We all know how hard it can be to choose a new mattress (in fact, mine is more than ready for an upgrade). Will it sag in a few years? Will the springs pop out? So once you’ve settled on a mattress you love, you want it to last as long as possible, despite inevitable daily use.
The average life span of a typical mattress is 8-10 years, so treat the one you have with tender loving care, and you may never need to count sheep again. Here are a seven useful tips.
Get a vinyl mattress cover. It protects your mattress from spills, pet stains, and all kinds of fluids - like that coffee your spouse insists on sipping in bed! Plus it provides a barrier against bedbugs. A lot of people don't like vinyl covers, however, because they can make sheets slide out of place. But it's worth trying, just to see if you grow accustomed to it; its benefits pay off in the long run.
Vacuum the mattress. The Better Sleep Council recommends doing this regularly to pick up dead skin particles and dust, which settle there, soil the surface, and encourage the type of mites that act as allergens.
Use a box spring. A box spring recommended by your mattress salesman will give your particular mattress the correct support it needs in the right places. Using a metal bed frame underneath - a heavy duty variety - add more support and keeps your bed from bowing in the middle.