Mattress Tips

Purchasing a mattress is the most important furniture purchase you’ll make because you spend more time on a mattress than on any other piece of furniture you own, unless you have a tendency to fall asleep every night in a recliner like my husband does.

The seven items below are things you should be aware of and to consider before you purchase a mattress since that mattress will be a huge factor in the quality of sleep you receive each evening.

1) Decide on a budget. The prices of mattresses vary a great deal. If price is your number one consideration you can find an inexpensive mattress and box spring set for a few hundred dollars. But I recommend buying the best mattress and box spring you can afford. When you buy a mattress you get what you pay for. My first two mattress purchases were based on price and I never really got a good night’s sleep. I saved and bought a high quality mattress a few years ago. It was a great buying decision. I now wake up feeling rested and refreshed, not tired and sore like I used to.

2) Decide what size mattress you are going to buy. If you are buying a mattress for a child a twin size mattress is fine, but if you are an adult and there are two people sleeping in your bed I don’t recommend going with anything smaller than a queen size bed. If you can afford a king-size bed and you have the room for it, I recommend it.

I now own a king size bed and it’s nice having enough space in bed to move around a little without disturbing my partner like I used to. In our old bed (a full size) I once accidentally hit my husband in the mouth in the middle of the night when I rolled over and flung my arm out. He was not a happy person! If you think a full-size mattress is big enough for two people consider this: a full size mattress gives each person the same amount of bed width as in a baby crib. Queen size mattresses are the most popular size but if two people are sleeping in a queen size bed each person still has 10 inches less bed width than if they were sleeping by themselves in a twin bed.

The standard sizes of mattresses are: TWIN: 39″ wide, 75″ long; TWIN EXTRA LONG: 38″ wide; 80″ long; DOUBLE/FULL: 54″ wide, 75″ long; QUEEN: 60″ wide, 80″ long; KING: 76″ wide, 80″ long; CALIFORNIA KING: 72″ wide, 84″ long.

3) Test. Test. Test. Try out mattresses. Go to several stores and lay down on different mattresses. See what you find comfortable. A firm mattress isn’t always the best mattress. It depends on the individual. If you and your partner prefer different firmness levels look for a mattress that can have different firmness levels on each side. For example, I prefer a firmer mattress than my husband does so his side of the bed is less firm than mine. Comfort (as long as you are in your within the range of your budget) should be your number one consideration.

4) Don’t be too concerned about the words, firm, extra firm, etc. especially when looking at mattresses from different manufacturers. Firmness is not standardized in the mattress industry. One manufacturer’s “firm” mattress may actually be firmer than another manufacturer’s “extra firm” mattress. Look for comfort and support. You want to feel cradled and supported when you lay on a mattress. And don’t feel self-conscious about going into stores and lying on as many mattresses as you want. It’s the best way to tell if a mattress is or isn’t right for you. The best way to check out the mattress is to take off your shoes and your coat if you’re wearing on. Lying on a mattress with your coat and shoes on is not going to help you determine what mattress is right for you unless you plan on sleeping in your coat and shoes every night.

5) Warranty is important but not as important as you might think. A mattress with a 25 year warranty is great, but the life expectancy of a great quality mattress is only about 10 years. You want a warranty to protect you from defects and problems. To me a sleep guarantee is more important than a long warranty. What I mean by a sleep guarantee is that you are given a period of time to try out your mattress. For example, some stores and manufacturers give sleep guarantees of up to 90 days although 30 days is the most common. If during that time you decide the mattress you purchased is not right for you, you are able to either exchange it or return it for a refund.

For example, when I purchased my last mattress from a sleep specialty store that custom builds each mattress (Verlo), it came with a 60 day sleep guarantee or trial period. If we didn’t like the mattress the store would come to our house, pick up the mattress, take it back to their factory and rebuild it for us. I liked that peace of mind. After sleeping on our mattress for a few weeks I decided my side was a little too firm. We called the store where we bought it and made an appointment for them to come and pick it up. The store picked up our mattress in the morning, took it to their store/factory, rebuilt it, and returned it late the same day. They did this so we wouldn’t be without a mattress to sleep on.

6) Get familiar with the following terms: innerspring and box spring (also called the foundation). Innerspring mattresses are, by far, the most common type of mattress purchased. An innerspring mattress is made with tempered steel coils encased in layers of cushioning and upholstery. The box spring or foundation is what the mattress sits on. It’s generally not considered a good idea to put a new mattress on an old box spring. A manufacturer’s box spring and mattress are designed to work together to give you the best product. In addition, many manufacturers will void their warranty if a mattress is not placed on the box spring that is designed to go with it.

7) Know what choices you have besides the traditional innerspring and box spring sets. There are other viable options depending on what you are looking for. Those options include foam mattresses, futons, airbeds, adjustable beds, and waterbeds.

Foam mattresses - a foam mattress can be made of solid foam piece or may be composed of several layers of different types of foam. Some foam mattresses have a top layer that is composed of memory foam that remembers the shape of your body and conforms to it.

