How to clean a mattress step by step
A mattress cannot go in the washing machine, so the job is about lifting dirt out without pushing water in. Pick a dry morning and open the bedroom windows.
- Strip the bed. Take off sheets, pillowcases and the protector. The National Environment Agency (NEA) guidelines for cleaning residences say not to shake contaminated textiles but to wash them in a standard laundry cycle, and to keep rooms well ventilated during and after cleaning.
- Vacuum slowly. Run the upholstery tool across the top and sides, then the crevice tool along every seam, where crumbs and dust settle.
- Spot clean stains. For mattress stain removal, dab a little mild detergent on a damp cloth onto the mark, blotting from the edge inwards so it does not spread. Never pour liquid onto the mattress.
- Rinse by blotting. Dab the spot with a cloth dampened in plain water, then press a dry towel down firmly to draw moisture back up.
- Dry it right through. Aim a fan at the damp area and leave the bed unmade until the patch feels dry, edges included.
- Cover it. Fit a clean washable protector only once the surface is completely dry.
Doing the whole bedroom on the same day? The deep cleaning checklist helps you plan the other jobs around the mattress.
Drying in a humid flat
Water goes into a mattress easily and comes out slowly. Foam and fibre layers hold moisture below the surface, and humid air in a closed bedroom takes it up slowly. For homes, NEA's guidance on ventilation and indoor air quality says occupants may improve ventilation by opening doors and windows, and that fans can be used to promote air circulation when needed.
In practice, open the bedroom window and the door to the living room for a cross-breeze, and put the fan close to the damp patch. If you can lift the mattress safely, stand it on its side so air reaches both faces. The habits that help with clothes not drying indoors work here too: moving air, an open window and time.
Mould on a mattress
Mattress mould usually shows up as clusters of small grey, green or black dots, often on the underside or the side pressed against a wall. Mattresses laid straight on the floor or on a solid platform base are prone to it, because moisture from your body has nowhere to escape.
A few small surface spots can usually be handled at home. Work near an open window, vacuum gently, wipe the spots with a cloth dampened with mild detergent and dry the area thoroughly with a fan. Wash or bin the cloth afterwards. Then fix the cause: raise the mattress onto slats, pull the bed slightly away from the wall and air the room daily.
Widespread mould is a different problem. If mould covers a large area, keeps returning or the mattress was soaked by a leak or spill, the growth has probably reached the foam or fibre inside. Surface wiping cannot fix a soaked core, so replacement is usually the sensible step. Our mould FAQ covers mould elsewhere in the home.
Bed bugs
Cleaning alone rarely ends a bed bug problem. NEA's page on the management of bed bugs says they prefer places where they can hide and feed regularly: sleeping areas, under wallpaper, behind picture frames, electrical outlets, inside spring boxes, mattress pads and night tables. They are not known to transmit diseases to humans, but their bites can cause discomfort, itching and allergic reactions in some people.
The same NEA page says detection is by visual inspection of furniture and surveillance traps, and that treatment combines non-chemical and chemical methods such as vacuuming, hot laundering, steam and heat treatment, eliminating harbourages and the use of insecticides. At home, check seams and labels with a torch, launder bedding hot and vacuum the seams carefully. If you find live bugs, book a pest control operator; our pest control FAQ answers common questions about treatment.
Professional mattress cleaning
A professional clean makes sense when a stain has soaked in, a smell returns after drying, or you want the whole mattress treated rather than a few spots. Before booking, ask whether the cleaner works in your home and how long the mattress needs to dry.
In the HomezyPro directory, 10 companies publish a mattress cleaning line. The units differ, so the lines cannot be read as one range: depending on the company, a line may be per piece, per point, for a single or kids size, or printed without a unit.
FROM THE HOMEZYPRO DIRECTORY
Published mattress cleaning rates
Each figure is one company's own advertised rate with its conditions, not a market average or a quote.
