Mattresses can be very expensive, so it’s important that you take care of yours. According to the National Bed Federation, a mattress in the United States typically lasts for around seven years. However, with care and preservation, your mattress can last you a lot longer than that.
How to increase the life your mattress
Taking care of your mattress isn’t difficult at all. This article will outline six proven tips on how to prolong the life of your mattress:
Supporting Your Mattress
It’s a good idea to buy your mattress’s matching box spring (if it has one). Box springs are usually only used with spring mattresses and not memory foam mattresses.
A box spring is a supportive square that elevates your mattress. It assists your mattress in absorbing the weight of your body. This keeps your mattress and beds sturdy and supportive.
If you have a firmer mattress, then a box spring can make your mattress feel softer. If you cannot afford to buy your mattresses’ matching box spring, you can just buy one that doesn’t match.
If your mattress doesn’t need a box spring, then you should ensure that your bed frame is sufficient in supporting your weight and your mattress’s weight.
Larger beds should have central support bars. If you have a platform bed, then that also might need extra support.
You should ideally check your bed’s support once every year so that you can make sure there are no broken slats, springs, or support bars.
If you do not support your mattress, it can become uncomfortable and out of shape. This can impact the quality of your sleep and, over time, cause back and neck problems.
Use a Mattress Protector
Mattress protectors are a great investment into the health of your mattress. They are one of the best ways to ensure your mattress’s preservation.
They guard against spills and prevent dust, dirt, and grime from getting into your bed. Some of them can also be very comfortable and can make hard mattresses feel softer.
Mattress protectors help protect the materials inside your mattress from becoming damaged. They also prevent mold from building up inside your mattress.
Mattress protectors can also combat allergens in your bedroom. Mattresses are notorious for harboring allergens. If you have allergies, a dirty mattress can be very bad for you.
A mattress protector puts a barrier between your mattress and the allergens floating around in your bedroom. Every time that you wash your mattress protector, you eliminate any allergens and dust that have built up on your mattress.
Wash Your Bedsheets
When you get out of bed in the morning, you leave behind sweat, dirt, dead skin cells, and oil from your body. You should ideally wash your bedsheets once a week using a quality detergent.
If you do not clean your mattress, then this dirt can attract dust mites. Dust mites are tiny creatures that are almost imperceptible when viewed without a microscope. They feed on flakes of human skin and are found in most homes.
You should make sure that you clean your bed sheets, even if you use a mattress protector. The mattress protector should also be washed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
If you do not have time to clean your bed sheets once (or even twice) a week, then you might want to give hiring a maid some thought.
Maids, according to the specialist cleaning agency over at mastermaid.ca, allow you to sit back and relax while they do all of the work. If you’re busy with work and can’t find the time to clean your house top to bottom, then a maid’s your best option.
Clean Your Mattress
Mattresses are, for the most part, constructed from textiles. While these textiles offer breathability and comfort, they also collect dirt and dust.
Even if you have a mattress protector, you need to regularly vacuum and clean your mattress. You should give your mattress a deep clean at least twice a year. If you find any stains, you should remove them with an upholstery cleaner and a cloth.
On a side note, if you have pets, then you might want to give them their own beds instead of allowing them to sleep on yours. Pets that go outdoors collect dirt and shed it just like we do. They’re also known to have the occasional accident.
If you want your mattress to last for a long time, then you shouldn’t ever let your pets onto your bed. They can also carry fleas, which, if released into your bed, can be almost impossible to remove.
Rotating Your Mattress
You should rotate and turn your mattress at least once a month. Rotating and turning your mattress can help to promote even wear. If you do not rotate or turn your bed, your mattress can develop uneven depressions.
You should also flip your mattress every so often. Most mattress manufacturers claim that flipping and turning your mattress is unnecessary, but there are benefits to doing it anyway.
Move Your Mattress Carefully
When you move your mattress, it’s crucial that you wrap it in plastic and avoid bending it or folding it.
You can pick up a heavy-duty mattress bag that will keep dirt, water, and grime off of your mattress when you are moving it. These bags also prevent scratches and tears.
When you’re moving a mattress, you ideally want to keep it upright or on its side so that it does not bend while it’s being moved.
You should also avoid dragging your mattress when you are moving it. You can cause serious damage to your mattress if you drag it about when you’re moving it.
You should also avoid standing and jumping on your bed. Your mattress’s frame will wear away a lot quicker with rough use. Jumping and standing on your bed can lead to depressions and dips that make your bed very uncomfortable.
If you’re careful with your mattress, it can last you a decade or more. Mattresses can cost a small fortune, especially nowadays. To save yourself money, follow this guide’s suggestions and take good care of your bed.
