7 Bed Mattress Care Tips And Tricks
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Adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night, which adds up to roughly a third of your life in bed. That makes it worth keeping your mattress comfortable.
Unfortunately, a lot of people take their mattresses for granted. They don’t take the necessary measures to take care of them properly. Because of this, the mattresses become worn out, uncomfortable, and don’t last their intended lifespan.
This is sad because mattresses can be expensive and getting one is an investment. Not giving it the proper care it deserves seems like throwing money away.
Mattress Care Tips and Tricks
To help you better take good care of your investment, here’s a list of seven helpful mattress care tips and tricks that will help ensure that your mattress will help you achieve a good night’s sleep.
1. Use proper rotation techniques.
If your mattress doesn’t have a “no rotate feature,” it’s advised to rotate or flip your mattress every now and again. A lot of people tend to sleep on the same side of the bed every night. This may cause the mattress to become uneven as the springs begin to give out from continued usage.
Rotating the mattress every now and again will ensure that the usage will be even all throughout. This will also help lengthen its lifespan since a single side of it isn’t getting used excessively.
How often to rotate depends on the mattress, so follow the manufacturer's care instructions. Many suggest rotating head to foot every few months. Only flip a mattress over if it is designed to be two-sided; many modern mattresses are one-sided.
2. No jumping on the bed.
Perhaps most obvious is to not let anyone, children or adults, jump on the mattress. It may be fun, but it can wear out the mattress faster and lead to falls and injuries.
This is somewhat similar to the way that sleeping on the same side of the bed, night after night, can damage your mattress. Allowing people to jump on it would make it uneven which would make it extremely uncomfortable to sleep on.
If this happens, you may end up spending more of your hard-earned money having to replace it before you really need to do so. We recommend that the bed be off-limits for rough play, as its primary purpose is for rest.
3. Regular cleaning.
The next tip is to regularly clean your mattress. For most, if not all, it’s unavoidable to get stains on a mattress. Not only are these stains unsightly but they may even lead to unwanted odors.
Regular cleaning keeps your mattress fresher. Machine washable mattress pads and protectors make this much easier.
If your mattress starts to smell, airing it out can help. Sprinkling a bit of baking soda on it, letting it sit, and then vacuuming it up can also reduce odors.
4.Make use of mild cleaning agents.
If stains ever do get on your mattress, the next tip we recommend is that you only use a mild soap to clean it. While a mattress with a foul smell is definitely unwanted, one that smells of strong soap would be equally uncomfortable to lay on, especially on a nightly basis.
Harsh stain removers can damage the fabric, foam and other materials, so check the care label first. Lighter stains can often be blotted with a soft damp cloth.
Avoid soaking your mattress, since moisture trapped inside can lead to mildew. Vacuuming removes dust and crumbs; the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America suggests vacuuming mattresses every 1 to 3 months.
5. Get a bed frame.
While it could be tempting for some to simply plop down the mattress on the floor and go to bed, a more practical and stylish investment is to use a bed frame. Every mattress should have a support, especially at its central part. This is especially needed for bigger mattresses such as king-sized or queen-sized ones. This would help prevent sagging, which would again make it uncomfortable to sleep on.
If you already have a bed frame, check that the slats, foundation, and the base are even and strong. Even if you get the most expensive mattress, you’ll only end up damaging it when you place it on an uneven, weak, and unstable base.
Remember that your mattress is only as good as its foundation. So subject your bed frame to regular check-ups too. Check the casters and legs from time to time so you know if something comes loose and needs to be tightened.
6. Use a mattress cover.
It’s a good idea to put a mattress cover or protector under your sheets. This protects the mattress from stains and makes dust and crumbs easier to remove. If you have a dust mite allergy, choose a zippered allergen-barrier cover. As an added bonus, a mattress cover is much easier to wash and clean than an entire mattress.
Change your sheets regularly too. For people with dust mite allergies, AAFA recommends washing sheets and blankets weekly in water that's at least 130°F.
7. Know when to let go.
It’s inevitable there will come a time when you have to let go of your old mattress and get a new one. Yes, mattresses wear out despite you giving them the best care. Many last around 7 to 10 years, depending on the materials and how they're used. AAFA suggests replacing mattresses about every 10 years.
If you notice sagging, or you've been waking up stiff or uncomfortable, it may be time to go mattress shopping. Back pain that persists has many possible causes, so check with a doctor too.
Should you decide to get yourself a new mattress, make sure that you properly dispose of the old one. There are companies that offer mattress disposal services – they even have a pickup service for a fee.
Bonus Tip
If you need to move your mattress to a different spot, dragging it is never a good idea. Get help and lift the mattress completely from underneath. If you’re moving houses, avoid throwing your mattress on the roof of the van. It needs proper support.
Following these seven simple tips and tricks will help keep your mattress as comfortable as possible, for as long as possible. Good mattress care is one part of a comfortable sleep setup. If you're still tired or sleeping poorly despite a good mattress, talk with a doctor about other causes.
About the author: Bibo Chen
Bibo Chen is an entrepreneur by profession and writer by heart. He started 2bear, a latex pillow company, aiming to aid people in achieving quality sleep. He eventually launched a blog focusing on sleep-related tips, ideas, and advice.
Sources
- Dust Mite Allergy: How to Identify and Treat, Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
- How Much Sleep Is Enough?, NHLBI (NIH)
