Care Instructions

A few small care habits protect your Dreamland mattress, bed, headboard, or bedroom furniture and keep it performing for years. This page covers how to care for each product type in New Zealand conditions, what to do when your new product arrives, and the care behaviours your warranty assumes you are following.

Why care matters

A well cared for mattress holds its support layer night after night, so your sleep surface stays consistent. Timber and upholstered furniture cared for properly absorbs the daily wear of a busy household without losing its finish or its structural integrity. NZ conditions add a layer of stress that does not apply everywhere: high UV, coastal salt air in much of the country, wet winters, and humidity that swings widely between summer and winter. The guidance below is shaped for those conditions.

Care also protects your warranty. Our Warranty page lists what is and is not covered; in many cases the difference between a covered claim and a declined claim is whether the product was cared for in line with the guidance on this page. The warranty period that applies to your specific mattress varies by range; your retailer confirms this at purchase. See Warranty for the full terms.

When your new product arrives

A few simple steps in the first week save problems later.

Mattresses:

• Inspect the mattress on delivery. If you signed for it as received in good condition without an inspection note, no claim for transit damage will be valid later. If you see damage on the outer packaging or the mattress itself, tell the carrier and contact your retailer immediately.
• Check how your mattress was delivered. If it arrived rolled and compressed in a box (mattress in a box), unwrap it, place it on the correct base, and let it fully expand for 24 to 72 hours before making it up with bedding. If it arrived fully expanded, unwrap any protective plastic, place it on the base, and you can make it up and use it straight away.
• New bed odour is normal. It fades over the first few weeks. Open windows, run a fan, or use a heat pump in dry mode if needed.
• Keep all labels and the production tag attached. Your warranty depends on them.
• Keep your receipt or invoice. Your warranty is invalid without proof of purchase.

Beds, headboards, and bedroom furniture:

• Inspect on delivery for damage. Same rule as above: if damage is visible on the packaging or the product, tell the carrier and contact your retailer before signing for the goods as in good condition.
• Read the assembly instructions before you start. Most issues we see come from misaligned brackets or hardware tightened in the wrong order.
• Check all hardware (bolts, brackets, screws, slat fixings) is firmly seated after assembly.
• Keep the assembly instructions and any spare hardware in a labelled bag or envelope.

Care by product

Mattresses

The basics of mattress care are the same across the Dreamland range. Your retailer usually provides a printed care card with your invoice that covers rotation schedules and base requirements; the same guidance is detailed in the sections below.

Position your mattress on the correct base:

• Slat base: timber slats should be no more than 70mm apart. On a double, queen, or king size bed, slats should have a minimum thickness of 35mm or be supported by a centre rail.
• Padded box base: box bases can be sprung or unsprung and should have at least seven legs or castors.
• Platform bed: a solid wooden base should have ventilation holes drilled in the base.

Using the wrong base causes mattress damage that is not covered by warranty, regardless of how well you care for the mattress otherwise.

Rotate your mattress regularly:

Dreamland mattresses are single sided and can be rotated but not turned. Rotate every two weeks for the first four months. After that, rotate every three months. Rotation evens out body impressions and extends the useful life of the comfort layer.

How to rotate: push at opposite corners until the foot end becomes the head end. Use the handles to position the mattress on the base after rotation, not to lift the whole weight of the mattress.

Use a mattress protector and air your bed:

A quality washable mattress protector is the single highest leverage thing you can do to keep your mattress clean and extend its life. Wash the protector regularly per the protector’s care label. Once every few weeks, strip the bedding off and let the mattress air for a few hours with curtains open. Avoid direct sunlight on the mattress fabric.

Spot clean with a damp cloth:

If your mattress becomes stained or marked, blot up any liquid immediately, then clean with a damp (not wet) cloth in a blotting motion working from the outside of the stain towards the centre. Allow the mattress to dry thoroughly in shade, away from direct heat, before remaking the bed. Do not use cleaning fluids; they can damage the comfort layer materials. Baking soda sprinkled on the surface and vacuumed up after a few hours absorbs trapped odours.

Vacuum the mattress lightly from time to time:

Use a soft upholstery attachment on low suction. Pay attention to the seams and stitching to remove dust mites and debris.

Keep the labels intact:

Production tags carry the model name and batch number we need to identify your mattress for any warranty claim. Removing them invalidates warranty cover.

Body impressions are normal:

Body impressions develop as the comfort layers settle to your body shape. Impressions up to 35mm deep are considered a normal, reasonable level of dipping and are not a fault. Rotating regularly evens this out.

Cross link: see Warranty for Mattresses for what is and is not covered, including the full body impressions explanation.

Beds, headboards, and bedroom furniture

Dreamland beds, headboards, bed bases, and bedroom furniture are quality imports, sourced to fit New Zealand homes. Care guidance differs by material; the sub blocks below cover timber, upholstery, and engineered substrates (MDF). Most pieces combine more than one of these materials.

