Mattresses are one of the most used, yet most overlooked items in the home.
Even with fresh sheets, the mattress underneath gradually collects sweat, body oils, dead skin cells, dust mites, bacteria, odours, and contaminants from daily use.
A clean mattress directly contributes to better sleep, better hygiene, and better long-term health.

Most people aren’t sure how often their mattress actually needs cleaning, so here’s a clear, evidence-based guide to keeping your mattress fresh and healthy year-round.

Why Mattresses Get Dirty Faster Than You Think

Dust mites

Dust mites feed on microscopic skin flakes shed during sleep. Warm, humid mattress fibres provide the perfect environment for them to thrive. Their droppings and discarded casings are major triggers for asthma, eczema, hay fever, and general allergies.

Bodily fluids

The average adult loses up to 200ml of sweat per night. Sweat, oils, and moisture gradually absorb into the mattress, creating odours and encouraging bacterial growth.

Pet contamination

If pets sleep on the bed, even occasionally — your mattress collects:

• pet hair and dander
• saliva
• outdoor dirt
• sweat
• accidental urine

This increases allergens, odours, and the need for regular deep cleaning.

How Often Should You Clean Your Mattress?

Minimum: Every 6–12 months (Professional Deep Clean)

A professional mattress clean once or twice per year is enough for most households. This removes dust mites, bacteria, odours, and embedded contaminants that normal vacuuming can’t reach.

Regular Maintenance: Vacuum Every 3–4 Months

For the majority of homes, vacuuming the mattress with a HEPA-filter vacuum every few months is the best way to reduce dust mites, skin flakes, and allergens.
This is an easy, low-cost step that greatly improves mattress hygiene between professional cleans.

High-Hygiene Households: Vacuum Every 1–2 Months

More frequent cleaning is recommended for:

• families with young children
• allergy or asthma sufferers
• homes where pets sleep on the bed
• hot or humid climates
• anyone who eats or drinks in bed
• Airbnb and short-stay accommodation

In these cases, vacuuming becomes the main ongoing maintenance, with a professional deep clean done once or twice per year.

Between Cleans: Use a Mattress Cleaner Spray

A specialised product like Wundaguard Mattress Cleaner helps control odours, bacteria, and minor stains without wetting the mattress.
It’s ideal for:

• sweat marks
• surface odours
• light spills
• fresh urine accidents
• general refreshes

It supports your regular vacuuming and keeps the mattress fresher between professional appointments.

Between getting a professional mattress cleaning service, using Wundaguard Mattress Cleaner helps maintain freshness, reduce bacteria, and keep odours under control.

What About Wee Accidents?

Urine accidents — whether from children, pets, or health conditions — are a common issue and a major reason mattresses need regular cleaning. Urine quickly penetrates the fabric and padding, leaving behind odour-causing bacteria and yellow staining if not treated immediately.

Fresh accidents should be blotted, not rubbed. Applying Wundaguard Mattress Cleaner helps break down the compounds that cause lingering smells and hygiene problems.
Older or set-in urine stains often require professional mattress cleaning, as dried urine crystals bond tightly to mattress fibres.

Regular cleaning and early fabric protection make future accidents far less damaging and much easier to resolve.

Should You Air Out Your Mattress?

Allowing your mattress to breathe is one of the simplest ways to improve hygiene. Pull back your bedding daily to let moisture evaporate.

Airing out reduces:

• humidity levels
• dust mite survival
• mould risk
• odour buildup

Even 30 minutes can make a noticeable difference.

Should You Leave Your Bed Unmade?

Surprisingly, leaving your bed unmade for part of the morning can help prevent bed bugs and reduce dust mite activity. Bed bugs prefer warm, dark, stable environments. When you leave bedding open:

• air circulates
• heat dissipates
• surfaces dry
• hiding spots are reduced

Pairing this simple habit with regular mattress cleaning significantly improves sleep hygiene.

