How often do you take a moment to care for your mattress? The mattress is one of the most important investments you can ever have. The average person spends at least 1/3 of his life sleeping. That is why you should not only invest in a comfortable bed but also ensure it remains in the best condition possible. Many people, however, forget about their mattress as soon as they have had it set up in their bedroom. That is not the way to do it.
Like your refrigerator, washing machine, laptop, or television, the mattress needs some tender loving as well. Although you might not know this already, mattress care is relatively easy and straightforward. Outlined below are some of the things you should do and should not do in primary mattress care.
DO: Invest In A Mattress Cover
Although a vacuum cleaner may come in handy when dusting your mattress, a mattress cover provides additional protection to it. For starters, the mattress cover protects the mattress from wear and tear while providing you with some extra warmth and comfort. Leaving the bed unprotected also leaves you exposed to all types of allergens ranging from dust, dead skin cells, pollen. For this reason, you want to invest in a waterproof mattress cover or topper for optimal protection. The waterproof topper repels everything from dust and pollen but water and stains as well. All you have to do is wipe it clean using a damp cloth, and it is as good as new.
Choosing the right mattress topper does not have to be intimidating either. Opt for a mattress cover that feels comfortable and soft to the skin and a durable one, for that matter. Comfort should, however, come first before everything else. Be sure to choose a topper that can be removed easily (without needed an extra pair of hands) and washable as well. Most mattress toppers in the market are machine-washable, too, hence no need to worry about how you will keep it clean. You can also choose to invest in two or three of these for easy cycling, especially when air-drying them. With a good mattress cover, you can rest assured of a clean mattress, free of all those nasty allergens you might be allergic to.
DO NOT: Jump On It
Never allow anyone, including your kids, to jump on your mattress. Let them understand the mattress is only designed to be slept on, nothing more. Should they feel like jumping up and down, then the trampoline is best suited for that kind of exercise. Allowing them to jump up and down on their mattresses (you included) will only weaken even the most comfortable and supportive beds, causing you to wake up with an aching back or neck.
While most mattresses are prone to last around nine years, abusing yours will significantly reduce its lifestyle. Considering how much a new mattress costs, you are better off not abusing it but only using it for its intended purpose. The other risk of jumping on a bed is not just a sagging mattress but a broken bed frame — this can be quite costly and dangerous.
DO: Clean It Using An Upholstery Cleaner
A bottle of upholstery cleaner is your best friend when looking to remove stains and spots on your mattress. You can also use the cleaner on the couch, dinner table chairs, and other pieces of furniture in your bedroom as well. Depending on how dirty/stained your mattress is, the cleaning process may take a few minutes of your time. The best way to do this is to set aside a day (say weekend) to clean the mattress. Be sure to gather all the essentials needed for the cleaning exercise a day before to be safe. Start by vacuuming the bed, then work on any stains and dirt stuck on the fibers until clean. The best thing with mattresses is that you only need to clean them at least once every six months.
Use a damp cloth and the upholstery cleaner on a soiled or stained mattress. You could also use your preferred cleaning solution (green cleaning solutions), especially if allergic to conventional cleaners. Vinegar and baking soda also come in handy in removing stains and foul odor from your mattresses. You, however, need to be gentle with the scrubbing, and doing it rigorously may damage the fabric.
DO NOT EVER: Eat While In Bed
We all love our breakfast in bed. As refreshing as the feeling is, bringing food and drink to the bedroom, especially on your bed, comes with many disadvantages. For starters, the risk of soiling and staining your beddings and mattress is very high. In addition to this, food crumbs will start collecting on and around the bed. That will attract all kinds of insects and pests. Bread crumbs, for example, are a magnet for ants, roaches, and even bedbugs. You do not want to imagine what happens if you spill a liquid, say wine, coffee, or tea, on your mattress. Mattresses take considerably longer to dry, with the risk of the stain remaining visible too high as well. For this reason, make an effort not to have food and drink on your bed.
DO: Flip And Rotate It Once In A While
Mattress and sleep experts recommend flipping and rotating your mattress at least once every month. Doing so reduces the rate at which the mattress sags on one side, especially if you are a side-sleeper. Flipping your mattress every once in a while also helps reduce the accumulation of dust and icky sweat on just one side or area.
If you, however, have been rotating and flipping your mattress but can seem to find a comfortable side to sleep on, or it does not support your weight like it used to, chances are it is already worn out. Sagging is the first sign of an aged mattress, and ideally, you should replace it as soon as possible — start planning, or saving up for a new one. You do not want to wake up with an aching body or back simply because your mattress is old. Start online shopping for a new mattress and be on the lookout for irresistible deals, coupons, discounts from your favorite brand and supplier. And we will help you with that.
Disclosure: This post is brought to you by the Allrightsleep team. Our mission is to help you find your best mattress. For more great articles, buying guides and latest mattress picks visit Allrightsleep’s homepage.
