There’s nothing quite like sinking into a pillow top mattress at the end of a long day. That cloud-like comfort? It’s one of life’s quiet luxuries.
But that extra comfort also means they’re a bit trickier to clean. The plush top layer can hold onto dust, spills, and stains more than other mattresses. That’s why knowing how to clean a pillow top mattress the right way can save you trouble later.
Key Takeaways
- Learning how to clean a pillow top mattress properly helps maintain comfort, prevent damage, and keep your sleep space feeling fresh.
- Using a mattress protector is one of the easiest ways to prevent spills and stains from reaching the surface in the first place.
- Spot cleaning is great for small accidents, while deep cleaning helps remove lingering odours and refresh the entire surface.
In this blog, we’ll show you how to clean everything from everyday grime to tougher messes like urine. We’ll cover quick fixes, gentle ingredients (hello, baking soda), and what to avoid so you don’t wreck the fabric.
Jump to a section:
- What You’ll Need to Get Started
- How to Spot Clean Your Pillow Top Mattress
- How to Deep Clean Your Pillow Top Mattress
- How to Clean a Pillow Top Mattress with Baking Soda
- How to Clean Blood Out of Your Pillow Top Mattress
- How to Clean a Pillow Top Mattress of Urine
- Extra Tips to Keep It Fresh
- When It Might Be Time to Replace
What You’ll Need to Get Started
Different messes call for different tools. This is a general guide and may not apply to every type of pillow top.
If you’re cleaning the Ecosa AeroLux Mattress, always follow the care label. The comfort layer contains duck down and should not be washed, wet, or dry cleaned. Spot clean only with a damp, clean cloth and a mild, non-coloured soap solution in warm water. Do not rub.
For a general clean or deodorising:
✅ Vacuum cleaner with an upholstery attachment
✅ Baking soda
✅ Optional: a few drops of essential oil for scent
You can also steam clean the surface if you prefer not to use baking soda. Just make sure the mattress is aired and fully dry, before putting bedding back on.
For fresh spills, sweat, or urine stains:
✅ Clean cloths or microfibre towels
✅ Cold water
✅ Spray bottle
✅ Mild laundry detergent, dish soap, or a gentle mattress cleaner
✅ White vinegar
✅ Optional: enzyme cleaner (for urine)
Using a mattress protector or topper adds a first line of defence against spills, dust, and stains. It also helps keep the pillow top in better shape over time.
For blood stains:
✅ Clean cloths or microfibre towels
✅ Cold water
✅ Spray bottle
✅ White vinegar
✅ Hydrogen peroxide (optional and only after spot-testing)
Remember: Avoid harsh chemicals, bleach, or heavily scented products. These can damage the fabric and leave behind residue. Stick with the basics.
How to Spot Clean Your Pillow Top Mattress
Spot cleaning is your go-to for fresh spills, light stains, or that mystery mark that showed up out of nowhere.
Some pillow top mattresses come with zip-off covers, but not all are machine washable. Always check the care label first. If the cover is removable and washable, unzip and launder it as directed, then spot clean any stains left underneath.
Here’s how to handle surface stains without making things worse:
Step 1: Blot, don’t scrub
Grab a clean cloth and press down gently on the stain. You want to soak up as much liquid as possible. Scrubbing just pushes it deeper.
Step 2: Mix a mild cleaner
In a spray bottle, mix cold water with a few drops of laundry detergent or dish soap. You don’t need much. Give it a shake.
Step 3: Lightly spray the stain
Don’t soak it. A light mist is enough. The goal is to lift the stain, not saturate the pillow top.
Step 4: Blot again with a clean cloth
Gently press to lift the stain and moisture. If it’s a tough one, you can repeat the spray and blot process once or twice.
Step 5: Let it air dry completely
If possible, place the mattress near a fan or open window. Don’t put bedding back on until the spot feels completely dry.
How to Deep Clean Your Pillow Top Mattress
Spot cleaning works for surface mess, but sometimes your mattress needs a proper refresh.
If your pillow top has a zip, check the care label before removing the cover. Some are machine washable, while others like those with down filling require spot cleaning only.
Step 1: Vacuum the entire surface
Use the upholstery attachment to go over every inch. Pay extra attention to seams and edges, where dust and debris like to hide.
Step 2: Sprinkle on baking soda
A light, even layer will help absorb odours and lift moisture. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or up to a few hours if you’ve got the time.
Step 3: Optional: add a few drops of essential oil
If you like a subtle scent, mix a couple of drops of lavender or eucalyptus oil into the baking soda before sprinkling. Just go easy. A few drops is plenty, and you don’t want any lingering residue.
Step 4: Vacuum again
Once the baking soda has done its job, vacuum it all up. Go slowly to make sure you’re getting everything out of the fabric.
Now that your mattress is fresh and dry, it’s time to tackle specific stains. Choose your method below.
How to Clean a Pillow Top Mattress with Baking Soda
If your mattress smells a bit off or just needs a freshen-up, baking soda is one of the easiest and safest ways to do it.
