Apart from dusting and stain removal, if your mattress needs washing it is best to make a frothy cleaning solution for the purpose. For this, you need a little warm water, some dry detergent and an electric beater. Put the detergent in a bowl and start slowly pouring in warm water a few teaspoonfuls at a time. Mix this stuff on medium speed and it will form into this crazy froth of suds!

Skim the top off the froth and take it to your mattress. With a soft brush or a firm sponge, rub the dry suds into the stain using a circular motion. Keep rubbing until the stain begins to fade. If you need to use more, be sure to rinse your sponge or brush in warm water and be sure to rid it of any and all water droplets before using the dry suds.

Your goal here is to not get the padding inside the mattress wet. If you do, you’re going to end up with not only an awful stain, but an odious smell as well!

Letting your mattress dry outside is a great approach and will give it a fresh smell (like laundry dried on a clothes line), though be careful to place it so it doesn’t get dirtier. Even moving it near an open window or door will work, though not as well.

If you find it is too wet, then use a hair dryer to dry it up. A fan strategically placed would do well, too.

Here are a few do’s and don’ts  for the upkeep of your existing mattresses. If you’ve just got yourself new ones, use these tips to familiarise yourself with your new sleeping mates.

Rotate your mattress pair periodically to ensure even wear and tear. The more you turn the mattress, the longer it will last. When a mattress is new, turn it head to foot every 2 weeks for the first three months, and flip it over once a month. Continue to rotate and flip the mattress once a month thereafter.

Use a washable mattress pad to protect the ticking from soil and stains. Periodically vacuum to remove dust and surface dirt. Clean stains with mild soap and cool water, applied lightly. Never soak a mattress or foundation or use cleaning fluid of any type.

Do not bend or fold the mattress. Particular care must be taken with mattresses as you manoeuvre them around corners. The warranty does not apply to damage while handling or moving the mattress. Try not to move your mattress alone.

Don’t worry about body impressions. Body impressions are normal for a new mattress. The impressions are caused by the settling of mattress materials which are beginning to contour to your body to provide the support where you need it most. These impressions are not indicative of structural failure.

Don’t trample on them. Make sure children do not use your new sleep set as a trampoline. The weight concentration breaks down the inner construction and materials.

Allow for break-in time. Like new shoes, your body may need time (sometimes a month) to adjust to sleeping on a new mattress. If you have been sleeping on a soft mattress, your back will need extra time to adjust to the added support offered by your new sleep set.

Queen mattresses need centre support. Queen -size bedding needs a centre support to help distribute the weight evenly. If not used, the warranty may not apply.

Use a quality bed frame. It must be sturdy enough to provide the correct support for your sleep set. A bent frame will cause the foundation to bend, which in turn will cause the mattress to bend. 

Follow these little tips and you’ll not only keep bed bugs at bay but not have to lumber over your slumber!

— Compiled by Chetna Banerjee