5 Ways to Make Your Mattress Last Longer
By Brian Acton
When it comes to getting a good night’s rest, it pays to invest in a quality mattress that will last for years to come. Many factors can affect the lifespan of a mattress, including materials, manufacturing quality, and how you treat it. The more attention you pay to mattress care and maintenance, the longer it will last.
If you want to extend the lifetime of your mattress, you need to take good care of it. Here are five ways to make your mattress last longer.
1. Provide Proper Support
Many mattresses can benefit from the full support of a box spring between the mattress and the bedframe, especially if your bedframe uses slats. Box springs can help increase the comfort of your mattress, absorb shock from movement on top of the mattress, and absorb the pressure of bodyweight.
Platform beds remove the need for a box spring, and are often suitable for memory foam mattresses. They provide a flat, supportive surface for your mattress, instead of slats. Whichever you choose, you should make sure your mattress gets proper support.
It’s a good idea to periodically check your bedframe and box spring for broken slats or busted springs.
2. Use a Mattress Topper
Mattress toppers sit between your mattress and sheets, providing extra support and comfort. They also guard your mattress against spills, stains, and other materials like dead skin cells and pet dander. They protect the materials inside your mattress and reduce the buildup of allergens and oils.
Many mattress toppers can be washed in the laundry along with the rest of your bedding.
3. Rotate Your Mattress
Over time, the areas of your mattress that carry the most weight will wear down and sag. Regularly rotating and flipping your mattress will help distribute normal wear and tear evenly, and keep certain areas from wearing out prematurely.
Some mattresses benefit from rotation, while other models may benefit from flipping. Check with the manufacturer to see which is right for your model. It’s a good rule of thumb to do this every three to six months.
4. Clean Your Mattress
Your mattress and bedding collects dead skin cells, pet dander, oils, dust mites and sweat. Not only is this gross, it can contribute to acne or allergies. You need to regularly wash your bedding and clean your mattress to keep it fresh and hygienic. This may include vacuuming, stain removal, and cleaning your sheets and pillowcases.
First, you should follow the manufacturer’s recommendations for cleaning. If you need some tips, check out our article on cleaning your bed.
5. Don’t Jump On the Bed
Jumping up and down on your bed puts pressure on your mattress that it wasn’t built to withstand. Over time, this can wear out or damage your mattress. Avoid jumping up and down on your bed - and don’t let any little ones in your household treat your mattress like a trampoline.
Sources
https://www.overstock.com/guides/faqs-about-platform-beds
https://www.sleepadvisor.org/do-you-need-a-box-spring/
https://www.sleepadvisor.org/how-often-should-you-flip-your-mattress/
