How do you deep clean a moldy mattress?

Author: Demarcus Ruecker  |  Last update: Sunday, September 14, 2025

Get rid of mold with vinegar Vacuum the surface of the mattress to grab any lingering mold spores. Mix three parts vinegar and one part water in a bottle, coat the affected areas, and let it sit for one hour. Use a dry, clean cloth to blot any excess moisture on the surface of the mattress.

Can a mattress with mold be saved?

Mold on a mattress is not salvageable. Please buy yourself a new mattress. Why should you wait for your landlord to buy yourself a mattress? You're allowed to buy one yourself for yourself that you'll keep if you move. Adding more water, vinegar or enzymes only adds more moisture to a mattress that has mold in it.

What kills mold on a mattress?

First, prepare a solution of equal parts isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and water. This solution is potent enough to kill the mould spores on the mattress surface. Next, dip a clean cloth into the solution and gently rub the mouldy surface of the mattress in a circular motion.

What kills 100% of mold?

Hydrogen peroxide, commonly used to disinfect wounds, is active against a wide variety of micro-organisms including mold. It acts by releasing oxygen at a rapid rate, which kills mold by oxidizing the surface and breaking down proteins and DNA.

What's the difference between mold and mildew on a mattress?

Mildew refers to certain kinds of mold or fungus. The term mildew is often used generically to refer to mold growth, usually with a flat growth habit. Molds include all species of microscopic fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments, called hyphae.

How to Get Rid of Mold On Your Mattress | Cleaning Tips

Can mold on a mattress make you sick?

In addition to physical signs, an infestation of mold in your bedding could cause sneezing and coughing fits at night due to its airborne spores. Allergy-like symptoms such as watery eyes and runny noses can also occur if you have been exposed to large amounts of mold spores for extended periods of time.

How to deep clean a mattress?

Another homemade cleaning agent is hydrogen peroxide that you can also mix with baking soda and a few drops of dish soap. It is useful for removing sweat, urine, or blood stains. The simplest way is to make a 50:50 solution with water and rub it in the mattress stains with a soft brush so as not to damage the fabric.

Which kills mold better, bleach or vinegar?

Vinegar is better at killing mold because it can work on both porous and nonporous surfaces. It also terminates molds at their roots so the mold won't return and is also safer than bleach. You can even combine it with baking soda to make it more effective.

What are signs of mold sickness?

Although symptoms can vary, the most common symptoms seen in people exposed to mold indoors include:
  • Nasal and sinus congestion.
  • Eye irritation, such as itchy, red, watery eyes.
  • Wheezing and difficulty breathing.
  • Cough.
  • Throat irritation.
  • Skin irritation, such as a rash.
  • Headache.

What is the strongest mold killer?

Our Top Picks
  • Best Overall: SALE. ...
  • Best Fast Acting: RMR-86 Instant Mold and Mildew Stain Remover at Amazon $17. ...
  • Best Preventative: Mold Armor Mold Blocker at Amazon $11. ...
  • Best Eco-Friendly: CLR Mold & Mildew Stain Remover at Amazon $12. ...
  • Best Gel: Skylarlife Mold & Mildew Remover Gel at Amazon $15.

How to clean a musty mattress?

Water with Vinegar

Mix equal portions of water and distilled white vinegar in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the solution over your mattress. Avoid making it too wet and let it air dry completely. Then prop your mattress against the wall and spray the solution over the other side.

How often should you replace your mattress?

Quality sleep is essential for our overall health, and a good mattress plays a crucial role in ensuring a good night's sleep. Experts recommend replacing your mattress every 6 to 8 years, but there are factors can influence this timeframe.

What does mold look like on a mattress?

What does mold on a mattress look like? Mold is typically white, brown, orange, yellow, green, or purple in color. It can be fuzzy-looking or slimy—as opposed to mildew (a relative of mold), which is often more fluffy or powdery. Most of the time, the mold that is found on mattresses is brown, green, or purple.

Is there a way to get mold out of a mattress?

H3: Remove Mold with Rubbing Alcohol
  1. Vacuum all sides of your mattress.
  2. Mix equal parts rubbing alcohol and warm water.
  3. Saturate a rag in the rubbing alcohol solution and wring it out.
  4. Use the rag to scrub away all visible mold.
  5. Continue to scrub beyond the edges of the visible mold to kill any invisible spores.

What to put under a mattress to prevent mold?

Moisture Barriers

Using a moisture barrier like a polyethylene sheet can prevent mold from making your mattress its new home.

What are yellow stains on a mattress?

Yellow mattress stains are discolorations caused mainly by sweat and oxidation of body oils that accompany the aging of the mattress materials. When you sleep on the same mattress night after night, sweat can accumulate and start to leave a yellowish stain.

How long does it take to get sick from mold exposure?

According to the CDC, people usually experience their first symptoms within 2 to 9 hours of their first exposure. On the other hand, some people could go for weeks or months before feeling sick if their exposure is limited enough. This is why it is also important to check damp, dark areas of your home for mold.

Can you clean up mold yourself?

Scrub mold off hard surfaces with detergent and water, and dry completely. Fix plumbing leaks and other water problems as soon as possible. Dry all items completely. Absorbent or porous materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, may have to be thrown away if they become moldy.

What does black mold smell like?

Toxic black mold growth has a more potent and identifiable smell, like the smell of decay, wet soil, or rot. Visually, it may be greenish-black, grayish-black, slimy, or more furry than other forms of mold or mildew.

What 100% kills mold?

For large amounts of mold, the only method that kills mold 100%, every time, is removing all of the mold-infested materials entirely, and replacing them with new materials.

Can I leave vinegar on mold overnight?

Yes, you can leave vinegar on mould overnight, though this isn't necessary as it usually takes effect after an hour. However, you can't use any type of vinegar, for mould removal you must use distilled white vinegar.

Is hydrogen peroxide better than vinegar for mold?

If you don't have hydrogen peroxide, use distilled white or cleaning vinegar. Distilled white vinegar's acidity slowly breaks down and kills mold but does so much slower than cleaning vinegar.

How do you clean a badly soiled mattress?

Baking soda method
  1. Rinse a cloth with a cold water.
  2. Dab the stain with the cloth.
  3. Sprinkle baking soda over the stain.
  4. Leave it for 30 minutes.
  5. Rinse a cloth with cold water again.
  6. Dab the stain until it lifts.
  7. Repeat this process as many times as necessary and leave it to dry.

How do you dry a mattress after deep cleaning?

After cleaning, you can sprinkle a layer of baking soda on the wet mattress surface and allow it to soak up the excess moisture. Then vacuum the baking soda off the mattress to dry it. You can also put the mattress under a fan indoors or out in the sun to allow it to dry completely.

How to professionally clean a mattress at home?

How to Clean a Mattress in 9 Simple Steps
  1. Gather your mattress cleaning supplies. ...
  2. Strip the bed and wash all the bedding. ...
  3. Vacuum the mattress. ...
  4. Spot-clean your mattress with a stain remover. ...
  5. Sprinkle baking soda all over the entire mattress. ...
  6. Vacuum again. ...
  7. Flip the mattress. ...
  8. Protect the mattress.

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