Advice to make your mattress last

Beds can last for generations if properly cared for. Mattresses have a far shorter life — typically around 10 years — but a few simple procedures can add years to their lives and improve your sleep comfort as well.

Mattress quality is difficult to judge in the showroom, so do your product research before you visit one. As a general rule, it's best to buy the highest-quality set you can afford.

Foam cushioning

High-quality latex foam cushioning loses resilience slower than polyurethane foam cushioning.

Springs and thickness

• Extra-thick mattresses require extra-long coil springs — not simply short springs that have been stretched.
• Otherwise your mattress will lose resilience quickly. Compare spring samples before you buy.
• Often the number of springs in a mattress is an indication of quality, but not always. Nor is thick mattress padding an indicator of durability.

Mattress size

• If you sleep with a partner, opt for a king- or queen-size set to allow each sleeper extra space and so weight is not concentrated in the centre of the mattress, where it can wear out the coil springs.

• If your bed begins to creak and wobble, don't ignore it.
• Most beds are assembled with knock-down hardware, so you can probably fix the wobble simply by tightening the hardware.
• If you leave the hardware loose it may eventually strip out of the wood, creating the need for a much more involved repair.

• Never use a new mattress with an old box spring. Mattress-and-box-spring sets are designed to work in unison (the springs align), which adds life to your mattress and ensures maximum comfort.
• Experts claim that using a mattress with a mismatched box spring can reduce its life by 50 per cent. It may also void the mattress warranty.

The cloth handles found on many mattresses are not made for carrying. Use them only to rotate or reposition the mattress on the box spring.

Most people tend to sleep on the same spot on their mattress every night.

• This can lead to uneven wear on the coil springs that provide support.
• To minimize this wear and to maximize comfort, manufacturers recommend that you turn your mattress every two weeks in the first three months after purchase.
• After that, turn it every two months.
• To turn a mattress, rotate it head to foot and then flip it over. Further disperse wear patterns by rotating only or flipping only on occasion.

If you rotate your mattress and execute the following mattress maintenance tips, you should expect seven to 10 years of restful sleep from a good coil-spring mattress.

• Use a high-quality, washable mattress pad to keep your mattress free from stains.
• Use a bed frame to keep your mattress from sagging in the centre. King- or queen-size sets should have a centre support to prevent bowing or breakage.
• Clean stains with mild detergent or soap and a clean cotton cloth dampened with cold water. Don't use volatile chemical removers, as they can degrade the mattress fabric and underlying materials.
• Don't allow your children to jump on your bed. Roughhousing can damage your mattress.