Archive for December, 2007

How to Clean Mattress Stains

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Sooner or later, almost every mattress ends up with a stain. While it’s true that only the person who changes the bed will see whether or not the mattress is stained, ignoring the stain won’t make it go away. You can learn how to clean mattress stains using either commercial products or things you probably have in your kitchen. After any stain removal, place a dryer sheet on the mattress before covering it with the bottom sheet to neutralize any odors and keep it smelling fresh. Here are some techniques for how to clean mattress stains of various types.

General mattress cleaning

For stains of an unknown nature, spray a citrus based cleaning product on the soiled area and let it stand for approximately five minutes to penetrate the stain. Using a clean white absorbent cloth, blot the area, pressing down firmly without rubbing for 30 seconds. Repeat this blotting process until the area is dry and odor free. Citrus based cleaning products may be used on almost any type of mattress stain.

As an alternative, you can use a mild dish detergent for spot cleaning. Blot the stain with the detergent and wipe it clean with a damp sponge.

Cigarette odor removal

In addition to the risk of starting a fire, the problem with smoking in bed is that cigarette odors can penetrate absorbent materials such as mattresses deeper than the surface area that can effectively be cleaned. If you’re not ready to replace your mattress, you need to find out how to remove this smell. Working in sections, use the citrus cleaner technique specified above. Repeat the cleaning and blotting process on each section of the mattress until the whole thing is dry and odor free.

Baking soda is another option. Sprinkle the whole top of the mattress with baking soda and leave it there overnight to absorb and neutralize the odors. In the morning, vacuum the powder off.

Removing mold and mildew stains and odors

Cleaning mold and mildew from mattresses is a difficult, especially if they have penetrated deep inside the mattress. Since mold and mildew are caused by moisture, it might be beneficial to run a dehumidifier, heater or air conditioner in the room periodically to take the dampness out of the air to prevent mold and mildew from attacking the mattress.

Another alternative for how to clean mattress stains caused by mold and mildew is to take the mattress outside on a sunny day. Sweep off all visible mold and mildew and then vacuum the mattress with a heavy duty vacuum cleaner. Allow the sun to shine on the mattress for several hours. This will dry and freshen it.

Removing urine stain and odors

Accidents happen. When the accident involves pets or small children and mattresses it is more than just embarrassing. Urine can saturate absorbent materials such as mattresses well beyond the surface area. Cleaning urine from a mattress is difficult if it has penetrated deep into the cloth materials. This creates ideal conditions for bacteria and mold growth and the related unpleasant odors.

It may be possible to rescue your mattress if you know how to clean mattress stains. First blot up as much of the urine as possible with an absorbent cloth. Then spray a product like PAWS - Pet Accident Washup Solution or Bio-OX Citrus Concentrate or any other brand that mentions urine odor removal on its label on the soiled area. Follow up with the blotting and drying techniques indicated above.

Vinegar will also remove urine stains. Saturate the stain with vinegar and blot until no more of the urine can be removed. Cover the area with baking soda to neutralize the odor, leaving it on overnight. In the morning, vacuum the powder off.

Removing Kool-Aid stains from mattresses

Kids, brightly colored beverages and beds don’t mix. Even the most careful child will have spill something eventually if they drink in bed. A mattress will soak up these liquids. It is impossible to remove the entire liquid spill from inside the mattress. The dyes in Kool-Aid generally leave a permanent stain, but you can try to remove the surface stain. First, blot up as much of the liquid as possible with an absorbent white cloth. Use the citrus cleaner techniques shown above.

You might also try spraying vinegar onto the stain and letting it sit for about an hour. To remove as much liquid from the mattress as possible, cover it with a thick cloth and weigh the cloth down with a heavy book or brick. After the hour is up, spray the stain with vinegar again and blot it with a clean cloth to lift the color. Repeat the process until the stain is completely removed or no further reductions of the colored stain occur.

About the author:

Jean Feingold is a copywriter for Catalogs.com. Catalogs.com is the Internet’s leading source for print and online catalog shopping - and a growing hub of original content and “how to” information at www.catalogs.com.

Written By: Jean Feingold

Why Your Mattress May Be Killing You

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The organic movement, which started with organic food, is moving to the bedroom in a big way. “The bedroom? ” you say. Yes, my dear, the bedroom, where organic mattresses and organic bedding are becoming an important new trend in the quest for a healthier lifestyle.

