How to Clean Mattress Stains (Easy Green Cleaning Hack!)

How to clean mattress stains naturally without bleach in 10 minutes! Easy green cleaning hack great for cushions, upholstery, & clothing too!

I never EVER thought I would be writing about “how to clean mattress stains”! After all, this blog is about beautiful DIYs and delicious recipes. Mattress stains? They never happen here!

Or do they? Our waterproof mattress covers have kept all our mattresses perfect like new. UNTIL a moving day when our guest queen mattress fell on the ground and acquired a few muddy spots.  No big deal, I’ll just put some soap on the spots and blot clean the mattress stains with a rag!

I. Was. WRONG. After my two attempts, the mattress stains grew from a few tiny spots, to huge patches of cloud like patterns that reminds you of something much worse than mud or soap!  HORROR!

Luckily I was able to find the magic DIY green cleaner that completely cleaned the mattress stains in 10 minutes! It saved us from even thinking about using any bleach, and made the mattress look fresh and new again! This green cleaning method also works great on cushions, and even tough stains on clothing!

*Some resources in article are affiliate links. Full disclosure here.

I realized that the question of “how to clean mattress stains” is actually worth writing about, among all the beautiful arts and crafts here. I will share with you this amazing green cleaning process (no bleach, no scrubbing, no special cleaning solution needed), and 3 things you should NOT do when trying to clean mattress stains!

How to clean mattress stains in 10 minutes, naturally!

When my two attempts failed, our mattress looked like this. ( I don’t have any photos of the original muddy spots , because I was so confident that cleaning a mattress is easy! ) I was feeling hopeless because it seems to get worse each time I try! Thankfully after reading a bunch of articles on cleaning a mattress naturally, I gave it one more try, and it worked like magic! Below are closeups photos of before and after.

Reference point: you can see the black scratch mark on the upper right corner in the before photo, and it’s almost gone on the lower left corner in the after photo.   I modified some of the mattress cleaning recipes and processes based on online research , and what I have learned from my two failures.

IMPORTANT: work in a ventilated space because there is definitely some reactions taking place!

Materials to clean mattress stains:

( Some of the helpful resources are affiliate links. Full disclosure here. )

I used a 16 oz spray bottle, clear natural liquid dish soap ( without added coloring ) , baking soda, and 3% hydrogen peroxide.

Related: Homemade effective green cleaning products and free printable recipe labels!

How to make all natural, super effective & low cost green cleaning products easily. Download free printable recipe labels to easily make your own in future! - A Piece Of Rainbow

Homemade effective green cleaning products and free printable recipe labels!

Step 1: Spray mattress with diluted dish soap

Fill the 16 oz bottle with water and add 1 teaspoon of dish soap. Mix well and spray the entire mattress. The key here is to cover the surface of the mattress, use your hand and check to make sure there are NO DRY SPOTS! More on this at the end in “3 Things Not to Do” section.

You will likely use 1 to 2 bottles of the 16 oz water and soap mixture to spray an entire queen mattress. Work fast and move on to the next step while the mattress is damp.

Step 2: Spray mattress with diluted hydrogen peroxide

Fill the 16 oz bottle with half cold water and half 3% hydrogen peroxide . It’s not only great for stain removal, but can also remove mildew and bacteria! Again, mix well and spray the entire mattress. Spray a little extra on the stained areas.

Step 3: Dust mattress with baking soda.

While the mattress is damp, evenly sprinkle baking soda over the entire surface. You will need 2-3 cups of baking soda for a queen mattress. Use a clean cloth or rag to spread the baking soda so it forms a thin layer of paste as you are wiping over the mattress surface. Don’t use paper towel as it can leave tiny fibers in the cleaning mixture.

The entire process will take less than 10 minutes. As you spread the baking soda, you can already see the mattress stains become lighter! Because there is a reaction taking place, work fast and keep windows open. Leave the room and let the baking soda dry overnight.

A reader asked about how to make sure the mattress is thoroughly dry. Here’s another tip: ours were quite dry the next day, because it’s a dry environment here, and the baking soda also helps to draw out moisture. But if you are unsure, you can leave a fan on to speed up the air drying on top of the mattress surface.

The next day, you will return to a sparkly clean mattress! Sweep the dried baking soda off the mattress surface with a dry and clean towel, and enjoy your like-new mattress! It is OK if a little baking soda remains on the mattress which absorbs odor. You can also use a vacuum with the upholstery attachment.

