Mattress Care Guide
Discover expert tips and insights to help you clean a mattress and ensure your mattress care provides you with restful, rejuvenating sleep for years ahead. Mattress care is a simple process that maintains comfort, hygiene, and the structural integrity of the mattress. With the right attention, the support and softness that first drew you to your mattress can be preserved for a decade of restorative rest.
In this guide, Louise Silver, mattress expert at Feather & Black, shares her top tips for mattress care — from the nuanced methods required to clean a mattress to the mechanical rhythms of rotation. If you are settling into a new mattress or preserving a well-loved favourite, these expert insights will help you protect the resilience of your sleep sanctuary.
Can you sleep on a new mattress straight away?
A new mattress requires a brief period of calibration to reach its full potential. Our experts advocate for a 24-hour breathing period before dressing the bed. Once delivered, remove the packaging and allow the mattress to rest uncovered. This allows the internal architecture - including natural fillings such as wool, cotton, and hemp - to expand and settle into its intended geometry.
During the first 30 to 90 days, the mattress will begin to intuit your body’s unique pressure points. This is not a loss of shape; it’s a refinement of comfort as the materials adapt to your neutral alignment. This initial settling allows the mattress to mirror your silhouette with precision.
How long does it take to get used to a new mattress?
Transitioning to a mattress requires an adjustment period of 30 to 90 days. During this time, the internal architecture settles into your silhouette, and your body recalibrates to a corrected state of neutral alignment. This physical familiarisation ensures the materials yield and conform precisely to your frame.
Even when chosen with precision, a new foundation requires this period of familiarisation. It is natural for a new mattress to feel slightly more resolute than a showroom model, as the latter has been softened through frequent use. Once established on your bed frame, the materials will begin to intuit your unique pressure points. To ensure total confidence, our 100-night comfort guarantee provides the necessary time to fully settle into your investment.
How long should a mattress last?
A master-crafted mattress should provide unwavering support for seven to ten years. Longevity is defined by the quality of the composition - such as resilient natural fibres - and the precision of the care ritual. Consistent maintenance, including regular rotation and the use of a protector, preserves the buoyancy and structural integrity of the materials.
The lifespan of luxury is an interplay between craftsmanship and the demands of daily use. Mattresses crafted with natural fibres, such as wool and hemp, offer superior resilience and a natural ability to manage the changes in temperature. By embracing a routine of regular rotation and following a refined cleaning ritual, you ensure the sleep experience remains as indulgent in its tenth year as it was in its first.
How to clean a mattress
Louise warns against using vacuum cleaners. The aggressive suction of a modern vacuum can displace delicate layers of wool, silk, or cashmere, and may even snag the tufts that hold the mattress in tension. Cleaning a mattress with a gentle brush preserves the loft of these fibres while ensuring the surface remains immaculate. This is the best way to clean a mattress to ensure it continues to fit your frame with precision.
“Lots of people recommend bicarbonate of soda for ridding odours. But natural fibres demand a gentle approach. Powder-based solutions can penetrate the weave of the ticking and become trapped within layers of silk or cashmere, potentially compromising the mattress architecture. Instead, just open a window and let fresh air carry odours away.”
- Louise Silver, Product Technologist, Feather & Black
Mattress maintenance
Rotate your mattress regularly for balanced support
Regular rotation is one of the simplest ways to preserve the comfort and performance of your mattress. For the first few months, rotate your mattress every one to two weeks to allow the fillings to settle evenly. After this initial period, rotating your mattress every three to four months will help prevent sagging, minimise uneven wear and reduce signs of dipping or soft spots.
If you have a Zip & Link mattress, disconnect the two sections before rotating each side individually. For split-tension mattresses, rotate from head to foot while maintaining the correct side for your preferred firmness. These small actions ensure your mattress remains as supportive and inviting as the day it arrived.
Should you flip your mattress?
While flipping a mattress was once standard, not all mattresses require it. Pillow-top and single-sided mattresses are intended to remain in one orientation and should not be turned. However, if your mattress is double-sided, flipping it every three to four months will help redistribute fillings, allowing the surface to wear more evenly and maintain its supportive feel over time.
Some seasonal mattresses feature a warmer side for winter and a cooler side for summer. Flipping your mattress with the seasons, much like switching your duvet tog, is a practical way to optimise year-round comfort.
Always check the care label before flipping and enlist someone to help. Larger sizes, such as king or super king mattresses, can be heavy and awkward to manoeuvre alone. Handling your mattress with care will help preserve its shape and longevity.
Use a mattress protector for comfort and care
A high-quality mattress protector is an essential part of luxury mattress care. At Feather & Black, our collection includes 100% cotton, machine-washable protectors designed to enhance your sleeping environment while extending the life of your mattress.
A protector creates a breathable barrier between your body and the mattress, helping to guard against moisture, dust mites and allergens. They work to keep your mattress hygienic and maintain its structure and comfort for longer, contributing to a fresher, more refined sleep every night.
"By leaving the mattress uncovered for several hours with the windows open, you allow the natural fillings to shed moisture and maintain their resilience."
Nine simple mattress care tips from our experts
- 1. Unwrap your new mattress and allow it to air out for a few hours
- 2. Once on the bed, leave your new mattress uncovered for at least 24 hours
- 3. Invest in a high-quality mattress protector
- 4. Allow up to 90 days for your new mattress to settle and adapt to your body
- 5. Turn your mattress every three to four months (if required)
- 6. Rotate your mattress every three to four months
- 7. Brush your mattress with a soft brush once a month
- 8. Immediately blot any spillages with a dry cloth
- 9. Allow the mattress to air out each time you change the bed linen.
“Always check your mattress care instructions before embarking on any maintenance and adhere to any specific advice accurately. If in doubt, our friendly customer service team is always happy to help.”
Discover luxury mattresses at Feather & Black
Embracing a consistent mattress care routine is an investment in your long-term comfort and well-being. With expert guidance from our care specialists, you can ensure your mattress continues to offer exceptional support and serene sleep, night after night.
Discover Feather & Black’s exquisite collection of luxury mattresses and experience the restorative power of a beautifully maintained sleep sanctuary, where every detail is designed to enhance your rest. Not sure which mattress size is right for your space? Discover our mattress size guide for a perfectly tailored fit.