The organic bedroom trend is motivated by some very recent disturbing discoveries about the petroleum-based foam mattresses most of us sleep on every night. Studies of household dust have confirmed that your mattress is likely one of the most significant sources of cancer-causing chemicals in your home. The average mattress consists of petroleum-based foam covered in petroleum-based polyester fabric. During its 10-year average lifetime, a foam mattress loses up to half its weight, and the lost weight goes on your bedroom floor in the form of toxic dust and in the air in the form of formaldehyde gas which is a by-product of the foam breakdown. Those dust bunnies under your bed could be a real threat to your health, unless you use an organic mattress which does not break down into these toxic by-products.

The foam mattress story gets even more scary. The average petroleum-based foam queen-sized mattress is soaked in about a pound of fire retardant chemicals called PDBEs, which have already been banned in Europe, but not in North America. PDBEs are chemicals which are similar to the banned PCBs, and they build up in the body like DDT and PCBs. The PDBEs are used because they are the simplest and cheapest way to conform to United States mattress fire resistance codes. They are also promoted by the chemical industry, which recently sponsored tightening of the mattress fire resistance codes, which will cause even greater quantities of PDBEs to be used in the manufacture of mattresses beginning in 2006. While these new codes will save an estimated 27 lives a year from fires, these new regulations play Russian roulette with the future health of the 285 million Americans that sleep on these petroleum-based foam mattresses. Those calling for a ban on PDBEs say the greater danger is not the lives lost in fires, but the potentially millions of cases of cancer caused by exposure to these chemicals over the coming decades.

The solution to this problem is to remove petroleum-based bedding from your home, and this has spawned the burgeoning organic bedroom movement. The cornerstone of this trend is the organic mattress, which is the same kind of mattresses our ancestors used before the rise of the petrochemical industry after World War II. It is also interesting to note that current cancer rates are more than 5 times higher than before World War II, when everybody was sleeping on organic mattresses by definition, because there was no petrochemical industry during those times.

Examples of an organic mattress include:

1. Organic cotton and wool batting innerspring mattresses with an organic cotton fabric cover. Wool is naturally fire retardant and meets all US fire codes.
2. A Natural latex mattress, whose foam is made from the latex sap of the rubber tree and which require no fire retardants because natural rubber does not burn well.
3. Luxury organic mattresses which use combination of all three materials, organic cotton, wool, and latex, to produce maximum comfort mattresses that rival any non-organic mattresses.
4. All organic cotton mattresses. Although cotton does not burn well, it requires a doctors prescription because cotton does not meet US fire resistance codes.

Organic mattresses also have comfort advantages over traditional petroleum-based foam mattresses. They wick away moisture from the body much more thoroughly than clammy polyester and man-made foam, stopping night sweating and cutting down on problems like athletes foot and jock itch. Wool also regulates body temperature very well, which is important for a restful sleep. Natural latex foam and wool are resistant to dust mites, which cause allergies in many people, and organic cotton and latex foam are both hypoallergenic materials. Organic mattresses are also considered a must for people with chemical sensitivities.

Major North American manufacturers of organic mattresses include Vivetique/Crown City Mattress, located in South El Monte, California, Royal Pedic, headquartered in Beverly Hills, California, and Obasan, located in Ottawa, Canada. Retailers of organic mattresses include a variety of local mattress stores who carry products from these manufacturers, and nationwide web retailers, like Dax Stores, which often have the best prices for these mattresses.

About the Author

Mark Sweiger is a freelance reporter on home and garden topics and ecological news, and he can be reached via email at msweiger@NOSPAMearthlink.net . He is a definite believer in the value of using organic sheets and organic mattresses .

Written By: Mark Sweiger

Does This Mattress Have A Memory?

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We spend around one-third of our life sleeping or at least lying down. How much is making that experience the best part of your day each day worth to you? Is it worth as much per day as, say, what you spend to watch television while you’re waiting to get that sleep?

Having troubles sleeping?

The truth about Insomnia Cures. Although a simple insomnia “cure” is what most people are looking for, insomnia can be very complicated and the causes can vary widely for different people. It would be misleading in most cases for anyone to say they actually have a cure for insomnia.

