The average mattress lifespan is about eight years. And a good-quality bed will cost you — so you want yours to last for at least those eight years.
You can ensure that your mattress endures for a minimum of eight years with the proper care. But how does one perform mattress care aside from sliding fresh sheets on from time to time?
Here are seven ways to preserve and even extend the lifespan of your mattress.
1. Clean Your Bedding Regularly
When’s the last time you washed your sheets?
If you can’t remember, you have let too much time pass between cleanings — and that’s a mistake, if you’re looking for a mattress lifespan increase.
As it turns out, your body is continually creating oil that makes its way to the skin’s surface. While you sleep, this oil can get onto your sheets. Once it’s through there, it can touch the mattress — contact that can be detrimental to the bed’s fibers.
So, keep oils away from the mattress by washing your sheets. Experts suggest doing so at least once a week.
If that seems like a chore, keep in mind how nice it is to hop into a bed with fresh sheets. You can get used to that feeling!
2. Invest in a Mattress Protector
On that note, you can keep oils, dirt and other damaging residues away from your mattress with a cover.
It’s simple enough to slip one onto your bed, regardless of size. A king size mattress protector — or a cover of any size, for that matter — will create a barrier against spills, oils and dust. Plus, it will prevent an abrasion that your body could cause against the fabric of the mattress.
You can choose from a variety of mattress protector materials, too. You’ll find bamboo, cotton, latex and polyester options, for example. Any choice will do the job of keeping your mattress in the most pristine possible condition.
3. Rotate Your Mattress
Chances are, you’ve stayed at a relative’s house and plopped down on a seemingly ancient guestroom mattress. Perhaps your body rolled into a divot, one left behind by someone who slept on that side of the bed for decades.
If you don’t rotate your mattress, your bed could suffer this same fate. Sleeping on the same side every night will compromise the fibers beneath you. They can bounce back, so long as you give them the chance by rotating your mattress.
So, every three months, turn your mattress. You can rotate it clockwise or flip it over. Either way, the fibers will have a chance to restore their strength before it’s time to spin the bed around again.
4. Vacuum and Deodorize It
It’s not just body oils that can damage your mattress — dead skin cells can filter down onto the bed, too. A simple mattress cleaning tip is to vacuum it every so often to remove this debris.
Bolster your vacuuming sessions by using baking soda to deodorize the bed. Even if your mattress doesn’t smell, do this about every three months to maintain its fresh scent. After all, a build-up of sweat and body oils can create an unsavory fragrance over time.
To deodorize your mattress, sprinkle it with baking soda and let it sit for a half-hour. Then, vacuum away the powder, as well as any dust and dead skin cells. Voila: now you have a fresh mattress on which to sleep.
5. Invest in a Strong Frame
Your bed frame plays a pivotal role in the lifespan of your mattress. Think about it: without proper support beneath your bed, what will happen when your body weight is on top of it? It will start to bow or sag.
So, make sure that you have a brawny bed frame that provides ample support to your mattress. So long as it’s laying flat, you’re taking another step to preserve the lifespan of your mattress.
6. Keep an Eye Out for Bed Bugs
Bed bugs can show up anywhere — and, when they do, they can spell trouble for your mattress. You might even have to throw your bed away if you can’t eradicate the pests.
So, check for the signs of bed bugs regularly. For example, you might notice small blood spots on your sheets. You can also peel back the box spring to see if they’ve moved inside, or inspect the corners of your mattress and its pad to look for them.
In any case, spotting bed bugs early is key in keeping them from spreading and destroying your mattress. Clean your sheets and blankets on a high temperature if you spot anything suspicious. Hot water — 120 degrees Fahrenheit or higher — will kill the pests and their eggs.
7. Protect It From Pets, Too
Almost half of all dogs sleep in bed with their owners. We’re sure feline friends snuggle up to their people at night, too.
Having your pets snooze on your mattress is a comfort, but it can also come at the expense of your mattress. Your pets can easily damage your mattress, though — they’ll add to the dirt and debris that you have to vacuum away.
Plus, pet slobber and even accidents in the bed can soak into your mattress. Once it’s there, it’s hard to get liquid out of your mattress. And the dankness makes the perfect breeding ground for mold and bacteria.
So, if your pet has to rest beside you, take extra precautions to protect your mattress. Choose a waterproof mattress cover to keep dampness at bay. You might want to add an extra blanket to where your pet sleeps for added mattress protection.
Extend Your Mattress Lifespan
These seven tips are some of the most effective methods for extending your mattress lifespan. So, start protecting your investment today and get a good night’s sleep for years to come.
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