The best thing you can do is to avoid getting your mattress dirty in the first place. Encasing the mattress and the box spring in hypoallergenic cases protects them from dust and grime and will cut down on dust mites. However, liquid can still seep through most cases and into the mattress. You may want to consider placing a rubber sheet on the mattress for protection against spills or childhood accidents.

Of course, since most people find that these rubber sheets bunch up and are uncomfortable to sleep on, you may prefer to risk getting the mattress wet, especially if there isn’t a big chance that you will spill your morning coffee or your children are older. If you do get your mattress dirty, you can follow these simple steps to get it clean.

1. To remove dirt or dust, whip out your vacuum. Most mattress manufacturers suggest that occasionally vacuuming your mattress is a good idea, even if it doesn’t look dirty, to keep dust mites under control.

2. If you need to clean up a liquid spill or a stain, don’t grab your favorite stain removal product. Mattresses are made of materials that may not react well to chemicals. Instead, you should just try to blot up any liquid and leave the stain alone. If you can’t bear the thought of leaving the stain on your mattress or if it has a strong odor, you can use a cloth dampened with cold water to gently scrub the stain. You can use a bit of mild soap on the cloth if the stain won’t budge, but just be sure you don’t end up making your mattress or box spring wetter than it already is.

3. Once you clean up the spill or stain, leave the sheets off your mattress and let it thoroughly air dry before you cover it back up. There’s nothing worse than a moldy mattress, especially if the person sleeping on it has severe mold allergies.

Once your mattress is clean and dry, you may want to use this opportunity to flip it over so that it wears more evenly. You should flip your mattress over three or four times a year to help it last longer.

If you are looking to buy an air mattress to use while camping, you are probably best off by going with a mattress that fits these criteria; first, make sure that your tent is able to fit the air mattress you want inside of it. Second, get the size mattress or mattresses that will be able to fit all of the people on it. Choose the amount of loft you want because there are many options when choosing an air mattress. Be willing to spend a little extra cash to ensure the durability and quality of your mattress. Remember, you get what you pay for! Also, consider looking into purchasing a self-inflating air mat. These are much lighter and easier to carry around than air mattresses.

No matter the number of regular mattresses you own already, an air mattress is always a good addition. They come in very handy when you are having relatives or friends stay over for the holidays and can also make a children’s sleepover go easier. If you are primarily going to use your air mattress for indoor purposes only, it is wise to spend a little more money for a higher quality. It is never a good moment when you take down your air mattress that has been in the closet or attic for a few months only to find that it has a hole. The most durable air mattress to buy is one that comes with a bed frame. These will last the longest and also provide the user with a more comfortable night’s rest. And the bed frame will also protect the air mattress from foreign objects puncturing the mattress.

There are many different types of mattresses on the market today; memory foam is by far the most popular and is also the most comfortable to sleep on. A latex foam mattress has different “zones” and will also last you a long time. A waterbed mattress is still popular but has also changed over the years. There is a new type of waterbed, called a soft side. The softsided water mattresses are easier to clean than the traditional waterbed mattress and they also come with a tub system on the side of the mattress. You have the ability to move the tub from side to side and it will allow you some extra room and will also make it much easier to upgrade to these softside water mattress from the traditional waterbed mattress.

When buying a new mattress, always lay on it first before buying to ensure the quality and to determine if it is a good fit for you.