So you thought there was nothing you needed to know about mattresses and box springs? We think you will be surprised how many no no’s your guilty of. Go ahead, test yourself and see if you do any of the…

Top 10 Things You Should Never Do To Your Mattress and Box Spring.

1. Stand, Jump or yes even sit on your mattress. Mattresses have many layers of padding that make them comfortable. These layers rest on steel coil springs. We realize most adults don’t stand or jump on their mattress but often their kids do and nearly everyone sits in bed or sits on the edge of their bed. This will force the layers into the springs and will damage the mattress and shorten its life.
2. Never flip your mattress over if it is one sided and sleep on it. The majority of mattresses are built in a one sided design today and should not be flipped over. There is no padding or comfort layers located here. It will not hold up or feel good because only the one side is designed for comfort and support.
3. Leave your mattress in the same position that you installed it. Many manufacturers now have never turn or rotate warranties and that is fine. However this does not mean you won’t have problems. While you don’t have to rotate or put air in car tires we all know what happens when we don’t. Turn or rotate your mattress regularly at least once a month to minimize body impressions and extend bed life.
4. Not using a mattress pad or mattress protector is one of the big no no’s that people seem to do. A mattress pad or protector is an important safeguard that absorbs moisture and can keep mattresses from getting stained. Mattress warranties are usually void if they have a stain on them.
5. Not using sheets. This seems like a no brainer but I cannot tell you how many times I have seen this happen. Like a mattress pad a good sheet set will help to protect the mattress. Perform regular mattress care and maintenance. Once a week the bed sheets need to be washed and mattress pads or protectors every 2-4 weeks as needed. Lastly while bedding is removed this is a great time to vacuum the mattress to remove loose dirt and dust.
6. Let your mattress get wet. Water or any other type of moisture can damage the upholstery. If moisture is not dried it can become a haven for mold and mildew and become a health hazard for the sleeper.
7. Clean your mattress yourself. If the mattress is dirty there are ways to clean a mattress however we encourage and recommend you seek out a professional upholstery cleaning service. They will see to it that the mattress is cleaned properly, stains are removed or  minimized while limiting unnecessary moisture that can cause more serious problems.
8. Bend or Fold your mattress. Mattresses either have steel border rods or foam encased edges along with steel coils. All of these things can be damaged or even ruined if bent or folded.
9. Use your mattress and boxspring without a proper supporting bed frame is probably one of the most often don’t do’s that people do. A proper supporting frame will help properly distribute weight evenly on the boxspring. Without a frame the boxspring will bow, sag, or even worse break. Seek out manufacturers or retailers advice on how to support a box spring correctly.
10. Stain your mattress. Do not smudge or stain your mattress, most mattress manufacturers have a disclaimer that says if the mattress is stained, smudged or marked up they reserve to the right to refuse warranty coverage. One way to protect your bed from such marks or scuffs to to wrap it in a couple fitted sheets and carry it instead of dragging it if you are  moving.

Seriously, stain my mattress void my warranty?

There is a harsh reality that many people don’t find out about until it is too late to do anything about it. Mattress manufacturers have become very strict on what they will and won’t cover when it comes to stains and marks on a bed.  So are we simply saying that if your mattress gets a little something on it you’re simply S.O.L.? Well to be honest with many  bedding companies that very well may be what you can expect.

Have warranties always been like this?

No this has not always been the way warranties were handled by manufacturers. Most had guidelines for mattress stains but nothing to the degree that we so often read and hear about today. Back in the day the idea was to protect the people that would be handling the mattress delivery people, factory inspectors, etc. from the potential health risk involved in handling such mattresses. In the day stains implied and meant blood, urine, and other bodily fluids and to be honest who could blame them. Frankly somewhere between then and now something went crazy. Today it is not uncommon that if  you have so much as a mark, scrape, scuff, or smudge on your mattress that the mattress builders will deny even a legitimate claim, even for something like a 2 inch body impression. Websites, forums, and blogs all tell the same stories of rejected indisputable warranty claims due to an inch or two long mark that was caused while moving a mattress or handling it. Perhaps a coffee spot, or dye from a set of sheets that bled. The fact is these kind of marks won’t hurt anyone; a two inch body impression is a definite mattress problem that causes  terrible discomfort and sleepless nights for a mattress owner yet a smudge or a spot of coffee is reason enough for warranty rejection. 

What can I do to protect myself in the case of a warranty claim?

Use a waterproof mattress protector. They are cheaply priced, easy to install, and it will cover your mattress and your rear in the case of a mattress warranty claim. Some companies offer applied stain protector packages that will waterproof and stain protect your mattress. Many even guarantee mattress replacement or cleaning  in the event of an accidental stain. Whatever you choose to do about it is up to you. Know this, you can expect to be denied for a warranty claim if your mattress becomes soiled or unsanitary at any time. Warranty rules are made by the manufacturers and we have to play by their rules. In addition retail companies that offer comfort guarantees usually work the same way so be cautious and don’t wait until and accident happens to protect your investment.

