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How to Fix Rips and Tears in Your Mattress

March 3, 2011 by mattress1982

It almost seems inevitable that anything that gets used eight hours a day, every day for decades, will develop rips, tears and other assorted signs of wear. Your mattress fits this bill exactly. Most people spend so much time on their mattresses and even spend quite a bit of money to have nice mattresses. But what many people lack is the foresight to properly protect their mattresses.

Protecting your mattress should be just like protecting any investment that you have. However, protecting a mattress from some of the normal wear and tear of day to day life might be a little easier than most other investments.

How to Prevent Rips and Tears on Your Mattress

The first step you can do is to prevent rips and tears from happening in the first place. This is usually accomplished with a mattress cover. Mattress covers are very handy devices that can create a barrier to stop dust and water from getting into your mattress and provide much protection and support from forces that can cause rips and tears in a mattress.

However, if you find yourself in a situation where a rip or tear has already developed, following are a few pointers on how to fix them.

How to Fix a Memory Foam Mattress Tear

For many of us with a memory foam mattress, they may seem invincible when we first get them. But over time and with heavy use, some people find out that a tear or rip in a memory foam mattress can easily happen. The best and easiest way to fix this is to head down to your local furniture or upholstery shop and ask for a special kind of glue made for memory foam mattresses. This glue will help repair your mattress and stop any tears from getting bigger.

How to Fix an Air Mattress or Waterbed Mattress Tear or Leak

Usually trying to fix a tear or leak in an air mattress or waterbed poses a few different challenges to the person trying to fix it. For an air mattress, the first thing you want to do is try to find the hole by mixing up some soap and water, applying it to parts of the bed and looking for bubbles. If you see bubbles somewhere, chances are you have a hole.

Hopefully, a small hole in a waterbed is a little more obvious. Once the hole has been identified, if it is small enough just apply a little bit of glue over the hole and let it dry. If the hole is a little too big for that, you will need to find a small square of plastic or vinyl and glue it over the hole as a patch.

While fixing a tear or rip in a mattress is not necessarily a very difficult process, it can still be mostly avoided by using a protective mattress cover. Not only that a mattress cover will protect your mattress from rips and tears but it will also protect your mattress against dust and bacteria.

Bed Skirts – What Are They?

March 3, 2011 by mattress1982

Bed skirts, while around for a long time, are starting to really make a fashion statement in many bedrooms. A bed skirt, also known as a dust ruffle, is simply a skirt of fabric that hangs down from the mattress to the floor.

Bedskirts: Both Useful and Decorative

While most bed skirts are intended as decoration, the main purpose of a skirt is to prevent dust from getting under the bed. Most people do not find dust to be that big of an enemy that they have to fortify the underside of their bed. However, most people also do not realize that the dust that gets under a bed can potentially attract dust mites, bed bugs, and other creepy crawlers that a person would not want sleeping with them. I’m sure that last part was convincing enough for some of you to go out and buy one.

Bed skirts didn’t always have the job of keeping dust out from under the bed. As it turns out, dust ruffles have been around for a very long time to simply hide bedposts that did not look very appealing or were misshaped.

Even though a bed skirt serves a very functional purpose in the bedroom, it does not mean that people have not gotten very creative with how they look. A bed skirt has become a huge fashion statement in the bedroom and is now part of a larger bedding décor that can consist of throw pillows and other decorative adornments.

Where to Look For a Bed Skirt?

You can buy bed skirts at department stores, and places like Linens N Things and Bed Bath and Beyond. You can also find them online.

When you purchase a bed skirt, make sure that you buy one that’s the right size for your bed. Don’t go home with a queen sized skirt for a king sized bed, or vice versa.

While many people don’t see the actual point of a bed skirt and think of it as a bit of a waste, it is important to remember that the average person spends almost one third of their life asleep in their bed. So why not make that bed look really nice and something that you can be proud to sleep in? As you can see, a bed skirt can be very appealing to the eye, which brings out its decorative side, but can it be useful when it comes to your health? Sure it can! A bed skirt can keep the bed bugs and dust mites away, keeping you healthier as you sleep.

