How to Care for Your Hotel Mattresses: A Guide for Hospitality Providers

A high-quality hotel mattress is more than just furniture — it’s an investment in guest satisfaction, online reviews, and the long-term performance of your rooms. In the hospitality industry, where rooms are occupied night after night, proper mattress care is essential for maintaining hygiene, comfort, and the overall lifespan of your contract-grade mattresses.

Whether you operate a boutique hotel, a B&B, serviced apartments or a multi-site hospitality group, following the right care routine will help you protect your investment and deliver consistently comfortable stays for every guest.

Below, we share the essential steps hotels should follow to care for their CRIB 5 approved contract mattresses.

Why Hotel Mattress Care Matters

Unlike domestic beds, hotel mattresses experience constant turnover and continuous use. Without proper maintenance, this can lead to:

Premature sagging and dips
Reduced guest comfort and lower satisfaction scores
Odours, moisture build-up, and hygiene issues
Shorter mattress lifespan, requiring more frequent replacements
Damage to fillings, ticking, and spring systems

Regular care keeps your mattresses in top condition, ensures compliance with hygiene standards, and protects the reputation of your rooms.

Use a High-Quality, Waterproof Mattress Protector

A commercial-grade, waterproof mattress protector is one of the most important investments for any hospitality provider.

A good protector will:

Shield the mattress from spills, stains, and accidents
Prevent moisture from seeping into fillings
Reduce the risk of odours and bacteria
Make housekeeping faster and more efficient

For hotels, we recommend protectors that are:

Breathable (keeps the sleep surface cool and comfortable)
Washable at high temperatures
Fully encased or deep-fitted

Protectors should be washed frequently between each guest stay.

Rotate Your Hotel Mattresses Regularly

Even contract-grade mattresses benefit from regular rotation. Rotating the mattress helps:

Maintain even settlement of fillings
Prevent indents or dips
Reduce pressure on springs
Extend overall mattress lifespan

Rotation guidelines for hotels:

Rotate head-to-toe every 4–6 weeks
For double-sided models (like our Orlow Marthow or Naples), flip every 3 months
Record rotations on a housekeeping checklist

This simple habit can significantly increase the lifespan of your mattresses.

Spot Clean Immediately — the Right Way

When spills or accidents happen (and they always do), quick action is essential.

Do:

Use a mild detergent + warm water
Treat stains with a gentle blotting motion
Use only minimal moisture on the surface
Allow the mattress to fully air dry before putting sheets back on

Don’t:

Don’t saturate the mattress
Don’t use harsh chemicals or bleach
Don’t steam clean (heat can damage tickings + fillings)
Don’t vacuum excessively — commercial vacuums can damage natural or soft fillings

Allow Mattresses to Breathe Between Guests

Airing a mattress is one of the simplest and most effective care steps in hospitality.

Before remaking the bed:

Pull back all bedding
Allow the mattress to air for 20–60 minutes
Ensure good ventilation in the room

This helps reduce moisture build-up from body heat and humidity — preventing unwanted odours, mildew, and bacteria. Hotels with high occupancy will see the biggest benefit from this.

Use the Right Bed Base for Support

A hotel mattress performs best when supported by a strong, stable, contract-grade base. A poor base can cause sagging, instability, and increased wear.

Ensure your base is:

Designed for commercial use
Even and supportive
Not broken or dipping in any area
Replaced when showing signs of collapse

A mattress is only as good as the base it sits on.

Replace Mattresses When Needed

No matter how well you care for a mattress, all hotel mattresses have a lifecycle.

Signs your mattress needs replacing:

Visible sagging or body impressions
Torn or worn fabrics
Persistent odours
Guests mentioning discomfort
Loss of support

Most hotels replace mattresses every 3–5 years, depending on occupancy and mattress build quality.

Contract mattresses, especially pocket-sprung models, tend to last longer when correctly maintained.