How to Make Your Mattress Last Longer

November 14, 2022

If you have invested in a brand-new mattress from a reputable company like Eco Terra, you would want to enjoy its comfort and luxury for a long time. While an average traditional innerspring mattress will last for about 6 to 10 years, getting a natural latex mattress can provide you with a luxurious sleeping experience that lasts for 15 to 25 years.

The lifespan of your mattress will largely depend on the nature and quality of the materials used, and how well you have maintained it over the years. Also, if you purchase a mattress manufactured in the United States, you benefit from America’s safety standards.

For instance, innerspring mattresses typically last for about 6 to 10  years, while high-quality memory foam mattresses last for 15 years. If you have invested in a natural latex mattress, you can enjoy it for 15 to 25 years, if you keep it clean and well-maintained.

In contrast, air beds can last for about 10 to 15 years, as the pressurized air can keep sagging issues at bay for a long time.

A hybrid mattress is made of a combination of foam, and a coiled base. Its durability depends on the quality of its coil and foam materials, but usually lasts longer than a standard innerspring mattress.

While you cannot keep your mattress forever, you can undoubtedly expand its lifespan by keeping your bed clean, and maintaining it well.

Here are some ways you can make your mattress last longer.

Use a Mattress Protector

One of the ways you can keep your mattress clean and well-maintained is by using a mattress protector. Get a mattress protractor at the same time as a new mattress to protect your new mattress from external factors, like dust mites, pollutants, and other allergens.

Getting a waterproof mattress protector can protect your mattress from accidents and any spills that can otherwise stain and damage it. A mattress protector will cover your bed, and protect it from body oils, dead skin cells, and other bodily fluids that can otherwise damage the outer surface of the mattress.

If you use natural latex mattress toppers to improve your sleep environment, a mattress protector can keep it free from stains and spills, and as good as new for many years to come.

Mattress Protector Types

To get a mattress protector that is perfect for your mattress, you need to consider the height and size of your mattress, before shopping for it. Your mattress protector must fit your bed snugly to prevent it from moving around as you sleep.

A mattress protector is available in the following types:

Encased

Encased mattress protectors cover the mattress from all sides, including the bottom. Usually zipped on the side, an encased mattress protector covers the entire mattress, and protects against allergens and bed bugs from accessing the mattress.

Fitted

Fitted mattress protectors fit snugly over your bed like fitted sheets. It is most popular, as it is easy to get on and off, and is also available in waterproof versions. Most mattress protectors protect the mattress surface from accidental spills, while the sides are made from polyester.

However, Eco Terra waterproof mattress protectors cover both the surface and the sides. Being water resistant, it protects the mattress from spills and stains, keeping it looking great year after year.

Besides keeping your mattress clean, and protecting it from pesky bed bugs and dust mites, a mattress protector can also help you retain the mattress warranty. Most mattresses warranties can become void if you have bed stains.

You need to be especially careful when you buy your mattress online. You can get free shipping, and a five-year warranty, when you buy your mattress online from Eco Terra.

You can also avail of amazing deals when shopping for mattresses on Amazon.com.

Add a Mattress Topper

Adding a mattress topper over your mattress can be an excellent way to add more years to your mattress. Bed toppers can come in a variety of pricing and materials, and can add comfort and support to your regular sleep routine.

It can also reduce your discomfort, if you sleep on an older mattress, by evening out the mattress surface, while adding to your mattress's lifespan.

Keep Your Mattress Properly Supported

You must provide mattresses with proper support to prevent sagging, and help retain their shape. Placing your bed on a solid foundation can cause even wear, prevent sagging, and keep it in good shape.

While your innerspring mattresses need a box spring, a memory foam mattress can perform well with a solid platform.

Where your bed frame comes with a slatted base, make sure it can adequately support the weight of your mattress. Check the manufacturer’s recommendation, regarding the best way to support the bed. Also, remember that your mattress must be adequately supported to utilize your mattress warranty.

Avoid Eating on Your Mattress

Avoid eating on the mattress, to keep your bed clean and free from bugs. The crumbs left on the bed from food will attract insects that need very little food to survive. If you cannot resist snacking on the bed, remember to change your bed sheets frequently, at least once every three days, to prevent bugs, and to get good sleep.

Vacuum Your Mattress

Vacuuming your mattress at least twice a year can prevent the buildup of dust mites, dead skin, and body oils. To vacuum a good mattress, remove the bedding, then use the upholstery attachment to clean the mattress thoroughly. Give special attention to the bed seams, as those are the areas where the buildups settle.

