A new mattress and boxspring set are not just necessary household purchases, they are investments in the health and wellness of you and your family. Waking up feeling refreshed and able to take on the day following a good night’s sleep is a wonderful feeling! Over the years though, your mattress can seem to lose its bounce and begin to sag, or it begins to smell musty or you notice stains. All of these afflictions can have a negative impact on the quality of your sleep. Fortunately, there are easy ways to maintain the newness of your mattress, resulting in years of comfortable, healthy sleep, night after night.
To help maintain the original integrity of your mattress and maximize your comfort, a mattress pad is a worthwhile investment. They are simple to take on and off, and usually machine washable. They are available in a wide range of comfy options such as waterproof breathable plastic, feather-soft down (real and synthetic), memory foam, and a combination of the aforementioned. If you have small children, a waterproof mattress pad will prevent any stains from seeping through and settling into the mattress below. Whatever size mattress you have, there is a comfortable and functional mattress pad to fit over it.
Regular cleaning of your mattress is much quicker and easier than you might think. You can clean your mattress with common household products and it does not take much time at all. If you are washing your sheets, why not freshen up your mattress at the same time? All you need is baking soda and your vacuum. Once the sheets are off, sprinkle a sparse layer of baking soda over the entire surface of your mattress. If you want even more freshening power, add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the baking soda before you sprinkle it. Ideally, you could leave the baking soda on your mattress undisturbed for the whole day so that your mattress can breathe, but an hour will do if you are short on time. Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum to get into the seams of your mattress and suck up every last bit of baking soda. Replace the clean sheets and enjoy breathing easy into a blissful night’s slumber.
To fight stains, mold, or mildew, the solution is probably already in your collection of cleaning products. Responding quickly to a stain will increase your odds of removing it completely. Try to absorb as much of the stain with a dry towel or paper towels as you can. An organic detergent, like Nature’s Miracle, contains enzymes that will neutralize bad smells and break up bodily stains such as blood or urine. A little soapy water and peroxide will also combat stains, and following it up with a 50/50 solution of water and distilled vinegar will help keep the stain from setting.
For some types of mattresses, regular flipping and rotation, like the tires on your car, can help even out wear and tear and make of the most of the life of your mattress. This technique is not necessary for all types of mattresses, and generally works best for traditional innerspring styles and done every six months. Over time, you may notice that your bed has lost a bit of its bounce from being compressed in the same places night after night. By flipping your mattress either from top to bottom or over completely, the springs are repositioned and you are no longer sleeping on the same springs.
A few small changes, if done regularly, can result in years of enjoyment and quality sleep from your new mattress. Investing in a mattress pad is not only beneficial for the life of your mattress but it also can increase your comfort while still being easy to remove and clean. Taking a moment to sprinkle some baking soda and run the vacuum over your mattress will keep it so fresh and discourage dust mites and mildew. So breathe easy as you slip between the sheets tonight with the confidence that your bed is fresh and clean.