Previous Story
Your Nightly Recharge: Getting the Most Out of Your Mattress
Mattresses can be a huge investment, so it’s important that you keep them in good shape for as many years as possible. From a little care to keeping them clean, there are some simple ways you can keep your mattress in the best possible condition.
If you’ve just invested in a high-quality mattress (e.g. the Loom and Leaf) you’ll no doubt be expecting it to provide you with a good night’s sleep for many years to come. However, even though most mattresses have been designed to last at least five years, maybe even ten years, the maintenance and upkeep of said mattress can affect how long it lasts for.
Achieving a comfortable and healthy night’s sleep on your mattress doesn’t take much doing. And here are some simple ways you can improve the longevity of your mattress:
Support Your Mattress Correctly
If you’ve purchased a mattress on its own, you won’t have bought the matching foundation or box spring that’s recommended. This is OK so long as you are providing your mattress with the right amount of support. This will help to prevent it from wearing and will preserve it for longer, so always check with the manufacturer what they recommend. For example, a memory foam mattress is normally recommended alongside a firm support whilst a spring mattress will normally be used with a box spring base.
Always Use a Mattress Protector
Using a mattress protector is one of the best ways of making sure your mattress lasts a long time. When you purchase a high-quality protector, you’ll find that this will protect your mattress from any spills (if it’s waterproof) and will keep dirt, debris and dust away from your mattress. They’ll also prevent sweat and skin oils from penetrating your mattress and will reduce the amount of dust mites and mold that can build up and cause allergies. They’re also much easier to clean than your mattress!
Regularly Wash Your Bed Linen
As unpleasant as it sounds, you’re naturally going to shed skin cells, hair, oils and sweat when you sleep. Equally, if you’re eating in bed or you’re encouraging pets to sleep in there with you, you can soon build up a breeding ground for bacteria. In order to keep these at bay, you should try to wash your bed linen every one to two weeks, even when you’re using a mattress protector. This should also be washed frequently (check with the manufacturer’s recommendations).
Frequently Rotate Your Mattress
The majority of mattresses will benefit from regular rotation, regardless of how big they are or what material they’re made from. Some manufacturers may say it’s not necessary but it will help to make sure your mattress wears evenly. If you don’t rotate it, you may find it softening or becoming depressed in certain areas. Therefore, you should try to rotate your mattress 180 degrees every two to six months, especially during the first few years that you’re using it.
Give Your Mattress Some Light
Our mattresses might not see the light of day year after year, covered up in mattress protectors, sheets and duvets. However, if you can strip your mattress when the sun’s shining, this will let it air, preventing excess moisture from building up to due to humidity or sweaty sleepers.
Clean Your Mattress According to Manufacturer Instructions
To keep your mattress clean and healthy, it should be cleaned on a regular basis. A lot of manufacturers will offer you advice about how you should keep the mattress clean and how to remove stains, and most mattresses should be vacuumed regularly to get rid of any dust that’s accumulated on the surface.
In general, most stains can be treated using a soap and mild water solution – when you do this, make sure the bed is fully dry before you put the sheets back on. You should always avoid using any harsh chemicals when cleaning a foam mattress as this can break down the construction of the foam.
Depending on your own personal preference, your allergies and the amount of dust in your home, it’s recommended to vacuum your bed around every 1 to 3 months.
Whilst all mattresses can differ slightly and manufacturers may have different recommendations, the longevity of your mattress can be increased with a little care and maintenance. Keeping the bed clean, protecting it from damage and accidents and making sure it’s supported and rotated correctly, will all help to make sure your mattress is an investment that lasts for many years to come.
