Over time, your WordPress database accumulates unnecessary data that can slow down your site. Every post revision, spam comment, and unused plugin leaves behind data that takes up space and affects your website’s speed. Cleaning up your database regularly helps keep your site running smoothly and efficiently.
This guide will walk you through the simple steps to clean up your WordPress database and improve your site’s performance.
Why cleaning your WordPress database matters
- Speeds up your website – A lighter database means faster load times.
- Reduces server load – Less data to process means better performance.
- Improves backup efficiency – Smaller databases take less time to back up and restore.
- Keeps your site organised – Removes unnecessary clutter and outdated data.
What clutters your WordPress database?
Your database stores everything on your WordPress site, but some data becomes unnecessary over time. Common sources of clutter include:
- Post revisions – Every time you edit a post, WordPress saves a revision, which can add up.
- Spam and trashed comments – Even deleted comments still take up space until permanently removed.
- Expired transients – Temporary cached data used by plugins can linger long after it’s needed.
- Uninstalled plugin data – Some plugins leave behind database entries even after they’re deleted.
- Draft and auto-saved posts – Old drafts and auto-saves pile up if not cleared.
How to clean your WordPress database
1. Back up your database first
Before making any changes, always create a full backup of your site in case something goes wrong.
- Use a backup plugin like UpdraftPlus or Jetpack Backup.
- If your hosting provider offers backups, make sure you have a recent copy saved.
2. Use a database cleanup plugin
The easiest way to clean your WordPress database is with a plugin. Some popular options include:
- WP-Optimize – Cleans up database junk and optimises tables.
- Advanced Database Cleaner – Removes old post revisions, spam comments, and orphaned data.
- WP-Sweep – A simple tool that removes unnecessary database clutter.
Once installed, navigate to the plugin settings and select the data you want to remove. Most plugins offer a preview before deleting anything.
3. Delete post revisions and drafts
If your site has been around for a while, you likely have hundreds of saved revisions that are no longer needed.
- Go to Posts > All Posts and delete old drafts and unwanted posts.
- Some plugins allow you to limit post revisions to prevent excessive database bloat in the future.
4. Remove spam and trashed comments
Spam comments and trashed comments still take up space in your database.
- Go to Comments > Spam and click Empty Spam.
- Go to Comments > Trash and click Empty Trash.
5. Delete unused plugins and themes
Even after deactivating a plugin, it may leave behind database entries.
- Go to Plugins > Installed Plugins and remove any plugins you no longer use.
- Similarly, delete unused themes under Appearance > Themes.
6. Optimise your database tables
Your database can become fragmented over time, just like a hard drive. Optimising your database helps it run more efficiently.
- If you’re using WP-Optimize, you’ll see an option to optimise database tables.
- Some hosting providers offer built-in database optimisation tools in their control panel.
7. Set up automatic database maintenance
To keep your database clean in the future:
- Schedule automatic cleanups using WP-Optimize or Advanced Database Cleaner.
- Regularly delete old drafts, spam comments, and unneeded post revisions manually.
- Use a caching plugin like WP Rocket to prevent unnecessary database bloat.
Cleaning up your WordPress database is an easy way to keep your site fast, efficient, and well-organised. By removing unnecessary data and optimising performance, you ensure your site runs smoothly for visitors and search engines alike. Want more WordPress tips? Follow our WordPress 101 series for expert advice every Monday.