Most of us know how to remove stains from a mattress far better than we know where to buy a new one. This is because mattresses have a long life expectancy and are proof of “out of sight, out of mind.” As long as they last, though, there are still ways to prolong its life. Here are a few suggestions.
Use a Mattress Cover
The best way to picture a mattress cover is to think of a sheet beneath your sheets. Mattress covers help prevent staining of the actual mattress, dirt from invading the fibers of the mattress and other damage that can occur from moving, flipping or shifting a mattress. Mattress covers also help keep the form of the mattress, which can shift over time. They also serve as a barrier against spills, reducing the need for mattress stain removal.
Clean Bedding Regularly
You should clean your bedding once a week if at all possible. This is because mattresses collect skin cells, body oils, mites, dirt and grime as part of everyday use. Body oil, for example, can stain sheets and seep down to a mattress and is very destructive to mattress fibers. Washing once a week or at least changing out your bedding for clean sheets is also a major step in how to disinfect a mattress when it has been exposed to someone who is sick.
Employ a Pad
A mattress pad is a buffer between those in bed and the mattress. With a pad, keeping a mattress clean becomes much easier. You do not even have to learn how to deep clean a mattress with a mattress pad, as it stops almost all leaks, spills, body oil permeation or other stains caused by liquids. A good way of looking at a mattress pad is as an “insurance policy” against stains and other exposure that can lessen the life of your mattress.
Rotate Regularly
With the same people sleeping in the same place and usually the same position, rotating a mattress is an easy way to extend the life of it. Mattresses can become imprinted with the forms of the people using them, and depending on the type of form, the mattress can experience damage or degradation over the long term. Body weight over time is very destructive to the internal structures of the mattress as well. If those structures become permanently deformed, the lifespan of your mattress will be greatly reduced.
Restrict Pet Access
People have oils and liquids that can stain and even ruin a mattress over time. Pets are the same way, but they have fewer inhibitions than humans regarding those secretions and deposits. A cat throwing up a hairball does not discriminate where they throw up. It can be murder on a mattress, especially if you sleep with pets regularly or they are used to sleeping on your bed. Restricting their access to your mattress is a sure way of avoiding actions that can reduce the lifespan of a mattress dramatically.
Your mattress is one of the most used items in your home and over time, that can take a toll. When we think of preserving a mattresses life, most of us think about how to remove stains from a mattress or keep it fresh. We do not think about protecting it in the first place. Make sure you adhere to these tips with your current mattress or the next time you buy a new one! Contact Clean Sleep Austin today to learn more!