Timber elements (frames, drawer carcasses, side panels, solid timber tops):

• Dust regularly with a soft dry microfibre or lint free cloth.
• For spills or smudges, wipe with a damp (not wet) cotton cloth and follow with a dry microfibre cloth to remove excess moisture. For tougher stains, a diluted dishwashing detergent solution (the same strength you would use for washing dishes) is safe; rinse with a damp cloth and dry immediately.
• Do not use products containing ammonia, bleach, wax, silicone, abrasives, lemon, or vinegar. These can strip or cloud the finish.
• Never place hot items directly on a timber surface. Always use coasters, placemats, and heat proof pads.
• Avoid placing chemicals in vinyl or plastic placemats and tablecloths directly on timber surfaces; they may react with the finish over time.
• Lift, do not drag, when moving furniture. Dragging loosens joinery and damages slides.
• Apply a thin coat of high grade, silicone free furniture polish only when the surface starts to lose its glow; over polishing leaves a residue.

Upholstery elements (fabric panels on bed frames, leatherette accents on headboards, fabric drawer linings, upholstered bed bases):

• Vacuum every few weeks using a soft brush attachment on low suction. Pay attention to seams, buttons, tufting, and the edges where dust and skin oils collect.
• Spot clean spills as soon as they happen. Blot, do not scrub. Work from the outside of the stain towards the centre with a clean damp cloth. Allow to dry naturally in shade away from direct heat.
• Our upholstered headboards and bed bases do not carry a fabric cleaning label. Use the conservative spot clean approach above (damp cotton cloth, blot from outside in, dry in shade). Test any cleaning solution on a small hidden area first (the underside of the bed base or the back of the headboard) before applying to a visible area. If you are unsure, contact the retailer who sold you the product.
• For oil or scalp buildup on a tufted or fabric headboard, sprinkle baking soda on the affected area, leave for several hours, then vacuum up. Repeat as needed.
• A deep clean every 6 to 12 months keeps fabric headboards and upholstered bed bases looking fresh. Steam cleaning is a good option, especially after a wet NZ winter.
• Gently cut any loose threads with sharp scissors; do not pull them.
• Avoid placing upholstered furniture in direct sunlight, near heaters, fireplaces, or air conditioning vents. UV fades fabric over time and heat dries it out.

MDF and engineered substrate elements (back panels, drawer bottoms, veneered surfaces over engineered cores):

• Keep furniture in dry conditions. MDF and engineered timber are sensitive to moisture; spills should be wiped immediately with a damp (not wet) cloth.
• Avoid placing engineered substrate furniture in bathrooms, laundries, or rooms with poor ventilation where humidity stays consistently high.
• Do not use steam cleaners directly on veneered surfaces; the heat and moisture can lift the veneer.

Environment and placement (applies to all bedroom furniture):

• Keep furniture out of direct sunlight. UV fades both timber finishes and fabric upholstery.
• Position at least 50cm away from heaters, fireplaces, and air conditioning vents.
• Maintain indoor humidity between 35 and 45 percent where you can. Very dry air causes timber to crack; high humidity causes swelling.
• Fit felt pads under decorative items and equipment. Lift objects on and off; do not slide.
• Disassemble when moving to a new house if possible. Lift from the base, never the top or a leaf edge. Wrap corners and edges before transport.

Hardware retightening:

Bolts, screws, and bracket fixings on bed frames, drawer slides, and storage bases need periodic retightening as part of normal use. Check and retighten every 3 to 6 months. Loose hardware accelerates wear and can cause secondary damage that is not covered by warranty.

Cross link: see Warranty for Beds, headboards, and bedroom furniture for what is and is not covered including the full timber natural variation and MDF moisture exclusions.

Kids beds and bunks

Kids beds and bunks need the same general care as the rest of the bed range, with two product specific commitments:

Hardware retightening every 3 months. Children’s beds and bunks get more daily movement than an adult bed; bolts and brackets loosen faster. Set a reminder and do a 5 minute hardware check every 3 months using the assembly instructions to identify each fixing point. Damage caused by missed retightening is not covered under our manufacturer warranty. Your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 for acceptable quality continue to apply through your retailer.

Safety standard compliance. Dreamland kids beds and bunks are tested to AS/NZS 4220, the Australian and New Zealand safety standard for cots and bunks, with third party test certification held on file. This commitment applies for the lifetime of the product, not just the warranty period. If you notice any cracked timber, loose joints, damaged guard rails, or other safety concerns, stop use immediately and contact your retailer.

Spills and stains (kids will spill): blot quickly per the upholstery guidance above. For mattress spills on a child’s bed, a quality washable mattress protector is essential.

Cross link: see Warranty for Kids beds and bunks for full safety and retightening prerequisites.

Pillows

Dreamland pillows are not covered by a manufacturer warranty (pillows are a hygiene category) but a few simple care habits keep them performing.