What is cool about bed skirts is that no matter what color or design you like or what interesting and creative pattern you can think of that will go well with your room, chances are you can find the perfect bed skirt to meet your needs and desire. So remember that your bed is a large investment not only because of how much money you spent on it, but also how much time you will spend in it. So why not treat yourself to a nice bed skirt?

Flipping Mattresses: Why Flip a Mattress, and How To Do It.

March 3, 2011 by mattress1982

While a mattress has a lifespan of about ten years, it is important to do things to maintain the quality of the mattress so that it does in fact last those ten years. No mattress, no matter how good, will last long if you do not take care of it.

One way to take care of your mattress is to flip it on a regular basis. People are often not aware that flipping the mattress will prolong its life. There are some mattresses that cannot be flipped but they can be rotated, which will help maintain the quality of the mattress.

Some people flip their mattresses every couple of months but in some cases flipping that often is not needed. Then on the other hand people sometimes wait until it is too late to flip the mattress. Waiting until you can feel the springs or until there is sag on your side of the bed before you flip is too late. Mattress companies will advise you that flipping your mattress should be done every couple of months or once every six months to ensure that mattress stays comfortable.

No Flip Mattress: Are They Real?

When choosing a mattress you might want to consider a no flip mattress. The name of this mattress suggests that the mattress will maintain its shape and comfort and will not need to be flipped as a standard mattress does.

The name no-flip can be misleading to consumers however. A no flip mattress doesn’t mean that it will never need to be flipped; what it means is the mattress cannot be flipped. It cannot be flipped because there is no padding or upholstery on the bottom side. These mattresses are often sold at a cheaper price to try to entice people to buy them. A mattress that cannot be flipped will often not last as long as one that can. You could get five years out of this type of mattress whereas a mattress that is flipped on a regular basis can last twice as long.

Pillow Top Mattresses: Can You Flip Them?

Choosing a mattress with a pillow top will also determine if the mattress can be flipped or not. There are two types of pillow top mattresses, ones that have padding on one side and those that have the pillow added to both sides. A pillow top mattress with a single pillow top cannot be flipped. Those that have the double padding can be flipped as they are the same on both sides of the mattress. Flipping a double pillow top mattress is very important to maintaining the quality of the padding and keeping the mattress comfortable.

Rotating and Flipping a Mattress

Choosing a mattress that cannot be flipped means that you need to rotate the mattress to maintain comfort. Rotating your mattress simply means that you are turning the mattress so that every few months you are sleeping a different part of the mattress. This will keep the padding of the mattress evened out.

Rotating the mattress should be done the same as you would flip the mattress, at least every six months if not sooner. Rotating and flipping can be combined if possible. You may rotate the mattress every month and then flip every six months. This will keep your mattress looking and feeling good for a very long time. The same should be done for the box spring. They cannot be slipped as they are only upholstered on the top side but they can rotate at the same time as your mattress.

Bunk Bed Mattresses

March 1, 2011 by mattress1982

For some purchases in life, you just should not skimp on quality, and a mattress is definitely one of them. When choosing a bunk bed mattress, remember that you can spend up to one third of your entire life in bed, so choose a good, high quality mattress for your sake. A bunk bed is no exception to this rule. A good bunk bed mattress can literally translate into the difference between an amazing night of sleep and the potential for long-term health problems, not to mention thousands of hours of lost sleep.

The world of bunk bed mattresses is definitely a large and diverse one, but that does not mean it has to be complicated when choosing a mattress. By following a few simple points of information, you can make an informed decision on a bunk bed mattress.

Types of Bunk Bed Mattresses

In a very broad sense, there are two main types of mattresses: foam mattress and innerspring mattress. From a technical standpoint, an innerspring is just that, a mattress filled with springs on the inside for support. This type of mattress has been considered to be a very popular choice for bunk bed mattresses for many decades now. Another mattress type that seems to be gaining popularity is the foam mattress. A foam mattress uses special types of memory foams to create a firm, but conforming bunk bed mattress.

These different types of mattresses have many sub-categories like pillow top mattresses or the ones with different levels of firmness or softness. When it comes to these sub-categories, it is best to go to a furniture store and try them out because they are mostly personal preference.