Spot Clean Stains Immediately

Where spills and accidents happen that stain your mattress, spot-clean it promptly. First, remove the sheets from your bed. Then make a paste by mixing a few drops of lemon juice with baking soda and a few drops of dish soap, and apply it to the stain. Let it rest for a while, then scrub it off to remove the stain.

Another option is to combine a few drops of dish soap, baking soda, and hydrogen peroxide with cold water, and put it in a spray bottle. Spray it liberally on the stain, and then blot it away with a clean towel. This works best with dark-colored or dyed mattresses, where lemon juice can bleach or fade out the mattress colors.

Keep Pets Out of Your Bed

While pets can be snuggly sleep companions, having your pets sleeping on your bed can disrupt sleep. Also, pet’s hair and pet dander on your bedding can trigger allergies, making you sick and uncomfortable.

Keep Your Bed Germ-Free

Pests and bed bugs thrive in unclean bedding, and hide in mattresses, bed frames, and bedding. They feed on the blood from the host, and are active during the night, causing you to lose sleep.

You can keep your mattress free from bed bugs by:

• Stay on top of mattress care with regular cleaning and organizing your bedding.
• Protect your mattress with a waterproof encased mattress protector that covers your entire mattress, so bed bugs cannot get in
• Clean and sanitize your second-hand furniture before putting them inside the room to avoid transferring bedbugs to your mattress.

Flip Your Mattress Regularly if Recommended

Sleeping on the same spot on your mattress day after day can cause your mattress to get a lopsided look. To get an even mattress surface, rotate your mattress periodically. You can flip your mattress once in a while to let it wear out evenly.

While modern mattresses come with customized layers that cannot be flipped, you can check the manufacturer’s recommendations to see if you can flip or rotate your mattresses from time to time.

Typically innerspring, latex, and memory foam mattresses can be rotated to avoid the usual wear and tear on the same places, extending their lifespan. You can turn your bed 180 degrees with the change of seasons to keep them looking new.

Change Sheets and Bedding Frequently

Your bedsheets, blankets, and pillow covers often accumulate sweat, dust mites, and body oils that can seep into your mattress with time. To keep your bed clean and hygienic, make sure to change the bedding frequently.

To maintain a hygienic sleep environment, wash your sheets and pillowcases at least once a week, especially when your pet sleeps with you. Other bedding, like comforters and blankets, can be cleaned once every 2 to 3 months, while pillow inserts can be washed every 4 to 6 months, depending on the pillow type.

Avoid Standing or Bouncing on the Bed

Standing up or bouncing up and down on the bed can put undue pressure on the mattress, reducing its lifespan. Bouncing on innerspring mattresses can also damage the box springs underneath that are not accustomed to handling the body weight of a child or adult jumping around.

Keep Your Mattress Deodorized

To keep your mattress smelling fresh and avoid the old, musty smell disrupting your sleep routine, take steps to deodorize your mattress. Sprinkle some baking soda liberally over the mattress surface, and leave it there for 24 hours. Vacuum the residue to get the freshness of a new bed.

Air Out the Mattress

You can leave the mattress under the sun to remove moisture and musty smell, keeping your mattress fresh and odor-free.

Protect Your Mattress During Transportation

While moving your mattress, secure it in a plastic covering to protect it from collecting dirt, dust, and other germs. Avoid bending or folding the mattress, and try to keep it in an upright position to prevent creasing or sagging issues while moving the bed.

Heavy-duty mattress packages must be secured with tape while transported in a truck or on top of your car, where it is exposed to external elements.

Pay Attention to Warranties

Make sure to always read the warranty terms before buying a mattress. Most mattress warranties would come with terms clearly spelled out with tips for proper mattress care to extend its lifespan.

Most mattress brands require the bed to be free from stains, and well-supported with tags attached, before they attend to your mattress issues. This means you must keep your mattress clean and well-maintained to get your warranty benefits.

Follow the Owner’s Manual for Proper Mattress Care

Finally, in order to maintain your mattress for a long time, make sure to read the instructions manual provided with the mattress. It should contain helpful tips as to how to clean the mattress to keep it looking as new, ways to support the bed with the best results, and how to maintain your mattress to get full warranty benefits.

It can be an excellent resource, if you need to consult anyone for mattress care.

Takeaway

Your mattress lifespan can depend on various factors. Following a regular cleaning and maintenance ritual, rotating it periodically, and taking proactive steps to keep the mattress safe from spills, stains, and bacteria can help you enjoy your mattress for a long time.

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