How to Keep Your Mattress in Good Condition to Maintain A Decent Sleep Pattern

Ask any sleep expert what one of the number one things for getting a good night's sleep regularly is, and the answer will be that it has nearly everything to do with a good mattress. It makes perfect sense that a high quality mattress would promote good sleep, and when this is a piece of furniture that you spend a third of your life in, you must make sure you do everything you can to keep it in good condition! 

There are many different price options for mattresses, from low-cost, no-frills models to expensive luxury mattresses that claim to do all sorts of things. The trick is to buy the best one you can comfortably afford and then put in the extra effort to take care of it. A good mattress can last you the recommended eight to ten years when appropriately maintained.  

Here are our top 5 tips for mattress care

1. Maintain the Bed Frame 

Your mattress relies on your bed frame, so it needs to be in good condition. If the base is made from wooden slats, make sure that the frame's slats are all in the right place and working condition. If one or two are broken, out of place, or even completely missing, then it will have an impact on the shape of your mattress. 

If you have a divan, do not overload the drawers nor store too much or anything too heavy. There should also be a clear gap between anything you store on the floor under the frame.

If parts of the mattress don't support the rest of the mattress, they will start to change shape and become saggy underneath. Of course, if the mattress is saggy in places, then your body is going to become saggy in places, too, thanks to gravity! Make sure that your mattress lies on a nice even surface so that no one spot gets more undue stress than another. 

2. Turn Your Mattress regularly.

You would be amazed at how many people buy a mattress, put it on their bed and then never think about it again. The weight of your body on the mattress every single night is bound to make an impact, and to balance this out, all you need to do is flip the mattress over to the fresher side every two or three months. This will prevent any permanent divots from appearing in the mattress, meaning that your back will have better support for longer.

3. Rotate Your Mattress Regularly

With periodic flipping, you also need to rotate your mattress through 180° (i.e., swap the top and bottom. Most of your body weight will be focused on the middle portion of the mattress, and the 'foot end' is the end that remains the most unaffected. Rotating the mattress every two to three months evens out the amount of wear and impact on both ends.  

4. Consider Using a Mattress Topper

Something that has become increasingly popular is to use a mattress topper. This is a thinner layer of good quality bed surface secured on top of the mattress, and it can provide extra comfortable back support. Along with a superior sleeping surface, you are also doing your mattress a favor by taking some of the strain off it, helping it to last long, as well as getting a better night's sleep. See here for additional benefits of a mattress topper for your bed.

5. Clean it Regularly

You can use a mattress protector, but this does not mean you skip cleaning your mattress. With time dust, debris, and dander builds up and will attract dust mites – not suitable for anyone with allergies. A mattress should be vacuumed at least once a month.  

If you spill anything on the mattress, clean it according to the manufacturer's instructions. If there is no care label, use a mild detergent and be sure to dry it thoroughly before putting the linens back on. 

Make an Investment

It can be tempting to go for the cheapest mattress in the store when shopping for a new one. After all, they all look the same, right? That might be true, but the different types of mattresses can be strikingly different. Good advice is to always opt for the most expensive option in the range that your budget allows. Don't get yourself into financial trouble for a mattress, but at the same time, don't skimp for the sake of saving a few dollars. Your back will thank you in a few years!

Here are some other articles related to your search:

• Which is Better: A Firm Mattress or Soft Mattress?

• 5 Types of Mattress, Explained: Finding the Right Mattress for You

• How Your Mattress Is Killing You