How to Disinfect a Mattress: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide (2026)

You wash your sheets every week. Good. But when did you actually disinfect your mattress?Most people never do and that’s a problem. The average mattress can harbour up to 10 million dust mites, along with dead skin cells, sweat, body oils, bacteria, and allergens that build up silently beneath your fitted sheet for years. No amount of sheet washing fixes what’s already soaked into the fabric below.

The good news? You don’t need a professional cleaner or expensive equipment. With a few household supplies and the right method, you can significantly reduce the germs and allergens living in your mattress — and do it in a single afternoon.

Here’s exactly how to do it.

What Does “Disinfecting a Mattress” Actually Mean?

Before you grab the bleach (don’t more on that in a minute), it helps to understand what you’re actually trying to achieve.

According to Allen Rathey, director of the Indoor Health Council, true disinfection technically refers to killing germs on hard, non-porous surfaces. A mattress, by nature, is soft and porous which means you can’t fully disinfect it the way you’d disinfect a kitchen bench.

What you can do is sanitise it which means reducing the number of harmful microorganisms to a safe level, removing the dead skin and moisture that germs feed on, and eliminating the odours and allergens that accumulate over time. For most households, that’s more than enough.

Think of mattress disinfection as hygiene maintenance, not sterilisation. You’re making your sleep environment measurably healthier — not operating a surgery.

How Often Should You Disinfect Your Mattress?

Here’s a simple rule: deep clean your mattress every six months, and spot-treat immediately whenever there’s a spill, illness, or accident.

Specifically, disinfect your mattress if:

• You’re sick or have recently recovered from an illness
• Someone has vomited, urinated, or bled on it
• You’ve bought a second-hand mattress
• You notice stale odours that don’t disappear after airing the room
• You wake up sneezing, with itchy eyes, or a runny nose more than usual
• You haven’t cleaned it in over six months

For households with children, pets, or anyone with allergies or asthma, quarterly cleaning is a better target.

What You’ll Need

You don’t need anything fancy. Most of what you need is already in your kitchen or bathroom.

For a basic clean:

• Vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment
• Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)
• White vinegar
• Spray bottle
• Clean cloths or microfibre towels
• Cold water

For a deeper disinfection:

• Garment steamer or handheld steam cleaner
• 70% isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) in a spray bottle
• Enzyme cleaner (for urine, blood, or vomit stains)
• Hydrogen peroxide (3% solution — not undiluted)

What to avoid:

• Bleach — it damages mattress fibres and leaves behind toxic residue
• Soaking the mattress with any liquid — trapped moisture causes mould
• Hot water directly on memory foam — it breaks down the structure
• Harsh chemical disinfectant sprays not labelled safe for fabrics

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Step-by-Step: How to Disinfect a Mattress

Step 1: Strip the Bed and Wash Everything

Take off all sheets, pillowcases, mattress protectors, and any mattress toppers. Wash everything in hot water — at least 60°C (140°F) — which is the temperature threshold that kills dust mites and most bacteria. If your care labels say cool wash only, tumble dry on high heat instead.

While your bedding is in the machine, you have a clear mattress to work with. Good. Don’t rush to remake the bed — you’ll want the mattress to air for several hours after cleaning.

Step 2: Vacuum the Entire Mattress Thoroughly

This step matters more than most people realise. Vacuuming removes the physical debris — dead skin, dust, hair, dust mite casings — that bacteria and mites feed on. Removing their food source is one of the most effective things you can do.

Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum and go over the entire surface slowly, including the sides and any seams. The crevices along the edge are where dust mites and debris accumulate most. Don’t rush this. A thorough vacuum takes five to ten minutes per side.

If your vacuum has a HEPA filter, use it. It captures fine particles rather than redistributing them back into the air.

Step 3: Spot-Treat Any Stains

Deal with visible stains before you apply any disinfectant, because stain treatments work best on a dry surface.

For general stains (sweat, body oils):
Mix one teaspoon of dish soap into a cup of cold water. Apply the foam (not the liquid) to the stain with a clean cloth. Work from the outside of the stain inward to stop it spreading. Blot — never scrub — until the stain lifts. Wipe with a damp cloth and blot dry.

For urine stains:
Use an enzyme cleaner. These break down the proteins in urine that cause lingering odour, rather than just masking the smell. Apply, leave for 15 minutes, then blot dry. Cold water only — hot water sets urine stains permanently.

For blood stains:
Cold water and hydrogen peroxide (3% solution). Apply a small amount of hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain, let it fizz for a minute, then blot clean with cold water. Never use hot water on blood — it bonds the proteins to the fabric.