One type of product that has become very popular in the last few years to help you sleep better is Memory Foam.

Memory Foam is a foam made from polyurethane with additional chemicals that add to its viscosity level, thereby increasing the density of the foam.

Fagerdala World Foams of Gustavsberg, Sweden, spent almost ten years perfecting the material for mass production. It was first introduced in Sweden and became known around the world as the Swedish Sleep System. Tempur-Pedic licensed the material and became the US manufacturer.

Fagerdala manufactures foams for insulation, sealing, shock absorption, protection, cushioning, comfort, floatation, filtration, and rigidity. Fagerdala World Foams is the parent company of an international group specializing in the development, manufacture and marketing of polymer foams.

The group employs approximately 1.500 people and operates 30 factories in 14 countries, with a total building area of 265.000 m. The head office is located at Gustavsberg Harbour on the island of Vrmd, 20 km east of Stockholm, Sweden, to where it was moved in 1999 from the original nearby location at Fagerdala.

It was initially developed for NASA because of its ability to distribute pressure across the entire surface, because it could ease the pressure of extreme G-forces. Because it eases pressure on the body it is now widely used in medical applications for patients suffering from pressure sores or bed-bound patients.

Previously too expensive for general use it has now become cheaper to produce. You can now buy memory foam mattresses and mattress toppers. As a matter of fact memory foam mattresses have become the fastest growing segment in the mattress industry.

There is a true proliferation of companies producing memory foam products and it is difficult to distinguish quality. The first generation of material just wasn’t very durable, and would often compress or crack over time until a Swedish company called Tempurpedic developed a Class product called the Tempurpedic Mattress.

Tempurpedic is still very expensive but worth it. Not all memory foams are equal. They differ a great deal in quality - density, hardness or softness, response to temperature, and also in their durability. In looking for the right memory foam there are really a lot of different types and qualities out there.

And while this has also meant that a good number of quality memory foams have come onto the market, it has also meant that a greater number of low quality, cut rate foams have also appeared. Try to avoid the really inexpensive pads or pillows you will find on the market. Density seems to be the key factor for Memory Foam.

4 lbs seems to be the perfect density for comfort and quality and a mattress of that kind should last 5 years or so. Stick with a memory foam that has a proven history of real world durability.

Really look closely at not only the density of the memory foam you are buying, but the source as well. You can trust Tempurpedic because they have a vested interest in assuring that their customers get only the highest quality products. Tempurpedic, however, is four times as expensive as its competitors. But there are alternatives.

You do not have to buy a Memory Foam Mattress, you can just buy a Topper made from Memory Foam.

Can I Get By with Just a Topper, or Do I Need a Whole New Mattress?

It depends on the shape and the age of your existing mattress.

If your mattress is lumpy, feels uncomfortable and has hollows, forget it.

Here is a tip:

Buy the best bed you can find, then add your own memory foam topper.

About best beds, buy a latex or good foam bed, they just don’t wear out.

After 5 years or so, when the top starts to sag a bit, just replace the top.

If you ever buy your mattress or foam over the Internet make sure you can return them because you should try the merchandise at any cost.

About the author:

E Cauli http://www.tempurpedic-now.info http://www.life-extension-now.com http://www.pearls-now.info

Written By: E Cauli

About Tempurpedic Mattresses

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Tempurpedic Mattresses, generically known as Memory Foam, are becoming mainstream items. Even so, with all the different options and prices of foam on the market, the consumer should know about the major differences between these products prior to paying a major amount of money for a bed they will be sleeping on for many years. I’ve personally tried out a memory foam mattress and pillow set, and can honestly express enthusiasm for this product. It adapts to the contours of the body significantly better than an innerspring mattress. In any case, I personally cannot personally recommend a specific brand because every sleeper has different preferences due to weight and sleeping habits. The best thing to do is to visit your local bed store and try laying down on a couple different bed systems. When the sales staff have to prod you awake, you know you’ve discovered the right brand.

