Investing in a new mattress is not only a big decision, but often a costly one. As such, it is important to ensure you get your money’s worth out of your new product! When looking to clean your mattress, it is essential that you familiarise yourself with the care guide supplied with your mattress to prolong its life and to preserve your warranty. Following some basic care mattress recommendations can help ensure its longevity.
How do I care for my mattress and keep it clean?
To preserve your mattress’s lifespan, there are several things you can do:
- Regularly clean your bedding. Not only is this important for hygiene reasons, but it can also protect your mattress from damage. Washing on a hot wash (over 60º) will help to kill germs and dust mites who might be harbouring in your bed and bedding. Where possible dry bedding at high heat in a tumble dryer.
- Use a mattress protector to create a barrier between you and any mattress residents and to keep your mattress stain free.
- Open bedroom windows – this will help any moisture to evaporate and improve bedroom ventilation.
- Air your mattress by pulling the covers back for 20 minutes each day – this will help to eliminate any odours.
- Clean fresh stains – see your manufacturer’s care guide for details on how to best clean your mattress.
- Regularly rotate your mattress and, if it is a double-sided mattress, regularly flip it. (See below for further information about single and double-sided mattresses.)
- Replace your mattress every seven years (as recommended by the National Bed Federation) to ensure your mattress is healthy and supportive of a good night’s sleep. (See below for further information about signs your mattress needs replacing.)
Can I clean my mattress?
Before cleaning your mattress, we recommend checking your manufacturer care guide to prevent further potential mattress damage and to keep your mattress’s guarantee.
If your guarantee allows, clean any spills as soon as possible. Gently dabbing with laundry detergent and lukewarm water can help lift stains out (if cleaning blood or urine stains – see below). Be careful not to over wet your mattress or to use any harsh chemicals. Always ensure that your mattress is fully dry before putting any bedding back on.
How do I deep clean my mattress?
The first and most important thing to do is check your product care guide and warranty as manufacturers all have different dos and don’ts that should be taken into consideration before attempting to deep clean your mattress.
If you are happy to go ahead with a mattress deep clean, first remove and wash all your bedding. Washing your pillows will add an extra layer of freshness when you next crawl into bed. Using your hoover, ideally using an upholstery tool – but this is not essential, remove any dust, hair, and skin debris from your mattress by using small circular movements. Add a layer of baking soda to stain free mattresses before hoovering to remove odours.
If your mattress contains stains, use a gentle laundry detergent and water solution, or distilled white vinegar and water to gently dab the stain. Remove any excess water using a dry cloth or kitchen roll before leaving your mattress to fully dry. While cleaning your mattress, consider opening your bedroom windows as this will allow fresh air into the room, eliminate odours, and help your mattress to breathe.
Can I use baking soda on my mattress?
Providing you are not violating the terms and conditions set out in your product care guide, baking soda can be an effective mattress stain and odour remover.
Can I remove stains from my mattress?
After checking your product care guide, it might be possible to remove stains from your mattress by using a solution of water and distilled white vinegar or a solution of water and mild cleaning detergent. After making the solution, spray the stain then blot any excess moisture using a dry towel or kitchen paper. Repeat the process if necessary. Be careful not to overly wet your mattress! Finally, apply a generous layer of baking soda over the area. Leave this for at least one hour (the longer the better) before using your hoover to remove it. Make sure your mattress is completely dry before putting on your bedding.
How do I remove blood from my mattress?
If removing blood stains, using cold water will help to break down the proteins more quickly. Baking soda is effective when removing dried blood stains. If using this method, first dab the stain using a damp, cold cloth. Next, sprinkle baking powder over the stain before leaving it to work its magic for at least an hour (the longer the better). Once the time has elapsed, use your damp, cold cloth to dab the stain. Repeat this process as many times as necessary then leave the mattress to fully dry. Once dry, use a hoover to remove any baking powder from the mattress.
How do I remove urine from my mattress?
When removing urine from a mattress, again, first seek the information included in your product care guide.
Generally, the quicker you notice and try to remove the urine, the better. To remove urine, first, remove all bedding and where possible, wash them immediately. Next, gently soak up as much urine by gently blotting the area. Do not rub or scrub the wet patch as this risks pushing the urine further into the mattress. Using water and distilled vinegar (combined to make a 50:50 ratio solution), spray the affected area then blot any excess moisture. Cover the area with a generous layer of baking soda before leaving it to sit for at least one hour (the longer the better). Finally, use a vacuum to remove any traces of baking soda. Repeat if necessary.
How do I remove dry urine from my mattress?
Dried urine requires a heavier cleaning solution. Always check your product care guide before using cleaning products as this could invalidate your guarantee.
First, remove and wash all bedding. Next, using a solution of distilled white vinegar and laundry detergent, soak the area before removing excess water by dabbing it with a clean, dry cloth. Then, apply a generous covering of baking soda and leave it for at least one hour to work its magic – ideally for several hours. Finally, hoover the dry baking soda, repeating the process if necessary.
How do I remove pet urine from my mattress?
Pet urine tends to have a stronger odour than human urine, therefore, the process for removing pet urine is slightly different. Start by applying a generous covering of baking soda – this will hopefully soak up both the odour and the wet patch. Next, use a solution of distilled white vinegar and laundry detergent to soak the area. After leaving it to soak for a few minutes, using a dry cloth, remove any excess liquid. It is important to blot the area rather than rub or scrub at it. Then apply another covering of baking soda to the area and leave for at least one hour (ideally, longer – the longer the better). Finally, hoover the dry baking soda, repeating the process if necessary.
