How to care for your mattress?
Caring for your mattress can extend the life of your mattress drastically. I will go through a few things that you can do to lengthen the life of your mattress.
- Good quality mattress protector
First and foremost, purchase a good quality mattress protector. Many people see mattress protectors as ‘an added extra’ or simply a sales upselling tool. Not true!! You need a mattress protector and here’s why.
- Hygiene – Mattresses really are a breeding ground for some really horrific germs and bugs. Dust mites specifically thrive in old and dusty mattresses. In addition to that, dirt, dust, mould, sweat, shedded skin and other allergens build up on the mattress over time. Which can be particularly troubling for those who suffer from asthma or other allergies. If you notice increased breathing difficulties, the mattress could be the cause.
- Comfort – Some mattress protectors have technology to help air flow between the body and the mattress, this reduces sweatiness and moisture getting into the mattress. Some add extra cushioning if you feel your mattress is slightly too firm.
- Protection – Many people eat or drink in bed, especially when they’re not feeling very well. While we don’t recommend eating in bed, we do suggest a good mattress protector for those that do. Something spill proof would be ideal.
- General wear & tear – Daily use can cause general wear and tear to the top layer of your mattress, specifically the outer cover. Despite how disciplined you are the mattress will eventually get dirty and you may even notice small rips or damage to the top fabric layer of the mattress. A mattress protector will provide an additional layer of protection.
- Clean bedding regularly
We recommend that most people wash their sheets weekly. Some people should wash their sheets more frequently if they are hot sleepers and tend to sweat more during the night. You should also consider changing your sheets more often if you suffer skin conditions or have allergies. If you share your bed with pets, the sheets tend to become dirtier more quickly so you may want to wash the bedding more than once weekly for optimal cleanliness.
- Vacuum your mattress
It’s a good idea to vacuum your mattress every 3 months, especially if you suffer asthma or allergies. We recommend using the upholstery attachment for your vacuum so you are not transferring floor dirt onto your mattress, but it also is designed to loosen and remove the dirt and dust mites within fabric furniture including mattresses. Most people likely don’t vacuum their mattress at all… and possibly have never thought about doing it. But getting the vacuum over the mattress a few times a year will definitely give you a longer lifespan from your mattress.
- Rotate your mattress
Many modern mattresses no longer require to be flipped due to the one sided construction and pillow tops, however, you should be rotating your mattress at least every 6 months to even out wear and tear on your mattress. This will ensure your mattress retains a consistent spinal alignment and maximum comfort for longer. Some mattresses will need to be rotated more frequently than others depending on the structure and manufacturer, but we can definitely help you with this if you have any questions about your mattress.
- Don’t make your bed immediately after waking
This might be hard for some people, especially those running low on time in the morning, but we recommend pulling the duvet and sheet back to allow some airflow from the mattress and assist in allowing the moisture from the night’s sleep to leave the mattress. When you make your bed immediately after waking you are effectively trapping the moisture within your mattress. So allowing the mattress to breathe as part of your morning routine will extend the life of your mattress, perhaps while you are getting ready for work you could leave the duvet pulled back and then make the bed before you leave, or even better… when you get home from work!
These tips should help you get the most out of your mattress investment and save you money long term. If you have questions about anything we have or haven’t covered here, please reach out to the team – we are here to help you get the best night’s sleep possible.
