A good mattress isn’t always inexpensive. But, because you’ll be sleeping on it for a third of your life, it’s not something you want to skimp on!
And, like with other items that involve a major financial commitment, taking proper care of your mattress is the best way to ensure you get the most out of it. To do so, you’ll need to avoid certain habits and actions that can hasten the demise of your mattress!
1. You Don’t Rotate It
Sleeping in the same position night after night will eventually create a permanent dip or divot in your mattress. But you can slow down this process considerably by rotating your mattress 180° every three months or so!
Bonus Tip: Some mattresses have a pillow-top or quilted cover that indicates which side you’re supposed to sleep on. But if your mattress looks and feels the same on both sides, you can also flip it over to extend its lifespan even more!
2. You Don’t Use A Mattress Cover
A lot of unsavory substances can end up in our mattresses, including dust mites, dead skin cells, sweat, and body oil. All of this organic matter can lead to musty smells and even bacterial growth—yuck!
The simplest way to keep your mattress clean is to encase it in a mattress protector. Modern mattress protectors effectively seal out moisture and insects and most only cost around $20 or less (which is a steal considering it could save you the cost of replacing your mattress!)
3. You Don’t Clean It
Cleaning your mattress regularly is vital if you want it to last as long as possible. Every three months or so, give it a good vacuuming to remove dead skin cells, dust mites, and freshen it up.
I recommend sprinkling a simple baking soda mixture over the surface first for added cleaning and moisture-absorbing power.
4. It’s A Part-Time Trampoline
As fun as jumping on the bed can be, it’s likely ruining your mattress! Box springs are not designed to withstand that kind of impact, which often results in broken springs and cracked supports.
5. You Keep Your Bedroom Blinds Closed
Dust mites and bacteria thrive in dark, musty environments, which is why they love mattresses that are always covered up and kept in low light. That’s why it’s important to open the blinds and windows regularly and allow your mattress to “breathe!”
Another good practice you can adopt is to wait an hour or two before making your bed in the morning. This allows warmth to dissipate and moisture to evaporate, which will help keep your mattress smelling fresh.
6. It Isn’t Properly Supported
Every mattress needs to be properly supported to maintain its integrity, but that support varies from mattress to mattress. While traditional mattresses require a box spring, denser foam mattresses are heavier and often require sturdy platform-style support.
You can find out what type of support your mattress needs by searching for your mattress make and model online, or checking out the tags attached to it. Give your mattress the support it needs so it can keep supporting you!
7. You Don’t Wash Your Bedding Enough
As I mentioned previously, body oil and dead skin cells can do a number on your mattress. And while your sheets and bedding aren’t much of a barrier, keeping them clean can help keep your mattress clean too!