Your mattress is an investment for your comfort and health. You need to make it last! Depending on the type of mattress that you crawl onto every night, the rules of caring for it may have changed. Maximize your mattress with the following tips.
1 - Rotate It
While manufacturers used to recommend both flipping and rotating your mattress regularly to help it wear more evenly, newer beds have just one “right side up.” For a new set, avoid lumps and bumps by rotating it end to end every two weeks for the first four months, and then every three months after that. Don’t ignore the box spring! That should also be rotated (but not flipped) every six months.
2 - Sit in New Spots
Most of us do more than just lay down in our bed. Many people sit to put on shoes or get dressed. But sitting on the same spot over and over again may cause your mattress to lose its structure prematurely. Try to vary where you sit on the edge of your bed.
3 - Mattress ProtectorBefore putting on your fitted sheets, invest in a quality, waterproof, and washable mattress cover. This will add a layer of comfort as well as protect against stains.
4 - Clean It
You might not think of taking a vacuum to your mattress, but you should. Regularly giving it a clean sweep helps to keep dust from becoming ground into the mattress. For spills, dab at the spot with warm soapy water, but avoid getting it any more wet than you have to since moisture creates a breeding ground for mold. Then, let it dry completely before making the bed. You can also use baking soda for smells. Sprinkle your mattress with baking soda and wait 20 minutes. Then use a vacuum to suck up the baking soda.
5 - The Foundations
Your mattress is only as good as the foundation or the adjustable bed base that it’s placed on. Ideally it is a good-quality frame, foundation or bed base that you purchased at the same time as your mattress. Keep it up by checking the legs and castors every six months to see if they need to be tightened.
Also, don’t be afraid to trade it in when the time comes. Even with the best care, your mattress will eventually wear out, usually after eight to 10 years. It may show wear, like coils poking through or saggy edges. If you find that you’re waking up with an achy back or it’s simply not feeling as comfortable, it may be time to go shopping.
