How to take care of your mattress for better sleep

In addition, as you age, your body becomes more sensitive to indentations. This sensitivity interrupts sleep, due to restlessness as your body seeks a comfortable position.

This is only part of the issues mattresses pose to sleep and general well-being. Poor mattress care has potential to aggravate body aches and pains, allergies, and skin problems.

Here are signs you need to watch out for:

Signs that you need to get a new mattress

When you realise that you got or get better night's sleep somewhere other than your bed, like a hotel.
Waking up with a stiff, numb or aching body or body parts, numbness, aches and pains.
When you have signs of fatigue despite sleeping through the night.
Your mattress is over the seven-year mark or shows obvious signs of overuse like holes, tears, or stains.

Replacing an old mattress

Don't give out an old mattress to anyone. If it was bad for your sleep, that won't change for the new owner.

Once you have found some mattresses you are interested in, give them a test run. Take care to wear comfortable clothes when mattress hunting, because you need the comfort when gauging a mattress' compatibility.

Lie on the mattress and try 'sleeping' in various positions. Spend more time in the position you usually sleep in.

Note: It takes up to 15 minutes for your body to relax enough into the mattress so you can feel its true support. Don't rush.

Caring for a mattress

Give your mattress a sturdy bedframe with a strong centre. Get a spring box with your mattress and have them properly installed.

Vacuuming a mattress Pulse

A spring box sits between the mattress and bedframe to offer height, but most importantly to absorb impact. Don't put a board between the mattress and bed because over time it will make the mattress condition worse.

Follow the manufacturer's instruction manual guidelines for the best method to care for your mattress.

Use a vacuum to clean your mattress instead of using dry cleaning products. The chemicals active in these products are harmful to the fabric and materials of the mattress.

Keep the mattress and foundation dry at all times. If there's a damp spot, sprinkle a bit of baking soda to absorb the moisture and then vacuum.

To avoid most of these problems, cover the mattress with a high-quality washable cover. You can cover the spring box as well, if your prefer.

How to cover your mattress

This layer of protection keeps dust, dirt, stains, mites and others from ruining the mattress.

Mattress encasement Pulse

They include mattress protectors, pads and encasements. Some of these have protective properties such as flame resistance, hypoallergenic, anti-microbial among others. Encasements are impenetrable for bedbugs.

Most of them are also machine washable.

Encasements

This one typically has six dies and encloses the mattress with a zipper to seal it of.

Mattress encasements for allergy protection are well suited for those suffering from chronic allergy. They protect against dust, mites, dead skin, pollen and pet dander.

Mattress encasements for bed-bug protection, although they don't prevent a household bed bug infestation, they keep the bugs out of your mattress.

Mattress Pad Pulse

Pads, protectors and toppers

Pads and protectors: These two usually have five sides and fit the mattress like a sheet. The pads are thicker than protectors and offer extra comfort.

Toppers: They are thicker than the other three coverings and sit on top of the mattress. They are usually more diversified in material including cotton, memory foam or quilt.

Types of pads/toppers

Fitted: A fitted pad/topper is a thick, fitted sheet with quilting on the top and elastic sides to hold the pad in place.

Mattress Topper Pulse

Anchor: An anchor pad/topper is a cheaper version covering the top of the mattress and anchored by elastic bands in the corners. Some have sidewalls that can expand to accommodate big sizes.

Memory foam pad: This one looks like a thin mattress, it provides extra cushioning.

Egg crate: This is less expensive than the memory foam pad for more cushioning.