A professional mattress clean lifts the sweat, stains, odours and dust that ordinary vacuuming leaves behind. It is worth paying for if you are dealing with accidents, manage allergies or want to freshen a bed before reusing it. It does not replace a worn-out mattress and it is not the answer for getting rid of bedbugs.
What professional mattress cleaning does
Professional mattress cleaning normally uses a highly effective method called hot water extraction. You will often hear cleaning firms and customers refer to this as steam cleaning. The cleaner uses a powerful machine to inject a heated cleaning solution deep into the fabric of the mattress.
This heated liquid works quickly to break down the heavy buildup of dirt, sweat and dead skin cells that accumulates over years of use. A high pressure vacuum attached to the machine then extracts the dirty water back out of the mattress.
Along with the visible dirt and sweat patches, the extraction process pulls out house dust mites and their waste. A standard domestic vacuum cleaner simply does not have the suction power to draw these particles out from deep within the mattress fillings.
Mattress cleaning is usually a specialist add-on. It is not normally included in a regular domestic clean, a one off deep clean or an end of tenancy clean, so if you want it done, ask for it and check the price as a separate item.
What it costs by mattress size
The price of a professional mattress clean depends heavily on the size of the bed and where you live in the UK. Cleaners apply a minimum charge of around £50 to £70 outside London to cover their travel time, fuel and equipment setup. In London, this minimum charge rises to between £60 and £100.
If your single mattress clean falls below this minimum threshold, you will still have to pay the minimum callout fee. It makes sense to combine the job with sofa and upholstery cleaning services to get the best value for your money.
The table below shows the typical cost of cleaning a standard mattress. The base price usually covers a thorough clean on the top sleeping surface of the bed.
|
Mattress size |
Prices outside London |
Prices in London and the South East |
|---|---|---|
|
Single |
£20 to £40 |
£30 to £50 |
|
Double |
£30 to £50 |
£40 to £65 |
|
King |
£40 to £60 |
£50 to £80 |
|
Super-king |
£55 to £80 |
£70 to £100 |
These figures are typical published prices for 2026, and your local quotes will differ based on the condition of the mattress.
Stain, odour and allergen treatments
The base price of a mattress clean rarely includes extra treatments for specific problems. You will pay an additional fee if you want specific stains targeted or if you need the mattress flipped so both sides are cleaned.
Professional cleaners carry a range of specialist solutions to tackle stubborn marks, lingering smells and high levels of allergens. The table below shows the typical cost of adding these extra services to a double mattress clean.
|
Extra service for a double mattress |
Typical extra cost |
|---|---|
|
Both sides cleaned |
£10 to £20 |
|
Stain treatment |
£10 to £30 |
|
Anti-allergen treatment |
£15 to £35 |
|
Deodorising |
£10 to £25 |
These figures are typical published prices for 2026, and your local quotes will differ.
If you have more than one bed in the house that needs attention, ask the cleaning firm for a bulk discount. It is common for cleaners to offer a price reduction of 20 per cent to 30 per cent for each extra mattress after the first one is priced.
How long a mattress takes to dry
A mattress cleaned using the hot water extraction method is usually dry within 4 to 8 hours. This timeframe relies on the mattress being left in a well ventilated room with the windows open to allow the moisture to escape.
Because of the 4 to 8-hour drying time, you should always try to book a morning visit. This gives the mattress the best chance of being completely dry and ready for you to sleep on by the evening. You will need to have a backup plan for somewhere else to sleep if the mattress takes longer to dry than expected.
The National Carpet Cleaners Association advises customers to keep children and pets off cleaned carpets and furniture until they are completely dry. This sensible rule applies equally to a freshly cleaned mattress. Using the bed before it is fully dry can press dirt back into the damp fabric and trap moisture inside the fillings.
Mattress cleaning and allergies
A professional mattress clean is a helpful maintenance step rather than a permanent cure for house dust mite allergies. Hot water extraction can lift dust mites and their waste, but it does not make a mattress allergy proof.
The NHS advises taking these steps to reduce house dust mites in your home:
- Use synthetic bedding and synthetic covers on your mattress
- Wash your bedding regularly at a temperature of 60C and above
- Dust your bedroom surfaces regularly with a damp cloth
- Use a vacuum cleaner fitted with a HEPA filter
Pets can also trigger allergic reactions and bring extra dirt into the bedroom. The NHS advises that you wash pets regularly and groom them outside if possible. You should wash the pet's bedding regularly on a hot wash, clean any furniture they have been on, and strictly not allow pets in bedrooms.
Always tell the cleaning company in advance if anyone in your household suffers from asthma or chemical sensitivities. This lets the cleaner choose suitable products.
When cleaning is not the answer
A standard professional clean is not the right service if your mattress is infested with bedbugs. The NHS clearly advises that you contact your local council or a professional pest control service if you think you have bedbugs in your home.
It is very difficult to get rid of bedbugs yourself because they are hard to find and they may be resistant to some insecticides. You should wash all affected bedding and clothing on a hot wash of 60C, and then tumble dry the items on a hot setting for at least 30 minutes.
You should also seek out a specialist biohazard cleaning service rather than a standard domestic cleaner if a mattress is heavily soiled with bodily fluids. Ordinary hot water extraction equipment is not designed to handle large amounts of hazardous waste safely. A heavily contaminated mattress may need to be disposed of rather than cleaned.
