How Do I... Look After My Mattress?
Giving your mattress a little TLC can keep it in good shape for longer – an expert reveals how
Georgia Madden
25 May 2018
In this practical series, we ask experts to answer your burning home and garden questions. Here, Karen Westacott, Sealy’s customer care manager, provides some practical tips for cleaning and maintaining your mattress.
Invest in a mattress protector
We spend around a third of our lives sleeping, so it’s worth investing in a quality mattress and caring for it properly. A mattress protector is also well worth the investment. It can prevent stains and moisture from penetrating your mattress, as well as prohibiting nasty allergens.
Ensure you choose a mattress protector that is made from quality natural fibres – this will mean that it’s breathable, which will aid in temperature control when you’re sleeping.
We spend around a third of our lives sleeping, so it’s worth investing in a quality mattress and caring for it properly. A mattress protector is also well worth the investment. It can prevent stains and moisture from penetrating your mattress, as well as prohibiting nasty allergens.
Ensure you choose a mattress protector that is made from quality natural fibres – this will mean that it’s breathable, which will aid in temperature control when you’re sleeping.
Wash sheets weekly
Keeping your bedlinen clean also helps protect your mattress against moisture and allergens. Plus, there’s nothing better than hopping into a bed laid with freshly washed sheets.
Advances in mattress technology, such as Sealy’s health-shield fabric treatment, mean you don’t have to air your mattress out for hours like you once did in order to keep it fresh. But if you do choose to air your mattress, make sure that it’s not exposed to direct sunlight as this can cause fading of the surface fabric and border.
Keeping your bedlinen clean also helps protect your mattress against moisture and allergens. Plus, there’s nothing better than hopping into a bed laid with freshly washed sheets.
Advances in mattress technology, such as Sealy’s health-shield fabric treatment, mean you don’t have to air your mattress out for hours like you once did in order to keep it fresh. But if you do choose to air your mattress, make sure that it’s not exposed to direct sunlight as this can cause fading of the surface fabric and border.
Image: Sealy
Vacuum your mattress every six months
Vacuuming your mattress every six or so months will help keep it hygienically clean (check your mattress warranty instructions beforehand).
Start by scattering a tiny amount of baking soda over the surface of the mattress. This helps attract any deeply embedded impurities and gives you a deeper clean. Then, using your vacuum cleaner’s upholstery attachment (this prevents damage to the surface and allows you to get into the seams), gently vacuum the surface on low suction.
Vacuum your mattress every six months
Vacuuming your mattress every six or so months will help keep it hygienically clean (check your mattress warranty instructions beforehand).
Start by scattering a tiny amount of baking soda over the surface of the mattress. This helps attract any deeply embedded impurities and gives you a deeper clean. Then, using your vacuum cleaner’s upholstery attachment (this prevents damage to the surface and allows you to get into the seams), gently vacuum the surface on low suction.
Flip or rotate your mattress to help keep its shape
First, work out whether you have a flip or no-flip mattress. A flip mattress is two-sided, with a coil system in the centre and comfort layers on both sides. These styles were common a few years ago. Flip according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Newer no-flip mattresses have a support system in the base and comfort layers stacked on top. You rotate rather than flipping these styles to ensure even wear. At Sealy, we advise customers to rotate their no-flip mattress around every three months, and a little more regularly in the first few months after purchase while it’s still wearing in.
First, work out whether you have a flip or no-flip mattress. A flip mattress is two-sided, with a coil system in the centre and comfort layers on both sides. These styles were common a few years ago. Flip according to manufacturer’s instructions.
Newer no-flip mattresses have a support system in the base and comfort layers stacked on top. You rotate rather than flipping these styles to ensure even wear. At Sealy, we advise customers to rotate their no-flip mattress around every three months, and a little more regularly in the first few months after purchase while it’s still wearing in.
Act fast to remove stains
Remove stains and spills as soon as you spot them, using a small amount of cold water and mild soap. Be careful that you don’t use too much soapy liquid – you don’t want it penetrating the mattress.
