As someone who writes extensively about how to clean and care for your mattresses, I’m always on the look out for clever new ways to remove stubborn stains. So when a mattress cleaning hack involving toothpaste and a warm iron went viral, I knew I had to try it for myself.
Without a decent mattress protector, even the best mattress can fall foul to spills, accidents and a build up of body oils and dead skin, which all accumulate on the surface of the mattress, leaving grubby marks and yellow stains in its wake.
The latest cleaning hack to take the internet by storm combines the abrasive texture of toothpaste, the neutralising benefit of baking soda and the deep cleaning agent found in liquid laundry detergent to lift stubborn stains.
Does it work? This is what happened when I used the viral toothpaste mattress cleaning hack to remove a stubborn brown stain...
How to use the viral toothpaste and warm iron mattress cleaning hack
This cleaning method uses everyday household items including toothpaste, baking soda and laundry detergent to create a powerful cleaning solution. You’ll also need an iron for the application. So here’s everything you need to know before trying it yourself…
What you'll need:
- White toothpaste (not gel)
- Liquid laundry detergent
- Baking soda (bicarbonate of soda)
- Warm water
- Clean absorbent cloth
- Iron
- Mixing bowl
@bbc ♬ original sound - BBC
Step 1. Prepare your cleaning solution
In a clean mixing bowl, combine a tablespoon of toothpaste, a tablespoon of mild laundry detergent, two tablespoons of baking soda and half a cup of warm water.
Mix these ingredients thoroughly until they form a runny paste, the solution should be wet enough to soak in to the cloth but not so watery that it drips — aim for pancake batter consistency. If your solution is too watery, add a little more baking soda to thicken it up.
Do note that in the original video of this hack, the presenter uses a laundry capsule. I’d advise against doing this, instead use liquid laundry detergent. Using laundry detergent will dissolve more easily than a capsule and you also get more control over the amount that’s used.
Step 2. Apply mixture to the cloth
Take a clean, absorbent cloth and soak it in the cleaning solution. You need to make sure that your cloth is fully covered in the mixture but not dripping wet.
Wring out the cloth to get rid of excess moisture before you apply it to your iron so that you avoid over-wetting the mattress.
Remember, whenever you clean your mattress you should always avoid getting it too wet as this can lead to a longer drying time which can create the perfect environment for mattress mold and mildew to grow.
Step 3. Get your iron and attach the cloth
You then need to carefully wrap the damp cloth around the bottom of your warm iron. Secure it carefully so it stays on during the cleaning process. You can do this by pinning it or using hair bands to tie the cloth at the top.
Your iron should be on low/medium heat, you need it to be warm but not too hot. Also, ensure that you don’t have the steam function enabled as this could be too hot for your mattress material and cause it to get too wet.
Step 4. Start working the area
Using your iron, gently work the area of the stain in circular motions. Don’t stay in one spot too long as you don’t want the surface of your mattress it to get too hot or too wet.
You may have to go over the stain a couple of times until you see results. So check your progress frequently between passes. When you notice the stain starting to lift, concentrate more on the areas where the stain is still showing.
Step 5. Allow your mattress to dry fully
Once the stain is lifted, grab a clean cloth or paper town and just dab the area to make sure that any excess moisture is lifted. If your cloth is coming back dry, then leave your mattress to fully dry.
You may want to open up the windows or use fans to speed up the drying time, but never use heat to dry your mattress as this can cause damage to the layers. Once your mattress is dry, inspect the stain to ensure it’s been lifted and then vacuum the surface of your mattress to ensure that any dirt, dust and debris is lifted before you reapply your bed sheets.
Did this hack using toothpaste and an iron work?
This hack did work and lifted stains really quickly. This isn’t that surprising considering the penetrative combination of baking soda, laundry detergent against stains.
However, the inclusion of toothpaste helped break the stain down quicker than other hacks I've tried. This is likely due to the abrasive texture of toothpaste. Plus, some whitening toothpaste also include hydrogen peroxide, which is proven to chemically lift stains.
Would I try this hack again? Absolutely. If you have a stubborn stain then it’s a really good way of getting rid quickly.
Can you use an iron and toothpaste on all mattresses?
Whilst this hack is effective, it’s important to remember that not all mattress types can withstand extreme heat and excessive moisture, so keep your iron setting to medium and wring out your cloth thoroughly.
Memory foam mattresses in particular are highly sensitive to heat and moisture, and using an iron that is too hot on a memory foam mattress could lead to permanent damage to the foam structure.
The best hybrid mattresses are crafted from a combination of coils and foam, so you'll still need to practice caution if you plan to use this hack on one of those. If in doubt, I would always recommend checking the care label of your actual bed.
Traditional spring are much more resilient to this type of cleaning method. However, you should patch test in an inconspicuous area before attempting a large stain.
It’s not just the extreme heat and the water damage that can damage your mattress. Some brands of toothpaste could use chemicals that potentially react with certain mattress materials. So make sure you choose a plain white toothpaste (not gel).
Other proven methods for removing mattress stains
Whilst this viral hack does do a good job of getting rid of stains, there are several other reliable methods at your disposal. The main thing you should always keep in mind is that you need to choose a cleaning method that will be safe for your specific mattress type.
What's the easiest way to avoid getting stains on your mattress?
Stains happen. The best way to avoid marks on your mattress caused by a buildup of body oils, dead skin or the occasional accident, is to invest in one of the best mattress protectors. A mattress protector creates a barrier between you and your bed.
Most mattress protectors are machine washable, making them much easier to keep clean than the surface of your mattress.
Another way to keep stains and marks away is by regularly vacuuming your mattress rand dealing with spills as soon they happen instead of leaving them to become dry and set in.
