How to clean a mattress (and keep it fresh)
Hi, we’re John and Mimi. A mattress can’t go in the washing machine, but most of what makes a bed feel stale can. Here’s the simple routine we use at home, what the care instructions on our mattresses actually say, what to do the moment something spills, and the mistakes that can quietly ruin foam. With Peanut, our head comfort tester, on the bed most nights, we’ve had plenty of practice.
The short answer
- Wash what comes off. Sheets and pillowcases often, the mattress protector per its own care label, and the zip-off cover now and then. Most of our mattresses have a zip-off, machine-washable cover.
- Wash the cover cold and gentle, then air dry. Our care instructions say to wash it on a cold, gentle cycle with like colors and air dry without heat, and not to dry clean, bleach, iron or steam it.
- Vacuum the mattress itself with an upholstery attachment while the cover is off.
- Spot clean with as little water as possible. Blot, don’t rub, and never soak it. The care instructions say not to let moisture saturate the mattress.
- Spills: act fast. Remove the cover right away and let the area dry before covering it again. Liquid damage of any kind doesn’t qualify for a warranty replacement, so a protector is the best cleaning tool you can buy.
- Rotate it to give the sleep surface even wear, and keep it on a proper base.
What our care instructions say
Most of our mattress listings include care instructions, and they come down to the same few rules:
- The mattress cover is machine-washable: cold, gentle cycle, like colors, air dry without heat (on mattresses whose listing says the cover is washable).
- Do not dry clean, bleach, iron or steam.
- A mattress protector is recommended, but not required. Liquid damage of any kind does not qualify for a warranty replacement. If a spill happens, remove the cover right away and let the area dry before covering it again.
- Do not allow moisture to saturate the mattress.
- Rotate your mattress to give uniform wear to the sleeping surface.
- Do not stand or jump on the mattress, and do not fold or bend it for extended periods.
One honest note: not every cover is the zip-off, washable kind. Our 12" Sofinity hybrids have a quilted Tencel cover and the 14" Ananda Plush has a cooling-fiber cover, and those listings don’t describe the cover as machine-washable. For those, follow the label on the mattress and stick to vacuuming and light spot cleaning. Not sure which cover you have? Text John the model name and he’ll check.
Step by step: a full mattress clean
Plan this for a dry morning so everything has the whole day to air out.
- Strip the bed. Sheets, pillowcases and the protector go in the wash (follow the protector’s own care label).
- Unzip the cover if your mattress has a zip-off, machine-washable one, and wash it cold and gentle with like colors. Air dry it without heat; no dryer heat, iron or steam.
- Vacuum the mattress with a clean upholstery attachment: top, sides and the seams where dust and hair collect.
- Spot clean any marks (next section), using as little moisture as you can.
- Freshen it up if it needs it. Many people sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda over the surface, leave it for a few hours, then vacuum it up thoroughly. It’s a simple, dry way to help with everyday odors.
- Let everything dry completely. Open a window or run a fan. Put the cover back on only when the mattress and cover are fully dry.
- Rotate the mattress while the bed is stripped, then remake it with the protector on first.
How to spot clean a stain without soaking the foam
Foam holds water like a sponge, and moisture deep inside is hard to dry out. That’s why our care instructions say not to let moisture saturate the mattress. Go slow and keep it light:
- Blot, don’t rub. Rubbing pushes a stain deeper and can rough up the surface.
- Use a cloth that’s barely damp, with a small amount of mild soap if you need it, then blot again with a clean damp cloth and finally a dry towel.
- Never pour liquid on the mattress and don’t use a steam cleaner; the care instructions say not to steam.
- Skip bleach and harsh chemicals. The care instructions say no bleach, and strong cleaners can damage fabric and foam.
- Test any cleaner on a hidden spot first, and read its own label before using it on fabric.
- Dry it fully with air and time, not a hair dryer or heater.
If it’s a stain on the zip-off cover, it’s easier still: take the cover off and wash it the usual way.
Spills, accidents and the warranty
This is the part most people learn the hard way. Our mattress listings say liquid damage of any kind does not qualify for a warranty replacement, and recommend a waterproof mattress protector to keep spills out of the mattress. If something spills anyway:
- Pull the bedding and remove the cover right away.
- Blot up as much as you can with dry towels. Don’t press water in.
- Let the area dry completely before you put the cover back on, then wash the cover cold and gentle and air dry it.
Pet accidents work the same way. Our best mattress for dog and pet owners guide has more on washable covers and pet hair. Warranty details are on our Purchase Policy & Warranty page.
How often should you clean it?
There’s no official schedule, but this rhythm keeps most beds fresh:
| What | How often (rule of thumb) | How |
|---|---|---|
| Sheets and pillowcases | Every week or two | Per their labels |
| Mattress protector | Every month or two, and after any spill | Per the protector’s care label |
| Zip-off mattress cover | A few times a year, after spills, or more with pets | Cold, gentle cycle, like colors, air dry without heat |
| Vacuum the mattress | Whenever the cover is off | Upholstery attachment, seams and sides too |
| Rotate the mattress | Every few months | Head to foot; see our lifespan guide |
Pets on the bed, kids, allergies or eating in bed? Wash things more often. More on making a mattress last in how long does a mattress last.
Mistakes that can ruin a mattress
- Soaking it or using a carpet or steam cleaner on it.
- Bleach, dry cleaning, ironing or steaming the cover, which the care instructions rule out.
- Drying the cover with heat instead of air drying.
- Putting the cover back on while anything is still damp.
- Leaving it on the floor or a damp surface, where air can’t move underneath. See what to put under a memory foam mattress.
