Easy Fixes for Bed and Mattress Issues

A mattress is a big purchase for any budget and many are not eager to replace a faulty bed. Before visiting a mattress or furniture store, try these home fixes for a better night's sleep.

Give it a little more support

First, lift up your mattress and take a look at the frame beneath. You may find that some of the supporting wooden slats are cracked or broken. If so, try the following remedy.

• Measure the slats and buy exact replacements — most DIY stores will cut wood to size for you if you don't want to trim it yourself. Make sure the new slats are the same depth as the old ones so you don't create dips or bumps beneath the mattress. Remove the broken slats and screw the new ones into place using screws slightly longer than the original ones.
• If the bed slats are intact, but the mattress is still saggy, lay a couple of sheets of pegboard across the whole area of the frame to spread the load when you are lying in bed. Don't use solid board; the holes in the pegboard will let your mattress breathe.
• A mattress that dips in just one area can easily be fixed to give you a good night's sleep until you buy a replacement. Take one or two spare blankets and fold them in half, and then in half again. Place the folded blanket(s) beneath the sagging area, and adjust its position until the mattress is level.

Deodorize and freshen with baking soda

Deal with a musty mattress by making up a dry mixture of one part baking soda and one part dried lavender (an herb that aids sleep and restfulness). Sprinkle the mixture evenly onto the surface of the mattress and leave it for a couple of hours before vacuuming off. Flip the mattress over and repeat on the other side.

Turn your mattress regularly to prolong its life.

Make a habit of turning the mattress every time you change the sheets; alternate rotating it from top to bottom with flipping it over to ensure that it wears evenly. Tuck a note under the mattress to remind you which way to turn it next time around. "No turn" mattresses (which have one sleeping surface) should not be flipped but should still be rotated.

Check the frame, the mattress and the floor

Loose joints are usually to blame for a squeaky bed, especially if the bed has a wooden frame, the components of which can swell and contract with the changing seasons.

• Tighten all the bolts and screws holding the frame and headboard together, and squirt a little WD-40 around each joint — even on a wooden frame — to subdue the sounds.
• Check that the mattress is centred on the frame.
• An uneven floor can make the bed frame twist and creak. Shift the bed slightly to ensure all the legs make good contact with the floor, or build up a short leg with slices of cork.

Fluff it back up in your tumble dryer

When a good shake is no longer enough to plump up the fibres in your duvet, pop it in the tumble dryer on a cool setting. Add a couple of new tennis balls and run the dryer for 30 minutes. The action of the balls as the duvet tumbles will bring the bounce back to your bedding.