Mattress Lifespan FAQs

How do I clean a mattress?

A mattress should be hand cleaned. You should never machine or service wash a mattress: not even if you have a foldable mattress that could theoretically fit into a washing machine! Ideally, you should use a mattress protector on your mattress, as this provides a removable top layer that can easily be machine washed. Our instructions to hand clean a mattress are:

• Fill a bowl with warm soapy water.
• Fill another bowl with warm clean water.
• Use a clean damp cloth with a small amount of detergent (no bleach).
• Lightly sponge stains in a circular motion.
• Rinse your cloth in the second clean bowl.
• For stubborn stains, mix bicarbonate of soda with water to form a paste.
• Dry the cleaned area by sponging it with a clean cloth.
• Open a window and leave the mattress to air dry.

You can read our in-depth guide to learn about more mattress care and maintenance tips.

How to dry a mattress?

You should always leave a mattress to air dry, preferably in a heated room. Don’t give in to the temptation to use a hairdryer, or place a mattress right next to a hot radiator. Direct heat sources like these will warp upholstery, or scorch/shrink fibres. Leave the door open in the room that your mattress is drying in for better aeration, and put a fan on to wick moisture away.

How do I wash a mattress topper?

There’s sometimes a bit of confusion between mattress toppers and mattress protectors. A mattress protector is often designed to be washed in the same way as your bedding, but a topper usually won’t be. This is why we’d always recommend a mattress protector even if you use a topper, as they’re the easiest way to keep your mattress and any toppers as clean as possible. Often, all you can do with a mattress topper is shake or flip it, although our 100% natural latex mattress toppers can be sponged with warm soapy water. An exception to the rule about protectors being washable would be if they’re made of foam. Memory foam toppers or protectors shouldn’t be machine washed, as it will not only ruin them, but the expansion and breakdown of the foam may break your washing machine. Polyester or microfibre mattress protectors can usually be washed with your bedding on a 40-degree short cycle.

How often should you change your mattress?

There is no hard and fast rule to say when you should replace your mattress. The lifespan of a mattress depends on its construction and materials, how much you use it, and how well you care for it. Our own guarantee is based on what we’ve observed is the average lifespan of a mattress that’s not regularly turned or carefully maintained. Dreams have a campaign that encourages you to replace your mattress every 8 years, and we’d agree that most mattresses should be replaced if they’re over 8 years old… but only in “normal” circumstances! If you have a much older mattress that’s still comfortable, free from dips, sagging, or uneven sections, then keep using it! If you look after it well, there is no shelf life on a mattress. However, it’s also possible for signs that you need a new mattress to manifest well before 8 years pass.

How often should you flip your mattress?

You should turn a 2-sided mattress once a month, and (if possible) also rotate it. This will help to reduce the natural settlement that causes sagging or dipping, and also prolong its lifespan.

How do I make a mattress firmer?

Making a mattress firmer is not entirely down to the base, as it's highly likely for a mattress to not be firm enough for a person due to the top comfort layers. That said, replacing sprung bed slats with solid slats (or even purchasing a new bed frame with solid slats) can help. Any gaps between slats should never exceed 3”, and in cases where they do you could try boarding over the base with a 3-5mm piece of Plywood or MDF. This essentially transforms a slatted base into a platform top. Unfortunately, there’s only so much you can do if your mattress isn’t firm enough for you. Firmess is down to the upholstery layers, so something like a mattress topper will only ever soften a mattress. If you’ve ended up with the wrong comfort layers in your mattress then we have a guide on how to choose a mattress to suit your needs.

How do I store a mattress?

You should always store a mattress flat, not on its side. Ideally, you should place a mattress on its base, but if you have to store it elsewhere then we’d advise against putting anything heavy on top of it. If you’re storing a mattress for any length of time, heavy objects on top of it can cause permanent settlement and loss of shape. We’d also recommend storing a mattress in a dry place with adequate airflow, as humidity can lead to the development of mould.

How do I dispose of a mattress?

Mattresses are recyclable. Unless you are donating a mattress that’s still in good condition to charity, or giving it away, you should arrange to have it collected for recycling (although you may have to pay a fee). Other methods of disposal (burning, leaving it in a skip, cutting it up, etc) contribute to landfill problems. If you buy a new mattress from us, John Ryan By Design actually offers an Eco Mattress Recycling service for a fee of £60 when your new product is delivered. We’ll ensure that your old mattress is totally recycled within a specialist UK centre, Each part of your old mattress can be stripped back and given a second life! We’re proud to be one of the only mattress companies to offer recycling that reduces your carbon footprint.

What size sheets do I need?

The size of sheet you’ll need depends on the mattress in question. The mattresses from our Origins range are very sizable, so you’ll need extra deep fitted sheets to cover them. For our Artisan range, standard deep fitted sheets or extra deep fitted sheets are ideal, depending on how encased you like your mattress to be. High street retailers like Dunelm, John Lewis and Marks & Spencer sell decent quality sheets, but you can also scour eBay or the internet for cheaper alternatives. If you have any more questions, just drop us a line on 0161 437 4419.

What do bed bugs on a mattress look like?

Bed bugs are only about ¼’ in size, so you’re more likely to see their shed exoskeletons as tiny brown scales in the crevices or creases of mattress upholstery than you are to see the insects themselves. However, the presence of bed bugs leaves other telltale signs, including:

• Blood spots and/or dark reddish or brownish spots on sheets and bedding.
• A musty smell.
• Itchy lumps or bite marks on the skin of people or pets.

Fortunately, some minor precautions can dissuade these miniature vampires from visiting your sleeping space! Our article on how to treat bed bugs tells you everything you need to know.

How long does an Emma mattress take to expand?

An Emma mattress - or any other boxed foam bed - should fully expand within 24 hours. If it doesn’t, then the layers may have been inadvertently (and permanently!) stuck together with adhesive. In that case, we’d advise that you send photos of your mattress to the manufacturer and start a conversation about a replacement mattress or remedial action. We’d actually advise against buying any sort of boxed mattress, as there are just too many drawbacks to make it worth your while. Our guide to unwrapping a boxed mattress goes into more detail.