The importance of getting sufficient good-quality uninterrrupted sleep cannot be overstated. No-one functions well on lack of sleep. Due to the abundance of artificial lighting and late-night entertainment and activities, the vast majority of people in the developed world are sleep-deprived, and sleep deprivation is a important cause of accidents. Remember the Exxon Valdez? That accident took place in the early hours of the morning, and industrial accidents peak on the graveyard shift. Sleep-deprived students learn poorly. Chronic sleep deprivation has an effect on the appetite centers of the brain, causing overeating and subsequent obesity. Any bed system which allows you to reach a deeper level of sleep will substantially improve your quality of life.

There are many benefits to memory foam above a conventional mattress: it’s hypoallergenic, molds to the individual contours of anyone’s body, and will provide a form-fitting cradle of insulation on cold nights so you require fewer weighty, dusty allergenic blankets and comforters. All the pressure points that cause discomfort, and subsequent tossing and turning, are eliminated.

Memory foam was first introduced onto the market by a Swedish firm called Tempurpedic. This brand-name top-of-the line product is very expensive, and there are dozens of cheaper competing brands, some made in China, others from the USA. In any case, be warned: not all memory foam products are alike, as with any merchandise, you tend to get what you pay for, both in quality and longevity.

Memory foam is visco-elastic, and it responds to temperature changes much as bubble gum does. Better-quality memory foam has a wide range of temperature responsiveness, while some of the cheaper brands can get as hard as wood if the ambient temperature of the bedroom goes beneath sixty degrees. Finally, as you change position the foam warms up from your body heat, it will respond and conform to your body shape, however this can take a couple of minutes. Meanwhile, pressure points and discomfort are created which could cause you to awaken. Also these cheaper brands might turn into soft goo on hot summer nights, offering no support. Better brands of memory foam, like Sensus and Temperpedic, specifically state their consistent performance through a wide temerature range.

An additional issue is the longevity of the memory foam, as all foam products eventually break down and lose their springiness. Better memory foams offer longer guarantees, twenty years, whereas the cheaper brands offer ten years.

So, in summary, you do not have to acquire the brand name Tempurpedic product, however it’s best not to pinch pennies and buy the cheapest either. You’ll spend many nights regretting a bad choice of mattress. Two or three hundred dollars is not really a large additional expense when spread out across decades of memory foam mattress utilization.

As well as differences in quality, there are also differences in memory foam mattress construction. Mattresses can have either three or four inches of memory foam across a denser supportive core. More isn’t necessarily better, because if the top layer of memory foam is too thick, you’ll sink in quite far prior to hitting the supporting layer underneath. Tummy sleepers should purchase two inch foam, side sleepers and medium sized people should buy mattresses with three inch memory foam, large or heavy people or back sleepers should acquire the four inch.

The base of the bed can diverge as well. A few memory foam systems feature loose sheets of foam of different firmness levels that can be arranged to the sleeper’s private taste, others are laminated together. As well, man-made (petrochemical foam products) are about 1/3 the cost of natural latex. People who are sensitive to out-gassing of man-made products should think about a natural product.

About the Author

Frank Hague is sort of an expert on sleep, he does a lot of it. Visit his website at http://www.tempurpedic-now.info for even more articles.

Written By: Frank Hague

Benefits Of An Adjustable Bed

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The bedroom is the living space where many individuals spend a large majority of their time while in their residences. Individuals with disabilities may encounter some difficulties in maneuvering, performing daily activities, and/or accessing furniture. There are many strategies, adaptations, and technologies that can assist an individual in the bedroom. Bedrooms should be designed for comfort, accessibility, and functionality.

Some individuals with disabilities require turning from side to side every 2 to 4 hours as a preventative measure in decubiti (pressure ulcers) care. Others may need to sleep in a semi- sitting position for other reasons such as bronchial problems.

Although significant or complete reduction in assistant care may not always be possible, greater independence and flexibility can be achieved through the use of motorized adjustable beds and hospital beds. This technology can also be beneficial to the personal assistant. There are a few differences between adjustable beds and hospital beds.

Hospital beds typically can be paid for by insurance and these purchases are usually processed with little difficulty. The choice in size is limited and it looks like a hospital bed. However, hospital beds have one feature not characteristically found in adjustable beds without significantly altering the price. The entire bed can raise and lower to accommodate preferences for transfers and assistant care.

