How to Care for Your Mattress
When you buy a new mattress it is important to take care of it properly to get the maximum benefit from your purchase.
Quality mattresses are manufactured with generous layers of fillings for your comfort, so initially some slight hollowing may appear on the sleeping side of the mattress. This is nothing to worry about and is perfectly normal as the mattress fillings compact over time under your body weight. Gradually all the fillings will compress to an even level all over the sleeping side of the mattress and it is important to carry out simple procedures to aid this process.
Handling Your Mattress
Pocket sprung mattresses are heavy! Any orthopaedic or mid-priced mattress will also contain a considerable amount of comfort fillings that increase the overall weight.
If you don't consider yourself fit enough to handle large and heavy mattresses it is advised that you seek assistance when needing to rotate or transport your mattress to avoid injury.
Jumping or standing on your bed can cause damage, likewise do not allow children to use the bed as a trampoline as this is dangerous and will almost certainly damage the spring system. Most mattresses will take this in their stride, but remember the springs are not designed to expand and contract so much in such a short time.
Even though budget mattresses may be easy to bend in half in order to transport, better quality mattresses, especially those with pocket springs are increasingly difficult to bend, and doing so can cause permanent damage. Rolling or bending the mattress will cause the perimeter rod-edge to lose its stability. Please do not bend or fold your mattress as this will damage the spring unit and will invalidate your warranty.
Turning & Rotating Your Mattress
Most quality mattresses have substantial upholstery comfort fillings and need turning regularly to ensure even settlement across the whole of the sleeping surface. Natural fillings take a little while longer to settle into place because they aren't as dense as artificial materials such as polyester and foam.
To aid this settling process it's best practice to rotate your mattress once a week from head to foot for the first 3 months of its life and to flip it over once a month or so. Pillow-top mattresses and a selection of non-turn mattress need only be rotated. Seasonal mattresses which contain memory foam are usually designed to be turned over once every 6 months, one side for summer months and the other side for winter months.
Most modern mattresses will provide a great level of comfort and support without needing to be turned or rotated, however if your bed feels a little lumpy or the fillings are not settling evenly, it is advise to turn or rotate your mattress for a couple of weeks and the problem is often resolved.
Protecting Your Mattress
If you choose to add a mattress protector it is recommend you use a breathable mattress protector as mattresses need to breathe in order to eliminate possible condensation.
Some mattresses are fitted with air vents, as the weight of your body applies pressure to the fillings and springs the air is forced out of these vents, this circulation is crucial to prevent your mattress from retaining moisture. Mattresses without vents simply expell air through the breathable fabrics used in the side panels.
Because your mattress needs to breathe it is best not to use plastic sheets or PVC bags as this stops the mattress from breathing. Using waterproof sheets is however preferable to your child wetting their mattress, but if this is an ongoing occurence consider buying a water proof mattress as these are made to repel liquid whilst maintaining a level of breathability.
In any case using a quality bed sheet and keeping food and drink away from your bed should be more than enough to keep it protected. It's also a good idea to air your mattress regularly to prolong its lifespan and to keep it fresh and odour free.
Cleaning Your Mattress
It is a good idea to regularly use a soft brush to remove dust and fluff from your mattress and never use a vacuum cleaner as this can dislodge fillings from within the mattress. A lint roller can also be used to quickly and effectively remove any particles without damaging the surface of your mattress.
If you use a mattress protector than any minor stains can be removed by simply washing the protective cover, however stainds and spillages directly onto the mattress surface should be initially absorbed using a dry cloth or paper towels. Sponging the stained area with a damp cloth or sponge may help to lift the stain or you could try adding a mild solution of soap and water if it persists.
If you spill a considerable amount of liquid on your bed then you are advised to immediately remove any sheets so that they can dry and flip the mattress over. Flipping the mattress stops the liquids from travelling any further down in an attempt to keep the underside of the mattress dry. The liquid has likely been absorbed by the fillings and probably will not come back out, so wait for the mattress to dry totally before attempting to remove any stains.
Using the Correct Bed Base
Pocket springs are designed to contour individually to the contours of the body to give even support, and in the same way they also follow the contours of the bed base so it is important to have a suitably sound base for pocket sprung mattresses.
If the bed base has slats with a gap greater than 7.5cm then a base board must be used. Old bases may look or appear to be sound but in most cases they are not and reduce the life of the mattress.
