How to Prevent Picking Up Bed Bugs During Travel

Unfortunately, the United States has seen a huge influx of bed bugs in the past few years. Those who have been unlucky enough to experience them know just how itchy and invaded one can feel even after a single night of bites. And that's only the beginning of hardships that can come from brining home these unwanted house guests. Rather than having to get rid of bed bugs later on, however, it's best to avoid them in the first place.

When traveling, follow these easy tips to keep yourself and your belongings critter safe.

First, check the online registry. Head to BedBugRegistry.com for reports on hotels, apartment complexes, and more that have been hit with an infestation. Previous guests and tenants help report, so there's a good chance that if bed bugs have been present, it will be listed.

Next, know what to look for. When you first walk into a hotel room, take note of the smell. A musty scent is an indication of a large bed bug population. Then check the mattresses. Pull up sheets and look deep at mattress folds and into nooks and crannies. Keep an eye out for discoloration (yellow, brown, or red), as well as the bugs themselves, which will look similar to apple seeds in both size and color. 

Finally, keep your belongings in the car. You might love sleeping with a particular pillow or blanket, but the more items you take into a hotel room, the better chance you have at bringing bugs back home. Live without your favorite item for a single night, and you can be well on your way to keeping the bugs away, no matter where you prefer to travel. 

By following these steps combined, you can work to keep yourself and your home bite and bug free.

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Mattress Care Practices to Help Improve Your Health

It's common knowledge to flip one's mattress every few years. To keep clean sheets and replace the pillows once they've gone flat. Most of which are to help implement cleanliness and comfort. But what about steps that can also improve health? By being aware of certain mattress care tricks, you can work to keep your body both cozy and working properly.

Tips like:

Cleaning the Mattress

Or securing it in a hypoallergenic cover. You'd be surprised how much dust can build up over time, and a deep steam cleaning can keep your sleeping surface clean. Ideally, this is done professionally, and every other year (if not every year). It's a step that can remove germs as well as allergens (think of all the times you were sick, a pet slept in your bed). When left unclean, you're breathing in these microbes every night during sleep – yuck!

Turning the Bed

You might flip your mattress in order to help offset weight, but do you turn it, too? Get even wear by ensuring both sides of the bed are gaining equal use, and one section isn't becoming too quickly worn. And for those who have one-sided mattresses, turning is especially important. Plan this easy fix for every six months. 

Upgrading Your Mattress Pad

There are all levels of mattress pads available. For some, it's just a thin buffer between the sheets, and for others, it's an entire layer of cushion. No matter your comfort preferences, look for a version that will help protect your bed. A pad that locks out germs or liquids (ideal for small children or anyone who takes a beverage into bed), or is hypoallergenic. Meaning keeps germs or allergy triggers from embedding deep into your mattress.

These and weekly laundry routines can all help you sleep healthier at night. Working toward a longer term, clean sleeping environment. 

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Improve Mattress Comfort with the Memory Foam Topper

Ready to sleep like a dream? Without spending a fortune? No matter your reasoning for wanting to upgrade, there is an easy, affordable solution: a mattress topper. It’s an addition that can adhere to all types of beds, all sizes, and comes in a variety of preferences. For instance, if you want a softer bed but your spouse likes sleeping firm, get a topper for half of the bed. Or find an in-between topper for the entire model that can help compromise on both sides of the spectrum. 

Mattress covers can also add incredible amounts of comfort and support. Even if your bed is perfectly new and respectable, this extra layer can bring bone and muscle alignment throughout the entire night. It will also help lengthen the lifespan of your mattress, reducing wear and tear and how weight settles. 

Why Try the Cloud Memory Foam Mattress Topper?

This product not only comes with a Comfort Guarantee, meaning it can be returned for a full 90 days after purchase, but is specifically for a better sleep experience. It’s three layers of complete memory-having, comfort-giving foams. All to allow you as much cushion as possible, in a design that won’t break down over time.  

Layer one – Soft Touch Memory Foam. Made of plush, space-age memory foam, this is perhaps our favorite part of all. It molds to your body’s exact shape and size, creating a cradled sleeping surface. 

Layer two – Yellow Support Insert. You guessed it, this layer adds support where you need it most: the waist, lower back, and hips.

Layer three – Firm Blue Base. Another layer for support, this final section ensures the topper won’t lose integrity or sink with weight. Its firm material holds everything together and makes it last.

Ready to start sleeping on your very own Cloud Mattress Topper? Click to order or learn more today. Adjustable for all bed sizes!

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Improve Mattress Quality on a Budget

We know it’s important to sleep on a quality mattress. Failing to do so can cause all types of back issues, especially pains. However, when sleeping on a quality mattress, one that cradles and supports, we can work to improve muscle and bone alignment. Just from sleeping. 

But what creates a “quality” mattress? Sure, you could go out and purchase a new one, but beds are expense and difficult to get into place. In fact, unless yours is more than 10 years old, you can stick with your current model. But that doesn’t mean they can’t be improved. Rather than purchasing an entire new mattress, consider a pad or foam topper. These models not only create an added layer of comfort, they can increase the lifespan of your bed. Or, if you’re ready for a softer or firmer feel, change out your bed accessories for an instant way to adjust the mattress’s surface. 

Other add-ons come in the form of specialty pillows, whether for the head and neck, legs, or back. Many wedge options (such as those offered by Contour Living) even come with versatile needs so users can move or rearrange as needed. A simple way to reduce pains without requiring multiple or expensive pillows. 

Finally, once you’ve explored all your pillow and cushion options, it’s time to consider additional esthetics. Such as sheets. Sleeping on quality materials can add an even more relaxing feel to the comfiest of beds. They’ll fit your bed better, holding mattress accessories properly in place, while adding a silky, warm, cozy, or whatever type of feel you prefer. In contrast, cheaply made sheets can make you itch throughout the night. 

Nighttime rest can be greatly affected by a few factors. Look to pillows, sheets, and more when improving your sleep quality in an effective, yet budget-friendly manner. 

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