For vomit:
Remove any solid matter first. Apply an enzyme cleaner, leave for ten minutes, then blot clean. Sprinkle baking soda over the area once treated and leave to absorb moisture.

Step 4: Apply Your Disinfectant

Now you get to the actual disinfection. You have several options depending on what you have available and the type of mattress you own.

Option A: Steam Cleaning (Best Overall Method)

A garment steamer or handheld steam cleaner is the gold standard for mattress disinfection. The heat kills bacteria, dust mites, and their eggs without any chemicals — making it the safest option for families with children or anyone with chemical sensitivities.

Move the steamer slowly across the surface, working in overlapping sections. Keep it moving — hold it too long in one spot and you risk soaking the fabric. After steaming, leave the mattress to dry completely before remaking the bed.

One important note: do not steam a memory foam mattress. The heat and moisture penetrate too deeply into the foam structure and can cause it to break down over time. For memory foam, use one of the dry methods below.

Option B: 70% Isopropyl Alcohol Spray

Fill a spray bottle with 70% isopropyl alcohol (not 90% or higher — the lower concentration is more effective at killing bacteria because it evaporates more slowly, giving it time to work). Mist the surface lightly — do not saturate the mattress.

Alcohol evaporates quickly, so drying time is fast. This method is particularly effective for innerspring and hybrid mattresses and is one of the only methods suitable for memory foam when used sparingly.

Option C: White Vinegar and Baking Soda (DIY Natural Method)

This is the most popular home method and it works well for regular maintenance cleans.

Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Lightly mist the surface of the mattress — just enough to dampen the fabric without soaking it. Vinegar is a natural antimicrobial agent that kills many common bacteria and neutralises odours.

After the vinegar spray, sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the entire surface. For a queen-size mattress, use about 500g. Baking soda absorbs moisture, neutralises the vinegar smell, and pulls odours out of the fabric. Leave it for at least 30 minutes — longer (several hours or overnight) if you’re tackling persistent smells.

Vacuum up all the baking soda thoroughly when done. Use an older vacuum if possible, since baking soda can clog filters over time.

Option D: EPA-Registered Fabric Disinfectant Spray

Some commercial disinfectant sprays are formulated and registered specifically for use on soft surfaces and fabrics. Look for products listing mattresses or upholstery on the label, and check that they’re EPA-registered (or TGA-registered in Australia). Apply as directed, ensure even coverage, and allow the product to remain on the surface long enough to be effective — the dwell time listed on the label matters.

Step 5: Let the Mattress Dry Completely

This step is non-negotiable. A damp mattress is a mould risk. Before you put any bedding back on, the mattress needs to be completely dry — not just surface-dry, but dry through.

Speed up drying by:

• Opening windows for airflow
• Using a fan directed at the mattress surface
• Standing the mattress on its side if the room allows

Drying time varies from one to four hours depending on how much moisture was applied and your room’s ventilation. When in doubt, wait longer.

Step 6: Flip or Rotate, Then Vacuum the Other Side

If your mattress is double-sided, flip it and repeat the vacuuming and disinfection process on the other side. Even single-sided mattresses benefit from rotating 180 degrees every six months to even out wear

How to Disinfect a Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam needs a slightly different approach because it absorbs liquid very easily and dries slowly, making mould a real risk if you over-apply any solution.

Follow these rules for memory foam:

• Never steam clean a memory foam mattress
• Never soak it with any liquid
• Use 70% isopropyl alcohol applied lightly with a cloth or very light spray
• A 50/50 white vinegar and water spray applied minimally also works
• Baking soda applied dry (without the vinegar spray) is the safest deodorising method
• Allow extra drying time — memory foam holds moisture much longer than innerspring

How to Disinfect a Mattress After Illness

After someone has been sick in bed — particularly with a virus — you want to be more thorough than a standard clean.

Do this:

1. Wash all bedding on the hottest wash cycle the fabric allows
2. Vacuum the mattress surface thoroughly
3. Spot-treat any soiled areas with an enzyme cleaner
4. Apply a steam clean across the full surface (if not memory foam) — heat is your most effective virus-killing tool here
5. Alternatively, use an EPA/TGA-registered disinfectant spray labelled for fabric surfaces
6. Sprinkle with baking soda, leave for several hours, vacuum up
7. Allow to air dry fully with windows open

Sunlight is also a natural disinfectant. If you can drag the mattress outside on a dry, sunny day, direct UV exposure will kill a significant number of surface bacteria and mites within a few hours.

