Getting a great night’s sleep requires a lot of work. You have to eat right, exercise regularly and get plenty of rest.
And that sleep starts with a healthy mattress. While each brand and type of mattress has its own specific tips, the basics are pretty much the same: keep it clean, protect it from damage and stains, and rotate it for even wear.
Keep it Clean
Every night you spend six to eight hours sleeping on your mattress—and that’s a lot of time for dust, sweat, and dead skin cells to accumulate. This build-up creates yellowish stains and can lead to musty smells, so it’s important to give your mattress a regular spruce up.
One of the simplest ways to keep your mattress clean is by making sure you’re changing the sheets often. Washing the sheets regularly will prevent dead skin from building up on your bed and discourages bugs like dust mites, which love warm, moist environments. When it comes to washing your sheets, experts recommend using the hot water setting and drying them thoroughly. You should also check the label on your pillows; many are machine-washable, and those should be washed on a weekly basis as well.
Another simple way to keep your mattress clean is to spot treat stains right away. For example, if you wake up to a bloodstain or stain from an allergic reaction, mix a solution of 50/50 water and white vinegar in a spray bottle and apply to the mark immediately. Then, blot with a cloth until the mark is gone. Next, sprinkle the spot with baking soda and allow to sit for an hour before vacuuming it up and remaking your mattress.
It’s a good idea to deep clean your mattress at least once every six months (and do the same for your pillows). To deep clean your mattress, strip the bed and wash the sheets, mattress pad, and blankets in hot water. Then, vacuum the entire surface of your mattress with the upholstery attachment to suck up dust, dirt, and other debris. Pay special attention to creases and seams, as they tend to trap more dust and debris than the rest of the mattress.
Keep it Dry
You may already be in the habit of changing your sheets once a week and washing them regularly, but it’s also important to wash your mattress from time to time. Mattresses trap a lot of dirt and dust, especially if you don’t wash your bedding regularly. That dirt can be transferred to your skin during sleep and leave you feeling achy, as well as triggering allergies.
If you share your bed with pets, it’s even more important to clean your mattress. Pets shed hair and drool, so they can leave deposits on your mattress that will contribute to buildup and odors. They also walk around outside, where they collect dust and pollen, which can wind up in your mattress.
It’s also a good idea to vacuum your mattress at least once a month. A good vacuum with an upholstery attachment can help remove trapped dirt, dust and other particles. When doing this, be sure to pay attention to creases and seams where dirt can collect.
Ideally, you should rotate or flip your mattress every two to six months as this will help distribute the wear and tear of your mattress evenly across its surface. It can also help keep you more comfortable because the pressure of your body on one side of the bed will be balanced out by the opposite side.
It’s also important to avoid jumping on your mattress, which can cause it to get dents and rips. Rough wear can not only damage your mattress, but it can also wear down the foundation and box spring of your bed, which can negatively impact the quality of your sleep. In addition, jumping can compress the padding and foam in your mattress, making it less comfortable.
Keep it Rotated
Your mattress will inevitably show some wear and tear over time. If you sleep in the same spot every night, a rut or a ding may form that will shorten the life of your mattress. To avoid this, it is a good idea to rotate and flip your mattress periodically.
Regular mattress rotation will ensure that all areas of your mattress are getting used equally. This will prevent your mattress from developing a lumpy, sagging appearance over time. A sagging mattress is not only unattractive, but it can also lead to back problems and posture issues.
Flipping and rotating your mattress can also help to extend the life of the foam. This is because most memory foam mattresses are double-sided, meaning that they can be flipped and rotated in the same way as traditional innerspring and hybrid mattresses.
When you’re ready to rotate your mattress, make sure it is stripped of all sheets and bedding, and that it is on a solid foundation, such as wooden slats. You can easily do this by propping it up on the head or footboard of your bed, and then reversing it so that what was once the head is now the foot, and vice versa.
It’s a good idea to set a reminder on your phone or a calendar to remind you to flip and rotate your mattress on a regular basis. This will prevent your mattress from becoming lumpy or sagging over time, and it will help you to get the best sleep possible.
Not all mattresses can be flipped and rotated, however, including some hybrid and memory foam models that have specific zoned support aimed at different parts of the body. If you’re unsure whether your mattress can be flipped and rotated, be sure to check with the retailer or manufacturer.
Keep it Free from Allergens
As a place where you sleep for much of the day, your mattress is prone to dirt, dust, and allergens. If these contaminate your bed, they can cause allergic reactions such as watery eyes, runny nose, sneezing, itching, and coughing. These symptoms can lead to poor sleep, so it’s important to clean your mattress regularly. Check out oodie reviews to learn more.
Sheets, blankets, and pillowcases naturally accumulate sweat, body oils, and dander, all of which can seep into your mattress if they’re not washed regularly. It’s also a good idea to change your sheets at least once a week to keep them hygienic and prevent allergen build-up in your mattress.
Keeping your mattress free from these contaminants can improve your sleep and extend its life. Having to replace your mattress prematurely can be expensive, so doing your part to clean your mattress can help you get the most out of it for as long as possible.
One of the best tricks for extending the lifespan of your mattress is to use a hypoallergenic mattress protector like Heveya’s organic cotton mattress protector. This is washable and provides a physical barrier that resists moisture, mold, mildew, dust mites, pet dander, and bacteria.
You can deodorize your mattress by generously sprinkling baking soda over it, leaving it to sit for an hour or so. You can even add a few drops of essential oil to the baking soda before spreading it over your mattress for a fresh, natural scent. After an hour or so, vacuum up the baking soda with your upholstery attachment to remove the odors and leave your mattress smelling fresh.
Keep it Supported
Your mattress is designed to last a long time, but how well it holds up to wear and tear can be heavily dependent on the care and maintenance you give it. Investing a little time in basic mattress health can save you money and a lot of discomfort.
Even the best mattress in the world needs a good support system. You don’t always need to buy the matching box spring or foundation advertised with your mattress, but a proper base allows for natural ventilation and preserves the integrity of materials, preventing early sagging.
You can also help your mattress last longer by regularly rotating it and flipping it, no matter the type of material. This keeps pressure evenly distributed and prevents one area from wearing out faster than another.
If you want to go the cost-friendly route, Shariff suggests purchasing a set of self-adhesive Velcro strips at a craft or hobby store. Stick them to the corners of your mattress and then the underside of your mattress topper. Press them together firmly and you have a simple yet effective way to secure your mattress topper without damaging it.
If you’re still concerned about sagging or uneven sleep surfaces, consider upgrading your mattress to premium memory foam, handcrafted in the U.S. with eco-friendly materials and a comfortable cooling spinal gel layer to ensure a healthy night’s rest. Your mattress can also benefit from a good-quality non-slip foundation and a breathable mattress cover to reduce moisture build-up that causes premature sagging and dampness. With a little TLC, your mattress can last for seven to 10 years or more. It’s a big investment, so don’t take it for granted!