Caring For Your Mattress Set

Consider your new mattress and foundation as "sleep equipment" that needs to be cared for in order to assure the best hygiene and performance. It's important to follow mattress care instructions from the maker of your mattress as products vary greatly. However, in general it's important to know about the following:

Proper installation
Make sure your new mattress and foundation are properly installed in your home. Improper installation can damage your new sleep set. Mattress Showroom’s delivery service guarantees the proper installation of your mattress set! If you choose to transport and install on your own, ask the store personnel to give you some tips to help you avoid problems.

Give it good support
Use a sturdy bed frame. If it's a queen or king size set, make sure your frame has the adequate center support that will prevent bowing or breakage. *Frames without this center support can in many cases void the manufacturer’s warranty, as well as Mattress Showroom’s Sleep Soundly Guarantee.

It's not a trampoline
Don't let the kids jump on your sleep set. Their rough-housing could do damage to the interior construction, as well as to themselves!

Use a protective pad
A good quality, washable mattress pad (and one for the foundation, too, if you like) is a must to keep your set fresh and free from stains. Premium mattress protectors are available at each of our showrooms. These protectors guarantee full protection of your mattress for 10 years. In addition, their use is strongly encouraged to ensure compliance with warranty requirements and Mattress Showroom’s Sleep Soundly Guarantee specifications.

Don't dry clean
The chemicals in dry cleaning agents/spot removers may be harmful to the fabric or underlying materials. Vacuuming is the only recommended cleaning method. But if you're determined to tackle a stain, use mild soap with cold water and apply lightly. Do not ever soak a mattress or foundation.

Don't remove the tag
Contrary to popular belief, it's not illegal to remove the law tag, but the information on the label will serve as a means of identification should you have a warranty claim.

No boards, please
Never put a board between the mattress and foundation. It may enhance the sense of support for a while, but it will only make the problem worse over time. When any bed in your home has reached the "board stage", get rid of it.

Let it breathe
If you detect a slight "new product" odor while your mattress is new, leave the mattress and foundation uncovered and well ventilated for a few hours. A breath of fresh air should do the trick!

Out with the old
Now that you've treated yourself to a new sleep set, arrange to have your old bed removed and disposed of. Don't give it to the kids, relatives, guests or neighbors. If it wasn't good enough for you, it isn't good enough for anyone else. Throw it out!

Mattress Showroom’s Delivery Service
Ensure your new sleep set is installed correctly by using our professional delivery service. As well as the obvious benefits of saving yourself the time and hassle of transporting your mattress across town in the back of a truck, or up flights of stairs and tight corners/doorways in your home, our service also includes the removal and disposal of your old mattress set! Proper installation is guaranteed, and our professional delivery persons can help answer any additional mattress care questions you may have.

For an additional perspective, please read the following information, which is adapted from an article titled "Body Depressions Are Not Defects" by Ron Wolinski, Manager of Sales Education for Simmons.

When you invest in a quality sofa and you want it to last for many years, you're told to rotate and turn the cushions every time you vacuum your carpet and upholstery. Even more importantly, when you invest in down cushions, which are the most expensive you can get, you are advised to turn and fluff up those cushions every time you use your sofa because down tends to settle and must be renewed so it's not flat.

Another common analogy is the maintenance of your automobile. You are advised to change your oil regularly to maintain maximum engine performance and avoid breakdowns. You're also advised to rotate your tires regularly to even out the wear and extend the life of the tires...

It is just as important with mattresses, if not more so (as you spend about a third of your life lying on one), to care for it to extend its life. An investment in a more expensive, higher quality mattress can continue to work for you for over ten years with the proper care. The proper maintenance of a sleep set plays a major role in the consumer's understanding of what they can experience with a new sleep system, and how they can gain the greatest return on investment (long-term comfort and support).

A new sleep set will feel different from an old set. Initially, it will be higher with more loft to the surface. That happens for two reasons. There are different and possibly more layers of upholstery that create the comfort in a new mattress. This is called "top comfort." The important support that the back and the spine need is complemented by these layers of polyfoam, dacron, insulators, and sometimes even wool, silk, or cashmere. The layers of upholstery in old mattresses have become compressed and flattened over the years. Upholstery layers in a new mattress have a certain amount of air in these materials. In addition, a break in period is required. This is when new materials begin to settle and conform to the shapes and curves of the body. This takes time.

While this adjustment is taking place, creases, or "comfort wrinkles," may be noticeable. This is a natural process and these creases are not defects. To help the new sleep system complete this adjustment to personal needs, the sleep set needs to be maintained. This settling of materials can be evened out by turning the mattress (end to end) on a regular basis. It is recommended that the mattress is turned once every two weeks for the first three months, and then twice per year after that. The foundation should also be turned every 12 months.