Mattresses are easy to overlook when cleaning a bedroom. We wash the bedding, vacuum the floor and dust the furniture, but the mattress itself can remain in use for years without receiving much more than an occasional vacuum.
Professional mattress cleaning offers a more thorough option — but how much does mattress cleaning cost in the UK in 2026?
For most households, professional mattress cleaning costs approximately £20–£80 per mattress, although the amount you actually pay can be higher because many cleaning companies operate a minimum booking or call-out charge.
As a general 2026 UK guide:
| Mattress size | Typical cleaning price |
|---|---|
| Cot mattress | £15–£30 |
| Single mattress | £20–£40 |
| Double mattress | £35–£55 |
| King-size mattress | £45–£65 |
| Super king mattress | £55–£80+ |
Current published prices support these ranges. Checkatrade lists approximately £20–£40 for a single mattress, £35–£50 for a double, £45–£60 for a king and £55–£80 for a super king. Fantastic Services’ current 2026 guide gives almost identical ranges outside London.
However, there is an important catch.
You may find a company advertising “single mattress cleaning from £25” and still be unable to book a £25 appointment. Some specialists have minimum orders of £60, £80, £95 or considerably more to cover travelling to the property and setting up professional equipment.
Understanding that distinction will give you a much more realistic idea of what professional mattress cleaning actually costs.
Average Mattress Cleaning Prices by Size
Mattress size is one of the biggest factors affecting the quoted price because larger mattresses mean more fabric, more cleaning solution and more time.
Cot mattress cleaning cost
Cleaning a cot or baby mattress can cost approximately £15–£30, although booking one on its own may trigger the company’s minimum charge.
For that reason, it can make more financial sense to have a cot mattress cleaned alongside another mattress, carpet or upholstered item rather than arranging a dedicated visit.
Single mattress cleaning cost
A standard single mattress generally costs around £20–£40 to clean.
Some individual companies charge more. Current advertised prices include £35, £49 and £50 for a single mattress from different professional providers.
That does not necessarily mean the lower or higher price is better value. One service might clean only the sleeping surface, while another could include both sides, deodorising or additional stain treatments.
Always compare the specification.
Double mattress cleaning cost
A double mattress usually costs approximately £35–£55 for a straightforward professional clean.
Checkatrade’s published range is £35–£50, with an average of £42.50, while current 2026 Fantastic Services data puts a standard double at around £35–£50 outside London.
Other providers currently advertise £50, £65 or £70, showing how much individual pricing and service packages can vary.
King-size mattress cleaning cost
Expect approximately £45–£65 for many standard king-size mattress cleans.
Again, premium services or expensive areas can cost considerably more.
One current specialist advertises £80 for a king, while another nationwide provider starts at £79.
Super king mattress cleaning cost
A super king commonly costs approximately £55–£80+.
Current advertised prices can reach £90–£100 before additional treatments, particularly where a more comprehensive cleaning package is included.
Why Might a £35 Mattress Clean Actually Cost £60 or £100?
This is probably the most important pricing detail to understand.
Professional mattress cleaning normally requires specialist equipment to be transported to your home, unloaded, set up, used and packed away again.
The business therefore has many of the same operating costs whether you ask them to clean one small mattress or several pieces of upholstery.
This creates a minimum booking charge.
For example, one current UK provider advertises:
- single mattress: £25;
- double mattress: £35;
- king mattress: £40;
but has a £60 minimum order.
Another advertises £35 for a single mattress but operates a £95 minimum booking fee.
Another specialist lists individual mattress prices but has a minimum mattress-cleaning charge of £80 plus VAT.
So if you only need one mattress cleaned, ask:
“What is the total minimum amount I will actually pay for the appointment?”
That question is far more useful than asking for the mattress price alone.
What Is Included in Professional Mattress Cleaning?
The precise process varies between companies and mattress materials, but professional cleaning commonly involves several stages.
The cleaner may first inspect the mattress and identify its fabric and any visible staining.
Loose dust and debris are then removed, usually using professional vacuuming equipment.