- Standing or jumping on it to “work in” a cleaner.
Bed bugs are a different problem: cleaning won’t fix them, so call a pest professional.
The easiest way to keep it clean: a protector
A protector goes on under your sheets and takes the sweat, spills and dust before they reach the mattress, and it goes in the wash. Pick one that fits your mattress’s thickness: Terry Cloth and Quilted Cotton fit up to 11", and Premium Bamboo fits up to 16" with 5-sided spill protection, so it’s the one for 12" and 14" mattresses. All three list protection against dust mites, allergens and pet dander. Our mattress protector guide compares them.
| Pick | Best for | Model code | Queen | King | Twin XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terry Cloth protector (fits up to 11") | Value pick for 6"–10" mattresses | MATPROC1-Q |
$34 | $36 | $31 |
| Quilted Cotton protector (fits up to 11") | Plush quilted top for 6"–10" mattresses | MATPROC2-Q |
$41.99 | $46.99 | $32.99 |
| Premium Bamboo protector (fits up to 16") | 12" and 14" mattresses; 5-sided spill protection | MATPROB1-Q |
$69 | $76 | $61 |
Prices are today’s prices, read live from our catalog, with free FedEx shipping included.
Mattresses with an easy-wash cover
If easy cleaning is high on your list, start with a mattress whose listing says zip-off, machine-washable cover. A few favorites, at today’s prices with free shipping:
| Pick | Best for | Model code | Queen | King | Twin XL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10" Rose (medium) | Washable zip-off cover, non-skid bottom, hypoallergenic | 10BNV-Q |
$629 | $689 | $549 |
| 8" Daisy (firm) | Budget pick, zip-off washable cover | 8BNV-Q |
$589 | $639 | $519 |
| 12" Copper Gel (medium firm) | Zip-off washable cover, copper foam listed as dissipating odors | 12BNCOPPER-Q |
$739 | $819 | $619 |
| 12" iSwitch Flippable | Two feels, cooling zip-off washable cover | 12ISWITCH-Q |
$779 | $899 | $659 |
| 12" ActiveAlign Copper Zoned (medium) | Zip-off washable cooling cover, zoned support | 12REACTIVE-Q |
$819 | $919 | $699 |
Prices are today’s prices, read live from our catalog, with free FedEx shipping included.
10" Rose - Medium Firmness - 10BNV
Our first pick if you want a bed that’s simple to keep fresh: a true medium with a cover that unzips and goes in the wash.
- Machine-washable zip-off cover
- Non-skid bottom fabric
- Hypoallergenic & antimicrobial
- 2" Gel Air Memory Foam top layer
- 10-year limited warranty
From $539 (Twin) · Queen $629 · See sizes & details
12" Copper Gel Infused Cooling Memory Foam Mattress - Medium Firm, Back & Side Sleepers
Our pick for a thicker, medium firm bed that stays easy to care for.
- 2" Copper Memory Foam listed as antimicrobial and dissipating odors
- Edge support layer
- 7" Air Grid base foam
- Zip-off, machine-washable cover
From $619 (Twin XL) · Queen $739 · See sizes & details
Shop this guide
Want a bed that’s easy to keep clean? Start with a washable cover and a protector that fits.
- 10" Rose - Medium Firmness - 10BNV, from $539. A medium with a washable zip-off cover and a non-skid bottom.
- Terry Cloth Mattress Protector - MATPROC1, from $31. Spill protection for 6" to 10" mattresses.
- Premium Bamboo Viscose Mattress Protector - Waterproof & Hypoallergenic, from $60. For 12" and 14" mattresses, with 5-sided spill protection.
Questions we hear a lot
How do you clean a mattress?
Strip the bed and wash the sheets and protector, then unzip and wash the cover if your mattress has a zip-off, machine-washable one (cold, gentle cycle, like colors, air dry without heat). Vacuum the mattress with an upholstery attachment, spot clean any marks with a barely damp cloth, and let everything dry completely before putting the cover back on.
Can I wash my mattress cover in the washing machine?
If the listing says the cover is zip-off and machine-washable, yes. Our care instructions say to wash it on a cold, gentle cycle with like colors and air dry without heat, and not to dry clean, bleach, iron or steam it. Some covers, like the quilted Tencel cover on our 12 inch Sofinity hybrids, are not listed as machine-washable, so follow the label on those.
What should I do if I spill something on my mattress?
Remove the cover right away, blot up what you can with dry towels and let the area dry completely before covering it again. Do not pour more water on it, because the care instructions say not to let moisture saturate the mattress. Liquid damage of any kind does not qualify for a warranty replacement, so a waterproof protector is recommended.
Can I steam clean a memory foam mattress?
No. Our care instructions say not to steam, bleach, iron or dry clean, and not to let moisture saturate the mattress. Stick to vacuuming and light spot cleaning with a barely damp cloth, then let it air dry.
How often should I clean my mattress?
A simple rule of thumb: wash sheets every week or two, the protector every month or two and after spills, the zip-off cover a few times a year or after spills, and vacuum the mattress whenever the cover is off. Rotate it every few months. Wash more often with pets, kids or allergies.
Questions? Just ask us
Tell John which mattress you have and what happened, and he’ll tell you honestly what the care instructions say for that model. Text or call 805-617-6878, 6 AM to 9 PM Pacific, or take the 60-second mattress quiz.
Written by John & Mimi Venti, MimiJohn. Care instructions from the manufacturer’s product listings; general cleaning tips are common household advice, so always check your own mattress and cleaner labels. Prices update automatically.