Mattress Cleaning Spray vs A Mattress Deep Cleaning Treatment

Spot Cleaning A Mattress

Use Wundaguard Mattress Cleaner for:

• sweat marks
• light stains
• spills
• odours
• fresh urine accidents

Its Silver Plus antimicrobial technology helps neutralise bacteria and freshen the mattress between professional cleans.

Deep Cleaning a Mattress

A professional mattress clean removes what regular vacuuming and surface sprays cannot. A deep clean targets:

• dust mites
• allergens
• bacteria
• dried sweat and body oils
• embedded dirt
• stubborn odours
• contaminants from pets, spills, and accidents

A proper professional clean resets your mattress to a healthier baseline, improving sleep hygiene, reducing allergens, and extending the life of the internal padding and fabrics.

A Critical Warning About Steam Cleaning

Despite being advertised as a convenient solution, steam cleaning should never be used on a mattress. Steam (or hot water extraction):

• leaves the mattress damp for hours or even days
• can lead to mould growth inside the padding
• may cause rusting of internal springs
• can break down comfort layers
• often voids manufacturer warranties
• relies on chemical detergents that may irritate skin or respiratory systems

Mattresses are not designed to handle saturation. Only dry or low-moisture mattress cleaning methods are safe and effective.mattress to a healthier baseline and improves the longevity of the fabric and internal padding.

How to Keep Your Mattress Fresher for Longer

• Use a breathable mattress protector.
• Vacuum monthly with a HEPA-filter vacuum.
• Air out the mattress weekly by pulling back bedding.
• Treat spills immediately to prevent stains and odours.
• Rotate your mattress every 3–6 months.
• Avoid eating or drinking in bed where possible.
• Keep pets on washable blankets or bedding if they sleep with you.
• Apply professional fabric protection to stop liquids and contaminants from absorbing into the fibres.

These simple habits significantly reduce the buildup of moisture, allergens, and bacteria between professional cleans.

A Cleaner Mattress Means Better Sleep

Regular mattress cleaning isn’t just a hygiene habit — it’s an investment in better health and better sleep. With professional cleaning, Wundaguard Mattress Cleaner spray, and optional fabric protection, you can keep your mattress fresh, odour-free, and allergen-reduced all year long.

Mattress Cleaning FAQS

How often should I clean my mattress?

Most mattresses should be cleaned every 3–6 months, depending on use. Homes with children, pets, or allergy sufferers benefit from cleaning every 2–3 months. Regular mattress cleaning helps remove dust mites, allergens, bacteria, and odours that accumulate over time.

Does mattress cleaning remove dust mites and allergens?

Yes. Professional mattress cleaning reduces dust mite populations and removes the allergens they leave behind, such as droppings and shed skins. These irritants can trigger asthma, eczema, and hay fever, so regular cleaning is especially important for sensitive sleepers.

Can mattress cleaning remove urine stains and odours?

Fresh urine accidents can often be treated successfully when cleaned quickly with the right products, such as Wundaguard Mattress Cleaner. Older urine stains may require professional deep cleaning, as dried urine crystals bond to the mattress fibres and create persistent odours.

Is mattress cleaning safe for children and pets?

Yes. Wundaguard Mattress Cleaner is water-based, low-odour, and safe once dry. Professional cleaning services also use family-friendly methods that remove bacteria and allergens without harsh chemicals, making it suitable for children, pets, and allergy-prone households.

Does airing out my mattress really help?

Airing out your mattress helps reduce humidity, prevent mould growth, and limit dust mite activity. Pulling back your bedding for at least 30 minutes each morning allows moisture to escape and improves mattress hygiene between cleans.

Can leaving my bed unmade help prevent bed bugs?

Yes. Leaving your bed unmade for part of the morning allows airflow through the sheets and mattress, reducing the warm, dark environment bed bugs prefer. While it’s not a full prevention method, combined with regular mattress cleaning it helps reduce the conditions bed bugs thrive in.