Mattress Cleaning Calculator
Calculate how much of each cleaning ingredient you need to safely remove yellow stains from your mattress without damaging the fabric.
Cleaning Solution Needed:
Baking Soda:
Liquid Dish Soap:
Hydrogen Peroxide (3%):
Vinegar Solution:
Important: Do NOT apply more than 10-15 mL of liquid per square foot to avoid moisture damage. Always vacuum before cleaning and ensure complete drying (6-8 hours). Never use bleach or steam cleaners.
Nothing kills the vibe of a fresh bedroom like a yellowed, stained mattress. You’ve washed the sheets, fluffed the pillows, even aired out the room-but that mattress still looks like it’s seen too many late-night snacks, spilled coffee, and sweaty nights. If your once-white mattress has turned a dull beige or worse, don’t toss it. You can bring it back. Not with magic, but with common household stuff you already own.
Why Mattresses Turn Yellow
Before you scrub, understand what’s happening. Mattress fabric isn’t designed to be spotless forever. Sweat, body oils, dead skin cells, and even humidity seep into the fabric over time. These build up into yellowish stains that look like dirt but are actually organic residue. Urine, spilled drinks, and lotions make it worse. The foam underneath can also yellow from age and UV exposure, especially if the mattress sits near a window. It’s not dirt you can just wipe off-it’s embedded.
Trying to bleach it? Don’t. Bleach breaks down the fabric fibers and can make the stain worse by reacting with the oils and turning them orange. Same goes for strong commercial cleaners-they might kill germs but leave residue that attracts more dust and smells.
What You’ll Need
You don’t need a professional cleaning kit. Here’s what works:
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide (3%)
- Liquid dish soap (clear, non-gel)
- Soft-bristled brush or clean cloth
- Microfiber towels
- Vacuum with upholstery attachment
Stick to white vinegar and hydrogen peroxide-they’re mild but effective. Baking soda lifts odors and absorbs moisture. Dish soap cuts grease without damaging fabric. No fancy chemicals. No expensive sprays.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Your Mattress White Again
Do this in a well-ventilated room. Open windows. If you can, move the mattress outside for a few hours after cleaning-sunlight helps naturally disinfect and dry.
- Remove all bedding. Wash sheets, pillowcases, and mattress protectors in hot water. Don’t just toss them back on until the mattress is clean.
- Vacuum thoroughly. Use the upholstery attachment to suck up dust, skin flakes, and debris from the entire surface. Pay extra attention to seams and edges where dirt hides. This step removes surface grime so your cleaning solution can actually work.
- Make a cleaning paste. Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda, 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap, and 2 tablespoons of hydrogen peroxide in a small bowl. Stir until it forms a thick paste. Don’t add vinegar yet-that’ll neutralize the peroxide.
- Apply the paste to stains. Dab it gently onto yellowed areas with a cloth or brush. Don’t soak it. You’re not trying to flood the mattress-just treat the stained zones. Let it sit for 15-30 minutes. You’ll see the paste dry and turn slightly chalky. That’s normal.
- Scrub lightly. Use a soft brush or damp cloth to gently scrub the area in circular motions. Don’t press hard. You’re lifting, not grinding. The peroxide breaks down organic stains; baking soda scrubs gently; soap lifts oils.
- Wipe with vinegar solution. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the cleaned areas. Vinegar neutralizes any leftover baking soda and kills lingering bacteria. Don’t soak. Just a fine mist.
- Dry completely. This is the most important step. A damp mattress breeds mold. Use fans, open windows, or a dehumidifier. Let it dry for at least 6-8 hours. If you can, leave it in sunlight for an hour or two-UV light naturally bleaches and sanitizes.
- Vacuum again. Once dry, vacuum one more time to remove any leftover baking soda residue. Your mattress should look noticeably lighter, especially on stubborn spots.
What to Avoid
People try all sorts of fixes. Most backfire.
- Don’t use bleach. It eats through fabric and turns stains orange.
- Don’t pour water directly. Soaking creates mold inside the foam.
