So you’ve finally purchased that brand-new mattress you’ve been dreaming of? You’ve made a great decision, especially considering the impact the right mattress can have on your health, and the fact that many people unknowingly sleep on a mattress that has far outlived its useful life.
Depending on what kind of mattress is purchased, the user’s sleeping patterns, and the quality of materials used, the service life of a mattress is generally around seven years. Any product beyond 10 years of service is likely lacking the full set of qualities a solid mattress should provide. It is possible, however, to get a solid decade of use out of a mattress, provided it is properly taken care of.
Many people incorrectly assume that a mattress can be dropped anywhere and function as a comfortable and refreshing sleep surface for years, without any continuing effort. But as is true with many things in life, what you put in is what you get out. Given the cost of some mattresses, as well as the difficulty some people have in finding the right mattress for their body, wouldn’t you be willing to do whatever it takes to get the most out of your investment?
Fortunately, the steps you can take in caring for your mattress are fairly easy, and in some cases, may be things you are already doing. If you are one of those forward-thinking individuals, congratulations! If you aren’t doing these things yet, don’t fret, because here at Foam Factory, Inc., we have put together a list of five easy-to-follow tips for taking care of your mattress to get you your best night’s sleep for years to come!
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Tip #1: Keep Your Mattress Dry
Moisture may as well be public enemy #1 to a mattress. If you have a conventional innerspring mattress, foam mattress, or latex mattress, moisture is the quickest way to shave years off its life. While this may seem blatantly obvious in terms of not eating and drinking in bed, there is more that is meant by this tip. Of course, dropping a bowl of soup in bed should still be avoided, if at all possible.
Specifically, this tip pertains to the moisture the human body generates every night. Whether it’s a result of the room’s temperature, your temperature, humidity, too many blankets, vivid dreams, stress, or even a health issue, you will generate moisture as you sleep, which is trapped by the covers in your bed. It probably isn’t noticeable to the point that you wake up every morning feeling drenched, but there can still be moisture in your bed that you don’t notice. Because this is an inevitable part of sleeping, it is a good practice once you wake up to leave your bed open and uncovered for 30 to 60 minutes before making it. Immediately making the bed traps residual moisture that can, over time, be the first step to a moldy, mildewy, or smelly mattress. If you are rarely inclined to make your bed, it’s still helpful to fluff your pillows and blankets a bit before leaving for the day to release any moisture they may have collected.
It is especially important to do these things during the summer, or if you live in a humid environment, since you may sweat more and it’s harder for moisture to evaporate. Targeting a fan at the bed for a while in the morning can help expedite the drying process if you live in a particularly humid area.
Many people affectionately refer to their beds as warm and cozy. But for a bed to stay cozy, it needs to stay dry as well.
For the next posts in our series, click here:
Extending the Life of Your Mattress: Part II – Keeping Your Mattress Covered
Extending the Life of Your Mattress: Part III – Using Your Mattress Like a Mattress
Extending the Life of Your Mattress: Part IV – Supporting Your Mattress
Extending the Life of Your Mattress: Part V – Being Gentle With Your Mattress
