Short answer
Hästens' care instructions don't mention steam. They say the bed is made of natural materials and 'it is not recommended that it be washed, laundered or dry cleaned,' and they warn a stain cleaner 'could discolor the fabric or damage the natural minerals solution that makes the bed fire retardant.' Our dry-vapor method is our own, not a Hästens exemption; check your warranty terms first.
Key terms used on this page
- Care instructions (manufacturer care guidance):
- What a manufacturer publishes about cleaning its product: a sewn-in label, a care web page, a help-center article or a brand blog post. They carry different weight. A sewn-in label or a product-care page speaks for a specific product; a blog post often gives general advice about many mattress types. On this hub we name the document type for every quote.
- Wool batting:
- A layer of wool fiber placed under the ticking, often in natural mattresses, for comfort and moisture management. Wool fiber takes up moisture from the air, which is why it matters how much water a cleaning method leaves behind.
- Mattress topper:
- A separate padded layer laid on top of a mattress, often memory foam, latex or fiber. Toppers carry their own care labels; Tempur-Pedic says 'Do NOT wash or Dry Clean the TEMPUR-Topper Supreme.'
- Dry-vapor steam:
- Steam made in a sealed, pressurized boiler and released through a hose and nozzle as hot vapor with a low liquid-water content. In the vendor specifications we reviewed, professional units are rated from 80 psi (Ladybug 2350) to 150 psi (Daimer), with stated boiler temperatures from about 345°F (Optima) to 360°F (Daimer); these are maker claims. Daimer describes its steam as about 5% water or less and Vapor Clean claims 'just 5-6% moisture'; that is a vendor claim, not an independent standard.
- Adjustable steam output:
- A control on some commercial steam machines that sets how much steam reaches the tool. For example, Vapor Clean describes its Magnum XP (with vac) as having a 'Fully Adjustable Steam Regulator' and a 'Pressure Regulator 0 - Full Range' (maker's claims). We don't publish settings; the technician chooses them for the material.
- Pass speed:
- How fast the steam tool moves across the fabric. A faster pass gives the fabric less time under the tool, so less heat and less condensed water reach any one spot. Purple's general guide makes the same point for home steamers: move 'without leaving it in one spot for too long.'
Hästens builds beds from natural materials such as horsehair, cotton, wool and flax, and its care booklet reflects that. It doesn't mention steam. It says the bed should not be washed, laundered or dry cleaned, and it gives a reason no other brand we checked gives: a cleaner could affect the mineral treatment that makes the bed fire retardant.
Not affiliated with or endorsed by any manufacturer listed. Brand names are used only to identify products and their published care instructions.
1. What the manufacturer actually says
The source is Hästens' Care Instructions PDF, linked from its product-care page (no date shown; accessed 2 October 2026).
It covers Hästens beds, mattresses and top mattresses.
On washing:
"Your Hästens bed is made using the highest quality, 100% natural materials. As such, it is not recommended that it be washed, laundered or dry cleaned."
On stains:
"But accidents do happen and a textile cleaner or furniture foam should be sufficient to clean any stains."
On the risk:
"There is a small risk the cleaner could discolor the fabric or damage the natural minerals solution that makes the bed fire retardant. To prevent this, we suggest testing a small portion on an unobtrusive section of the mattress."
On vacuuming:
"Your mattress will need vacuuming at regular intervals. Use the furniture attachment for best results."
On dust:
"Never try to beat the dust out of your top mattress! Use your vacuum instead."
On protection:
"For ultimate mattress protection, we recommend using a Hästens bed skirt and mattress cover."
2. Does it mention steam?
No. The booklet doesn't mention steam. It rules out washing, laundering and dry cleaning, allows a textile cleaner or furniture foam for stains, and names fire retardancy as something a cleaner could affect.
3. Does it mention dry-vapor steam?
No. Hästens' page never names dry-vapor steam. Its cautions on water, chemicals and covers still apply.
4. The restrictions it states
| Variable | What Hästens' page says |
|---|---|
| Water | Washing "not recommended"; stains get "a textile cleaner or furniture foam" |
| Soaking | Not stated separately; washing and laundering not recommended |
| Heat | Not stated |
| Steam | Not stated |
| Chemicals | A cleaner could "damage the natural minerals solution that makes the bed fire retardant"; test first |
| Covers | Use "a Hästens bed skirt and mattress cover" for protection |
The fire-retardancy point is specific to Hästens and its mineral treatment. It is about cleaning products, which is one reason we use none.
Every brand's restrictions sit side by side in the compatibility guide.
5. How dry vapor differs from wet cleaning
Hästens names two risks for cleaners: discoloring the fabric and damaging the mineral solution that makes the bed fire retardant.
Dry vapor leaves far less water than carpet-style extraction, but heat and moisture are separate variables.
Vapor Clean claims the Magnum XP runs at "just 5-6% moisture" (maker's claim, not our measurement).
The EPA advises drying wet materials within 24 to 48 hours; the hub's drying note explains why.
6. Sleep Sanitation's professional interpretation
This section is our view, not Hästens'.