- Don’t use steam cleaners. Too much heat and moisture ruin memory foam and innerspring coils.
- Don’t use carpet cleaners. They’re too harsh and leave sticky residue that attracts dirt.
Stick to the vinegar-peroxide-baking soda combo. It’s been used by mattress cleaners in the UK for over a decade. It’s safe, cheap, and actually works.
How Often Should You Clean Your Mattress?
Don’t wait until it looks awful. Clean it every 3-6 months. If you sweat a lot, have pets, or kids who jump on the bed, do it every 2-3 months. Vacuuming weekly helps a lot. Just a quick pass with the upholstery tool removes skin flakes before they turn into stains.
Use a good mattress protector. Not the thin plastic kind-get a breathable, washable one made of cotton or bamboo. It catches sweat and spills before they reach the mattress. Wash it every two weeks.
When to Replace Your Mattress
Even with perfect cleaning, mattresses wear out. If yours is over 7-8 years old, sagging in the middle, or smells musty even after cleaning, it’s time to replace it. No amount of baking soda fixes broken springs or compressed foam.
Signs it’s done:
- You wake up with aches you didn’t have before
- You can feel the springs or foam lumps
- It smells like mildew even after deep cleaning
- The edges are crumbling or the fabric is thinning
When you buy a new one, pick a white or light-colored mattress with a removable, washable cover. It makes future cleaning easier.
Real Results
A friend of mine in Brighton had a 10-year-old mattress that looked like a coffee-stained map. She tried everything-cleaners, steam, even a hired service (cost £120, barely helped). Then she did this vinegar-peroxide-baking soda method. Two sessions. Two days. The yellow patches faded by 70%. Not brand-new, but close enough to sleep on without feeling gross. She kept it another two years before upgrading.
You don’t need to spend money or time on fancy gadgets. The simplest things work best. Your mattress doesn’t need a spa day. It needs a good scrub, proper drying, and a little patience.
Prevention Is Easier Than Cleaning
Once you’ve got it white again, keep it that way:
- Wash bedding weekly
- Use a mattress protector (wash it monthly)
- Avoid eating or drinking in bed
- Let the mattress air out for 15 minutes after making the bed
- Vacuum the surface every two weeks
These habits add up. You’ll rarely need a deep clean again.
Can I use bleach to whiten my mattress?
No. Bleach damages mattress fabric and can react with body oils to turn stains orange. It also weakens the foam and stitching over time. Stick to hydrogen peroxide-it’s a gentler oxidizer that lifts stains without destroying the material.
How long does it take for a mattress to dry after cleaning?
At least 6-8 hours, but 12 hours is better. Use fans, open windows, or a dehumidifier. If you’re in a humid climate like Brighton, drying can take longer. Never put sheets back on until the mattress is completely dry-moisture trapped inside causes mold and smells.
Why does my mattress still smell after cleaning?
If it still smells musty or sour, the odor is likely trapped in the foam layers, not just the surface. Sprinkle baking soda over the whole mattress, let it sit for 2-4 hours, then vacuum it up. Repeat if needed. If the smell persists after two treatments, the mattress may be too old or damaged to save.
Can I clean a memory foam mattress the same way?
Yes, but be extra careful with moisture. Memory foam absorbs water slowly and dries slowly. Use less liquid-dab, don’t soak. Stick to the paste method and avoid spraying vinegar directly. Always dry with fans, never in direct sunlight, as UV can break down the foam over time.
Is it worth hiring a professional mattress cleaner?
For light stains and odors, no. DIY works just as well and costs under £5 in supplies. For deep-seated stains from urine or mold, or if you have allergies, a professional service using hospital-grade UV and steam-free systems can help. But make sure they don’t use water-based steam cleaners-those can ruin your mattress. Look for companies that use dry extraction or ozone treatment.
Next Steps
Start today. Vacuum the mattress. Make the paste. Treat the worst stains. Let it dry. You’ll be surprised how much difference it makes. A clean mattress doesn’t just look better-it sleeps better. Less allergens, less odor, less stress. And if you do this every few months, you’ll never have to face a completely yellowed mattress again.