Here’s what to do:
Step 1: Start with a quick vacuum
Give the surface a once-over to pick up dust, lint, or stray hair. This helps the baking soda work more effectively.
Step 2: Sprinkle evenly across the top
Use your hand or a fine-mesh sieve to create a light, even layer across the surface. It might look like a lot, but that’s fine. You’ll vacuum it all up later.
Step 3: Let it sit
The longer it stays, the more it can do. Leave it on for at least 30 minutes. A few hours is better if you’ve got the time and airflow.
Step 4: Vacuum thoroughly
Go slowly and make sure all the powder is removed. If it still smells a bit off or feels damp, you can repeat the process the next day.
How to Clean Blood Out of Your Pillow Top Mattress
Blood stains can look alarming, but they’re usually fixable if you act quickly. The trick is to use cold water only. Hot water sets the stain and makes it harder to remove.
Step 1: Blot with a clean, dry cloth
Press gently into the stain to soak up as much as possible. Don’t rub it in. The goal is to lift, not spread.
Step 2: Apply cold water
Dampen a cloth with cold water and gently dab the area. This helps break up the proteins in the blood and loosen the stain.
Step 3: Use a mild detergent
Mix a few drops of dish soap or laundry detergent with cold water. Apply it to the stain with a cloth, then blot again.
Step 4: Try hydrogen peroxide (for stubborn stains)
If the stain is still there, dip a cotton swab in hydrogen peroxide and test a small patch. If the fabric reacts well, apply it to the blood stain. It will bubble. That’s completely normal.
Step 5: Rinse and blot
Use a clean cloth with cold water to blot away any soap or peroxide. Keep dabbing until it’s no longer sudsy.
Step 6: Let it dry completely
Air it out near a window or fan. Don’t cover the area until it’s fully dry to avoid musty smells or mildew.
How to Clean a Pillow Top Mattress of Urine
Whether it’s from a little one, a pet, or a midnight accident, urine can soak in quickly and leave behind more than just a stain. The key is to act fast and use the right approach to clean it properly.
Step 1: Blot the area immediately
Use paper towels or a clean cloth to press into the stain and soak up as much liquid as possible. Don’t rub. You don’t want to spread it deeper into the padding.
Step 2: Mix a simple cleaning solution
In a spray bottle, combine equal parts white vinegar and cold water. You can add a few drops of laundry detergent if the stain is stubborn.
If you’re dealing with pet urine, you might also want to use an enzyme cleaner after blotting. It helps break down the proteins that cause lingering smells.
Step 3: Spray lightly over the stain
You’re not trying to soak the mattress, just dampen the area enough to neutralise the urine and break it down.
Step 4: Blot again
Use a dry cloth to lift out the moisture and cleaner. Repeat spraying and blotting once or twice if needed.
Step 5: Sprinkle baking soda over the spot
Let it sit for several hours. This helps draw out remaining moisture and remove odour.
Step 6: Vacuum up the baking soda
Make sure the mattress is fully dry before putting any bedding back on.
Extra Tips to Keep It Fresh
A deep clean now and then makes a difference, but small habits help keep your mattress feeling fresher for longer.
Here are a few to keep in mind:
✅ Use a mattress protector
It’s a simple layer that stops sweat, spills, and dust from reaching the pillow top. Choose one that’s breathable and washable.
✅ Air it out regularly
Whenever you change the sheets, give your mattress some time to breathe. Open a window or turn on a fan to help reduce trapped moisture.
✅ Vacuum monthly
A quick once-over with the upholstery tool helps keep dust and allergens from building up.
✅ Rotate the mattress every few months
This helps with even wear, especially if you tend to sleep on one side more than the other. Just check your manufacturer’s label first. Not all pillow tops are designed to flip.
✅ Tackle stains as soon as they happen
The faster you act, the easier it is to get rid of the mess. Keep basic supplies like baking soda, vinegar, and a spray bottle nearby.
When It Might Be Time to Replace
Cleaning can do a lot. But if your pillow top still smells off, feels lumpy, or sags in spots no matter how much fluffing you do, it might be time to let it go.
Here are a few signs your mattress may be past saving:
It still smells
If odours linger even after deep cleaning, they’ve probably settled into the inner layers. That’s tough to fix.
You wake up sore or stiff
A worn-out mattress won’t support your body the way it should. If your sleep quality has dropped, cleaning may not be the issue.
Visible sagging or lumps
If the top layer has flattened or shifted, it might be time for something new.
It’s more than 7 to 10 years old
Even well-maintained mattresses wear down over time. If it’s been close to a decade, and you’ve noticed things like sagging, stiffness, or disrupted sleep, those could be signs it’s time to replace your mattress.
Knowing how to clean a pillow top mattress helps you sleep better and keep things fresh for longer. A few simple habits can make all the difference.
If you’re ready to upgrade your sleep space, start with the essentials. At Ecosa, we offer quality mattresses, bedding, and pillows to help you build a healthier sleep environment from the ground up.