How often do you replace your pillows? When was the last time you flipped your mattress? Did you know that your bed covers should be changed and washed at least once a week?
If you’re well aware of how best to look after your deliciously soft bedding, mattresses, pillows and bed covers then that’s great, but plenty of people will be surprised to learn that making your bed straight after you’ve sprung out of it each morning isn’t in fact the greatest idea, and there are plenty of other perhaps surprising titbits to learn.
If you think that you may be a little unprepared when it comes to taking care of your bed and all of its accoutrements, then we are here to break it down for you. From the mattress to the pillow to the duvets and its covers, read on for our ultimate guide on looking after your bedroom’s most important accessories.
Pillows
The purpose of the pillow is to ensure that your neck is getting the right amount of support while you spend all of those hours in restful slumber. Making sure you get the pillow with the correct level of comfort and support is so important and so it makes sense to shop around for the perfect pick. Leading Canadian products review website, Comfynorth has taken a detailed look at some of the best pillows you can buy, and it’s sites like these that offer the greatest insight into what might work for you best.
When it comes to caring for your pillows, are you aware that they should be swapped out every one to two years? Quality will reflect longevity here, so read those guides to ensure you’re off to a good starting point. You’ll know when it’s time to replace your pillows as they will become saggy, start to smell and will become lumpy. A pillow protector will come in handy, be sure to pop it in with your weekly bedding wash.
Mattress
You spend around a third of your life in bed, and your mattress has to work hard to provide you with a comfortable place to lie every night, while snugly supporting your whole body, and paying special attention to your back and spine. With variations in size, material and quality, choosing the perfect mattress to suit your needs is really important, but once this has been achieved how do you take the best care of it, and how often does it need replacing?
The first step is to buy the best quality mattress in the first place, and to air it for at least eight hours once it has arrived and also for a few hours each week. Using a mattress topper and protector that can be cleaned with the linen will ensure that sweat, moisture, dead skin and bacteria will be less likely to make their way to the mattress.
Two-sided mattresses should be flipped every month and rotated every other month, while no-turn mattresses should be rotated each month but pay special attention to this in the early days. Your mattress should be replaced every six to eight years, or sooner if it is sagging, smells, or uncomfortable.
Duvet and bed covers
The elements that can really up the comfort factor on any bed is the bedding, and so opting for the cosiest of materials will no doubt ensure that you’ll be on cloud nine each evening. Keep your bedding nice and clean by changing covers weekly or sooner, on hot summer nights, and be sure to air the duvet, pillow and mattress for a few hours before putting new linen on.
Replace your duvet every two to five years and bed sheets every two to three years, longer if you’re using multiple sets, and especially when linen starts to look faded, or if they are yellowing or thinning.
The final word
Overall, the most important things to remember when it comes to your bed and its many accessories is to opt for high quality items in the first place, wash and air regularly, protect your pillows and mattress, and replace as indicated above, and you’ll no doubt enjoy plenty of nights in blissful slumber.
