Expert tells people to 'move their bed tonight' after taking measurement

Is your bed currently located within 30cm of your radiator? If so, you should move it tonight, according to an expert.

Whilst this chosen spot may seem harmless, it can halve the lifespan of your mattress, cost you £255 more on heating bills and even cause a fire hazard. That's according to Martin Seeley, the CEO of MattressNextDay, who explains why your radiator and mattress should never sit side by side before sharing the best and safest spot in your bedroom.

Martin said: "A good mattress should last around eight years, but placing one against a radiator can cut that lifespan in half. That means you are replacing it every four years instead of every eight.

"Over an adult lifetime, that works out at 15 mattresses instead of seven. If you spend an average of £500 on a mattress each, you are spending £7,500 compared to £3,500. Simply by moving your bed away from a radiator, you can save thousands."

Unexpected fire hazard in your bedroom

Martin said: "Although every mattress sold in the UK must meet strict fire resistance standards, they are not immune to flames. Bedding, duvets and accumulated dust are all flammable. Heating equipment causes hundreds of fires in British homes each year, and putting a mattress directly against a radiator makes that risk much higher than it needs to be."

Wasting up to £255 a year on heating

Martin warned: "A radiator blocked by a mattress cannot circulate warmth properly, so much of the energy you are paying for is wasted. Studies suggest that blocking radiators can waste 10 to 15% of heating efficiency. With the average household energy bill at £1,700, that is as much as £255 a year lost to heat that never makes it into the room. Over a decade, that is £2,500 literally vanishing into thin air."

Sleeping on hidden mould

Martin said: "Radiators cause sudden changes in temperature, which encourages condensation on nearby walls. A mattress pressed against this creates the perfect pocket for mould and mildew to form. Once it takes hold, spores can spread through the fabric in days. Not only will your mattress be ruined, but you may also notice worsening allergies, coughing or poor indoor air quality without realising the culprit is your bed."

Your mattress will start to sag and lose support

Martin explained: "Radiators pump out a steady stream of dry heat, and mattresses are not designed to withstand that. Foam can harden and crack, latex dries out, and springs lose their tension. The result is a mattress that dips and sags long before it should, leaving you with poor spinal support and more restless nights."

You're more likely to wake up hot and bothered

Martin said: "To fall asleep, your body temperature needs to drop slightly. Naturally, that cooling process is disrupted if you're lying next to a constant heat source. Given that one in five adults already struggle with sleeping too hot, being beside a radiator can be the difference between deep, restorative sleep and tossing and turning all night."

The mattress fabric will fade and discolour more quickly

"Heat not only weakens the structure of a mattress but also damages its appearance. Fabric can fade, discolour or become brittle when exposed to constant warmth. It is similar to how curtains or rugs bleach if left in direct sunlight. Even if the mattress still feels comfortable, it will look tired and aged years before it should."

Where should you place your mattress?

Martin advised: "The golden rule is to give your mattress room to breathe. Keep at least 20 to 30 centimetres between the bed and the radiator so the heat can circulate freely instead of being trapped. It is also sensible to avoid pressing your bed directly against a cold wall, as this can encourage condensation and damp.

"Ideally, your mattress should sit in a spot with good airflow around and underneath it, which helps to protect the materials and keeps your sleep environment fresher and more comfortable."