How to care for your bed

If you want your mattress to last, then it’s really important that you look after it properly. Read on for some great tips on how to do this effectively.

1. Read your warranty

Before you do anything to your mattress, be sure to read the warranty and understand what the limits are. Understanding how your actions may affect your warranty will save possible headaches and money in the future. For further information on our warranty policy, please click here. 

Comfi recommends you protect your mattress from day 1. See below.


2. Get some protection

The most important part of caring for your mattress is having preventative layers that create barriers against moisture, dust and dirt. A mattress protector is a great way of protecting your mattress and keeping it in good condition. A washable cover will protect your mattress from stains, and you can also buy covers made from purpose-made ‘barrier’ fabric if you have a dust allergy. Please see our website for mattress protectors.


3. Flip and spin

Here’s a handy hint: the beginning and end of daylight-saving time is a great way to remember when to give your mattress a little extra attention by flipping and/or rotating it. This process helps to offset the normal settling that occurs by placing body weight on a surface that compresses. Also, once a year, take your mattress outside and stand it up in the sun for as long as possible. Direct sunlight will kill any nasties as well as give your mattress a chance to “re-settle”.


4. Keeping your mattress clean

According to research conducted in the UK, the average adult sheds around 454g of dead skin over the course of a year, much of which ends up nestled in your bed. Vacuum the mattress and base from time to time to remove this dust. This will not only keep your mattress fresh but also help prevent allergy flare ups that can occur due to microbes and dust mites. 

While there's no right or wrong answer to the question of how often a mattress needs cleaning, every six months is advisable. Again, we also recommend a washable mattress protector to help protect your mattress and keep it clean.

5. Some tips on what NOT to do

• Don’t remove border labels or tags. The border label on your new bed contains important information to help identify the mattress you own, should you have any future concerns.
  
• Don’t use chemical cleaning agents on your mattress. Chemicals contained in some cleaning agents may damage the fabric or underlying materials in your mattress. To remove a stain or mark, please see our tips on how to clean your mattress here.
  
• Don’t smoke in bed.
• Don’t saturate fabric with water and other cleaning liquids.
• Don’t scrub with a stiff brush. Rather use a damp cloth.

For more tips on how to clean your mattress, click here.

How to Clean Your Mattress

Cleaning your mattress probably isn't that high up on your list of chores. But there are many reasons why you should spend a few minutes every few months making it cleaner. For one, the average person spends roughly a third of their life in bed, so it pays to keep it as hygienic as possible. After all, your mattress may well be among one of the most expensive and long-lasting items in your home, so it makes sense to look after it.  

Whether there's a particular stain or smell you want to remove, or you just want to give your mattress a regular refresh, our expert tips below will help you keep it in top condition. Remember to always check the instructions or care label of your mattress first.


How to clean a mattress 

If your mattress is stain-free, cleaning it should be a quick process. 

Simply follow the six steps below: 

• Strip the bed and wash your bed linen. Follow the instructions on the labels and remember that stains on your sheets are more likely to be removed through a normal wash cycle. 
• Check for new stains on the mattress. If you find any, scroll down for tips on how to tackle them. 
• Gently vacuum the surface of the mattress. For this, you should use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner, making sure the attachment is clean before you begin. Once you've given the mattress the once over, go back and focus on any nooks and crannies in the surface to make sure you pick up every last bit of dust and dead skin. It's a good idea to vacuum under the bed to remove dust at the same time, especially if you suffer from allergies. 
• Rotate your mattress from head to toe if it's one-sided or flip it if it's two-sided. If it's the latter, make sure you vacuum both sides of the mattress. 
• Air your mattress for a few hours to let the fabric breathe. Unless you need to get rid of an unpleasant smell (see below), opening the bedroom window to let fresh air circulate around the room and pass through the fabric in your mattress should be sufficient. 

Remake the bed. We recommend using a mattress protector beneath your sheet to protect your mattress from dust and sweat, as this means you won't have to clean the mattress so often.

How to remove mattress stains 

Scrubbing stains out of a mattress is no one's idea of fun, but it's essential if you want to keep your mattresses clean and odour free for years to come. 

Before you get going, there are three golden rules to follow:

• Try to attack stains as soon as possible after they occur. 
• Always check the mattress label before you apply any cleaning products. 
• Test any cleaning solution on a small part of the stain first to ensure it won't damage the mattress. 
  
  

How to get blood stains out of a mattress 

To get blood stains out of your mattress, first dab at the stain with a little cold water. Be careful not to soak the mattress and don't rub the stain as this could spread the blood further.  

You may find this technique to be surprisingly effective, especially if the stain is recent, but if not, try adding a little baking soda to the water. Apply to the stain, leave it for 30 minutes, and then dab with clean water and leave to dry. 

If the stain is still there after the mattress has dried, try following the steps below for removing urine. 


How to get urine out of a mattress 

To remove bodily fluids such as urine from your mattress, try diluting washing-up liquid in water and then gently dabbing at the stain with a cloth or sponge.

Remember that mattresses aren't waterproof, so it's best to clean slowly and steadily. If the stain still isn't lifting, and your mattress care label says it's ok, use an upholstery cleaner, but always read the instructions. 

We recommend erring on the side of caution, so it's safest to dilute it and avoid spraying it directly onto the mattress. 


Removing other mattress stains 

For food and drink stains, such as tea and coffee, your best bet is to try the baking soda and cold-water mix mentioned above. For bodily fluids and sweat stains, try using diluted washing-up liquid. If in any doubt, though, contact us at 0508 SO COMFI (762 6634) to find out if they have any specific advice.