Mattress washing service in Singapore: what actually happens to your mattress
You can't put a mattress in a washing machine, so what does a 'mattress washing service' actually do? It is a fair question, and the answer matters, because a mattress that is genuinely soaked takes days to dry in Singapore and can turn musty or grow mould. A proper service cleans the mattress deeply while keeping it only damp. This guide walks through what happens on the day, how long it takes to dry, how often it is worth doing and what it costs.
The short answer
- No soaking: a mattress is never put in water. It is cleaned with a solution that is extracted straight back out.
- The steps: vacuum, stain pre-treatment, a fabric-safe solution worked in, deep extraction, then deodorising.
- Drying: most mattresses are damp, not wet, and dry in 2 to 4 hours with good airflow.
- How often: every 6 to 12 months, or around every 6 months with a baby, allergies or pets.
- Cost at BRISC: from $55 for a single, $70 super single, $85 queen and $95 king, $70 minimum order.
Can you wash a mattress?
Not in the way you wash bedding. A mattress is layers of foam, fibre and sometimes springs, wrapped in fabric. Soak it and the water sinks deep into the core, where it can take days to dry in our humid air. A mattress that stays damp inside develops a musty smell and becomes a home for mould and dust mites, the opposite of what you wanted.
What people call "mattress washing" is really deep cleaning with extraction: a cleaning solution is worked into the surface layers and then pulled straight back out by a powerful machine, taking the dirt with it. The mattress ends up damp, not wet.
What happens during a mattress clean
At BRISC the process is the same for every mattress, done in your bedroom:
- Industrial vacuum. Dust, skin flakes and mite debris come out of the top layers and seams first, before anything gets wet.
- Stain pre-treatment. Sweat marks, spills and other stains are treated by hand, matched to the stain.
- Fabric-safe solution and agitation. A cleaning solution is worked into the fabric to loosen embedded grime.
- Deep extraction. The machine flushes the surface layers and pulls the solution and the dirt back out.
- Deodorising. Odours are neutralised rather than covered up.
Queen and king mattresses are priced for the top and all four sides. Cleaning the underside as well adds 50%. A single and a super single are priced for the whole mattress.
Standard and Premium: what is the difference?
The steps above are our Standard clean. Our Premium clean adds high-temperature steam where the fabric permits, a sanitisation treatment, and pet-odour treatment where it is needed. It is quoted on WhatsApp. Premium is worth asking about if someone in the home has allergies or eczema, if there is a pet that sleeps on the bed, or if the mattress has a stubborn smell.
One honest note on stains: no one can promise every stain will come out. Old sweat marks and yellowing often lighten a lot but may not disappear, because they have soaked deep into the mattress. Our mattress stain guide explains why.
How long until you can sleep on it?
Most mattresses are dry in 2 to 4 hours, because the extraction pulls most of the moisture back out. You can speed it up:
- Switch on the aircon or a fan, and open the windows if it is not raining.
- Stand the mattress on its side, or leave it on a slatted bed base so air reaches underneath.
- Wait until it feels completely dry, not cool, before putting the protector and sheets back on.
Book in the morning and the mattress is ready by bedtime.
How often should you book one?
Every 6 to 12 months is right for most homes. Go for around every 6 months if there is a baby or young child, if anyone has allergies, asthma or eczema, or if a pet sleeps on the bed. A mattress protector stretches the time between cleans, and our guide to getting rid of dust mites covers the habits that help in between.
What it costs
| Mattress size | Standard clean |
|---|---|
| Single (whole mattress) | $55 |
| Super single (whole mattress) | $70 |
| Queen (top + 4 sides) | $85 |
| King (top + 4 sides) | $95 |
| Underside, queen or king | +50% |
| Bedframe upholstery or headboard | from $40 |
A $70 minimum order applies per visit, so a single mattress is usually booked with a second item, such as a sofa or another mattress. Work out your total with the price calculator, or see mattress cleaning for the full details.
Frequently asked questions
Can you wash a mattress at home?
How long does a mattress take to dry after cleaning?
Does mattress cleaning remove dust mites?
How much does mattress cleaning cost in Singapore?
Will old stains come out of my mattress?
Time to clean the mattress?
Tell us your mattress size on WhatsApp and we'll reply with a clear price, from $55 for a single. Book in the morning and sleep on it that night.