Latex, like all foams, will soften or compress. Check out our video on this topic as well.
Over a ten year period latex is estimated to soften 15%; memory foam about 30%; and mass market polyurethane about 60%. The softening is front-loaded, meaning it often occurs more rapidly during the first 5 years. Foam will react to heat, moisture [sweat], and pressure. The human body is the perfect trifecta and we are all built differently. Someone with a higher body mass will have a greater impact than someone smaller. Often, what feels like a ridge or valley is the latex being softer in that particular area. Some people notice it more than others and there are too many variables to accurately predict how the materials will perform.
Spindle’s unique design makes it easy to buy replacement layers to modify the feel and/or extend the life of your mattress. A good maintenance routine also helps.
The mattress cover.
Rule #1 — DO NOT wash your mattress cover. Rule #2 — If you want to wash your mattress cover see Rule #1
Protecting your Spindle.
A mattress protector is key to protecting your mattress. As we sleep dead skin cells, hair, drool, oils and other bodily fluids, dirt, dust and more gather on our sheets. You wash your sheets, but you can’t wash your mattress. That’s where a washable mattress protector comes into play. If you have babies, small children and/or animals who are regularly on your bed we can’t over emphasize the value of a waterproof mattress protector! These come in many styles and you can use any type you like, e.g.: fully enclosed dust mite cover; fancy washable wool pad; cotton/poly fitted sheet. They all do a fine job. You’ll find more detail on mattress protectors in this article.
But what if my mattress gets soiled?
Accidents will happen, especially at certain stages of our lives. If there’s a small spill of some type unzip the cover so you can treat it from both sides. Kind of like an area rug. Then, there a couple of treatments we suggest:
In a small container or an empty salt-shaker, combine half a cup of baking soda with 10 drops of your favorite essential oil and shake to mix. Sprinkle the mixture over the mattress cover. Wait a few hours and then shake the top outside or vacuum up the baking soda with a hand vacuum or upholstery attachment, being careful not to tear the cover.
If the cover does get wet, gently blot the area dry with a clean towel. Then cover the wet area with salt (yes, salt, who knew?) and leave for 4-6 hours. Then shake outside or vacuum as above.
You may know of similar variations on this theme but the constants are Gentle & Dry.
Move the foam around.
The key to prolonging the life of any mattress is to change its orientation frequently. This will help the unit wear evenly, and can give its materials time to rebound. With “old fashioned” mattresses we could flip them and rotate them. If done religiously the mattress would last a long time.
Spindle’s one-sided design means you can only rotate the mattress. But you can go into the mattress and rearrange the layers. This will keep the mattress fresh and hypothetically extend its years of use.
Rotate the mattress at least every three months.
Every six months unzip the top and “rebuild” your mattress.
Swap your top and middle layers if they’re the same firmness
You can also flip the top layer over, or any other layer
The mattress will feel different than it did the night before, but it will still feel good.
Insider tips.
King mattresses usually will develop a ridge in the middle of the mattress because no one sleeps there. Unfortunately, a king isn’t a perfect square. If you rotate it 90°, there will be an overhang of 2” on either side, even if you do this for a few weeks during the rotation and rearranging layers maintenance, it will help lessen the ridge long term.
You don’t have to follow this scheme religiously. Feel free to follow your own drummer. But in any event we encourage you to keep your Spindle moving as much as possible to help prolong the life of your mattress. [Some customers rotate their Spindle every 3 weeks; and rebuild every month and a half!]