How to Disinfect a Used Mattress

If you’ve bought a second-hand mattress, disinfect it before you sleep on it — even if it looks clean. Follow the full six-step process above, and specifically:

• Use steam cleaning if the mattress type allows
• Apply isopropyl alcohol across the entire surface after vacuuming
• Leave baking soda on for several hours minimum
• Consider a mattress encasement after disinfection to prevent any remaining bed bugs from spreading

For a used mattress, it’s worth checking for signs of bed bugs before you bring it inside: look for small rust-coloured spots, tiny white eggs, or the insects themselves along the seams and edges. If you find any, steam cleaning alone won’t be enough — you’ll need a bed-bug-specific treatment.

How to Prevent Your Mattress from Getting Dirty Faster

Disinfecting is important, but prevention makes the job much easier.

• Use a mattress protector. A waterproof, washable mattress protector is the single best thing you can do for mattress hygiene. It takes the hit so your mattress doesn’t.
• Wash your sheets weekly. Changing sheets once a week dramatically reduces the buildup of sweat, skin cells, and oils that make their way into the mattress.
• Air your bed every morning. Pull back the duvet for 20–30 minutes before making the bed. This allows moisture from overnight sweating to evaporate.
• Don’t eat in bed. Crumbs create a feeding ground for bacteria and attract insects.
• Keep pets off the bed. Pets carry dander, dirt, and allergens that transfer directly into your mattress.
• Put your mattress on a slatted base. Good airflow underneath prevents moisture buildup and mould on the underside.
• Replace your mattress every 7–10 years. Even a well-maintained mattress accumulates contaminants over time that can’t be fully removed.

Quick Reference: Disinfection Methods by Mattress Type

Method	Innerspring	Memory Foam	Latex	Hybrid
Steam cleaning	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Light use	✅ Yes
Isopropyl alcohol spray	✅ Yes	✅ Light use	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Baking soda	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
White vinegar spray	✅ Yes	✅ Light use	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Enzyme cleaner (spot only)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Bleach	❌ Never	❌ Never	❌ Never	❌ Never

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you disinfect a mattress with Dettol or Lysol?
Some disinfectant sprays like Lysol do list soft surfaces on their label and can be used on mattresses. Apply lightly, ensure even coverage, and allow the product to stay wet on the surface for the dwell time specified on the label that’s what actually kills the germs. Don’t use undiluted bleach-based products.

Does baking soda actually disinfect a mattress?
Baking soda doesn’t disinfect in the technical sense it doesn’t kill bacteria. What it does very well is absorb moisture, neutralise odours, and pull contaminants toward the surface where they can be vacuumed away. Use it as part of a full clean, not as a standalone disinfectant.

Can I use hydrogen peroxide on my mattress?
Yes, a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution can kill bacteria and is effective on blood and urine stains. Use it sparingly and only spot-treat don’t spray it across the whole mattress, as it can lighten fabric with repeated use.

How long does it take a mattress to dry after cleaning?
Between one and four hours, depending on how much moisture was applied and your room’s airflow. Always use a fan or open windows to speed up drying. Never put sheets back on a damp mattress.

Is sunlight enough to disinfect a mattress?
Direct sunlight and UV rays do kill bacteria and reduce dust mite populations. Leaving your mattress in direct sun for several hours is a legitimate disinfection method and a great supplement to a full clean especially for bulkier mattresses that are hard to treat with liquids.

How do I get rid of dust mites in my mattress?
Steam cleaning and washing bedding at 60°C or above are the most effective methods for killing dust mites. Baking soda and vacuuming reduce their food source. A dust-mite-proof mattress encasement traps remaining mites and prevents reinfestation.

Should I disinfect a new mattress?
Probably not necessary for a brand-new mattress from a reputable retailer most are treated with antimicrobial materials. However, fitting a mattress protector on day one is always a good idea to keep it clean from the start.

The Takeaway

Disinfecting your mattress isn’t complicated but most people never do it. You spend roughly a third of your life on that surface, and what builds up inside it over months and years has a real impact on your sleep quality, allergies, and general health.

The method that works best for your mattress depends on the type you have. Steam cleaning is the most effective overall method for innerspring and hybrid mattresses. Isopropyl alcohol is the safest choice for memory foam. Baking soda and vinegar work well for routine maintenance between deeper cleans.

The process takes one afternoon, costs almost nothing, and makes a genuine difference.

Strip the bed. Vacuum it properly. Treat any stains. Apply your disinfectant. Let it dry fully. Remake the bed. Do it again in six months.

That’s it. Your mattress and your sleep will thank you.

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