Purchasing a good mattress can be a daunting task, and the issue of maintaining it in good shape can also be a challenge. Many people are concerned about getting the best mattress but somehow lack knowledge about how to properly care for the mattress and thereby extending its life.
And if you read the fine print of the lifetime warranties that come with some new mattresses, you will read that soiling your mattress is not covered. There are many benefits you can get from extending the life of your current mattress like saving money.
On the other hand, the process of disposing of a mattress can be detrimental to the environment. Cushions can take a significant amount of space for landfill since they do not compact well. The method of burning unwanted mattresses is equally bad since it contributes to carbon footprint which affects the environment.
Though environmentally friendly mattresses are now available in the market, it is useful for people to extend the life of their current mattress. The environment-friendly living will go a long way in reducing carbon footprint. As such, the following six tips can help you extend the life of your mattress.
1. Use Waterproof/Resistant Mattress Pad
A mattress pad is a good solution that can significantly extend the life of your bed. The pad plays a pivotal role in protecting the mattress against body fluids and oils. The same component can also prevent dirt from penetrating the fibers of the bed into the comfort layer.
A water-resistant or waterproof mattress pad protects the mattress especially with young children that are potty training or with seniors having bladder control issues. High humidity in the room may affect the quality of the bed. The fabric is affected by high moisture content from urine and can cause permanent stains and odors. The other issue is that moisture may weaken the firmness of the foam mattress.
A mattress pad is advantageous in that it is easy to clean. You can throw the pad in a washing machine and cover the mattress again. The cover helps to maintain the original color of the mattress and allowing a longer life for the mattress.
2. Vacuum The Mattress
Over time, the mattresses accumulate things like dirt and dead skin cells, and these can affect its quality. Other elements like debris are not right since they can weaken the bed in the long run. Therefore, at least a monthly vacuuming can help prevent these unwanted elements from finding their way through the surface of the cushion.
You should get a vacuum with a flexible hose to clean the surface of the mattress. Vacuuming also helps to absorb moisture. If you want to get extra cleaning power, you can use baking soda. You sprinkle it over the surface of the mattress then thoroughly vacuum it, and it is useful since it can absorb odors. When strong odors are persistent on the bed, you may be forced to discard it even if it still has some life.
Source: Business Insider
3. Rotate the Mattress Regularly
Rotating the mattress regularly is a good strategy that can help to extend its life. Continuous use of the mattress on the same side can cause uneven wear. Therefore, after a few months, you should flip the bed such that the top side goes to the bottom. However, some mattresses are single sided, and this may not be necessary if that is the case.
After every three months, you should rotate the mattress 180 degrees, especially during the first two years. Later you can schedule the rotation to six months. When you turn the mattress, the back part becomes the front part. The advantage of rotation is that it helps to prevent the exertion of excessive pressure on the same position. If you sleep too long on the same location on the mattress, this can lead to the formation of depression on that part of the bed.
4. Avoid Eating In Bed
Some people feel that the idea of having breakfast in bed is lovely but it can negatively affect is quality in the long run. Crumbs can contribute to the formation of bacteria which can lead to molds on the mattress. When the bed consists of images, it becomes an eyesore such that you may be forced to dispose of it well before its lifespan.
Crumbs in bed can also attract bugs which can damage the mattress. A bed with bugs may not be enjoyable to sleep so you may not last an extended period with it. Drinks are also not good since they can permanently stain the bed. When the mattress is no longer attractive, you cannot keep it for a long time. Therefore, it is better to eat somewhere so that you can extend the life of your bed.
5. Wash Your Bedding Regularly
It is vital to wash your bedding regularly to keep the mattress in good condition. Washing dirty sheets at least every two weeks is recommendable to avoid body fluids and sweat soaking into the bed. Washing bed linen also helps to prevent some odors from penetrating the mattress which can force you to dispose of it earlier.
The other aspect is that cleaner sheets will help keep the mattress clean over a long period. As long as the bedding is still attractive, then there will be no reason for discarding it. If you want to extend the life of your mattress, make sure that you keep it clean.
6. Keep Pets Away From Bed
You may love your pet so much but try to make sure that it has a place to sleep not in your bed. Pets bring bacteria into the bed, and they also leave dander and hair that stick to the surface of the mattress. Pets also bring debris and outdoor dirt that may stick to the mattress.
It may be difficult to clean the mattress, so the only way you can extend its life is to get a pet bed somewhere. When the bed is dirty, it does not appeal to your interests anymore so you may dispose of it.
If you look after your mattress well, it can continue to serve its purpose beyond its standard eight-year lifespan. It is best that you reserve your bed for sleeping and enjoying sex and nothing else. These steps are simple to follow, but they will undoubtedly give you positive results.
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