So, you’ve been walking up achy, groggy, and a little grumpy? Back stiff? Neck sore? Tossing and turning all night? Bed isn’t as comfortable as it once was? Does it whine, groan, and creak every time you move in it? Is it sagging or bowing in the middle?
Maybe it’s time for a new mattress. If it’s been longer than ten years, that time has come. The good news is that the quality of beds keeps getting better and better. This means great support for you and lots of comfort.
Here are some tips:
Consider the type of mattress you’d like to buy. Great tips are at Choose-A-Mattress.
Treat buying a mattress like you would a new car or any other high ticket item. For tips on sales practices before sleepwalking into a store, check out the Mattress Buyers Guide.
Also check out products at Consumer Reports.
Want to understand about gauges in a mattress? Visit The Consumerist.
When checking out a mattress at the store, have you and your significant other try the bed at the same time.
After buying your new mattress, be sure to let it air out for at least a half hour out of its packaging.
Make sure you have the right foundation for your mattress (i.e., box spring, wood slates), as well as the right fitting sheets.
Don’t bend the mattress, even if just trying to put on sheets (see previous tip!); when moving a mattress (i.e., to another room), carry on its side.
Don’t mix (i.e., old with new). If you buy a new mattress then get the new box spring too, preferably a matching one since the mattress and boxes spring are designed to work together.
An allergy-resistant, water repellent plastic/vinyl mattress cover/pad will be helpful should an “accident” occur in bed (think babies and puppies). Your nose will thank you, too, if you have allergies.
If someone or something (like a baby or puppy) does have an accident on your mattress, check out House of Strauss’ in-depth article on really getting that mattress clean.
If you get an odor on the mattress, try sprinkling on baking soda.
As fun as it is, don’t jump on the mattress. It breaks it down. (Sorry, kids!)
Flipping and rotating is important. Mattress.com tells you how. (And it’s probably more often than you think!)
Now that you know how to buy, maintain, and even clean a mattress, you can rest easy! Gah-night!
–Diva Kimbling
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