Brad, Owner, 40+ years of experience: "We have been helping Brantford families sleep better since 1997. Every customer gets personal attention, honest advice, and the kind of follow-up service you just do not get from big box stores."
You spend a third of your life on your mattress. Over time, it accumulates sweat, dead skin cells, dust mites, and stains. A dirty mattress can trigger allergies, cause odours, and affect your sleep quality. The good news is that cleaning a mattress is straightforward and does not require expensive equipment or products.
This guide covers every aspect of mattress cleaning, from basic maintenance to deep stain removal, with specific products available in Canada and care instructions for different mattress types.
Basic Mattress Cleaning (Every 3-6 Months)
- Strip the bed: Remove all sheets, pillowcases, mattress protector, and pillows. Wash everything in hot water.
- Vacuum the mattress: Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner. Cover the entire surface, sides, and crevices. This removes dust, dead skin, and dust mites.
- Deodorize with baking soda: Sprinkle a generous layer of baking soda over the entire surface. Leave for 2-4 hours (or overnight for deeper deodorizing). Baking soda absorbs moisture and neutralizes odours.
- Vacuum again: Thoroughly vacuum up all the baking soda.
- Air out: If possible, open a window or use a fan to air out the mattress for a few hours before remaking the bed.
Stain Removal Guide
All-Purpose Stain Remover
Mix 3/4 cup hydrogen peroxide (3%) + 1 tablespoon dish soap in a spray bottle. Spray on the stain, let sit for 10-15 minutes, blot with a clean cloth. Repeat if needed. This works on most organic stains.
Blood Stains
Use cold water only (hot water sets blood stains). Apply hydrogen peroxide directly to the stain and blot. For dried blood, make a paste of baking soda and cold water, apply, let dry, then vacuum.
Urine Stains
Blot excess moisture immediately. Spray with a 50/50 mix of white vinegar and water. Let sit 10 minutes, blot dry. Follow with baking soda to absorb remaining moisture and odour. Vacuum after 4-8 hours. For persistent urine odour, use an enzymatic cleaner like Nature's Miracle ($15-$20 at pet stores and Amazon.ca).
Sweat Stains (Yellowing)
Mix hydrogen peroxide + dish soap + baking soda into a paste. Apply to yellowed areas, let sit 30 minutes, blot and vacuum. For prevention, use a mattress protector and wash sheets weekly.
Cleaning by Mattress Type
Memory Foam
- Never soak. Memory foam absorbs water and is extremely difficult to dry. Trapped moisture leads to mould.
- Never use a steam cleaner directly on memory foam.
- Spot-clean only. Spray solutions onto a cloth first, then dab the stain.
- Vacuum regularly with an upholstery attachment.
- Baking soda deodorizing is safe and effective.
Innerspring / Hybrid
- More tolerant of moisture than foam, but still avoid soaking.
- Steam cleaning is acceptable with caution (ensure thorough drying).
- Vacuum both sides if the mattress is flippable.
- Rotate every 6 months to prevent uneven wear.
Latex
- Similar care to memory foam: do not soak or use excessive moisture.
- Naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites and mould.
- Spot-clean with hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, or mild detergent.
- Longest lifespan with proper care: 10-20 years.
Best Mattress Cleaning Products in Canada
| Product | Type | Price (CAD) | Where to Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nature's Miracle | Enzymatic cleaner (urine, odours) | $15-$20 | Pet stores, Amazon.ca |
| OxiClean Versatile Stain Remover | Oxygen-based stain remover | $10-$15 | Walmart, Canadian Tire |
| Folex Carpet Spot Remover | Non-toxic spot remover | $15-$20 | Amazon.ca, Home Hardware |
| Baking soda | Deodorizer | $3-$5 | Any grocery store |
| Hydrogen peroxide (3%) | Disinfectant, stain remover | $2-$4 | Any pharmacy |
| White vinegar | Disinfectant, deodorizer | $3-$5 | Any grocery store |
8 min read
Professional Mattress Cleaning in Canada
- Basic cleaning: $80-$150 per mattress
- Deep cleaning: $130-$250 per mattress
- Memory foam cleaning: $150-$200 (specialized techniques)
- Includes: High-temperature steam cleaning, commercial-grade extraction, stain treatment, deodorizing
- Drying time: 8-12 hours after professional cleaning
Cleaning Schedule
| Task | Frequency |
|---|---|
| Wash sheets and pillowcases in hot water | Weekly |
| Wash mattress protector | Every 1-2 months |
| Vacuum mattress surface | Monthly |
| Deep clean (baking soda, spot cleaning) | Every 3-6 months |
| Rotate mattress 180 degrees | Every 3-6 months |
| Professional deep clean | Annually (if needed) |
| Replace mattress | Every 7-10 years |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get urine smell out of a mattress?
