Buying a new bed is a huge investment, as many good-quality beds are expensive. Therefore, you want your mattress to last as long as possible. The good news is that you can make your beds last long and ensure that they remain as good as new without hiring a professional. All you need to do is practice some simple mattress maintenance methods. Gharpedia has brought you a few mattress maintenance tips and mattress cleaning tips, following which you can increase the life of your mattress.
Here are Some Simple Things you can do for Your Mattress Maintenance
Protect it with Mattress Cover
The first step to mattress maintenance is to invest in and use a good-quality mattress cover. Use it from Day 1 to protect your bed from spills, dust, dirt, and debris. If there is a mishap and you do end up spilling some liquid on the bed, cleanup is easy. Additionally, a mattress protector will also prevent the buildup of allergens like mold and dust mites. So, don’t hesitate to invest in a good quality mattress cover.
Keep Pets Away from Your Bed
Give your pets their own bed instead of letting them sleep on your mattress. We have nothing against pets, but the fact that they go outdoors, shed fur and dead cells, and drool means that all of that will get in your bed. You may even have to worry about your pet accidentally doing its business in your bed unless you have an excellent mattress protector.
Rotate your Mattress Periodically
One of the best mattress maintenance tips is to rotate them periodically. Rotating a mattress ensures that the wear is more even, meaning that each side will get used equally. If you don’t rotate the bed, you will find depression and softening in some areas more than others. Rotation of the bed should be done, no matter what the material of the bed is and what the manufacturers say.
Ideally, you should rotate your bed 180 degrees from head to foot once every two to six months. Doing this in the first two years after buying the mattress is a crucial step in the breaking-in process.
Let your Mattress out in the Sun
Strip your mattress and take it out in the sunlight to air out at least once in a few months. Leave it out for several hours. Doing this prevents excess moisture from accumulating. Additionally, putting your mattress out in the sun can keep dust mites in check. A bed contains an average of 1.5 million house dust mites, according to a study conducted by ‘Kingston University, London,’ (Messy Bedroom Could Spell End for Creepy Crawlies). It added that dust mites cannot survive in dry and warm conditions.
If you are worried about bedbugs, leave the mattress cover on the bed.
Follow Cleaning Instructions on the Label for Mattress Care and Maintenance
Generally, all types of mattresses should be cleaned regularly to keep them in pristine condition. While mattress manufacturers include instructions for general cleaning and the removal of stains, most beds should be vacuumed to remove dust from the surface.
Spot treatment with a mild soap-water solution will get rid of stains. However, ensure that the mattress is completely dry before covering it up with sheets. Avoid using harsh chemical cleaners on foam mattresses, as they can have an adverse effect on the material’s integrity. Memory foam mattress maintenance is a delicate process, so pay attention to the label.
Mattresses can be vacuumed once every one to three months, depending on the levels of dust, allergies, or your personal preferences. Stains can be cleaned as and when necessary.
If you follow these mattress maintenance tips, you can surely avoid spending more money on a new mattress.
Don’t Eat in Bed if you are concerned about Mattress Care and Maintenance
You may think that eating a small snack in bed won’t hurt anyone. However, the fact is that tiny bits of crumbs can get into the folds and creases of your bed and attract ants and other bugs. If you do eat in bed, make sure to clean up after yourself. Change the sheets frequently (at least once every three days) to ensure that insects and other critters don’t end up in your bed.
Vacuum the Mattress at Regular Intervals
Vacuum the mattress at least twice a year to prevent sweat, dust, dust mites, and allergens from building up in your bed. Remove the sheets and linens before vacuuming your mattress. Use the upholstery attachment and take time to vacuum the seams properly, as this is where most of the buildup resides.
Time your mattress vacuuming according to your bed rotations so that you don’t forget.
Mattress Stain Removal should be done without any Delay
Don’t wait for the spill to dry up and stain your bed. An important part of mattress maintenance is the immediate spot-cleaning of stains. There are many mattress cleaning tips that can save you from having permanent stains on your mattress. You can use a mild soap and water solution or a salt and lemon juice mixture to attack the stains.
Avoid using lemon for mattress stain removal if it is of a dark colour. The bleaching properties of the lemon will damage the color.
You can also use a solution of liquid dish soap, water, baking soda, and a few drops of hydrogen peroxide to clean up the stain. It is one of the best mattress stain removers.
Deodorizing Mattress
Deodorizing is also an important part of mattress care and maintenance. Baking soda is well-known for its deodorizing properties and is easily available. If you are deodorizing your mattress for the first time, be prepared to empty a whole one-pound (approx. 450 gms) on it.
Place the bed near a window as the sunlight will increase the effectiveness of baking soda. Leave the baking soda on your mattress for 24 hours for the best results. So, plan this part of your mattress care and maintenance project when you are going for an overnight trip out of town or make alternate sleeping arrangements.
Check out our article to learn the best way to move your mattress.
Keep Bed Bugs out by using Mattress Protector
Bed bugs are small, flat, reddish-brown insects that feed on the blood of their hosts. They are most active at night and can easily hide in bed frames, mattresses, sheets, etc. Prevent bed bugs from invading your mattress by doing the following:
- Clean and organize your room so the bugs can’t hide anywhere.
- Use an encasement mattress protector so the bugs can’t get through to the bed.
- Exercise caution when buying second-hand furniture, as you don’t know what they are carrying with them.
Sync the Mattress with your Bed Frame
The size of your mattress should be chosen perfectly to fit your bed frame. This is very important for mattress maintenance because a size smaller will create discomfort for the users and a size bigger will eventually sag from the bedframe, creating a bend in your mattress. Moreover, placing mattresses on bedframes or any other platform will also have an advantage over bedbugs and dust from floors. Make the right choice in selecting the size of your mattress to reap the maximum benefits from it.
Warning! Avoid Jumping
Mattresses are designed to help you sleep and rest. Making a trampoline out of it is never a good idea. It will create breakage in the cushioning of the mattress and eventually cause discomfort while sleeping. Furthermore, jumping on a mattress may cause bedframe damage, necessitating mattress replacement. Hence, it is in best your interest to use the mattress for its designated purpose.
Warranty Terms and Conditions
Strictly follow the mentioned warranty terms and conditions for mattress maintenance tips. This will allow you to claim the said warranty in event of any repair. Otherwise, the claims will be denied, and you will have to bear the heavy charges. So, to obtain warranty claims, follow the instructions included in the mattress manual.
To conclude, mattress maintenance differs based on bed type and brand, but the basics remain the same: protect your bed from damage, ensure that it is properly supported, and rotate it every few months for even wear.
A 10-year guarantee on your mattress is regarded as the industry standard. This is regardless of whether you are looking at more conventional brick-and-mortar retailers or new bed-in-a-box mattress providers. Numerous elements affect how long a mattress will last. Adhering to these recommended practices will help you have years of restful sleep and get the most out of your investment.
Now that you are aware of various mattress maintenance tips, you must also have a look at our blog to know if you are taking proper care of your bedding.
Are you Taking Care of Your Bedding Properly?
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Author Bio
Andrea Noronha – Andrea Noronha is a content writer and editor with over 4 years of experience. Although she comes from a finance background, Andrea is passionate about blogging about interior design. Her other interests include travelling, baking, and digital marketing.