How often a mattress needs cleaning
Cleaning firms typically suggest that mattresses benefit from a professional clean every 6 to 12 months for most people. This routine removes the steady buildup of sweat, dead skin and dust that naturally happens through daily use.
Cleaning firms suggest booking more often than this if you have allergies. A more frequent cleaning schedule also makes sense for homes with pets, or for parents who have young children who frequently share the bed.
Regular vacuuming between professional visits will help to stretch out the time before you need to pay for another deep clean. Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner every time you change the bed sheets to lift away loose surface dust.
How to book a mattress clean sensibly
Start by checking if you have other fabric items in the house that need professional attention. Booking your mattress clean alongside professional carpet cleaning is the easiest way to get past the cleaner's minimum callout charge.
Providers are either a self-employed cleaner you deal with directly, a cleaning company that sends employed staff, or an agency or booking service that introduces a cleaner and takes a fee. A basic DBS check is something an individual applies for themselves, costs £20 and covers England and Wales, so you can ask a cleaner to show one for extra peace of mind.
Members of the National Carpet Cleaners Association usually want to survey the job on site before giving you a final price. This is because accurate pricing depends heavily on the amount and type of work, the location of the property and the specific equipment needed. Avoid the common mistake of choosing a cleaner on the lowest quoted rate alone, or accepting a low phone quote that rises on arrival because of the mattress condition.
When you speak to a cleaning firm on the phone, ask them these essential questions:
- What specific cleaning method will you use on the mattress
- How long will the mattress take to dry in my home
- Are your cleaning products safe for people with asthma
- Do you hold valid public liability insurance
- Are you an accredited member of the National Carpet Cleaners Association
Choosing a cleaner who belongs to a trade body offers you extra reassurance. NCCA members must complete recognised training, pass an exam, hold public liability insurance and follow a strict code of practice. If a problem is not resolved with the member directly, the NCCA takes written complaints and can act as an independent arbitration service.
During the visit, cleaners will usually move furniture if they are told beforehand, though this may carry an extra charge. You must move valuable or fragile items out of the bedroom yourself before they arrive, or clearly point them out so the cleaner can avoid them.
Services booked online or by the phone normally carry a 14-day cooling-off period. However, if you ask for the mattress clean to happen inside this 14-day window, you must pay for what was done if you later decide to cancel.
You also have strong legal protections under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 when you hire a cleaner. The law states that a trader must work with reasonable care and skill to a standard that matches what they are charging you. If the cleaning work is not good enough, you can ask the trader to put it right within a reasonable time and without causing you too much inconvenience. If the problem cannot be put right, you may be entitled to a partial or full refund, which the trader must pay within 14 days of the refund being agreed.
Booking during an end of tenancy clean
If you are a tenant moving out, remember that under the Tenant Fees Act 2019, landlords and letting agents in England cannot force you to pay for professional cleaning. Your duty is to return the home and any furnished items as clean as they were at the start, as recorded on the inventory or check-in report. Landlords cannot deduct money from your deposit for fair wear and tear. The rules differ in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
If you do decide to hire a professional to tackle a stained mattress, book the cleaner after your belongings are out and before the check-out inspection. Give the cleaner the inventory so expectations match, keep the receipt, and take dated photos of the cleaned mattress. Never believe a claim that a clean guarantees your deposit back, as the honest version is usually a time-limited re-clean guarantee.
Common questions
Does mattress steam cleaning damage the bed?
Hot water extraction is the usual method for mattresses, and a mattress cleaned this way is usually dry within 4 to 8 hours in a ventilated room. Check the manufacturer's care guidance before booking and tell the cleaner what type of mattress you have, so they can use a method that suits it.
Can a professional mattress cleaning service remove urine stains?
A professional clean can lift urine stains and remove the associated odours if the accident is tackled quickly. Cleaners use stain treatments and deodorising, which are usually charged as extras. Old or heavily set-in stains are much harder to remove entirely, and no cleaner can promise every mark will go.
What does professional mattress deep cleaning involve?
A deep clean goes further than a standard surface clean by adding targeted stain removal, anti-allergen treatments and heavy deodorising. It can also cover both sides of the mattress, which is usually charged as an extra. This thorough approach is ideal when you are moving into a furnished rented property or reviving a mattress that has been in storage.
Is it cheaper to clean a mattress yourself?
Hiring a machine can cost less, but you carry the risk of over-wetting the mattress, which can leave it damp for a long time. Over-wetting is one of the common DIY problems listed by the National Carpet Cleaners Association, which does not recommend DIY cleaning of soft furnishings. You can read more about whether to hire a carpet cleaning machine or a professional to weigh up the costs and risks.
Next steps for cleaning your mattress
Before you book a professional mattress clean, make sure you have everything in order. Follow this short checklist to get the best result on the day.
- Decide if you want a basic surface clean or extra treatments for stubborn stains and allergens
- Check if you have carpets or sofas that need cleaning to help meet the minimum callout charge
- Get like-for-like quotes from at least two local cleaning firms before making a decision
- Ask the cleaner for proof of their public liability insurance before they start work
- Move valuable or fragile items out of the bedroom yourself before the cleaner arrives
- Make a clear plan for where you will sleep if the mattress takes longer than 8 hours to dry
A fresh mattress makes a big difference to the comfort and hygiene of your bedroom, especially if you manage allergies or share the bed with pets. When you are ready to gather quotes, you can use our directory to find a house cleaner near you who offers professional upholstery and mattress cleaning services.
