I have an amazon account, where I keep a wish list, mostly of books, to make it easier on the hubs to "get it right" ;) one of the things on my wish list was Martha Stewart's Homekeeping Handbook. She's got EVERYTHING in there. from how to make your own cleaning solutions to a spring cleaning list, weekly cleaning list. how to live with pets. how to clean virtually anything off of anything. she's insane.
anyway, as usual, my commentary will be in fuchsia. today I'll share with you something that I still haven't done. but know I need to. Martha said I need to.
How to Care for Your Mattress
Do
- Turn your mattress over four times a year, top to toe and side to side, to distribute the wear evenly. Keep track by attaching two tags to the mattress with safety pins. Mark "January" (right side up) and "April" (upside down) on one end, and "October" (right side up) and "July" (upside down) on the other. When the appropriate month rolls around, turn and flip the mattress so that the appropriate month's name is right side up at the foot of the bed.{We have a pillow top so I know i"m supposed to rotate it, not flip it. I do it. maybe once a year.}
- Vacuum mattresses and box springs every three months (when you flip your mattress) using the upholstery attachment and, if possible, haul both outside for a day of fresh air. {vacuum my mattress?!! I'm supposed to VACUUM my mattress?!! I guess it makes sense. now I'm grossed out thinking of all the skin & stuff that's in it... yuck! definitely need to go do that. now.}
- Strip your bed whenever you go on vacation to air it out.
- Don't sit on the edge of a mattress; doing so causes the sides to slope. {but where else am I going to sit?! I don't have room to fit a sectional in my bedroom for alternative seating like you do Martha.}
- Don't let children jump on the bed. Not only do they risk serious injury, but also the impact on the mattress can pop buttons, tear the stitching, and damage the filling. {uh... sure, sure! NO problem!}
How to Care for Pillows
- Fluff pillows daily when you make your bed.{I don't even make my bed every day. who has time to fluff pillows?}
- Guard against stains by encasing pillows in machine-washable, zippered pillow protectors; launder protectors once a month. Be sure to place the zipper end of the cover inside the pillowcase first so it's not near your face. {wish I woulda known this before our drooling selves turned all our pillows yellow... eewww.. I know I know, but don't act like you don't do it too!}
- Don't toss extra pillows on the floor when you go to bed. Place them on a sofa or bench to keep them clean. {yeah, I don't do this either... throw them on the floor or hug 'em}
- Whether made of natural fibers (such as down) or synthetic materials (often polyester), most pillows can be washed in the machine. They should be cleaned every three to six months {???!!??!} to remove mold, bacteria, and odors. Read the care label for instructions.Pillows that can't be laundered (such as those made of wool, silk, and some down pillows manufactured before machine-washable ones became common) should be gently spot cleaned with a mild dishwashing liquid (be careful not to saturate the filling) and aired in the sunshine two or three times a year. {ha ha, I think that might be how often I do laundry. OK I'm exaggerating, but seriously... who does this?}
Read more at Marthastewart.com: Spring-Cleaning for the Bed
I believe I'll add a housekeeper to my "wish list". oh wait. that's my job. right on. thanks for making me feel so good about my abilities Martha! xoxo
