WHEN selecting a mattress for rented accommodation, we recommend landlords use the same philosophy as they would when choosing a mattress for their own home.
After all, a tenant who is relaxed is more likely to stay in a property for longer.
Although it can be tempting to buy the cheapest mattress you can find, you may discover that you have to replace it more often than a better quality product and the signs of disrepair, such as stains or loose springs, become evident more quickly.
By buying the best mattress you can afford you will get a longer lifespan for the mattress and you are likely to have happier tenants in return.
Natural mattresses are filled with a whole range of materials including wool, horsehair, cotton and coir which provide varying support depending on the composition of each material – the various elements work together to offer benefits such as natural insulation, which combine to provide a comfortable night's sleep.
Memory foam mattresses on the other hand, have a unique open cell structure which reacts to body heat, moulds around your body and eliminates pressure points.
Memory foam allows you to settle for long periods without constant tossing and turning, which gives you a restful sleep.
Caring for your mattress
To make sure your mattress wears evenly, it needs to be turned regularly.
Ideally you should flip and rotate a natural mattress once a month, and memory foam mattresses should be rotated end to end with the memory foam layer on the top once a month.
Although there is no guarantee tenants will remember or be motivated do this, during inspections it's always worth reminding them to do so, or doing it yourself during change-over.
At change-over time, if the mattress surface has become dirty or soiled, use an upholstery shampoo, with warm water and a sponge to clean it.
Mattress protectors or mattress toppers can also add significantly to the lifespan of a mattress so consider investing in one for rented accommodation.
They are fairly inexpensive so can be replaced or washed when new tenants arrive.
For further information on how to care for your mattress and to view the 1907 range visit: www.1907beds.co.uk