Do add a good quality water proof mattress protector though!

Now that you have a gorgeous mattress, how about a beginner friendly DIY bed frame with headboard?

How to build a beautiful DIY bed frame & wood headboard easily. Free DIY bed plan & variations on king, queen & twin size bed, best natural wood finishes, and lots of helpful tips! - A Piece of Rainbow

DIY bed frame with headboard: free plans!

3 things NOT to do when trying to clean mattress stains:

1 . Do not spot clean mattress stains.

This was what I did. Day one, I used soap to clean the few muddy spots, and ended up with bigger areas of water and soap and dirt marks. Day two, I used soap and baking soda, according to some recipes on line, the stains got even bigger.

The key here is to spray the entire surface of the mattress with no dry spots, which means no watermarks later!

2 . Do not use bleach to clean mattress stains.

Bleach is really harsh on fabrics. Since we can’t run the entire mattress underwater to rinse off the bleach, it can also be harmful to air quality in the bedroom.

3 . Do not use soap that contain harsh chemicals or colors.

Choose a clear natural liquid dish soap. Some soaps have colors, which means they could tint your mattress.

In addition to cleaning mattress stains, this recipe and process is also great for cleaning carpet stains, yoga mat, certain upholstery, etc.

Many readers have told us that this method worked super well for blood stains, urine stains, sweat stains and other spills! Some of the tougher stains may need to be treated 2-3 times, but you will see significant improvements each time.

Having a clean home is an essential part of having a beautiful home! Here are a couple of green cleaning tutorials you may love: Homemade effective green cleaning products and free printable recipe labels!

How to make all natural, super effective & low cost green cleaning products easily. Download free printable recipe labels to easily make your own in future! - A Piece Of Rainbow

Making your own natural mosquito repellent: so easy and super effective!

2 super effective natural mosquito repellent recipes: a 2-ingredient 1-minute mosquito spray and a natural mosquito balm recipe that has skin moisturizing benefits. Super easy to make and really works! Tested while hiking in Florida! - A Piece Of Rainbow

98 Comments

  1. this article is a lifesaver! I never knew cleaning mattress stains could be so easy and eco-friendly. Can’t wait to try out these hacks on my own mattress.

  2. Thank you, this method works!! My cat had an unfortunate accident on my mattress, so I followed the instructions and all of the stains are now gone. Was considering buying a whole new mattress. You’ve saved me lots of $$.

  3. This blog post provides helpful tips and instructions for cleaning mattress stains using natural ingredients such as baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and dish soap. The step-by-step guide is easy to follow and includes photos to help readers understand the process. The author also includes a helpful “3 Things Not to Do” section to ensure readers don’t make common mistakes. Overall, this post is a great resource for anyone looking to clean their mattress naturally and effectively.

  4. Thanks for sharing this awesome green cleaning hack! I love finding natural solutions to cleaning problems and this one sounds perfect for cleaning mattress stains without the use of bleach. It’s also great that this method can be used on cushions, upholstery, and even clothing. Thanks for the helpful tips and step-by-step instructions, can’t wait to try it out!

  5. THANK YOU, Ananda, and Happy New Year! I appreciate the great information, the cleaning recipes, and terrific free labels to download! Your blog is wonderful- a near one-stop-shop for me to find lifestyle, DIY, & improvement ideas; your work really resonates with me. God bless you and yours in 2023!

  6. Hi Ananda!

    I just couldn’t go away without posting a comment. It really worked for my mattress and chair, they both look so much better that I could expect! It is a miracle.

    Thank you so much for a detailed explanation!

  7. Hi there, really want to try this hack but I have a question first, would this work or completely dry on memory foam?

    • hi jessica! if the foam mattress surface is porous like a sponge, i am not sure this will work or not. if it’s smooth like fabric then it will most likely work! 🙂

  8. wow , this really and incredible idea to clean mattress stains by spray . this is really very informative for everyone because everyone face this problem. i really inspired by your article. thanks for sharing this amazing article and ideas on mattress stains cleaning by spray.

  9. Thank you for the mattress tip!! I was wondering if the 2 water solution (water & soap + water & hydrogen) can be applied with no leftover dampness on mattress?? I hope this makes sense? I know you said that you leave overnight to dry but is there going to be water and solution left inside mattress??

