How to Steam Clean a Mattress to Eliminate Bacteria, Dust Mites, and Odors

You may be diligent about washing your bed sheets, comforter, and pillowcases, but how often do you clean your mattress? If you have to think about it, chances are it needs a deep clean. Over time, your mattress builds up with dust mites, bacteria, dead skin cells, and other debris. Fortunately, the heat from a steam cleaner can sanitize your mattress and kill unwanted germs. To help, we consulted two cleaning experts who shared their tips for steam cleaning a mattress the right way and the common mistakes to avoid.

How Often to Steam Clean a Mattress 

Aim to steam clean your mattress one to two times per year as part of your deep cleaning routine. “If you have allergies, pets that sleep on the bed, or young children, consider doing it quarterly,” says Becky Rapinchuk, founder of Clean Mama. “This helps eliminate dust mites, bacteria, and allergens that accumulate over time.” Wash your sheets weekly and vacuum the mattress monthly between steam cleanings for proper bedroom hygiene. 

How to Steam Clean a Mattress

Steam cleaning uses heat and moisture to deep clean a mattress in a way vacuuming alone isn’t capable of, says Alicia Sokolowski, president of co-CEO of AspenClean. Cleaning with steam can kill dust mites, bacteria, and germs, reduces allergens, and deodorizes by breaking down odor-causing bacteria. Below, Sokolowski shares her step-by-step process for steam cleaning a mattress the right way. 

1. Strip the bed: Start by removing all sheets, mattress protectors, and covers from your mattress. Wash those separately according to the care label. 
2. Vacuum the mattress: Go over your mattress using a vacuum with an upholstery attachment to remove dust, hair, and crumbs. “Don’t skip this step, as it prevents dirt from turning into muddy residue later,” Sokolowski says. 
3. Spot-treat stains: If your mattress has visible stains, create a paste using baking soda and water. Dip a microfiber cloth in the paste and blot the stain. Let the area dry completely before steaming, as the heat can set the stain deeper into the fabric.
4. Prepare the steamer: Fill the steamer with water (unless the manufacturer says otherwise), and choose a low-moisture or upholstery setting if possible.
5. Steam the mattress slowly: Go over your mattress with the steamer, working in small sections and opting for light, even passes. Keep the steamer moving rather than holding it over one spot so you don’t soak the mattress. 

How to Dry a Mattress After Steam Cleaning

A mattress needs to dry completely before you put the bedding back on to prevent mold and mildew, which usually takes about four to eight hours, depending on humidity and airflow. “To speed up drying, open windows to increase ventilation and air circulation,” says Rapinchuk. “Point fans directly at the mattress surface.” You can also try pressing clean, dry towels into the mattress to absorb excess moisture. “If possible, steam clean in the morning so it has all day to dry,” Rapinchuk adds. 

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How to Remove Lingering Odors

If odors remain after steam cleaning and drying, try sprinkling a light layer of baking soda over the entire surface and let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or a few hours for stronger odors). “The baking soda will absorb any remaining moisture and odors,” she says. “Vacuum it up thoroughly with your upholstery attachment. For a fresh scent, you can add a few drops of essential oils like lavender to the baking soda before sprinkling.” The fresh air from opening windows during drying can also naturally deodorize the mattress.

Mistakes to Avoid

Steam cleaning is an effective way to sanitize and refresh your mattress, but the wrong technique can end up ruining the fabric. Our experts warn against these common pitfalls when steam cleaning.

• Skipping vacuuming: If you steam the mattress with dirt and debris still on it, it will push the dirt deeper into the mattress rather than clean it efficiently, Sokolowski says.
• Using synthetic chemicals in the steamer: Cleaning products with synthetic chemicals can damage the mattress and leave behind a residue, Sokolowski says.
• Over-saturating the mattress: Don't get the mattress too wet when steam cleaning, as too much moisture can lead to mold growth inside the mattress, says Rapinchuk.
• Not letting the mattress dry fully: Wait until the mattress fully dries before making the bed. "Putting sheets on a damp mattress traps moisture, which ultimately leads to mold, mildew, and lingering odors," Sokolowski says.
• Steaming without checking the care tag: Some memory foam mattresses and other materials don't handle heat or moisture well. Rapinchuk and Sokolowski say to check the manufacturer's care label before steam cleaning.