Mattress Shopping Essentials

There are certain activities that the New Year seems to inspire. Certainly the setting of resolutions for ways to improve the quality of your life tops the list, and for most people those pledges for improvement involve things like getting more exercise, eating better, or taking steps to be a better person. Many people who are looking for a way to improve their overall health are recognizing that a significant step in that direction can come from getting a better night’s sleep. Perhaps that’s why so many mattresses are sold right around the New Year. If you are considering investing in a new bed, make sure that you do your research before you set out. Mattresses can be expensive, especially if you have not educated yourself. The more that you know and understand about what you need and want, the better the chance that you will get a bed that is not only a good value, but that also provides you with the renewed comfort that you’re looking for.

Remember that what is comfortable to you may not be comfortable to somebody else. This means that instead of listening to a sales person’s pitch or reading a description or a review of a bed, you need to evaluate it yourself, and spend a fair amount of time actually lying down on a variety of mattress models to determine which one feels best to you. If you are the only person who will be sleeping on your bed then you can go alone, but if you share your bed it is important that both of you shop together and lie down together on the bed. Plan to spend at least ten minutes on each mattress you’re considering, and preferably longer. It takes at least that long for your body to relax on a mattress. Lie down in your normal sleep position, and don’t be self-conscious about it. If you’re in a mattress showroom, then everybody else who is there is doing the exact same thing that you are – and the sales people see consumers lying on their showroom models every day. You should be checking to see whether you feel well supported and be mindful of whether your spine is being held in a normal position.

As far as mattress materials, it is essential that you understand the differences between an innerspring mattress and a foam mattress. An innerspring is the traditional mattress type that you probably grew up with. It has metal coils inside of padding, and the coils are what provide the support. Mattress salespeople may try to convince you that higher numbers of coils mean something, but what is actually important is the gauge or thickness of the wire that the coils are made from. The stronger the coil the more supportive it will be. Foam mattresses can be made of either natural or synthetic materials that mold to the shape of the body. The amount of support that comes from these mattresses is often determined by the thickness of the foam layer, but such issues as density are also important. Foam mattresses are often more expensive than innerspring, but they are also said to last longer. There is no rule as to which type of mattress will provide you with better support. The only way to be sure about which will be better for you is to actually lie down on the bed, but you do want to pay attention to issues such as the amount of off-gassing of chemical odors that may accompany some foam mattresses. Though this problem has been largely eliminated, some mattresses do still have an odor for the first few days, and may need to air out before you use them.

Many people say that foam mattresses provide better support, particularly for those who have larger, heavier bodies. Become the foam molds to the body, it provides a uniform firmness. Some people have expressed concerns that foam mattresses are too warm, and that they give a sort of quicksand feeling when you’re trying to get up out of them. Others feel that foam provides them with the greatest comfort.

Plan to spend at least ten minutes on each mattress you’re considering, and preferably longer. It takes at least that long for your body to relax on a mattress.

When you’re shopping for a mattress, one of the advantages of having done your research before you go is that it helps you to avoid getting sucked in by unnecessary features that simply add on to the mattress’ price. Items such as the coverings of different mattresses or the presence of beautiful ticking really only matter in the showroom. Once you get your new mattress into your home you’re going to be covering that ticking up with your sheets, your blankets, your pillows and your bedspreads. By the same token, it is important that you pay attention to issues such as warranties or return policies. In case you get your bed home and find that it is uncomfortable, it is advantageous to have purchased a bed that allows a return or exchange within a month or so. By the same token, warranties may sound like they provide a level of insurance that they may not actually offer. Many only cover manufacturing problems, and consider sagging normal wear and tear. Read your warranty carefully.

Finally, be aware of what your responsibilities are in terms of taking care of your mattress. Inner spring mattresses were traditionally flipped every three months or so in order to give them longer lifespans, but now that they are being made with pillowtops they can only be rotated. The same is true of foam mattresses, which have different layers from top to bottom, and which therefore cannot be flipped. Putting a mattress protector on is a good idea, and so is making sure that you have the proper support for your new bed. Innerspring mattresses require box springs or slats, and you can’t assume that your old one will do the trick. Box springs wear out, just as mattresses do, so it’s probably a good idea to get a new one when you buy your new mattress.