An adjustable bed looks and feels like a regular bed and comes in various common sizes, i.e. twin, full, queen, etc. In addition, the head and feet can raise or lower to individualized comfort levels. There are also models capable of tilting, massaging and heating. The mattresses may be made of visco-elastic foam, air-filled, latex, and/or coil materials. These kinds of beds are aesthetically pleasing and easy to match with existing décor.

As the name suggests, an adjustable bed (also called a Semi-Fowler bed, as it places the patient in a semi-Fowler position) can be adjusted to a number of different positions. For individuals with certain types of back problems, sleeping on an adjustable bed that is at a slight incline (e.g. 30 to 45 degrees) may be comfortable, with the upper body positioned higher up than the lower body (as when sitting in a recliner) and some support under the knees to bend the knees at a slight angle.

The combination of upper body incline and the knee support can help take some of the stress off the lower back. Provided that the patient is comfortable sleeping in this manner through the night, this position can support the curves of the spine and relieve pressure on the entire body.

Basically, an adjustable bed has the potential to help anyone who feels more comfortable in an inclined position (such as sitting on a recliner with the feet up) rather than when lying on a regular flat mattress. The following provides a few examples of certain back conditions and how an inclined position in an adjustable bed can sometimes help the patient feel more comfortable

For some people with degenerative spondylolisthesis, sleeping in a reclining position with support under the knees can reduce some of the pain discomfort in the lower back, making it easier to sleep through the night.

Individuals with osteoarthritis in the spine, or facet joint arthritis, often wake up feeling quite stiff and sore in the morning. Sleeping on an adjustable bed may possibly provide better support and therefore decrease the irritation by minimizing joint compression.
In addition, after having low back surgery, some patients feel that an adjustable bed is more comfortable than a flat mattress. Like most choices when it comes to mattresses, this is largely a matter of personal preference.

In general, it is reasonable for a patient to consider the option of an adjustable bed if he or she feels better sitting in a reclining chair with the knees supported or slightly elevated and if he or she is having trouble getting a good nights rest on a conventional flat mattress. If a patient is not sure if they would benefit from an adjustable bed, or is not sure about buying a new bed, then it is also possible to use pillows to prop up the upper body (being careful to provide support for the lower back) and placing a pillow beneath the knees.

About the Author:

This article provides a brief review of how an adjustable bed works and some theoretical advantages that some patients might find beneficial.

Written By: Scott Michaels

How to Choose a Log Bunk Bed

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So you’ve got the perfect little log cabin, or chalet by the lake, or just want a country touch to your home. You want a log bunk bed, or two, but don’t know where to start. And they don’t carry them in your down town furniture store.

Not to worry, there are plenty of options available on the Internet. There are loft log bunk beds, twin over twin log bunk beds, full over full or even twin over queen. I haven’t seen a twin over king yet, but really the Amish can make any size you want. A lot of college students who looking to build an inexpensive loft bed might find an Amish loft bunk bed to be just the ticket, and some of them come with futons under them, too.

There are federal regulations regarding bunk beds, so you’ll want to make sure that whatever bed you choose meets the regulations. Were talking safety here, and things do happen. But you certainly wouldn’t want a bed that doesn’t meet the regulations, so make sure that the one you buy, does. Most accidents with bunk beds happen to children under the age of three. Many of these accidents can be avoided by having safety rails on both sides of the top bed. If one side of the bed is against the wall, that can be sufficient–but it must be against the wall. There are also regulations regarding headboards. There is a link to a page with the regulations at the bottom of this article for those who wish to read further.

Bunk beds built to those regulations are generally built to hold an adult weighing up to 250 pounds. If you are pushing the limits, try cedar instead of pine. In the beds we sell, the cedar logs are 5 to 6 inches in diameter, while the pine is about 3 inches in diameter. They are both built to federal specifications, and the pine bunk beds are very solid and strong, but if there is a question in your mind, go for the bigger logs. And of course, you can always put the big fella on the bottom, too.

Some log bunk beds come with a metal frame to hold the mattress, but some of the Amish build them with a wood frame to hold both the box spring and the mattress. You don’t have to put a box spring in those beds, but you certainly can.

