Mattress cleaning at home

Why a mattress is cleaned from the surface only

A mattress is thick, and its inside dries very slowly. So manufacturers recommend caring for the surface with as little liquid as possible and treating only the stain, not the whole mattress. How careful you need to be depends on what is inside:

• foam: it is sensitive to moisture, and too much water may damage the structure or leave moisture in the core;
• springs: moisture in the spring unit may cause rust;
• latex: only a slightly damp cloth suits it, strong products may make it brittle, and it must be kept away from direct sun and heat;
• coconut fibre: it breathes well but is sensitive to moisture and dust.

If a mattress gets thoroughly soaked, it is almost impossible to dry it completely before mould starts to grow. This is the limit, and it is why a mattress is not cleaned like a sofa cover.

What happens from request to dry mattress

1. Form and photo Give the address, the mattress size and what happened. Add photos of the whole mattress, a close-up of the stain and the label, if it has survived.
2. Price before the work The specialist tells you what to expect and what may stay. We agree the price before the work.
3. Preparation Remove the bedding and mattress topper. If the second side needs cleaning too, say so in advance, because the mattress will have to be turned.
4. After the work Let the mattress dry, and make the bed only when it is completely dry.

How to let a mattress dry

We do not promise a drying time, because it depends on air humidity, ventilation, room temperature and the filling. The Health Inspectorate (Veselības inspekcija) gives 40–60% as comfortable indoor humidity and recommends airing the bedroom every morning for at least 15 minutes. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) notes that fans and a dehumidifier speed up drying. Do not put a latex mattress by a heater or in direct sun.

If the mattress lies directly on the floor, lift it so that air reaches the underside too. This is especially important for a coconut fibre mattress, because on the floor moisture cannot escape.

What home cleaning can and cannot do

Cleaning does not reach the mattress core, and it is better to say so straight away. If the smell comes from inside, surface cleaning may reduce it, but it may stay or come back. We have written separately about why mattresses smell: why a mattress smells. If there is mould in the mattress, it often has to be replaced and the cause of the damp dealt with. More: mould in a mattress.

How much mattress cleaning at home costs

Single mattress from €30, double from €45 (one side), second side +50%. Smell treatment is extra, from €15. The price depends on size, fabric, how dirty it is, smell and distance. The minimum order is €45: if the total is lower, you pay €45. Both sides of a single mattress reach this sum, but for one side you will pay €45.

Travel is included in Riga and up to about 15 km outside Riga; further out it is from €10. All prices are on the prices page.