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Your mattress is an important purchase. Most people spend about a third of their lives sleeping, and that is why you want to be as comfortable as possible. Furthermore, once you find your perfect double mattress size, you want to know that your investment will last so that you can use your dream bed for years to come.
The good news is that there are things you can do to keep your mattress in tip-top shape, allowing you to get more use out of it. Below are six tips for prolonging the life of your bed so it can function well and keep you healthy and happy during its lifetime.
When should I get a new mattress?
One way to tell if it’s time to purchase a new mattress is if your current bed is sagging in the middle. If it is, this means it can no longer give you the support you need, particularly if you are vulnerable to back pain.
Even if your current mattress isn’t noticeably sagging, you may begin to feel like it’s just not as comfortable as it used to be. If you don’t feel comfortable, this could affect your ability to get a good night’s rest. In this case, you should consider investing in a new bed.
Tips for Extending Your Bed’s Lifespan
1. Use a Mattress Protector
Invest in a good waterproof mattress protector to safeguard your bed from spills and stains. A protector can help preserve the life of your mattress, especially if you have young children or pets around. A protective layer between your sheets the surface of your bed can help reduce damage resulting from stains or other issues.
2. Rotate Your Mattress Every Six Months
To prolong the life of your mattress, rotate the item every six months, so you are sleeping on all sides of the bed equally. Turning the bed helps ensure it will last longer because you aren’t putting any substantial pressure on one area more than another.
3. Keep Pets Off the Bed
Pets love human beds, but things like their claws, fur, and saliva can damage the surface of your mattress over time. If your dog or cat needs somewhere comfy to rest, invest in a pet bed or some durable blankets for them to lie on in the room with you instead.
4. Wash Your Sheets at Least Once a Week
You should wash your sheets once a week to help eliminate germs, dead skin, dirt, and other particles. Even over the course of a week, these elements can quickly build up, which could be harmful to your health, especially if you have allergies. So to stay healthy and keep your mattress fresh, plan to wash your sheets weekly.
5. Purchase an Extra Set of Sheets
If you’re not keen on washing your sheets every week or have an extra-busy schedule, purchasing a second or third pair can help reduce the number of washes you have to do. After a week has passed, put the used set in the laundry basket and replace it with a fresh set.
6. Clean Your Mattress
Another critical step in prolonging the life of your mattress is to make sure you keep it clean.
After removing sheets, use your vacuum and the upholstery attachment to go over the surface to remove any debris that may have gathered. Then, take a cleaner and spot clean any stains you find.
Once the bed is fully dry, you can go ahead and put your sheets and other bedding back on the mattress. However, do not put on your sheets too early since excess moisture could cause the emergence of mold and mildew.
For odor issues, baking soda is a great household solution that should help keep your mattress smelling fresh. First, generously sprinkle baking soda over the mattress surface. Let it sit for a few hours – the longer, the better – and then vacuum up the baking soda using the upholstery attachment.
When it comes to cleaning, be sure to check with the manufacturer before using any products on the bed. For example, the manufacturer may advise against using certain cleaners that could cause the mattress to deteriorate.
Ideally, you should plan to clean your mattress once every six months, but you can choose to wash it as often as you’d prefer. Spills or accidents should be addressed immediately, though.
Cleaning may take some effort, but keeping the bed fresh can help prevent dust mites and other particles from damaging the mattress’ condition.
Conclusion
By taking a few precautions and doing some work to extend the life of your mattress, you can enjoy a good night’s sleep for years to come. Use a mattress protector, rotate the bed, keep pets away, wash or change your sheets weekly, and clean the mattress at least twice a year. With these steps in place, you will be able to keep your sleep space clean and comfortable so that you can wake up well-rested each morning.