Stained or heavily soiled areas may receive a pre-treatment before the main cleaning process begins.
Hot water extraction is commonly used where suitable. Despite often being described as “steam cleaning”, the process typically involves applying heated water and cleaning solution and then extracting the moisture and loosened contamination back out of the fabric.
Checkatrade describes a typical process involving inspection, stain pre-treatment and professional hot-water extraction.
Some companies additionally include deodorising or sanitising treatments.
The difficulty is that not every £40 mattress clean includes the same work.
That is why comparing prices without comparing the cleaning process can be misleading.
Steam Cleaning vs Dry Cleaning a Mattress
The cleaning method can also affect the price.
Hot water extraction
Hot water extraction — commonly marketed as steam cleaning — is widely used for mattresses and upholstery.
Cleaning solution and heated water are worked into the appropriate surface fibres before being extracted using professional equipment.
It can be effective for general dirt and many types of staining, but the mattress must then be allowed to dry thoroughly.
Dry cleaning
Some mattress materials or situations may require lower-moisture or dry-cleaning methods instead.
Current advertised prices from one national provider start at around £35 for mattress steam cleaning and £45 for dry cleaning, demonstrating the potential difference between methods.
A professional should assess the mattress and select a method suitable for its construction and care requirements rather than automatically using the same process on every mattress.
Does Mattress Cleaning Remove Stains?
It can remove or significantly improve many stains, but no reputable cleaner should promise that every stain will disappear.
Results depend on:
- what caused the stain;
- how long it has been present;
- what has previously been applied to it;
- the mattress material;
- whether the staining has penetrated deeply;
- whether the fabric itself has become permanently discoloured.
Fresh surface staining is generally easier to treat than marks that have remained for years.
Professional companies may use specific pre-treatment products before extraction, but even specialist treatment cannot reverse permanent bleaching, colour loss or material damage.
One current London specialist explicitly warns that permanent discolouration, bleaching and deep internal contamination may remain even after professional treatment.
Be cautious of anyone guaranteeing that an old, heavily stained mattress will look completely new.
Does Stain Removal Cost Extra?
Sometimes.
Basic spot treatment may already be included, while more difficult staining can carry an additional charge.
Current 2026 pricing guides put additional stain treatments at roughly £10–£30 in some cases.
If you have a significant stain, sending photographs before booking is useful.
The cleaner can then assess the likely work and give you a more accurate quotation instead of discovering the problem after arriving.
How Much Does Cleaning Both Sides of a Mattress Cost?
Do not automatically assume the quoted price covers both sides.
Some providers quote for the main sleeping surface and charge more to turn the mattress and clean the underside.
Current 2026 market guidance suggests that cleaning both sides can add approximately £10–£20, although provider policies differ.
This matters particularly with double-sided mattresses designed to be flipped regularly.
When comparing quotes, ask:
“Does that price include one side or both sides?”
Otherwise, two apparently identical £50 quotations may actually represent different amounts of work.
What Else Can Increase the Cost?
Mattress size is only the starting point.
Heavy staining
Sweat, drinks, food, pet accidents and other marks may require additional pre-treatment and repeated cleaning passes.
The more time required, the greater the likelihood of an additional charge.
Odour treatment
Cleaning and deodorising are not necessarily the same service.
If there is a significant odour problem, specialist treatment may be required. Current pricing data suggests deodorising add-ons can cost around £10–£25.
Additional treatments
Some companies sell anti-allergen, dust-mite, sanitising or fabric-protection treatments.
These can increase the total considerably, so establish whether they are included, optional or genuinely necessary for what you are trying to achieve.
Mattress material
Not every mattress should be treated identically.
Mattress construction, fibres and manufacturer care instructions can affect which cleaning process is suitable.
A specialist may therefore quote differently for a delicate mattress than for an ordinary synthetic-covered mattress.
Your location
Cleaning prices tend to be higher in London and parts of the South East.
