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Use and Maintenance Tips

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Most mattresses hold up well over time; consumers return less than one percent of mattresses for warranty failures such as broken springs. Even with this strong performance rating, however, you can also lengthen through a few simple practices.

• Rotate your mattress: You put more stress on certain areas of a mattress, so to even out wear and tear, rotate (head to foot) your mattress at least every three months. In addition, some mattresses, particularly Serta models and older conventional models, also need to be flipped annually for the same purpose. Newer mattresses do not need flipping, however, so simply ask the salesman whether you will need to flip yours.

• Don’t stand or jump on your mattress: Your mother was right: it’s bad to jump on the bed. Standing and jumping puts excessive stress on small areas of the mattress.

• Use a mattress pad: A mattress pad simply adds another layer of protection to your mattress and blocks some of the perspiration and dust particles that might otherwise harm your mattress.

• Don’t remove the mattress tag: Contrary to popular legend, you won’t be arrested if you remove the tag, but it does establish your warranty rights, so it’s a good idea to keep it.

• Don’t use it all the time: The less time you spend in bed reading and watching television, the less your mattress will wear.

• Don’t use dry cleaning fluid on your mattress: The chemicals in these fluids can damage your mattress. When in doubt, call the manufacturer to ask how to clean your mattress.

Finally, get the most of your mattress by maintaining practices that enhance your night’s sleep. Get into a routine in which you sleep at regular times for consistent lengths each night. Exercise during the day and avoid late meals at night. A mattress can help you wake up rested, but it doesn’t do all the work.

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