Sprinkling Your Mattress With Baking Soda: What It's For And Why It's Recommended

Baking soda: Chances are you've used this famous powder for purposes other than baking or deodorizing your refrigerator (or have at least heard about them). Whether you buy this product in its distinctive box or in bulk, it's a good idea to have baking soda on hand to clean various items around your home. This includes your mattress. Although perhaps a lesser-known use, some people sprinkle baking soda on their mattresses to help get rid of smells and possibly even remove certain stains.

While you might already follow the rule of washing your sheets once a week, mattresses are often overlooked. These should, in fact, be deep-cleaned every 6 months or so, per Sleep Foundation. If your own mattress is due for a refresh, it may be time to give baking soda a try. First, it's important to know that sodium bicarbonate, baking soda's active ingredient, is a naturally alkaline substance that also possesses mildly abrasive qualities. This makes it suitable for lifting mild sweat stains, wine spills, and other spots that sometimes end up on mattresses. At the same time, it has the ability to neutralize certain acidic and basic odor molecules rather than simply masking them.

Indeed, baking soda can offer an inexpensive and non-toxic way to clean a mattress without the need to resort to chemical-based commercial cleaners. This is especially helpful if you have pets and small children. Just be sure to check the manufacturing labels for instructions specific to your type of mattress before you begin sprinkling.

The best way to use baking soda on your own mattress depends on your goals. If you simply want to make it smell better, sprinkle a liberal amount of baking soda across the entire surface. Let the substance sit on the mattress for several hours. Then, follow up with a vacuum cleaner and upholstery attachment, ensuring that you remove all of the baking soda that may be hiding in crevices. Repeat the process if any odors remain; otherwise, you can put the mattress cover and bedding back on.

With a few extra steps, you can also use baking soda to remove urine and sweat stains from your mattress. First, treat the stain with equal parts white vinegar and plain water, and then blot the area with a clean paper towel. Once you've soaked up the excess liquid, sprinkle baking soda over the affected area. Allow it to sit for 8 hours or more before vacuuming. You can repeat as necessary until the stain lifts up.

Remember that the mattress should be completely dry before vacuuming up the remaining residue. In that case, using ceiling or box fans can help speed up the drying process. You'll also want to refrain from adding vinegar and baking soda to the stain at the same time, as they'll end up neutralizing each other. Finally, avoid using too much liquid or scrubbing pillow-top and foam mattresses too vigorously, as these surfaces are more delicate.