Bed Basics: How to Protect Your Mattress

We all know that in order to get a good night’s sleep we must have a good mattress. That is why you shouldn’t think twice about investing your hard-earned money into a quality mattress right from the beginning.

After spending your savings on a new mattress, it’s natural to wonder what you can do to make sure your investment pays off. Well, caring for a mattress is quite simple, but you need to have a clear understanding of what’s needed. The following are some basic care recommendations to help prevent unnecessary wear and tear to your mattress, making it last longer.

Use a Mattress Protector from the Start

Designed to help shield mattresses from dirt, sweat, moisture, dust mites, and other contaminants, we can say that a mattress protector is a solid investment for protecting your mattress and helping it stay clean for longer.

Available in a range of sizes and styles, the majority of mattress protectors you’ll find will be waterproof or water-resistant to help prevent spills or body fluids from reaching the mattress. By keeping the mattress dry, these protectors also help prevent the growth of mould and mildew. You can also find mattress protectors that form a seal around all six sides of the mattress, which help to keep out bed bugs. It’s important that you know that virtually all mattress warranties contain a clause that voids the warranty if the mattress is dirty.

When it comes to which type of mattress protector to get, I recommend you choose a luxury cotton mattress protector or something else that is breathable so the breathability of your mattress isn’t compromised. Cotton is well known for being soft and absorbent. Its natural properties allow it to breathe better than synthetic fibre. This explains why it’s more comfortable to sleep in cotton than polyester and acrylics, which is pretty much the same as sleeping on plastics.

Cotton is also a good conductor of heat, which means it helps to keep you cool in summer and warm in winter. Plus, a luxury cotton mattress protector is a good option also for those with allergies as the natural properties of cotton means it is non-allergenic and non-toxic.

As for if can you wash a mattress protector, it will depend on the material it’s made of. Cotton mattress protectors are generally designed to be machine washed. Because cotton is also a very durable material, even after several washes, your cotton mattress protector will still be soft and comfortable to sleep on.

Make Sure Your Mattress Is Properly Supported

While you may not always be required to buy the matching box spring or foundation with a new mattress, having the right bed base is still important to preserve the integrity of materials and prevent early wear. Check with the manufacturer of the mattress for recommendations. Box springs are generally used only with spring mattresses, while memory foam mattresses and other specialty mattresses usually require you to get a firm, solid bed base.

The bed base should be designed to support the weight of the mattress and the sleepers. Three basic types of bed bases are available: solid, fixed and sprung slatted bed base. A solid bed base is a constant panel that covers the whole surface under the mattress. The problem with this base is the lack of airflow, which can lead to mould under the mattress. It also doesn’t adapt to your body shape.

A fixed slatted bed base features straight slats positioned across the bed and fixed to the frame. While this option offers good airflow, it also doesn’t
adapt to your body shape. If you decide to go with this type of base, look for models where the width between slats doesn’t exceed 4 centimetres.

The sprung slatted bed base also has slats going across the base, but they are slightly curved. This allows them to adjust to your weight by bending down. This way, some of your weight is absorbed, reducing the pressure put on the mattress. With solid and fixed slatted bed bases, the mattress takes in all of your weight, so it gets a lot more strain. That is why a sprung slatted bed base is considered the best option of bed base to extend the life of your mattress.

Rotate Your Mattress From Time to Time

If you don’t rotate your mattress occasionally, it will eventually sag and develop valleys that conform to the shape of your body. This is true even for the best mattresses. Even though today’s mattresses no longer require flipping over as most of them are designed for sleeping on only one side, they still need to be rotated. So, every three months or so, switch the top end to the foot of the bed. This will help avoid throughs and other deformities and will extend the life of your mattress.

Don’t Allow Pets to Sleep in Your Bed

Consider giving your pets their own designed beds rather than allowing them to sleep on your mattress. No matter how well-groomed pets are, they still walk outside, drool and shed hair and cells, and all that will end up in your bed. Not to mention that pets can also have occasional accidents, which could end up running your mattress.