Mattress Maintenance: How to look after a mattress

We use our mattress almost every night, but mattress maintenance is often overlooked in our busy lives. For something used so frequently – and being so important to getting a good night’s sleep – it’s surprising how easily we forget about it.

In this guide, we’ll guide you through how to look after your mattress, and share some key mattress maintenance tips and tricks to help you stay on top of things.

Why should you take care of your mattress?

Taking care of your mattress properly will make sure it performs well for as long as possible, meaning you may not need to replace it as often. Over time, mattresses can wear down and may eventually stop providing the level of support and comfort needed for you to get a good night’s sleep.

A mattress is an important investment, given that sleep is so fundamental to our mental and physical health. So, using the proper mattress maintenance techniques can be better for your wallet, your sleep and for the planet, as you may not need to replace your mattress less often.

What is the typical lifespan of a mattress?

According to the Sleep Foundation most mattresses can last between 7 and 10 years – however, this will depend on the quality of the mattress. [1] This is, of course, a guideline, not a rule – a mattress made from quality materials that is properly taken care of may last much longer.

TEMPUR® Mattresses each come with a 10- year quality guarantee, so you can expect at least a decade of comfort. If properly maintained, they may last even longer.

How to take care of your mattress

It’s important that you follow the manufacturer’s instructions on how to take care of your mattress. Every manufacturer (and even mattress) is different, so always follow their specific instructions. Not doing so could result in your mattress becoming damaged and less comfortable, plus, it could make any quality guarantees or warranties void. This could leave you out of pocket if you need to buy a replacement.

How to take care of a TEMPUR® Mattress

If you already own a TEMPUR® Mattress, you’ll be pleased to know that they are designed to be easy to look after and maintain. You don’t even need to flip it, which takes one step out of mattress maintenance.

TEMPUR® mattresses are also easy to keep clean. They all come with a removable, washable, zippable cover, meaning it’s straightforward to keep your bed clean and fresh.

If you don’t own a TEMPUR® mattress, then you should make sure you’ve checked the manufacturer’s instructions to find out the best way to look after it.

 Below, we’ve compiled some general mattress maintenance recommendations, which should be good to follow for most mattresses. However, you should still check your manufacturer’s specific guidelines first so you don’t accidentally damage your mattress.

Keep it clean

Everyday dirt and sweat can build up and cause staining if your mattress is not kept clean. Washing your bedsheets is a good way to help prevent bedding build-up. For advice on how to keep your mattress clean, read our blog post.

Protect it from spills

When you spill liquids onto your mattress, they can seep through the cover into the fibres. Not only can this potentially damage the materials inside, but it can also cause odours that can be difficult to get rid of.

To prevent spills from damaging your mattress, you should consider using a waterproof mattress protector. Make sure to check the size before you order to make sure it will completely cover your mattress. Another good idea is to simply avoid taking drinks to bed where possible, or taking extra care to make sure they don’t spill.

Should you turn over your mattress?

Many mattresses benefit from being turned over or flipped to avoid dips forming in the middle. However, this will depend on what kind of mattress you have, and, as always, you should consult your manufacturer’s instructions for guidance.

Fortunately, TEMPUR® mattresses are designed to be “no-turn”, so there’s no need to worry about flipping them. To maximise your TEMPUR® mattress’s lifespan, you can rotate it 180° if you feel the need to.

When should you replace a mattress?

No matter how well you take care of your mattress, it will eventually need replacing. However, there is no set time at which you should replace it.

The Sleep Foundation lists a few factors that could indicate whether it’s time to buy a new mattress. These include[2]:

·      Poor sleep, or finding you sleep better when staying in a hotel or at someone else’s house

·      Waking up with aches and pains

·      Tossing and turning, or being woken up by your partner moving in the night.

If you think it might be time for a new mattress, browse our range of TEMPUR® mattresses.

Sources

1)   https://www.sleepfoundation.org/mattress-information/how-long-should-a-mattress-last

2)   https://uk.tempur.com/bedding-linens/browse-collections/thermoregulating-mattress-pillow-protectors/