Current 2026 market figures put London single mattress cleaning at roughly £30–£50, double mattresses around £45–£65 and king mattresses around £55–£80, compared with approximately £20–£40, £35–£50 and £45–£60 respectively across much of the rest of the UK.
Parking and congestion charges can sometimes be added as well.
Is It Cheaper to Clean Several Mattresses Together?
Often, yes — and this can be one of the best ways to get better value.
If the company has already travelled to your home and set up its equipment, cleaning another mattress may cost much less than arranging a completely separate appointment later.
Some 2026 services estimate additional mattresses can work out 20–30% cheaper per item once the initial set-up and travel are shared.
Suppose you have:
- one double mattress;
- one single mattress;
- a bedroom carpet;
- a fabric sofa that also needs cleaning.
Instead of arranging four different appointments, ask one suitable cleaning company to quote for the entire job.
This can also help you get past minimum booking charges without paying for services you do not need.
If other upholstered furniture needs attention, compare the additional cost using our guide to how much sofa cleaning costs in the UK.
Likewise, if the bedrooms need more than ordinary vacuuming, our UK carpet cleaning cost guide explains typical professional carpet-cleaning prices.
How Long Does Professional Mattress Cleaning Take?
The cleaning itself can often be completed relatively quickly.
The bigger issue is drying time.
A professionally extracted mattress should not be soaking wet, but moisture remains after the clean.
Current industry guidance suggests around 4–8 hours can be a reasonable drying period following hot-water extraction, depending on ventilation, mattress construction, room conditions and the amount of moisture used.
Other professional services quote approximately 3–5 hours before use under suitable conditions.
Treat these as estimates rather than guarantees.
Opening windows where appropriate, maintaining good airflow and following the cleaner’s drying instructions can help.
Most importantly, do not remake the bed and sleep on the mattress while it is still damp.
If possible, arrange mattress cleaning early in the day rather than shortly before bedtime.
Professional Mattress Cleaning vs Cleaning It Yourself
It is possible to maintain a mattress yourself.
Regular vacuuming, washing bedding and using a washable mattress protector can all help keep the sleeping environment cleaner.
Small fresh marks may also be treatable according to the mattress manufacturer’s instructions.
But attempting a full wet clean yourself creates a different problem: moisture.
A mattress is thick and difficult to dry internally. Applying excessive water or cleaning solution without sufficiently powerful extraction equipment can leave moisture trapped inside.
For this reason, more cleaning solution is not necessarily better.
If you are only trying to refresh the whole bedroom rather than solve a particular mattress problem, you may get better value from booking a broader one-off house clean and discussing whether mattress or upholstery cleaning can be added separately.
Mattress Cleaning or Mattress Replacement?
There comes a point where cleaning is not the sensible answer.
Professional cleaning can deal with dirt and many surface contaminants. It cannot repair:
- collapsed springs;
- permanent sagging;
- torn fabric;
- damaged foam;
- structural deterioration;
- permanent bleaching;
- severe internal contamination.
If the mattress is physically worn out, spending £60–£100 cleaning it will not restore its support.
The decision becomes particularly important where the cleaning quotation is high because of severe staining.
Imagine a cleaner quotes £120 after minimum charges and specialist treatments for an old mattress that you were already considering replacing.
The money might be better put towards a replacement.
By contrast, paying £50–£70 to clean a good-quality mattress that is structurally sound but simply needs refreshing can make much more sense.
Is Professional Mattress Cleaning Worth It?
It can be.
The strongest case for professional cleaning is usually when the mattress itself is still in good condition.
For example, you might have:
- a relatively expensive mattress;
- visible but potentially treatable staining;
- a mattress that has not been cleaned for a long time;
- several mattresses that can be cleaned during one visit;
- other carpets or upholstery requiring professional cleaning at the same time.
The economics become less attractive when the mattress is very old, damaged or close to replacement.
The actual price matters too.
A £35 advertised cleaning price looks inexpensive. A £95 minimum appointment for cleaning only one inexpensive mattress requires more thought.
Ask for the final payable price, not simply the item price.