Tip: It’s important to keep your mattress in a sanitary condition – this will ensure that if you need to lodge a warranty claim, it will not be rejected due to the mattress not being in a serviceable condition.
Remove stains and spills as soon as you spot them, using a small amount of cold water and mild soap. Be careful that you don’t use too much soapy liquid – you don’t want it penetrating the mattress.
Tip: It’s important to keep your mattress in a sanitary condition – this will ensure that if you need to lodge a warranty claim, it will not be rejected due to the mattress not being in a serviceable condition.
Choose a sturdy bed base
The most important thing you can do to protect the inner springs of your mattress is to lay your mattress on a good foundation – preferably a base that was specifically designed to match the mattress.
Timber slats on a bed base should be spaced so that the gaps between them are no wider than the width of the slats themselves. For queen- and king-size mattresses, the base will need the added support of a centre rail and central leg.
The most important thing you can do to protect the inner springs of your mattress is to lay your mattress on a good foundation – preferably a base that was specifically designed to match the mattress.
Timber slats on a bed base should be spaced so that the gaps between them are no wider than the width of the slats themselves. For queen- and king-size mattresses, the base will need the added support of a centre rail and central leg.
What else is good to know?
People are very quick to forget about the underside of their mattress. At Sealy, we advise placing a layer of fabric between the slats and the underside of the mattress to protect the fabric from scuffing and roughing against the base.
People are very quick to forget about the underside of their mattress. At Sealy, we advise placing a layer of fabric between the slats and the underside of the mattress to protect the fabric from scuffing and roughing against the base.
Tell us
Did you find this story useful? Tell us in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like or share this story and save the photos. Join the conversation.
More
Browse bedding and bath retailers in your area
Did you find this story useful? Tell us in the Comments section below. And don’t forget to like or share this story and save the photos. Join the conversation.
More
Browse bedding and bath retailers in your area
Related Stories
Popular Houzz Series
How Do I... Choose a Coffee Machine?
Start the day right with a steaming hot brew – if you're in the market for a new coffee machine, here's what to look for
Full Story
Popular Houzz Series
How Do I... Know if My Hot-Water System is About to Fail?
Be smart to the signs that your hot-water system is in trouble and say goodbye to unexpected (and unwanted) cold showers
Full Story
Popular Houzz Series
How Do I... Automate My Home?
Passionate about technology? A home-automation system is likely to be on your wish list – here's what you need to know
Full Story
Storage
How Do I... Store My Shoes?
Storage nirvana is closer than you might think – an expert reveals some simple tips for keeping your shoes organised
Full Story
Popular Houzz Series
How Do I... Store Scarves and Other Accessories?
Scarves, jewellery and hair accessories without a proper home are all too easy to lose – here's how to store them right
Full Story
Popular Houzz Series
How Do I... Choose a Washing Machine?
Looking to buy a new washing machine? An expert reveals everything you need to know before you hit the shops
Full Story
Living Rooms
How Do I... Set-Up and Style a Bar Cart?
Bar carts are back in vogue – here's how to arrange one like a pro
Full Story
Gardening
How Do I... Stop My Fruit and Veg From Getting Sunburnt?
Sun damage isn't just an issue for people – it can damage our fruit and vegetables too. Here's how to prevent it
Full Story
Popular Houzz Series
How Do I... Grow Fruit at Home?
An expert reveals the easiest low-maintenance fruits that even a novice gardener can grow at home
Full Story
Bathrooms
How Do I... Set Up an Outdoor Shower?
An outdoor shower is not only practical, but a pleasure to use – read on for tips about creating the perfect design
Full Story
The absolute downside of a non flip mattress is that they are not only extremely heavy to rotate, but they are so damn heavy you cannot tuck your bedding in. Your attempt at chic bed-styling a la The Block becomes a distant dream. I like a top sheet and I fractured the top of my finger trying to tuck the sheet under the mattress, which lays atop a very sturdy slatted bed. If you have an ensemble you probably will not experience this problem, but if not you will need to live with a couple of body builders to rotate your mattress and make your bed each day.