No matter what type of mattress you choose, always try to stick with a higher quality bunk bed mattress and pick options that you will like.

The Safety Factor with Bunk Bed Mattresses

When choosing a mattress for a bunk bed, it is usually safe to assume that the person using the bunk bed is a child. Bunk beds make great beds for kids, but it is important to always think about the safety of your child.

A mattress that does not properly fit a bunk bed could open up gaps around the bed and mattress. These gaps are perfect for children getting their hands and feet stuck or getting a few bumps and scrapes during the night. The best and easiest way to prevent this from happening is by being diligent in looking for a properly sized mattress that is designed for the actual bunk bed itself.

To summarize, remember the differences in foam and innerspring, buy high quality, and always buy the properly sized bunk bed mattress. Use these guidelines, and buying a mattress can be the easiest thing in the world. Remember, one third of a person’s life is a very long time, so why choose the wrong mattress and be uncomfortable, when you can choose the one that will suit you perfectly and help your body get the most relaxation while asleep.

Read More About Bunk Beds and Bunk Bed Mattresses

Keep Kids Healthy writes this guide to bunk bed safety issues.

Consumer Reports has a very well researched guide to bunk beds and toddler beds.

The Clever Parents blog has a good guide to bunk beds for kids.

Chart of Mattress Bunk Bed Dimensions for the USA, including Standard Bunk, Narrow Bunk and Twin / Single mattress sizes.

What’s missing from this page? Does something suck? Leave a comment and let us know so that we can fix it and make it better!

Mattresses and Urine – What to Do?

March 1, 2011 by mattress1982

Urine stains on a mattress can come from accidents by young children, pets or the sick and elderly. For health reasons it is important to know how to get urine out of a mattress. In addition to leaving a foul odor, urine carries bacteria that lead to fungus and mold if left untreated. There are chemical commercial products available that help remove urine. Home treatments will often effectively do the job with just a little knowledge about cleaning a mattress that has been soiled with urine.

Steam Clean Your Mattress

Most homeowners already own a steam carpet cleaner. When a urine accident happens they may wonder how to clean a mattress using the machine. A steam cleaner can be used along with a cleaning agent to take out not only the stain, but also the bacteria. Lay the mattress on the floor to use the cleaner using the recommended heat settings. The cleaner will suck up most of the liquid cleanser and urine. The mattress should then be left to air dry. Some people put the mattress in the room with a fan in order to speed up the drying time. The stain and odor from the urine should be gone when the mattress is completely dry.

Rubbing Alcohol to Clean A Mattress

Another suggestion for people who would like to know how to get urine out of a mattress is to try rubbing alcohol. Alcohol is a natural disinfectant and antiseptic. Although it probably will not remove the stain, it will kill the bacteria that are present. Applying the alcohol with a spray bottle allows it to dry even more quickly. Be sure to use alcohol with no coloring to avoid further staining.

Liquid Detergent or Shampoo and Mattresses

Cleaning products found right in the home can help to get urine out of a mattress. If the stain is new it can usually be removed with liquid detergent or even shampoo diluted with a small amount of water. These products clean the mattress and also leave a fresh scent. One good tip for how to clean a mattress is to take the mattress to the garage or basement and stand it against the wall. Applying the cleanser is less back breaking and the liquid has less chance of soaking in.

Distilled Vinegar to Clean a Mattress

Clear vinegar has been an answer to prayer for how to get urine out of a mattress for decades. Vinegar also has antiseptic properties that will kill bacteria and neutralize odor. Like alcohol, it does not remove stains. Those have successfully used vinegar as the solution to how to clean a mattress suggest applying a small amount, making sure the edges of the stain are covered.

Here are some tips on how to clean a mattress utilizing any of the above methods. If the urine is still wet, soak up as much of the liquid as possible with a dry towel before cleaning. After cleaning make sure the mattress is completely dry before using. Taking it outdoors in the sun is one of the best ways to do this. Sprinkling baking soda or odor remover will eliminate any odor left after applying these suggestions.