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5 Ways to Maintain Your Mattress

Mattresses are hard to recycle and hard to dispose of. Make your mattress last with these tips.

Josh Peterson

By Josh Peterson
Fayetteville, AR, USA | Thu Dec 11, 2008 10:55 AM ET

Mattresses are hard to dispose of. Few places recycle mattresses and they take up a lot of spaces in landfills. You might want to donate your mattress, but it’s actually illegal in some states. The best thing to do is make your mattress last as long as possible. Here are some ways to extend the life of your mattress.

  1. Flip and Rotate Your Mattress
    Do you want a you-sized divot in your mattress? A lumpy, misshapen mattress isn’t going to be comfortable for long. Make sure to flip and rotate your mattress as per specified by the manufacturer.

  2. 2. Don't Fold, Bend or Jump on Mattress
    As a college student, I folded a few beds in order to get them into attics or through doors or down cellar steps. You're not supposed to do that. You can bend them a little, but a bend of over 20 degrees can damage a mattress. Also, don't jump on the bed. Your mom was right.

  3. Keep Your Mattress Clean
    Use a mattress pad to keep your mattress free of stains. You'll want to clean the mattress monthly with a vacuum to maintain air quality. For stains, use warm water, sparingly, with non-toxic, eco-friendly soap. Avoid harsh, abrasive cleansers.

  4. Protect Your Mattress from the Elements
    Fire and water will ruin a mattress fast as anything. Don't smoke in bed, and never soak your mattress to clean it. Keep damp towels off your mattress. It is also a good idea to not drink in bed. If your mattress gets soaked, take it outside and let it air out.

  5. Support Your Mattress
    An unsupported mattress will quickly sag and go bad. Put slats beneath your bed. You can usually buy them from the manufacturer or you can make them yourself from repurposed lumber.

  6. More on Mattresses:
    Recycling : Reduce Reuse Recycle Reuse
    How and Where To Recycle Your Old Mattress
    All Wool Mattress by Shepherd's Dream

    Whether it's DIY green renovation tips you're looking for or 5 ways to reuse nearly everything you can think of, learn how with Planet Green Home & Garden.

 
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