vacuuming your mattress and using baking soda can help to keep your mattress fresh and clean. Remember to protect your mattress with a mattress protector.

Clean your mattress with vinegar

Want to keep your mattress fresh and clean without harsh chemicals? Look no further than vinegar!

Start by removing all sheets and bedding from the mattress. Mix equal parts warm water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and generously mist the surface of the mattress. Let sit for 15-20 minutes. Take a clean, damp cloth and gently scrub the mattress, paying extra attention to any stains. Use a dry cloth to blot away excess moisture.

To finish, let the mattress air out and dry completely before replacing bedding. For added freshness, sprinkle baking soda on the mattress before vacuuming it off. Using this method regularly can help prolong the life of your mattress and improve your overall sleep experience.

Can I leave baking soda on my mattress overnight?

Yes, the more time you can leave baking soda on your bed (within reasonable limits), the better job it will do at absorbing moisture and odors from the bed.

However, before you head to the kitchen to find the baking soda, some preliminaries will help with the process.

Obviously, you need to strip the bed and expose the mattress.

Once you have reached this stage, you are on your way to a fresh bed. Vacuum the mattress thoroughly to remove dead skin particles and any other residues that may have found their way onto the bed, especially if you decide to have a snack in bed or have a pet who climbs on the bed. Who knows what you may find?

Once the bed is vacuumed to your satisfaction, close the windows, this will reduce humidity in the bedroom and prevent the baking soda from absorbing the moisture in the end and not in the mattress.

Use a fine dusting of baking soda all over the mattress. You may find a flour sifter is the easiest way of controlling the baking soda; it's pretty fine. If you don't have a flour sifter, use a fine sieve from the kitchen. Everyone has one.

With the baking soda in the sieve, gently tap the side of the sieve, so the baking soda falls in a fine dust shower. Cover the whole mattress.

Leave for a minimum of 20 mins, but longer, like an overnight, will produce better results.

Can I sleep with baking soda on my mattress?

Need somewhere to sleep and want to leave your baking soda on the mattress. Sure, you can sleep with baking soda on your mattress. It's a natural odor eliminator that can help remove any unwanted smells from your bed.

However, it's best to simply sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over your mattress and let it sit for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming it up. You can also add a few drops of essential oils to the baking soda for added freshness.

Another tip is to use baking soda in your laundry routine for your bedding. Add 1/2 cup of baking soda to your detergent and wash your sheets, pillowcases, and mattress pad on a regular basis to help keep your bed smelling fresh and clean.

Overall, using baking soda on your mattress is a simple and effective way to keep your bed smelling fresh and clean. It's a natural and affordable alternative to chemical-based odor eliminators, so give it a try and see the difference it can make in your sleep environment.

Can baking soda ruin a mattress?

Baking soda is a natural deodorizer and can help to remove odors from your mattress. However, it's important to be cautious when using it. If left on for too long or in excess, baking soda can dry out the materials in your mattress and potentially cause damage.

Baking soda is mild, is not poisonous and can be consumed with water for specific ailments, particularly heartburn, where the excess stomach acids are neutralized.

It's also important to vacuum or sweep your mattress thoroughly before applying baking soda, to remove any debris or dust that may scratch the surface of your mattress. Once you've sprinkled baking soda on your mattress, use a clean, dry cloth to gently rub it into the surface. Leave the baking soda on for at least 30 minutes before vacuuming it up.

In conclusion, baking soda can be a great solution for freshening up a smelly mattress, but use it in moderation and always follow the above steps to avoid any damage to your mattress.

Whats the best way to remove baking soda

Are you tired of dealing with baking soda on your mattress? Don't worry, there is a simple solution. First, vacuum the baking soda off the mattress using the upholstery attachment. This will remove any loose baking soda and any debris that may have accumulated.

Next, mix a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar and gently spot clean the areas where the baking soda was applied. Use a clean, white cloth to blot the solution and remove the baking soda. Allow the mattress to air dry completely before remaking the bed.

Another option is to use a mixture of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda, and dish soap. Mix these ingredients together to form a paste and apply it to the affected areas. Gently rub the paste into the mattress and let it sit for 15 minutes.

Wipe the paste away with a damp cloth and allow the mattress to dry completely. This method is especially effective for removing tough stains and odors.

It is important to note that it is always best to check the manufacturer's care instructions before using any cleaning solutions on your mattress. It's also a good idea to spot test any solutions in an inconspicuous area before using them on the entire mattress to ensure they won't cause any damage.

With the right cleaning methods, you can easily remove baking soda from your mattress and enjoy a fresh and clean sleeping surface.

Can I vacuum baking soda with my Dyson?

Not all Dysons are suitable for vacuuming fine dust like baking soda. If the gritty fine dust of baking soda gets into the vacuum motor, it will shorten its life.

But for vacuums fitted with HEPA filters, you should be fine to proceed. Most vacuums like a Dyson utilize a cyclone process where a cyclone will pick up 90% of dust particles of a given size and then dump them into the dust receptacle.

However, a HEPA filter is a high-efficiency particulate arrestor.

The Dyson HEPA filter will prevent airbornµe particles down to 0.1µ microns in engineering terms, which is about twenty-five thousand an inch, which is still big in the world of microns, so don't get too overly concerned about your vacuum cleaner sucking baking powder.

Get urine out of a mattress with baking soda

Accidents happen and can be dealt with simply. If you have urine on the mattress, try to clean it off asap. Removing urine from a mattress can be done with the help of baking soda, easily and efficiently. Here's what you need to do:

Step 1: Blot up as much urine as possible with a clean, dry cloth.

Step 2: Sprinkle baking soda generously over the affected area.

Step 3: Let the baking soda sit for at least 30 minutes. This will help to absorb the urine and neutralize any odors.

Step 4: Vacuum up the baking soda using a handheld vacuum or a brush attachment on your vacuum cleaner.

Step 5: Once the baking soda is removed, you can use a damp cloth to clean the area with a mixture of water and white vinegar.

Step 6: Allow the area to air dry completely before using the mattress again.

By following these steps, you can effectively remove urine from your mattress using baking soda and get a good night's sleep again.

Old yellow urine stains may respond to 8 ounces of hydrogen peroxide, three teaspoons of baking soda, and 2 to 4 drops of dish soap or liquid laundry detergent can all be combined to create a solution. Apply the mixture liberally to any soiled areas with a spray sprayer and let it soak in.

The mixture needs time to dry.