Is it OK to Buy a mattress that you never have to turn?

Worn out Yokohamas By The Pug Father

Back in the old days grandma took the old mattress outside and beat it to clean it, she washed the sheets regularly and flipped the mattress over and turned it around so it would last longer. However some company’s today are marketing some new fangled Neverturn™ mattress designs that could put grandma’s job in jeopardy.  So what’s grandma to do?

Not so fast there Spring Air and others like them. Neverturn™ doesn’t mean you shouldn’t turn and turn them you should. How often and why? Well grandma new best.

As often as you can is the truth and it’s our opinion this Neverturn™ philosophy of care is more marketing than the way it should be in the real world. The fact is a person doesn’t have to rotate the tires on their car either, but if you don’t they will wear uneven possibly causing one portion of the traction patch to have tread while the other side is nearly bald or having very little traction capability.

A mattress is no different than a tire. Our body weight is located primarily from the shoulder to the hip region and typically weighs significantly more than our feet, legs, and head do. If we were to never turn our mattress then the combination of weight, gravity, and time would cause the head end of the mattress to wear out before the foot end.

We encourage everyone regardless of what a manufacturer, salesman, or warranty card says to use a common sense approach and protect your investment of healthful sleep.  Turn or rotate your mattress if possible as much as once a month. It will last longer, wear more evenly, and feel great for many more years than if you to don’t turn it. You can rest assured of this. How Is A Mattress Like The Tire On Your Car? They can both wear unevenly and it definitely affects the performance.

What causes a mattress to smell?

Often in the process of delivering a brand new mattress we are asked to remove and dispose of the old one. One of the first things we frequently notice when we walk into a bedroom we’ve never been in before is an odor. It may seem gross but it is more common than you might think. This is more often than not a result of forgetting about, neglect, or lack of knowledge in proper preventative mattress care. No matter what the reason, below is a list of steps that can be taken to prevent it from happening to your brand new mattress. Lets face it mattresses can be expensive and if the following steps are not taken the end result will be an embarrassing smelly bed and or bedroom and hard earned money wasted.

How to prevent mattress smell?

The old familiar question is this “my mattress smells really bad and it’s affecting my whole room, is there a way to clean it?” I think the best answer starts with the old cliché an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. The key really is prevention which is where I start my explanation in the hopes the customer will never have it happen again. Keep the mattress clean by practicing normal mattress maintenance includes:

• Use sheets and a Mattress pad
• Cleaning the sheets at least once a week
• Wash the mattress pad more frequently
• Use bed linens that include a large amount of absorbent fabrics like cotton
• Vacuum your mattress regularly
• If possible on a nice sunny day place your mattress outside
• Enclose the mattress in a Zippered Mattress Protector / Encasement

What to do about a mattress that smells bad?

• Have it professionally cleaned
• Steam cleaners are a common cleaning option
• Dry cleaning solutions should not be used for cleaning mattresses
• Home remedies for mattress cleaning and stain removal
• When cleaning mattresses, always be sure to check the manufacturer’s care label, call the retailer that you purchased the mattress from, or most importantly contact the manufacturer to avoid voiding your manufacturers warranty and potentially damaging or completely ruining your mattress.

What ever method of mattress cleaning you choose inner foam layers should never get wet. Inner layers are nearly impossible to get completely dry which can cause mold and mildew.

I couldn’t believe what is in a mattress.

Not so long ago I was participating in a local home show where this guy was demonstrating what gets trapped in a mattress. I have been in the mattress business a long time and really thought he wasn’t going to show me something I didn’t already know. After a short demonstration of what was essentially a Hoover Vacuum Cleaner on steroids, he emptied a big pile of dirt onto a black cloth. Before he did this he installed what used to be a clean bag.

What can you and I take from a medicine wagon show?

I can tell you this, for years I have been preaching the importance of cleaning your mattress and foundation regularly with a vacuum cleaner. This is not to say you necessarily need to use a commercial one like I witnessed at the home show. But after seeing what I’d always envisioned trapped in a bed I think we all need to consider at least some level of regular maintenance and preventative mattress care.

How to regularly care for your mattress?

1 Start with the simple things
Use a good quality set of sheets. Use materials that breathe and allow air to flow freely to minimize perspiration.

2 Keep a good quality mattress protector on your bed.
Some people will use something as simple as a mattress pad which offers a low level of protect, while others use a mattress protector. Look for one that is waterproof and breathes so you won’t get hot when you sleep.

3 Clean Bedding Regularly
That’s right bachelors you too, clean those sheets often. At least once at weak is recommended. Mattress pads or protectors should be cleaned at least once a month.

Just following these 3 easy steps can keep your room and your mattress smelling fresh. This kind of normal mattress maintenance may also keep you healthy. Dirt, dust, allergen, perspiration, body oils, and yes all the unmentionables can absorb and collect in this over sized sponge. So take care of your bed and take care of yourself by caring for your bed properly and don’t forget to replace it after 8-10 years. You wouldn’t wear the same clothes everyday right?