See 10 published mattress cleaning rates and sources
| Company | Service as listed | Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton Care | Mattress Protector (All Sizes) | S$12 per piece | cottoncare.com.sg |
| CleanAxisCo. Pte Ltd | Upholstery & mattress | From S$30 (the company does not state a unit) | cleanaxisco.com.sg |
| AlphaKleen Services | Mattress Cleaning | S$40 to S$180 (the company does not state a unit) | alphakleen.sg |
| Detail Freak | Mattress/Upholstery/Curtain Steam Clean | From S$50 (the company does not state a unit) | detail-freak.com |
| HygieneProf | Single size mattress | S$50 (the company does not state a unit) | hygiene-prof.com.sg |
| Art of Cleaning Pte. Ltd. | Mattress Cleaning - Kids / baby mattress | S$60 (the company does not state a unit) | artofcleaning.com.sg |
| Scrubbys | Mattress (single) | From S$80 (the company does not state a unit) | scrubbys.sg |
| Upward Cleaning Services | Sofa, Mattress & Upholstery Cleaning Singapore | S$100 per point | upwardcleaning.sg |
| Sureclean | Mattress cleaning | From S$105 (the company does not state a unit) | sureclean.com.sg |
| Kleeno Cleaning Services | Sofa & mattress | From S$109 (the company does not state a unit) | kleenoservices.com |
As printed, the lines read From S$30, S$40 to S$180, From S$50, S$50 single, S$60 kids, From S$80 single, S$100 per point, From S$105 and From S$109. A single or kids figure covers that size only. For a per point rate, ask how many points your mattress counts as. Where a line is printed without a unit, ask what it covers: one side or both, one mattress or several. The mattress cleaning page lists the companies, and our mattress cleaning cost guide explains the pricing.
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Compare home cleanersQuestions
How often should a mattress be cleaned?
Vacuum it every few months and spot clean stains as soon as they happen. Wash the sheets and protector far more often, since they catch most sweat before it reaches the mattress. A fuller clean once or twice a year suits most homes, with an extra one after illness, a spill or a pet accident.
Can I use vinegar on a mattress?
Yes, in small amounts on a cloth for odour or a light stain, after checking the maker's care label and testing a hidden corner. Keep the spot damp, never wet, and dry it with a fan. Vinegar is acid-based, so keep it away from bleach products. Never mix bleach with acid-based cleaners or ammonia.
Can I dry a mattress in the sun at an HDB flat?
Yes, but only inside the flat. Stand the mattress near a sunny window, open the window and keep a fan running on the other side. Do not hang anything outside the window or block the corridor. A slip at a window on a high floor puts you and anyone below at risk.
How do I get urine out of a mattress?
Blot it at once with dry towels, pressing rather than rubbing, then dab the patch with a little mild detergent on a damp cloth. Blot again with a cloth dampened in plain water, press dry and run a fan over it. If the smell returns, the liquid has probably reached the core and a professional clean is worth considering.
Does steam kill bed bugs in a mattress?
Steam can help, but it is one part of treatment rather than a cure on its own. NEA's page on the management of bed bugs lists steam and heat treatment alongside vacuuming, hot laundering, eliminating harbourages and insecticides. Bed bugs also hide in night tables, behind picture frames and in electrical outlets, so a pest control operator should handle an infestation.
When should a mattress be replaced instead?
Replace it when cleaning cannot solve the problem: mould that keeps returning or has reached the core, a soaked mattress that will not dry, sagging that leaves you sore, or a smell that survives a professional clean. If bed bugs come back after treatment, ask your pest control operator whether the mattress can be kept.
- guidelines for cleaning residences
- guidance on ventilation and indoor air quality
- management of bed bugs
Prices come only from the sourced company rates in the HomezyPro directory, shown with each company and its source.
Practical guidance for planning a home job in Singapore. Company prices come from the HomezyPro directory, each linked to its source; rules and safety points link to the agency or manufacturer that sets them. This is not a site inspection, a quote or professional advice for your home.
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