How do I remove odours from my mattress?
When looking to remove odours from your mattress, baking powder is an effective odour neutraliser. Sprinkle a layer over the entire mattress (it is important that your mattress is completely clean and dry) then leave it for at least an hour. Finally, hoover any remaining baking soda before putting any bedding back on your bed.
Do you flip or rotate a mattress?
Single sided mattresses, as the name suggests, should not be turned/flipped as only one side of the mattress has been designed to be slept on. You should however regularly rotate them from end to end. The best way to check whether your mattress is single sided, is to check the label. They will typically feature images like the ones below or simply state ‘no turn,’ ‘turn free’ or ‘rotate only.’
In addition to being rotated from end to end, double sided mattresses must be turned/flipped over.
If you need further advice; our bed experts are on hand. Give them a call on 01928 242829.
Why should I rotate my mattress?
Regularly rotating a mattress can help add years onto your mattress’s lifespan. Rotation will help to ensure even placement of fillings and prevent pressure points from developing. It will also help to make sure that your spine still is in a neutral position as you sleep.
How often should I rotate my mattress?
When first receiving your new product, we suggest rotating it head to foot more often (ideally weekly for the first three months) as this will help to ensure the sleep surface is evenly broken in. Regardless of the mattress you have, we recommend rotating your mattress every three months to ensure even distribution of fillings. (If you do not extensively use your bed, it will require less frequent rotation. For example, depending on how often guests use them, guest bed mattresses will typically require less frequent turning.)
I sleep alone, do I still need to rotate my mattress?
Yes – to prevent sagging and filling displacement, you should still rotate your mattress, even if you sleep alone. Regular rotation will allow the side you sleep on to recover to its original shape and ensure mattress longevity.
How do I rotate my mattress?
When rotating your mattress, you should aim to turn it 180 degrees without flipping it over. The easiest and quickest way to rotate your mattress is to have two people, however, one person can do it. It is important that the bed and surrounding area is clear before trying to rotate your mattress as this will help to prevent any injuries or accidents. Once the area is clear, using the handles, carefully move your mattress 180 degrees from the head to the foot of the bed. Always check your rotated mattress is properly placed on the frame or slats. NB – rotating a mattress can make slatted frames move out of place – therefore it is important to check carefully.
How do I flip a mattress?
If your mattress is double sided, you will need to flip it in addition to rotating it.
As mattresses are heavy, it is always advisable to have someone aiding you to prevent damage to your mattress or injury to yourself. Clear the bed and surrounding area before trying to flip your mattress to prevent any injuries or accidents. It is advisable to move the bed frame away from the wall to prevent your bed and paintwork becoming damaged. Once the area is clear, using the handles, carefully use the mattress handles (if your mattress has them) to move your mattress so that the end is hanging over the bottom of the bed frame. Next, raise the mattress onto its side, remembering to support the corners. Slowly, lower the mattress onto the other side to flip it over.
Where possible, rotate your mattress 180 degrees (top to bottom) at the same time. Finally, reposition your mattress, ensuring that the bed frame, especially if using a slatted base, is still in the correct position.
What is a no-turn mattress?
A no turn mattress is just that – a mattress that should not be turned/flipped. It should however be regularly rotated.
Can you turn a no turn mattress?
As the name implies, no turn mattresses should not be turned to keep your warranty. This is because they have been designed and manufactured with comfort layers on the top side only. As such, turning them can lead to irreversible mattress damage.
How often should I turn my mattress?
Providing your mattress is a turnable mattress (two sided), you should turn/flip it every six months. In addition, we recommend rotating your turnable mattress every three months.
How do I turn a mattress by myself?
Where possible, we recommend that two people turn the mattress. It is possible to turn it alone, however, great care should be taken to ensure that the mattress does not fall against the side of the bed frame as this may damage the fillings. The handles on the side of your mattress are intended to help rotate and position the mattress while laid flat. They are not designed to lift or carry the mattress.
Replacing your mattress…
In line with the National Bed Federation advice, we recommend replacing your mattress every 7-8 years. However, there may be occasions when you need to replace your mattress, regardless of its age.
- you have difficulty falling asleep
- you are waking up aching, stiff and tired
- you have worsening allergies
- your partner disturbs you when they move, or vice versa
- your mattress is lumpy or sagging in the middle
- your mattress has a foul odour or unsightly stains
- you can see visible wear and tear (e.g., frayed edges)
- your body has changed (shape, size, health conditions)
If you do need to buy a new mattress, we have a wide range available to suit all price points from budget to ultra-luxury. We also have a number of Buying Guides to help you choose your new mattress.
On the rare occasion that a competitor is offering a like-for-like product cheaper, we will always aim to match their price whilst still providing you with our award-winning service as standard!
We also offer a variety of interest-free credit and pay monthly finance options to help make your new mattress a reality rather than a dream. Click through to our interest-free-credit page to play around with our Finance Calculator and see what payment options are best for you. Alter the total amount and deposit to find your preferred monthly payment option. Phone application, online application or in store application – choose which suits you best – each only takes 10 minutes or so, and you will soon be on your way to owning the best priced mattress that will help you have a good night’s sleep night after night.
A warm welcome and free, independent advice awaits from our award-winning team. Give our team a call today on 01928 242829 or email: sales@landofbeds.co.uk. Alternatively, use the pop-up chat feature on our website or visit one of our stores.