The other alternative to hold the mattress up is called a Bunkie board. A Bunkie board is basically inch plywood cut to the size of the box spring. It sits inside either the metal bed frame, or the wood bed frame, and supports the mattress. If you have a box spring you dont need a Bunkie board, but if there is not a box spring, the Bunkie board is what supports the middle of the mattress. We sell Bunkie boards if people want them, but a lot of people just cut their own. Its up to the buyer.

Another option to consider is the type of ladder you want with your log bunk bed. Some of the Amish beds have the ladders built right into the end of the bed, so you don’t have a ladder leaning out from the bed. Others have a moveable ladder that can hook on the end or the side. In many cases, the amount of space available determines the type of bunk bed you buy. If you have a small room, the larger cedar logs may seem too massive. If you don’t have room for a slanted ladder, however, you may opt for the cedar bunk bed anyway that has the ladder built in. If you have a larger room or larger people, you may opt for the larger cedar logs.

If you get a pine bunk bed with metal frame, there is a way to give the metal frame that log look when the covers are thrown back. These are decorative half logs or rails, not to be confused with the safety rails that go around the top of the bunk bed. The top safety rails are always included with the log bunk bed, but the decorative half rails are optional and just for looks.

Last but not least, be sure to measure before you buy. Last year we sold a couple of log bunk beds to somebody in Montana. They absolutely loved the beds, but had bought two for the room and soon found out that only one could comfortably fit. Since we are in Michigan and they in Montana, it would have cost quite a bit to ship it back. They ended up selling the extra bed on ebay, but the problem could have been avoided with a bit of careful measuring up front.

About The Author

Copyright 2006 Cari Haus

This article was written by Cari Haus, President of Log Cabin Rustics, http://www.logcabinrustics.com, which retails log bunk beds on the Internet. Permission is granted to reprint this article in it’s entirety, provided a link to Log Cabin Rustics is included at the end of the article.Also, here is a helpful information about log bunk beds at http://ecfr.gpoaccess.com/. Go to that site and search for bunk bed regulations.

Written By: Cari Haus

The Impact of Beds on Bedroom Design

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In years past, beds were not considered to be an element that factored into bedroom design, more just a place to lay your head, although the bed could be dressed to match whatever style had been chosen for the bedroom.

Times have changed and with the return of bedsteads or frame beds, the bed is now an element that factors in quite highly in bedroom design. The range of styles, colours, fabrics and materials that today’s modern beds are manufactured from go to enhance and work in synergy with all bedroom design plans.

The decision of the type of bed to purchase in relation to design can be broken down into three steps:

The aesthetic of the room.

Deciding on the aesthetic of a room or the way that it looks is not as difficult as it may seem at first. In most cases you will already have a good source of inspiration from the other rooms in the house, but let’s say for arguments case that it is a blank canvas. In that case the world is your oyster as there are so many places to draw ideas from; -The internet -Interior design book/magazines -Ideal home exhibition type shows -New property development show houses (always a favorite of mine) -Furniture retail showrooms (you don’t always have to shop) -Friends and relative’s houses

Once you have got your inspiration for how the room is going to look you need next to plan how the bed is going fit in the room.

Where to position the bed

This can be something that gets overlooked at this stage and can result in being quite costly if other purchases are made such as furniture without this in mind. It is therefore important that before purchasing of any bedroom furniture takes place, consideration is given to the following.

Size of bed - will there be sufficient space around the bed to meet your requirements i.e. opening wardrobe doors, doors, getting changed round the bed etc etc.

Position of bed - have you planned on buying bunk beds that the steps will only go on one side and thus will only go on one wall or a captain’s bed with the same problem.

Height of the bed - you may have taken into consideration the length and width of the bed, but what about height? This is not a problem for about 98% of beds, but is a big consideration when buying a four poster bed. Have you measured the height of the room and will that four poster fit in term of height?

We have so far worked out the style and limitations of the room in which you are going to house your bed, but there is one last consideration to take into account before you part with any of your hard earned cash. That final consideration is what you use your bedroom for or “How do you live in your bedroom”

How do you live in your bedroom?

As mentioned in the introduction bedrooms have become a multifunctional space, and these days are used as offices, somewhere to watch TV, listen to music or a quiet place to read or get away from the grind. All of these are key components that need to be considered when deciding on the type of bed that you will buy.

