Mattress Care 101 Everything You Need To Know
Buying a high-quality mattress is one of the best investments you can make. And like all investments, you want to make sure that you're taking proper care of it. By keeping your mattress properly maintained, you'll be protecting your investment as well as promoting better sleep.
Read Your Warranty
Carefully read your mattress's warranty so you have an understanding of what is covered and what the limits are. They'll usually include specific cleaning instructions which you'll have to follow for your warranty to be honored.
Cover It Up
Mattress covers act as a barrier against moisture, dust, and dirt. There are also specific covers that help those who have allergies to dust or dust mites. There is a variety of different mattress covers, some which go on top of the mattress and others that fully encase it. Whichever ones you choose, it is always a good idea to have some sort of cover as normal use can introduce oils and perspiration, which can break down the foams of your mattress, leading to premature sagging.
Clean Up Spills
The easiest way to clean up minor spills and stains is to use damp cloth and warm water. Try mixing a few drops of mild dish soap and then rubbing with the damp cloth (or a brush if you have one).
For tougher stains like blood and urine, mix a cloth dampened with a mixture of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide to scrub the stain. However, note that the hydrogen peroxide may change the color of your mattress so test a small area first.
Flip and Spin
Flipping or rotating your mattress once every six months help offset the normal settling that happens when you sleep. This ensures you can have an even sleeping surface through the lifetime of your mattress.
(Note that newer mattresses are designed "bottom-up" so they cannot be flipped).
However, when your mattress starts getting really old, no amount of flipping or rotating is going to help.
Buy A Mattress Protector
A mattress protector is a thin, waterproof cover that goes on top of your mattress. These usually don't add any padding but acts as a great barrier to protect your mattress from potentially smelly stains.
Be Careful When Moving Your Mattress
Some foam mattresses are designed so that some bending is totally okay. However, you should be much more cautious if you own a spring coil mattress. Use extra caution when moving your mattress around, especially if you're moving. Avoid cramming it into your car and ensure you have some sort of protection, either wrapping it up in blankets or keeping it in a mattress bag.
