How to Remove Stains from Old Mattresses

Nobody wants to sleep on a dirty mattress, even if you can’t actually see the gunk that’s living there. And if you plan to donate it, many charities will only take mattresses if they’re clean. What should you do? Believe it or not, you can get those nasty stains out of that mattress — and it’s probably easier than you think.

You’ve probably heard by now that it’s healthier to remove any accumulated dust and / or body residues (yuck!) from your mattress regularly. If you or a loved one has allergies, this maintenance is especially important. General cleaning of any mattress is always a good thing, but what about those stubborn stains? If you’ve tried cleaning it but can’t seem to remove them, it’s time to change things up!

1. Spray it with Vinegar

Yep, plain old vinegar. Simply spray the stain with undiluted white vinegar, and let it do its thing for about 5 minutes.

2. Sprinkle with Baking Soda

You know how baking soda and vinegar react. Now that your vinegar has been applied, sprinkle on some baking soda and watch the bubbles until they disappear.

3. Vacuum

What, you’ve never vacuumed a mattress before? Take your vacuum hose attachment and vacuum all the baking soda out of the mattress. At this point, the stain may already be gone. Congratulations, domestic conquerer! If the stain remains, don’t worry — there’s something else you can try.

4. Apply Hydrogen Peroxide

The same stuff your parents used when you skinned your knee can also help kick the last living breath out of a stain (not to mention the germs). Before applying, test how the hydrogen peroxide might affect the fabric (usually it’s fine). If you’re good to go, grab a sponge and rub it on with a circular motion. Most likely, this will do the trick. If not, you might need to go with a professional stain remover!

Now you can sleep happy knowing your mattress is nice and clean!