How to Maintain a Mattress

A mattress can be the difference between a good night's sleep and a restless night spent tossing and turning. Buying a high quality mattress may ensure restful sleep at first, but to guarantee ongoing peaceful nights, the mattress needs to be maintained. A well taken care of mattress can last for up to 20 years.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Change the sheets on a regular basis. Dust mites and dead skin will be laundered away rather than embedded in the mattress.

2. Flip and rotate the mattress once every six months. Since all bed covers are removed during this process, it is the perfect time to vacuum the mattress to remove all loose debris. Make sure to vacuum the sides of the mattress and the box spring.

3. Remove stains by blotting fresh stains to remove as much liquid as possible. It is very important to remove as much liquid as possible since any moisture remaining will encourage mold and mildew growth. Remove any remaining stains by using a dry suds mixture. Basically this means only applying the frothy bubbles of a detergent and water mixture to the stain and rubbing the stain out. Be cautious not to add any more liquid to the stain.

4. Freshen the aroma from the mattress by placing dryer sheets under the linens or lightly sprinkling baking soda on the mattress. Let mattress sit untouched over night, vacuuming the baking soda up in the morning.

5. Protect the mattress from the purchase date by covering it with a mattress cover. This will add a layer of protection from spills or other accidents and reduce the frequency of vacuuming and cleaning the mattress