Mattress care: it’s more important than some may realize. You want your mattress to last, and this typically means investing in one of good quality. The thing is, you shouldn’t rely solely on the makings of a well-constructed product to ensure it will last as long as it’s meant to without any issues.

A lot of time is spent on a mattress - whether for sleeping, watching TV, or reading - and regular care is going to make a difference in how long it gives you the comfort and support you’re looking for. We spoke with two industry experts, Tanya Houston from Therapedic and Billy Curtright from Magniflex, to get their insights on maintaining the quality and lifetime of your mattress and why it's a must.

Basic mattress care and maintenance tips to follow

As Tanya put it, regular mattress care helps “to extend your mattress’s life and make sure it is a healthy sleeping surface.” So, what does that look like?

Cleaning

Spot cleaning your mattress with a mild cleaner (whether dish soap or fabric cleaner) and a towel is the best option for spills and stains. Just remember to never soak your mattress; otherwise, you may have trouble getting all of the water and moisture out.

Additionally, you’ll want to vacuum your mattress every 1-3 months to help cut down on allergens and wash your bed linens every 1-2 weeks.

Rotating

Ideally, a mattress should be rotated every 3-6 months to reduce wear and tear. The spot you sleep on can only take so much over time, and rotating helps get rid of indentations and maintain a more consistent comfort and support throughout the mattress. 

Now there was a time when flipping your mattress was necessary, but this isn’t the case anymore because of the way mattress construction has evolved. With innerspring, you get the same comfort and support on both sides because the springs are pushing outwards. Foam mattresses, on the other hand, contour to our bodies and provide relief from pressure points. They’re also designed differently:

“You’ve basically got a support layer on the bottom, which is roughly two-thirds of the mattress’s support, and the top third is for comfort,” Billy explained. “If you flipped it over, it would defeat the purpose, it would take the comfort away, and the support would not be the same. For the most part, all mattresses now are just designed to be rotated as opposed to flipped and rotated.”

You also want to consider your foundation or bed frame, which should have center support to keep sagging at bay. If you rotate your mattress regularly, but still have issues with comfort, then it could have something to do with the structure.

“That’s a very common issue we experience as a manufacturer when we do get the occasional complaint of a body impression or a sagging mattress,” shared Billy. “The first thing we ask them to do is take the mattress off the foundation, place it on the floor, and 3 out of 4 times when we ask them to do that, the indentation goes away because it’s a fault with the actual foundation itself or the metal or wooden support underneath.”

With two mattresses that are constructed differently, your first thought may be that the care also differs, but it doesn’t! Tanya and Billy assured that you can follow the same guidelines for both.

What is a mattress pad vs. mattress protector?

Part of your mattress maintenance routine may involve a mattress protector and mattress pad, but what exactly makes them different?

As Tanya described, a mattress protector “will offer waterproof protection and reduce the amount of dust, debris, and dirt that makes it onto your bed.” On the other hand, a mattress pad is used to provide additional comfort. Both can be on your bed at the same time and you can easily throw them in your washer and dryer for cleaning.

Unlike mattress protectors, mattress pads typically aren’t waterproof. If you have an innerspring mattress that’s starting to show some wear, a pad provides extra cushioning so you don’t feel those springs beneath you when you lay down. For tuft and needle quilting, it’ll help with indentations.

When to purchase a new mattress

Proper mattress care is going to help extend its lifetime. If you’re following all the recommended tips, how long should yours last until it’s time for a new one?

It can range between 7-10 years depending on how well your mattress is supporting you and providing you with quality sleep every night. Its condition and age can give you an idea of whether or not you should start shopping. If you’ve had yours for nearly 10 years and it shows, then it may be time for a new one.

Tanya shared other factors to consider if you’re thinking about replacing your mattress:

• Are you sleeping well?

• Is it sagging or damaged?

• Do you sleep better outside of your home such as at a hotel or friends house?

• Do you wake up feeling achy or sore?

• Do you notice an increase in allergies upon waking?

Shop mattresses at Circle Furniture

At the end of the day, you don’t want to neglect your mattress or wait until you’re missing out on quality sleep to look for a new one. Regular care is only going to help keep your mattress in good condition so you experience comfortable nights (and naps).

If you’re ready to start your search, come into one of our design centers where you can test out different mattresses and find your perfect match.