By Lauren Jeffries

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Mattress Care

Share a bed? Your mattress could hold a bathtub full of sweat after summer, experts reveal

Lauren Jeffries

10 September 2025

Stop sleeping on a hotbed for bacteria and clean your mattress for fall — here’s how

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Protect your bed with a mattress protector

(Image credit: Future / Tom’s Guide)
Create a barrier between you and your bed by investing in one of this year’s best mattress protectors.
Ready to be grossed out? New research from MattressNextDay has revealed that the average couple produces just under 300 pints of sweat (105 liters) at night over the summer.

I told you it was gross.
So, where does it all go? Your bedding, mattress and pillows. So if you’ve invested in the best mattress of the year it might be time to give it some TLC. Which is why I’m proposing something new. Forget the spring clean, it’s time for a fall clean.

Here, we’re digging deeper into the research to find out how much we really sweat at night before detailing how best to clean your mattress (especially those pesky sweat stains) as well as how to protect it going forwards.

How much do we really sweat at night?
After a summer full of heatwaves, it’s likely we’ve sweated more than normal. According to the new research, these warmer conditions can increase sweat output by around 15%, leading the research team to nickname our beds ‘sweat-soaked sponges.’
A delightful image.
So, if we produce around 500ml of sweat on an average night, 92 days of warmer weather results in a huge 52.9 liters of sweat per person. For a couple, that’s almost a full bath tub full of sweat. *gag*

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And this is just the average. That number could be a lot higher if you experience conditions like the night sweats or hot flashes.
But don’t worry. There are ways to save your mattress and give it the refresh it needs ready for hibernation season.

(Image credit: Getty Images)
How to clean your mattress and protect it for fall
Start by vacuuming the whole mattress
Strip your bed of all of its bedding and put your sheet, mattress protector, duvet cover and pillow cases in the wash.
Next, vacuum the full surface of your mattress, taking extra care in the cracks, crevices and seams of the bed. This will help remove and dirt, debris and dust mites that have built up over the summer.
Read our guide to the best mattress vacuuming tips and be sure to use an upholstery attachment to prevent snagging the fabric cover of your bed.

(Image credit: Future / Tom’s Guide)
Sprinkle baking soda over it
Baking soda has long been a cleaning staple. It’s cheap, versatile and natural. For mattresses, it’s the perfect way to freshen up a bed.
Sprinkle a generous layer over the whole surface of the mattress. This will neutralize odors and help restore proper PH balance.
Leave it to sit for at least 30 minutes, but the longer the better.

(Image credit: Future)
Treat stains
While waiting for the baking soda to work, you can spot-treat any stains. Mixing a solution of baking soda and white vinegar and spreading it over a stain can help to lift it. Be sure not to wet the mattress too much as this can lead to mattress mould.
For tougher stains like blood, hydrogen peroxide can be effective. For a breakdown of how to tackle each stain, head to our guide on how to remove mattress stains.

(Image credit: Future)
Spray vinegar over it
A light spray of white vinegar will help to clean the surface of the mattress. It will react with the baking soda and fizz slightly.
The acidity will break down grime, grease and stains. However, be very careful to only use a light misting. Don’t soak the mattress.
This is especially important if you have a memory foam mattress, as this material absorbs moisture, which can lead to mattress mold.

(Image credit: Future / Tom’s Guide)
Vacuum again
Blot any remaining moisture with a clean cloth before vacuuming the mattress again. Be sure to vacuum up any remaining baking soda.
Rather than remaking your bed straight away, it’s a good idea to let your bed breathe. If possible, stand your mattress up against the wall.
Direct sunlight is best as this will help kill any remaining bacteria, but if that’s not possible, open up the windows and doors to let plenty of air through.

(Image credit: Future)
5 steps to protect your mattress
There are ways to stop your mattress from becoming a big ‘sweat-soaked sponge’. Here are our top tips:

Invest in a mattress protector: A mattress protector creates a barrier between you and the bed, helping to protect it from bodily fluids, spills and stains. Opt for a waterproof mattress protector for the best results.
Regularly clean your bed: Vacuuming your mattress around once a month is enough to keep it hygienic. On top of this, deep cleaning your mattress every 6 months will keep it fresh.
Opt for moisture-wicking materials: For your bedding, choose natural, moisture-wicking and breathable materials like wool, bamboo, cotton and latex. This will stop a lot of sweat from being absorbed by your mattress.
Try a cooling mattress: If you experience night sweats, hot flashes or just naturally sleep hot, investing in the best cooling mattresses can help. Consider the best smart beds too, for active cooling.
Wash your bedding weekly: Keeping a regular cleaning schedule for all of your bedding can help keep your mattress fresh. Be sure to wash your bedding at least once a week.

See more Mattress News

Lauren Jeffries

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Sleep Features Editor

Lauren is an experienced writer and editor in the health and lifestyle industry and has led many campaigns and projects that deliver news, advice, and research on all things sleep. As the Sleep Features Editor for Tom’s Guide, Lauren writes, commissions and edits sleep and mattress content, from in-depth how-tos in sleep and mattress health to interviews with doctors and neuroscientists on the latest news in sleep. Lauren regularly tests new sleep tech and accessories to evaluate their effectiveness for getting good quality sleep and easing specific sleep struggles like nighttime anxiety. Alongside this, Lauren reports on the best mattress brands out there, like Helix, Saatva, and DreamCloud, helping readers find the right mattress for them and the best deals on them.

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