    • hi! ours were quite dry the next day, because it’s a dry environment here, and the baking soda also helps to draw out moisture. but if you are unsure, you can leave a fan on to spped up the air circulation on top of the mattress surface. 🙂

  10. Thank you for this cleaning tip I was searching high and wide for a good cleaning way to clean my mattress and this worked thanks again God sent 🙏🏾

  11. Hello Ananda!
    This is very useful article for all readers especially for those parents who have naughty children🤣 And I know this article is best for my aunt as she was very worried about the naughtiness of their child, I will share it with my family and friends. Thanks for sharing article with us.

    • Hi Tracy, this method does not bleach the colors when we used on our yellow and green cushions. It works really well, just treat the entire surface so you don’t get uneven spots. 🙂

  12. Really fast way to clean the mattresses. I did this with great results. Very helpful and easy technique to clean, thank you!

  13. Wonderful reading to clean the home mattress. This is such a helpful and quick way to clean it. Thank you for sharing this wonderful article.

  14. Just tried this out and it worked great!! I typically get a professional mattress cleaning once a year, but when my toddler got the stomach bug last night I needed a quick solution to remove the stains. I was really surprised at how well this worked and would definitely recommend trying this method out if you have stain-covered mattress.

  15. Hello Ananda!
    This is very useful article for all readers especially for those parents who have naughty children🤣 And I know this article is best for my aunt last days she was very worried about the naughtiness of their child, I will share it with my family and friends. Thanks for sharing article with us.

  16. Hi Ananda!
    This is one of the best tutorials on mattress cleaning! It worked much better than a couple of others I tried. Thanks for sharing all the helpful tips!

  17. I have a stain remaining, can I spot clean that only ? Or do I need to do the entire mattress again. Thanks

    • hi sandy, i would at least spray water and dust baking soda on a larger area (like 1′ radius) around the stain, so there is not a water mark after everything dries. 🙂

  18. This is one of the best articles on cleaning mattress stains! It worked really well and was easy to do.
    Thanks so much!

  19. Wow this is an interesting and useful article for all house women and this is also useful for me because this is full of cleaning hacks and i really this article it is so useful and informative for all readers..
    Thank you for sharing this tutorial

  20. Wow, this is really amazing and unique idea to clean the mattresses at home. Very informative article for mattress cleaning, thank you for sharing it.

  21. I cleaned my mattress yesterday. It had one big older stain that I tried to clean last year with carpet cleaner. I did the entire above process. It did a great job on all smaller stains. It really lightened the large stain. But not 100%. Can I go back and only spot clean that area today? Also I had an issue with the baking powder “crusting” up when dry. I’m having a really hard time removing it. I’ve had to scrape and vacuum and gotten most up. But some areas of my mattress are still stiff where I put the most to remove stains. Any I
    Idea as to how to remove this? Thank you!

    • hi Anita, this is probably caused by too much liquid and soda. you can remove the chunks of baking soda with a damp cloth, which would soften the “crust” if yo leave it on the spot for a few minutes 🙂

  22. Wow it worked great for us! Now our mattress looks amazingly clean. Thank you so much for this tutorial. It was very easy too!

  23. Your tutorial is the only method that truly works. I had spot cleaned my mattress before I found your post (Big mistake, as you point out!) and following your guide helped me get rid of all the stains. Thank you!

  24. Thank you so much for this tutorial! Our once stained mattress is so clean and looking like new now! We were almost going to buy a new mattress, but not any more!

  25. This may sound a little crazy…I tried it today and all was well until I started vacuuming. I was getting shocks everytime I moved! BIG, painful shocks even when I turned off the vacuum. I was cleaning a foam mattress, maybe that makes a difference. Thankfully, I had a can of static guard and sprayed it in a small area of the mattress then vacuumed immediately.

    • hi dana, we actually just swept the baking soda off the mattress! it is ok to even leave a little baking soda on the mattress! i would also check the vacuum and see if it is functioning properly!

  26. This method totally worked. My only frustration is that I used too much of something and now I have a residue I can’t get rid of

    • hi tamar, it could be what’s left from the old residue. some readers told us that they got better results each time repeating the process on older mattresses! 🙂

  27. Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I just tried last week and it works really well. I like this is because this is a green DIY cleaner

  28. That method has been around for years. It would have been so much simpler had you mixed it all together then sprayed it on the mattress. There is a simple recipe for it. I discovered it when my cat had a urinary tract infection and urinated on my bed. I was surprised how well it cleaned it and took the smell away as well.