Blot the area, spray with 50/50 white vinegar and water, let sit 10 minutes, blot dry, then cover with baking soda for 4-8 hours. Vacuum thoroughly. For persistent odour, use an enzymatic cleaner like Nature's Miracle. For memory foam mattresses, use minimal liquid and allow extra drying time.
Can I steam clean a mattress?
Yes for innerspring and hybrid mattresses with caution. Never steam clean memory foam or latex. High temperature steam kills dust mites and bacteria but leaves moisture that must dry completely (8-12 hours) to prevent mould.
How do I prevent mattress stains?
Use a waterproof mattress protector from day one. A good mattress protector costs $30-$80 and protects your mattress from sweat, spills, and dust mites. It is the single most effective thing you can do to keep your mattress clean and extend its lifespan.
How often should I replace my mattress?
Every 7-10 years for most mattress types. Signs it is time: visible sagging over 1.5 inches, waking up with pain or stiffness, allergy symptoms that improve when sleeping elsewhere, and noticeable wear or odour that cleaning cannot resolve.
Does baking soda actually clean a mattress?
Baking soda is an excellent deodorizer and moisture absorber, but it does not disinfect or kill dust mites. For cleaning, combine baking soda with spot-cleaning stains using hydrogen peroxide or enzymatic cleaners. For disinfecting, use steam (non-foam mattresses) or UV sunlight exposure.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
Mattress Miracle
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford
Phone: (519) 770-0001
Hours: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4
Our team has 38 years of experience helping customers find the right sleep solution. Call ahead or walk in any day of the week.
Sources
- Jacobson BH, Boolani A, Smith DB. Changes in back pain, sleep quality, and perceived stress after introduction of new bedding systems. J Chiropr Med. 2009;8(1):1-8. DOI: 10.1016/j.jcm.2008.09.002
- Radwan A, Fess P, James D, et al. Effect of different mattress designs on promoting sleep quality, pain reduction, and spinal alignment. Sleep Health. 2015;1(4):257-267. DOI: 10.1016/j.sleh.2015.08.001
- Kovacs FM, Abraira V, Peña A, et al. Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain. Lancet. 2003;362(9396):1599-1604. DOI: 10.1016/S0140-6736(03)14792-7
Cleaning a mattress properly requires different methods for different stain types: enzymatic cleaners for biological stains, hydrogen peroxide for blood, and baking soda for odour absorption. Mattress Miracle at 441½ West Street in Brantford recommends a waterproof protector to prevent stains from reaching the mattress in the first place. Dorothy notes that once moisture penetrates a mattress core, complete removal is nearly impossible, and trapped moisture creates mould and mildew that void warranties. Call (519) 770-0001 for protector recommendations.
Shop: Mattress Protectors at Mattress Miracle
Shop This Topic at Mattress Miracle
Popular picks at Mattress Miracle:
- Restonic's ComfortCare Dalton & Albany
- Whitney double-sided bamboo mattress
- Somnia 3.0 neck support pillow
Or browse the mattress collection in our Brantford showroom.
Find Your Perfect Mattress at Mattress Miracle
We are a family-owned mattress store in Brantford, helping our community sleep better since 1997. Come try mattresses in person and get honest, no-pressure advice.
441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario
Call 519-770-0001Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get urine smell out of a mattress?
Blot, spray 50/50 vinegar and water, let sit 10 min, blot, cover with baking soda 4-8 hours, vacuum. Use enzymatic cleaner for persistent odour.
Can I steam clean a mattress?
Yes for innerspring and hybrid. Never for memory foam or latex. Steam kills dust mites but leaves moisture requiring 8-12 hours drying.
How do I prevent mattress stains?
Use a waterproof mattress protector ($30-$80). Single most effective protection for your mattress investment.
How often should I replace my mattress?
Every 7-10 years. Signs: sagging over 1.5 inches, waking with pain, allergy symptoms, persistent odour.
Does baking soda actually clean a mattress?
Excellent deodorizer and moisture absorber but doesn't disinfect. Combine with hydrogen peroxide for cleaning and steam or UV for disinfecting.
Visit Our Brantford Showroom
We are located at 441½ West Street in downtown Brantford. Free parking available. Our team does not work on commission, so you get honest advice based on your needs.
Mattress Miracle , 441½ West Street, Brantford, ON · (519) 770-0001
Hours: Monday–Wednesday 10am–6pm, Thursday–Friday 10am–7pm, Saturday 10am–5pm, Sunday 12pm–4pm.