Mattress Warning: You are not logged in. Your IP address will be publicly visible if you make any edits. If you log in or create an account, your edits will be attributed to your username, along with other benefits.Anti-spam check. Do not fill this in! ==Maintenance and care== [[Wear and tear|Wear]] problems occur with most mattresses and can include sagging, [[mildew]], and staining. These are prevented by proper support, rotation and flipping, keeping it dry, and using a mattress pad or protector. Some symptoms of a broken or worn-out mattress include springs which can be felt poking through the upholstery layer, visible permanent sagging or deformity, lumpiness, and excessive squeaking. Mattresses require a solid foundation which does not itself sag β a sagging foundation, such as by weak slats on a wide bed, will in turn cause the mattress to sag. Consistently sleeping in the same place and body position causes excessive wear, and thus rotating or flipping mattresses is used to reduce this: double-sided mattresses can be alternately flipped width-wise (about the long axis) and length-wise (about the shorter axis), or alternately flipped and rotated; while single-sided mattresses are only rotated, which is simpler but less effective. Flipping/rotation schedules vary between materials and manufacturers, but typically recommended is monthly for the first six months and every two or three months thereafter. Foundations should also be rotated, if possible, though less frequently β rotating box springs twice a year is recommended. While sagging is undesirable, some level of indentation (about {{convert|8|cm|in|abbr=on}}) is natural if natural materials are used in a comfort layer. Excessive wear on mattresses can occur when folding and bending takes place, placing heavy objects in one spot, or excess force on the handles, will also cause more rapid deterioration. Care should particularly be taken during transport or storage. Mattresses require ventilation to remain dry and prevent mildew, and thus should not be placed directly on the floor or on a solid surface β slats or a box spring provide space for airflow, while solid wood or plywood (as in cheap [[bunkie board]]s) does not. Additional ventilation is recommended for natural materials, in which case leaving the mattress "naked" after stripping sheets (for example while laundering) is recommended. If a mattress is allowed to become damp, for example by [[wet cleaning]], mildew may develop inside the upholstery; cleaning with a [[vacuum cleaner]] or mild surface cleanser and a slightly damp cloth avoids this. Mattresses absorb fluids and stains readily, notably from nightly sweating (which results in a yellow stain), [[semen|seminal]] (or [[Cowper's fluid|Cowper]]) stains which are darker,<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Silenieks | first1 = Edmund | last2 = Kobus | first2 = Hilton J. | last3 = Scharnberg | first3 = Jordana | year = 2002 | title = Improving the effectiveness of fluorescence for the detection of semen stains on fabrics | journal = Journal of Forensic Sciences | volume = 47 | issue = 4| pages = 1β5 | pmid = 12136990 }}</ref> [[menstruation|menstrual fluid]]s which are dark red,<ref>Richman, Gina S., et al. "Simulation procedures for teaching independent menstrual care to mentally retarded persons". ''Applied research in mental retardation'' 7.1 (1986): 21β35.</ref> and other bodily fluids in addition to accidental spills. These visibly stain the ticking and seep through into lower layers. In addition to being unhygienic, hard to launder, and unsightly, such stains typically void a warranty. Thus a [[mattress protector]] is suggested to protect the mattress; this can be removed and cleaned separately, and replaced if damaged. Summary: Please note that all contributions to Christianpedia may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you do not want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then do not submit it here. You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Christianpedia:Copyrights for details). Do not submit copyrighted work without permission! Cancel Editing help (opens in new window) Discuss this page