Hästens' guidance is the default for owners: regular vacuuming with the furniture attachment, a textile cleaner or furniture foam tested on a hidden spot for stains, no washing, laundering or dry cleaning, and a bed skirt and mattress cover.
Our position: we can sanitize Hästens beds (the CDC's sense, not disinfection). Because Hästens warns about cleaners, we use no cleaning products on a Hästens at all, only vapor at low output with quick passes, and we pay close attention to drying because natural fibers hold moisture.
We run three Italian-made Vapor Clean machines, the Magnum XP, ProV 350 and Pro6 Duo, at low steam output.
Passes stay quick and light. We don't unzip covers, soak the bed, or use bleach or solvents.
This is our method, not a Hästens exemption, and Hästens hasn't reviewed it. Check your warranty terms before booking.
Hästens' booklet describes a 25 year written warranty against spring and frame breakage; it doesn't link that warranty to cleaning.
Not legal advice; if you're unsure, ask the manufacturer.
Hästens' own cleaning routine
- Vacuum regularly. With the furniture attachment, including the cotton lining underneath.
- No beating. "Use your vacuum instead."
- Stains. Textile cleaner or furniture foam, tested first on an unobtrusive spot.
- Protection. A Hästens bed skirt and mattress cover.
Other care points on Hästens' page
On airing:
"Your top mattress should be more thoroughly aired out at regular intervals by simply removing any bed linens that would normally cover it."
On turning:
"For optimal use, turn and rotate your mattress every six to twelve weeks."
On sunlight:
"However, we recommend that you keep your Hästens bed away from direct sunlight and powerful spotlights or protect the bed with a bed skirt if you wish to avoid slight color variations on the bed."
Before a visit to a Hästens bed
A Hästens bed is horsehair, cotton, flax and wool, and the booklet's caution about cleaners rests on the mineral fire-retardant treatment. Our visit uses no cleaner of any kind on a Hästens, and the vapor stays at the surface of the top mattress and frame fabric.
Hästens also asks owners to turn and rotate the mattress every six to twelve weeks. If a turn is due, do it before the visit, so both faces have had the same use and we clean the side you will actually sleep on next.
Common misreadings
"Natural materials can take a wash." Hästens says washing, laundering and dry cleaning are not recommended.
"Any upholstery cleaner will do." Hästens warns a cleaner could discolor the fabric or affect fire retardancy, and says to test first.
"Not mentioned means permitted." No. Hästens doesn't mention steam either way. Silence is a gap in the guidance, not a permission.
How Hästens compares with the other brands we checked
Hästens is not among the five brands whose care pages mention steam. None of the 21 pages we checked mentions dry vapor.
Hästens' page addresses 3 of the six variables in section 4; it is silent on soaking, heat and steam.
Its water wording, for comparison: Washing "not recommended"; stains get "a textile cleaner or furniture foam".
The compatibility guide lines up all 21 pages, from Tempur-Pedic's strict water rule to the brands that tie care to warranty.
Your label and warranty
Your sewn-in label speaks for your model and outranks Hästens' web page. Use the hub's label checklist before any cleaning.
Where this fits
- Materials: wool, innerspring.
- Related brands: Aireloom and Naturepedic; the full table is in the compatibility guide.
- Service page: our Hästens mattress cleaning service page describes what a visit includes.
- Visits: read our process, check pricing, or schedule a visit.
Related guidance and background
How other manufacturers word the same issue, for comparison:
- Tempur-Pedic (US). "TEMPUR® material should never become wet" (Tempur-Pedic).
- Tempur (UK). "Do not steam-clean or dry-clean the TEMPUR Material" (Tempur UK).
- Saatva. "If you have a garment steam cleaner, go over your mattress with that before vacuuming" (Saatva).
What we don't know
- Which cleaners affect the mineral treatment. The booklet doesn't name any.
- Heat and natural fibers. Not addressed.
- Dry-vapor steam. Hästens hasn't addressed it on the page we quote.
- Changes. Care pages change; we read Hästens' page on 2 October 2026 and will update this page if it changes.
Changelog
- 2 October 2026: First published. Hästens' page accessed on this date.
Sources
- Care Instructions (PDF, accessed 2026-10-02) · Hästens
- Product care (US, accessed 2026-10-02) · Tempur-Pedic
- Caring for your TEMPUR (UK, updated 11 July 2023, accessed 2026-10-02) · Tempur UK
- How to Clean Your Mattress in 5 Simple Steps (blog, accessed 2026-10-02) · Saatva
- Magnum XP-Vac product page (maker's claims, accessed 2026-10-02) · Vapor Clean
- ProV 350 product page ('Italian Made'; maker's claims, accessed 2026-10-02) · Vapor Clean
- Pro6 Duo product page ('Made in Italy'; maker's claims, accessed 2026-10-02) · Vapor Clean
- Cleaning and disinfecting your school (definitions) · CDC
- A brief guide to mold, moisture and your home · US EPA
Last reviewed October 2, 2026. Manufacturer specifications and care instructions change; check the current version for your exact model. This page is general information, not medical advice. How we source and check pages: editorial standards.