Your mattress plays a key role in your physical and mental health. This is where you lay your head maybe with a partner or pets, leaving the stresses of the day behind as you disappear off to slumberland. Depending on the quality it can have a lifespan of up to 10 years. If not properly taken care of the lifespan is significantly diminished. Here’s how to care for your mattress in order to increase its longevity and keep it in tip-top shape.
1. Flip and/or Rotate it
One way to increase the longevity of your mattress is to regularly flip and rotate it. This is especially important in the early years. It is recommended that you flip or rotate it every three months during the first year and every six months thereafter.
If it has handles on the side, they are not designed for moving and flipping it. Grip the mattress itself when moving it. There are mattresses that are not two-sided having only one right-side-up and should therefore not be flipped. They can however be rotated.
2. Spread the love
People have a default location they sit on when they sit on the mattress while getting dressed or tying their shoelaces etc. Sitting in the same spot every time can damage your mattress, causing it to lose its structure prematurely. So spread the love and just don’t favour one corner. Alternatively, just don’t sit on it at all. Some people advise against sitting on the edge of the mattress completely because such frequent pressure can damage the border stitching and puts undue pressure on the edge of the springs.
3. Don’t monkey around
Some monkeying around is allowed, obviously, wink-wink, but you should avoid jumping on the mattress no matter how much fun it looks. Also, don’t walk on it. Jumping and walking on it will damage the springs. It can also damage the fibres.
4. Keep it clean and dry
If something spills on your mattress, dab it with warm soapy water to avoid it getting wetter. Moisture is a breeding ground for mould and you want to avoid that at all costs. Let it dry completely before making the bed. Clean any spills and stains immediately to keep them from setting deeper into the mattress. You can remove stains by mixing small amounts of baking soda, salt, and water in a bowl and wiping away the stain using a cloth damp with the solution.
Regularly cleaning it keeps dust from becoming ground into it. You might not think of vacuuming your mattress, but every so often you should. It is recommended that you use a soft clothes brush to clean it about once a month to remove any accumulated dust and even dust mites. Check your guide for any manufacturer-specific instructions on cleaning your specific mattress.
5. Use baking soda to nix smells
Sprinkle baking soda and wait 20 minutes before brushing or vacuuming it off to attack any odours on your mattress. Baking soda does a great job of absorbing any smells without harming your mattress.
Check out: 22 Uses of baking soda in the home
6. Carry it carefully
If your mattress has straps on the sides, those are for positioning it not carrying it. If you need to lift and move the mattress, especially heavy ones, enlist the help of others and lift it from underneath with care.
7. Change your sheets and bedding
Washing your sheets and bedding regularly is important not just for hygienic reasons but also because it may help protect your mattress from premature damage. Sheets, blankets, and pillowcases accumulate sweat, body oils, and other dirt which can gradually seep into your mattress if the bedding is not regularly changed. You should wash your bedding at least once a week, more often if your pets sleep with you.
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8. Use a mattress protector
Spills and stains can severely compromise the quality and longevity of your mattress. The best way to protect it is to use a liquid-resistant mattress protector. These are zip-on or pull-on covers that encase your mattress to protect from moisture and other pollutants and even dust mites. These covers are removable and washable and will keep the mattress clean and looking good over time. An investment in a protector is the easiest way to extend the lifespan of your mattress.
9. Ensure proper ventilation
Allow your mattress some room to breathe. Mattresses can absorb sweat, oil, moisture, and other pollutants and without aeration, they can begin to smell. If possible get a bed frame that is porous and open your windows. Every few weeks consider uncovering it and just letting it breathe for a few hours.
10. Know when it’s time…
It’s important to know when your mattress has come to the end of the road and is due for replacement. You know it’s time when you’re having restless sleep, constantly stirring and turning throughout the night. If your nights are no longer comfortable it may be time. If there is visible sagging and lumping and if you notice you’re experiencing an increase in allergic reactions. Mattresses accumulate a lot of allergens like dust over time so an increase in allergic reactions is a sure sign.
If it turns out it’s time for a mattress overhaul for you, check out this piece: 6 tips on how to pick a good mattress
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