    • thank you Kat! the reason i didn’t mix everything is because the reactions happening right away and releasing gas, and baking soda could clog the spray bottle also. i do appreciate your sharing here! 🙂

  29. Hi, This is a wonderful blog it’s amazing and helpful. We just cleaned our stained mattress to look like new! Thank you so much for the great tutorial!!!

  30. trying to find ways to clean our stained mattress, so glad we found this! it worked incredibly well!!! thank you!

  31. After I initially commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I receive 4 emails with the exact same comment. There has to be an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Kudos!

    • oh my! is there an unsubscribe option when you get these emails? because i have no idea how to add or remove people for comments. if not, let me know and i will do some research! thank you ! 🙂

  32. Hi! What a great solution to the problem of the perspiration stains that everyone’s mattress accumulates eventually. Even though a washable mattress pad. We will be trying your recipe and method. The stains on your mattress look like perspiration, so I hope the recipe works as well as it did for your mud stains! Thanks for all your great ideas.

  33. This is a fabulous way to clean all the dust. Thanks for the tips Ananda. The cleaning of the mattress is the tough job for me. After I read your tips from this article, I took very less time for cleaning. Thanks again.

  34. Has anyone tried this and just left it for a few hours and not overnight? I would have nowhere else to sleep! 🙂

  35. This is a great idea! Thanks for sharing!

    However, I’m very surprised that people would throw a mattress out if it just has a couple stains on it. That’s shocking – what a disposable society we live in. We really need to change how we think about things and be less materialistic. Just because something has a few stains on it doesn’t mean it’s not useful anymore. Please think about how much you send to the landfill!!! Just because it’s in a landfill it doesn’t mean it ‘goes away’. Screw having a perfect looking room, I’d rather have a perfectly functional world to live in! (and for future generations to live in!)

    • i 100% agree with you! every single time i put something in a trash can i feel this guilt. we each need to do our part to go towards zero waste and a healthy planet earth <3

  36. Great Tips!

    I think this is the issue which was faced by everyone. I mean I have tried many things from the internet but it does not really work for me.

    Thank you for these amazing tips. I will surely implement them and even share.

  37. Thank you for the tutorial, it really worked!! Got our stained mattress looking like new again, wow! Thank you!

  38. If the surface does get soiled or dirty, try using an upholstery cleaner. Since they are made for surfaces that touch your skin (e.g. your couch), then, unless you are extremely sensitive to cleaners in general, it should work. It also has the advantage of removing dust mites and their refuse.

  39. Great solution I wonder does this work on other stains also as I am close to hiring upholstery cleaners to clean a couch I have. I will be passing on your site as well to a friend who recently asked me how to get stains out of a newish mattress. Thanks

  40. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, it really helped me a lot. I would recommend your site to everyone I know. Thank you!

  41. hmmmmm. I’m a tad hesitant to use Hydrogen Peroxide on upholstery for fear it may remove dye. Any thoughts?

    • i don’t think so, but i would test it on an area that is not so visible first, maybe the underside or back side of a cushion, because fabric dyes can be so different !

  42. This looks great. Ananda, would you happen to have any upholstery cleaning tips? I have a microfibre fabric on my sofa that is very badly stained

    • hi kerry, i think this method will work on upholstery too. linda just cleaned her cushions with great results, see her comment! and let us know if you try it! 🙂

  43. Genius!!! This also works for outdoor cushions! I tried to clean my outdoor cushions and ended up with the water “clouds”.all over them I thought they were ruined, but I used this same method and they look like new. I used very little baking soda, mostly on the spots, but the combination of ingredients is amazing! Thank you!

    • hi linda! thank you so much for sharing your experience!! i will add it to the article, i think it will be helpful to a lot of people! 🙂

  44. Wow I’m so impressed with how clean you got the mattress! We had our toddler have an “accident” in our bed a while ago and I gave up trying to get it out because everything I did made it worse! I eventually had an upholstery cleaner clean it but I wish I had seen this recipe first! Thanks for sharing, I’m definitely storing this info for later!

  45. I love that this is a green DYI cleaner!! I’m always looking for alternatives to the chemical cleaners

  46. Oh this is brilliant. We just got a new mattress and we’ve a mattress protector but I still worry about this eventually happening and I have been looking for a plan!

  47. Oh wow! I wondered if anything could be done to fix this! I will keep this tip saved for sure!

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