How to Save Money on Mattress Cleaning
There are several sensible ways to reduce the cost without simply choosing the cheapest provider.
Combine cleaning jobs
This is particularly useful where a minimum charge applies.
If the cleaner’s minimum booking is £80 and your double mattress costs £45, see whether another mattress, rug, sofa or carpet can be added rather than paying £80 for £45 worth of work.
Move bedding beforehand
Strip the bed before the cleaner arrives unless instructed otherwise.
Remove pillows, duvets, sheets and mattress protectors so the technician can access the mattress immediately.
Be honest about stains
Tell the cleaner about significant stains when requesting the quote.
Photographs can help them identify whether additional treatment is likely.
Compare like for like
Do not compare:
Company A: £40
with:
Company B: £65
until you know whether both include the same things.
Company B may include both sides, stain treatment and deodorising while Company A’s price covers only basic cleaning of one surface.
Questions to Ask Before Booking a Mattress Cleaner
Before agreeing to the work, ask:
What is the total price including any minimum booking charge?
Is that price for one side or both sides?
Is stain treatment included?
What cleaning method will you use on my mattress?
Is deodorising included or additional?
Are there parking, travel or congestion charges?
How long should the mattress take to dry?
When will it be safe to remake the bed?
Are there any stains you do not expect to remove completely?
A professional who gives realistic expectations is usually more reassuring than one who promises perfect results before even seeing the mattress.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to professionally clean a mattress in the UK?
Professional mattress cleaning generally costs around £20–£80 per mattress, depending primarily on size, condition, cleaning method and location. Minimum booking charges can mean the actual appointment costs more.
How much does it cost to clean a double mattress?
A standard double mattress typically costs around £35–£55 to clean.
Checkatrade currently lists approximately £35–£50, while individual professional services advertise prices ranging from around £35 to £70 depending on the package.
How much does king-size mattress cleaning cost?
Budget approximately £45–£65 for many standard services, although premium packages and higher-cost locations can reach £80–£100 or more.
Why is there a minimum charge for mattress cleaning?
Professional cleaners need to travel to your property and set up specialist extraction equipment regardless of whether they are cleaning one small mattress or several items.
Minimum charges of around £60–£95+ currently appear among UK providers.
How long does a mattress take to dry after professional cleaning?
Approximately 4–8 hours is a useful general estimate following professional hot-water extraction, although drying conditions and mattress construction can change this significantly. Follow the technician’s instructions before putting bedding back on.
Can professional cleaning remove old mattress stains?
Sometimes, but complete removal cannot be guaranteed.
The type and age of the stain, previous treatments and permanent changes to the fabric all affect the result.
Is mattress cleaning included in normal house cleaning?
Usually not.
A domestic cleaner may vacuum the mattress if requested, but specialist extraction cleaning requires different equipment and is generally a separate service.
Can I have my mattress, sofa and carpets cleaned together?
Potentially, yes.
Many carpet and upholstery specialists clean all three. Combining them can be particularly useful where a minimum booking charge applies.
So, How Much Should You Budget for Mattress Cleaning?
For a straightforward professional mattress clean in the UK in 2026, a useful starting budget is:
£20–£40 for a single mattress
£35–£55 for a double
£45–£65 for a king
£55–£80+ for a super king
But those figures do not tell the whole story.
If the company has a £60, £80 or £95 minimum charge, that minimum may determine what you actually pay for a single mattress. Heavy staining, cleaning both sides, deodorising and specialist treatments can increase the price further.
For that reason, the best question to ask is not:
“How much do you charge for a double mattress?”
Ask:
“What is the complete price for my mattress, including the cleaning I need, any minimum charge and all extras?”
That gives you a figure you can genuinely compare.
If you would prefer professional help rather than attempting a deep mattress clean yourself, The Right Guy can help you discover local cleaning professionals and other service businesses in your area. Describe the mattress size and condition clearly when requesting a quote so providers can price the work more accurately.
Author: The Right Guy Team
UK service guides published by The Right Guy Ltd.