It is now time to go and purchase that dream bed. Now that you have followed the steps above you should be confident that the purchasing decision will be a calculated one, and one made from consideration as opposed to impulse. By using the rest of this guide as a would be “bed purchasing bible”, you will feel at ease when confronted with “jargon” and “terminology”, and most of all you will be in the driving seat when it comes deciding on the type of bed for you!

In summary; a bed is the centerpiece of any bedroom and time and consideration should be spent on the whole process of planning and choosing the bed that will be suited to your requirements. As mentioned in the introduction “a decision to buy a bed should have the same amount of time and effort spent on it as purchasing a car”, if this is followed, and in conjunction with the advice from this guide, you will find yourself making a purchasing decision that will not just enhance the style and functionality of a bedroom, but will also result in a comfortable nights sleep.

About the author:

“Paul Jolley” - Bedroom retail specialist. If you have any unique or interesting views please contact us at http://www.bedz4less.co.uk as we are always happy to receive new views.

Written By: Paul Jolley

Mattress Selection - A Practical Approach

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I have been using the same old bed ever since I was a teenager and it had been comfortable until 3 years ago, when my legs had finally cross the finishing line at the border of the mattress. It bothered me to feel my legs hanging in mid air when I sleep. Enough is enough. A new mattress is a must.

I for one am a tall person of 183cm. I also weigh 86kg and that makes any soft mattress sink after a few months. So these led me to the quest of getting my new mattress from my dad’s mattress store. Being a mattress store heir doesn’t make me a mattress expert. But as an eager learner, I sure did absorb a lot during my mattress shopping time and I can honestly share this with you; buying a mattress requires logic and common sense which is seldom present when most people are shopping.

One can easily be blinded by promotions and discounts and the outlook of the product rather than the features and benefits which suits you as an individual. Therefore, I have decided to pen down the few tips and approach for the benefit of every would be mattress buyer:

i) What’s your height?

If you are a tall person, then you’re in trouble when shopping for a mattress. Though its a blessing to be tall, because its rare, then its also a curse when it comes to shopping for mattress because long mattresses only exists in custom made orders. This will cost you extra money but its well worth it compared to having your feet dangling in the air while you sleep.

ii) Do you suffer from backaches and pains?

If you have backache and pains, then the best solution is a firm mattress and a contour pillow. Firm mattresses provide excellent lumbar support and a contour pillow will give your neck and head a good support too. A great brand of mattress I’d like to tell you is the Seahorse Mattress. This is a popular mattress brand name in Hong Kong and Singapore. I personally had my brand new Seahorse Mattress imported because to me, its a necessity. Resting on a Seahorse Mattress will make you feel a total new level of relaxation on your lower back, which you have seldom had the chance to experience. Yes, it is as good as it gets.

iii) Do you roll about in your sleep?

Believe me when I say, this can be very dangerous. If you roll about in your sleep, obviously it is better to get a bigger bed. A Queen Size or King Size bed can give you more room to roll. Falling down from beds have led to many injuries which can be harmful. One may knock their heads against the floor, suffer internal injury and not remember it, or even knock your head against a sharp corner, depending on the placement of your room furniture. Try to position your bed against a wall as that reduces up to 50% of any chance of you falling off your bed. You may have a tendency to roll left or right more often so I can’t possibly calculate so accurately for you.

iv) Finally, do you share your bed with a spouse?

If you do, please discuss with them because you want your spouse to have a good night’s rest just as much as you do. How can you possibly sleep well if your spouse isn’t? Yet another commonsense issue which many need to pay attention.

There are many more criteria and issues involved when selecting your mattress however, that’s another story for another article. With the common sense approach listed above, you will gain better sleep in terms of quality. Your family and you deserve to sleep well. Don’t buy mattresses just because they look nice. Treat it like a car purchase and you’ll never regret it for the useful life of that mattress.

About the Author:

Nguang Nguek Fluek is the son of a mattress store owner and runs his own mattress review website to help consumers expose themselves to the variety of mattresses available before making a sound purchase. Visit his website at http://www.review-mattress-online.com Nguang Nguek Fluek is the son of a mattress store owner and runs his own mattress review website to help consumers expose themselves to the variety of mattresses available before making a sound purchase. Visit his website at http://review-mattress-online.com

Written By: Nguang Nguek-Fluek