How to steam clean your mattress with an iron — 7 dos and don'ts

Steam cleaning your mattress can give your bed a refresh, kill creepy crawlies and boost your sleep hygiene. And you don't even need any fancy equipment — your standard household iron can deep clean your mattress.

We've tested all kinds of beds to find the best mattress for all sleep styles, from budget all foams to high-tech hybrids. But no matter how comfortable, supportive or advanced a mattress is, none of them clean themselves — disappointing, I know.

While specialized mattress cleaning gadgets, such as mattress vacuums and mattress steamers, are great for killing allergens and targeting stains, sometimes the tools you have at home are a cost-effective (and just plain effective) way to clean your mattress.

I loved the Koitat handheld mattress steamer when I tested it. But if I could avoid cluttering up my utility room with cleaning products, sparing cents along the way, I would. If a mattress deep clean is on the cards this spring, here's how your iron can help.

What are the benefits of steam cleaning a mattress?

Steam cleaning uses high-temperature steam to break down dirt, stains, odors and bacteria that have made their way into the fibers of your mattress.

This cleaning method has a whole host of benefits that can improve the overall cleanliness of your bed and boost your sleep hygiene.

First, steam cleaning can kill dust mites and beg bugs lurking under your covers — neither can tolerate the heat. Dust mites and bed bugs both use humans as their food source (dust mites go for dead skin, bed bugs prefer your blood) and can trigger allergies and skin irritation.

Hot steam can also penetrate deep into the mattress, where it helps banish any germs or bacteria that may be lurking.

And finally, a steam clean can give your mattress a quick freshen up, lifting stains and clearing the odors that naturally build-up when a mattress is regularly used.

Can you steam clean a mattress with an iron?

While there are plenty of specialized furniture and mattress steam cleaners on the market, your everyday iron with a good steam function can do the trick.

Before you get started, make sure your mattress is suitable for steam cleaning. Certain materials, such as memory foam or cashmere, can be damaged by heat and moisture — don't say we didn't warn you.

Also, before you go full steam ahead, patch test a small area of the mattress, to ensure the iron won't cause any damage.

To steam clean a mattress using an iron, the first step is to fill your iron with water then turn it to the highest steam setting.

Once heated, hold the iron roughly six to eight inches above the surface of the mattress and move it slowly over the bed. This distance allows the steam to penetrate the mattress fabric without burning it.

It's crucial that you avoid using excess steam or pressing the iron directly on to the fabric as this could cause damage.

Also note that this is no quick chore and you're better off doing it in the morning. This gives your bed plenty of time to fully dry in a well ventilated room before bedtime rolls around.

Make sure the mattress is dry before making the bed, or you can trap moisture within the materials. The last thing you want is an outbreak of mold and mildew after steam cleaning your mattress.

How to steam clean your mattress with an iron — 7 dos and don'ts

Do  —  prepare your bed

First things first, you want to be extra sure you're able to apply heat to your mattress without ruining its structure or damaging materials. You can find this information is the mattress care instructions.

Make sure your bed is free of debris and crumbs. Remove all bedding and put it on a hot wash, then thoroughly vacuum your bed, getting in all crooks and crevices to remove lurking dust mites.

Whilst your bed is bedding-free, scan it for any stains or blotches as it's important to treat any yellow stains (we recommend with baking soda) before using steam to lift them away.

Don’t — steam clean a memory foam mattress

The best memory foam mattresses we've tested this year offer cloud-like comfort, superb pressure relief and excellent durability. But, as with anything, they can't have it all, and one thing these mattresses can't do is resist heat.

The spongey-ness of foam means it soaks up steam and breaks down in response to heat, impacting the structure of your bed. Using an iron or specialized steamer on a memory foam bed can cause it to become lumpy and uneven, damaging its its supportive properties

As per T&Cs from many mattress providers, steam cleaning a memory foam mattress runs the risk of voiding your warranty.

Do — move slowly and evenly

Without specialized mattress steaming features, including pressure gauges and attachments designed for certain upholstery, you need to be methodical when steaming your mattress with an iron.

For the best results, hover your iron six to eight inches above the mattress surface and glide it over in slow strokes. Do this in even swipes, making sure you cover all the mattress area.

Don’t — soak your mattress

A soggy mattress is never good news. As large, dense surfaces, mattresses take a while to dry out and leaving it damp means you risk the growth of mold.

Therefore, you don't want to saturate your mattress when steam cleaning it. Hold the iron far enough away that the steam lightly coats the fabric surface without soaking it.

This can take some trial and error, so if your mattress does get wet, use a clean, dry towel to soak up excess liquid. Allow the bed to air dry before re-dressing it.

Do — make sure your iron cord reaches your bed

Designed to stretch over mattresses and other large upholstery, specialized steam cleaners tend to be handheld or have extra long cords.

As your iron isn't typically made to stretch further than your ironing board, it can be tricky maneuvering it over the whole mattress.

Therefore, you need to make sure there is a socket at an appropriate distance so you can reach all edges of your mattress without any accidents, like burning yourself or spilling liquid on your mattress.

Don’t — touch your mattress directly with the iron 

A hard and fast rule of steaming your mattress with an iron is that the iron should never actually touch the mattress surface. You don't want to burn or discolor your (now pristine) mattress.

Besides aesthetic blotches, burning the mattress can also damage the mattress fibers, impacting the support it can offer.

Remember to hold the iron at least six inches above the surface — you can even wrap the iron in a damp cloth to mimic the design of fabric steamers. This ensures the hot plate doesn't directly frazzle your mattress.

Do  —  use distilled water

The last thing you want to do is stain your bed when trying to clean it. The water you use in the iron can make a difference to the outcome of steaming your mattress.

Distilled water will not only keep your iron in good health, limiting limescale build up, but also prevent any water marks blemishing your mattress.

Safety tips and precautions

While steam cleaning your mattress using your iron is a great way to deep clean your mattress and get rid of dust mites, allergies and any odors, it’s important that you do it safely to avoid hurting yourself or damaging your mattress.

Always check your mattress label before you start as some materials such as memory foam and latex are not suitable for steam cleaning.

It’s important that your power cable is long enough to cover the whole mattress. Check how far your reach is before you get started, so you don't come up short with a hot iron in your hand.

Never use any harsh chemicals when steam cleaning, as chemicals can react to extreme heat and potentially create harmful fumes or gasses.

Finally, keep all your windows open so that the excess moisture that will build up as you steam clean has a chance to escape.