A mattress takes in odors and body oils night after night, and it will never fit in the washer. That’s why a tip from the French magazine Pleine Vie keeps coming back: sprinkle baking soda over the whole surface, wait, then vacuum. Here’s what it really does, how long to leave it, and what it can’t fix.
In short
- Vacuum the mattress, sift a layer of baking soda over it, wait 30 minutes to two hours, then vacuum again.
- Baking soda neutralizes acidic odors, according to mattress maker Casper.
- It freshens the surface. It doesn’t get rid of dust mites.
- A musty smell that keeps coming back can mean mold inside, which can’t be removed.
Neither wood nor plastic is the problem: the cutting board sign that means it’s time to toss it
What it’s for
The tip, shared by Pleine Vie, is all about odor. Casper explains the chemistry simply: “The baking soda will react with acidic odors to neutralize them.” In other words, it neutralizes odors instead of just masking them.
Sleep.com adds a second benefit: when you vacuum, you “hoover up all the granules, which should have absorbed the odor and oil.” If you’re out of baking soda, it says cornstarch “works well, too.”
How to do it
- Strip the bed and vacuum the mattress with the upholstery attachment, as Sleep.com recommends.
- Sift the baking soda. Casper suggests a flour sifter to spread an even layer over the top. Sleep.com says to apply it “liberally so that you’re covering as much of the surface as possible.”
- Add a scent if you like: Casper mentions a couple of drops of essential oil, such as lavender, mixed into the powder.
- Wait. Sleep.com says about 30 minutes, longer for a stronger smell. Casper says up to two hours.
- Vacuum everything up with a handheld vacuum and an upholstery brush, sides and seams included.
Neither wood nor plastic is the problem: the cutting board sign that means it’s time to toss it
Use the waiting time to wash the bedding. To kill dust mites, the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America says to wash it “in water that’s at least 130° F.” Before any DIY cleaning, Casper also recommends checking the care label or the manufacturer’s instructions.
The limit
Baking soda freshens, it doesn’t sanitize. Against dust mites, the AAFA’s advice is to “cover mattresses and pillows in zippered allergen-barrier covers” and to keep indoor humidity between 30 and 50%. And if a musty smell lingers after cleaning, Sleep.com says it may come from mold or mildew inside the mattress, which “can’t be removed.” Then it’s time to replace it, especially if it’s seven years old or more.
The rest of the bed deserves the same attention: here’s how often to change your sheets, why yellow stains on your pillow are a warning sign, and what a bay leaf under the pillow is for.
A sifter, a little patience and a vacuum. That’s the trick.