• Use a pillow protector between the pillow and the pillowcase. The protector is the part that gets washed regularly. Wash it weekly per the protector’s own care label.
• Wash the pillowcase weekly in hot water if your pillowcase fabric allows.
• Fluff and air the pillow daily. Fluffing redistributes the fill; airing reduces trapped moisture.
• Do not machine wash Dreamland pillows. All pillows currently in the Dreamland range are memory foam or a similar non washable fill. Machine washing damages the foam structure and voids the pillow’s useful life. For minor surface marks, spot clean with a damp (not wet) cotton cloth, blot gently, and dry thoroughly in shade away from direct heat before reuse. Keeping the protector and pillowcase clean is the main hygiene defence.
• Replace pillows every 1 to 2 years. Compressed pillows lose support and accumulate skin oils, dust mites, and dead skin cells regardless of how well the protector and pillowcase are washed.

Cross link: see Warranty for Pillows for the hygiene category explanation.

NZ specific care considerations

New Zealand conditions affect furniture and mattresses in ways that do not apply in drier or more temperate climates. The points below sit alongside the product specific guidance above.

Humidity swings between summer and winter. Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, and most of the country see humidity rise sharply in winter (especially with heat pumps cycling indoor air) and fall in summer. Timber expands in damp air and contracts in dry air. The 35 to 45 percent indoor humidity range is the sweet spot. A simple hygrometer available at most hardware stores lets you check.

UV exposure. NZ ranks high globally for ground level UV. Direct sunlight fades upholstery fabric, leatherette, and timber finishes faster than most other countries. Position bedroom furniture away from direct window sun where possible. Curtains and blinds make a real difference over years.

Coastal salt air. Much of New Zealand sits within a few kilometres of the coast. Salt accelerates the breakdown of metal hardware (slide rails, hinges, leg fittings). If you live within a few kilometres of the coast, wipe metal hardware with a clean dry cloth occasionally, and check fixings for early corrosion.

Wet winters and indoor moisture. NZ winters are wet. Heat pumps, dehumidifiers, and laundry drying indoors all change the moisture balance in a bedroom. Steam cleaning upholstered headboards and bed bases is a good way to lift accumulated dampness once or twice over a winter.

Electric blankets and memory foam mattresses. Electric blankets are common in NZ winters and they generally do not harm pocket spring mattresses. They are not recommended on mattresses with memory foam comfort layers (Aurora is the Dreamland mattress that uses CoolGel memory foam). Sustained heat softens the memory foam structure and can cause permanent damage. If you sleep on a memory foam mattress and feel the cold, prefer a lower TOG duvet, a fleece sheet, or a hot water bottle.

Heat pumps and indoor air. Heat pumps run dry in heating mode; they can pull indoor humidity below 30 percent on a long cold week. This dries out timber faster than slower seasonal change does. A small dish of water on a side table or running a humidifier overnight buffers this. The 35 to 45 percent target above still applies.

Common care mistakes that affect your warranty

Most warranty claims we decline come back to one of these care patterns. Avoiding them protects your cover.

• Wrong bed base under a mattress. Slats too far apart, slats too thin, padded base with too few legs, or a platform base without ventilation holes will damage the mattress. The damage is not a manufacturing fault.
• Lifting a mattress by the handles. Handles are for positioning the mattress on the base, not for carrying the full weight. Carrying by the handles tears the fabric.
• Removing mattress labels. Production tags carry the model name and batch number needed to process a manufacturer warranty claim. Without them we cannot identify your specific product to process a manufacturer claim. Your rights under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 for acceptable quality continue to apply through your retailer regardless.
• Missed rotation schedule. Rotating extends comfort layer life and evens out body impressions. Skipping rotation accelerates wear and may surface body impressions deeper than the 35mm normal threshold.
• No mattress protector. Stains, body fluids, and pet damage will rarely be covered. A washable protector prevents most of these issues.
• Direct sunlight on furniture and mattresses. Fading is a UV exposure issue, not a manufacturing defect.
• Moisture exposure on MDF and veneer. Swelling, lifting, and warping caused by water exposure on engineered substrates is not covered.
• Missed hardware retightening on bed frames and kids beds. Loose hardware leads to wear, sagging, and joint damage that is not covered.
• Cleaning products that strip the finish. Ammonia, bleach, silicone, abrasives, lemon, vinegar, and steam directly on veneer all cause damage that is not covered.
• Dragging instead of lifting when moving a bed base, bed frame, or piece of bedroom furniture. Dragging loosens joinery, damages slides and feet, and can crack panels at stress points. Always lift from the base, and disassemble where possible for bigger moves. Damage caused by dragging is not a manufacturing fault.

Cross link: full warranty terms and exclusions are on the Warranty page.

Where to get help

If you have a care question we have not covered here, your first contact is the retailer who sold you the product. They are trained on the full range and can advise on specific care for the model you bought.

For warranty claims, follow the 6 step workflow on the Warranty page. Your retailer evaluates first, then routes qualifying claims through to us.

For general product information, see the FAQ.