Futons - futon beds are basically a frame with a folding mattress on it. A futon can function as both a sofa and a bed. Most futons come with a standard 6 inch foam mattress, which isn’t very comfortable if the futon is going to be a person’s primary bed. If the futon is going to be a primary bed a better option is to purchase an innerspring mattress for the bed. Several manufacturers make innerspring mattresses for futons. The innerspring mattresses are more expensive but are also a whole lot more comfortable. If an innerspring mattress is out of your price range, try to at least upgrade to an 8 inch foam mattress.

Airbed - an airbed is just what it sounds like - a bed full of air. Most airbeds are touted as being portable, easy to set-up, and easy to store after use. I have an airbed at my house for use as an extra mattress during the holidays when we always seem to have more overnight guests than beds. Today’s airbeds are a lot more than inflatable pieces of plastic. Our airbed has a pillow top mattress which makes it surprisingly comfortable. Some airbeds have adjustable firmness levels and/or a heated top to make them more comfortable.

Adjustable beds - an adjustable bed is a lot like a hospital bed because it allows you to adjust the head and foot of the bed to your liking. Adjustable beds come in all sizes and the larger sizes have separate controls for each side of the bed.

Waterbeds - today’s waterbeds are more sturdy than the wobbly water-filled mattresses from the 70’s that you could get seasick on. The latest designs are built to look like an innerspring/box spring set. The interior of the mattress has layers of baffling and upholstery to provide support and comfort (http://www.mattre ssespro.com/watermattress).

There are a lot of choices in mattresses today. If you do a little research and become familiar with the different types of mattresses available to you before you start to shop, the task of finding the right mattress for you will be easier.

About the author:

D Ruplinger is a featured writer for http://www.mattressespro.com . Visit the web site for more information on mattresses, mattress ratings, and mattress sizes.

Written By: D Ruplinger

In an ever increasing market for the ultimate Sleep System, most people still believe that the Adjustable Bed which was originally used in Hospitals and Homes for the Elderly are still that. A bed that can help the elderly in and out of bed! Although they are extremely helpful in these situations, they can also be very important for anybody in today’s lifestyle.

Now any sincere knowledgeable mattress salesman won’t push the watching TV or reading in bed, it’s not something that we should recommend. But with today’s lifestyles, this has become a normal way of life for some people. Sitting in bed watching TV, working to make the big deadline is OK, if that’s your choice. But propping up two pillows every 3 minutes is probably not doing any good to your back or any other part of your body for that matter. If this sounds like you, maybe your next mattress purchase should have an adjustable base as well.

There are many “side affects” from poor sleep and sleep habits that might also be a clue for you to check out the benefits of the adjustable bed. Some of the health issues are back problems, neck and shoulder pain, arthritis, circulatory problems, gastric reflux at night, snoring, breathing problems. Not only does an adjustable bed provide serious convenience with regards to helping people in and out of bed but there are many health benefits that can be taken advantage of for anyone.

Tossing and turning at night on their mattress is the most common reason that people don’t sleep well at night. The main reason people toss and turn at night is pressure points; traditional coil and spring mattresses put pressure on different areas of your body causing restricted circulation to those areas, when your body becomes uncomfortable you turn to a new position. Another reason for tossing and turning is improper spinal alignment. All traditional mattresses are flat but our bodies are curved, the traditional mattress fails to offer the lumbar region enough support often allowing your lower back and hips to sink below the rest of your body. This causes pressure and discomfort in that area which causes your body to turn to a new position.

Adjustable sleep systems offer you several great benefits. Obviously, the adjustable base is only that, an adjustable base. To get all the benefits out of your adjustable base you need the proper mattress to work with it. Together they can create a totally pressure free environment while you sleep. Many studies have been done with the space program; the best known is the creation of memory foam. But there is more that was learned from the way astronauts sleep in space. Well our astronauts sleep in a totally pressure free environment experience all the time, floating in space. In studying the way astronauts sleep in space we have discovered a few interesting things. First off, their heads stay slightly elevated allowing for easier breathing. Secondly and probably more importantly, we see that their knees naturally bend and elevate slightly above the heart. This position takes pressure off the spine and allows for increased blood flow to the heart. Only an adjustable bed can mimic this extremely comfortable and healthy position. Keeping your body in our natural sleep position reduces the pressure on your skeletal frame more than 85% ensuring you will get the deepest most restful sleep possible.

What to Look For

An adjustable sleep system consists of two parts, the base and the mattress.

The Base: There are really two types of adjustable beds, the commercial model used in Hospitals and regular consumer models. The commercial product is very heavy duty and usually has rails on the sides to help someone pull themselves up. These models are extremely expensive and are not very esthetically pleasing for home use, unless your health requires it.

- Concentrate on the frame construction; you want the heavy duty construction with the look of an elegant piece of furniture. Preferably, a regular box spring appearance giving you the ability to dress it how you like it. - Look for quality motors at the “head and foot.” Make sure they are UL Listed and CSA approved. Preferably a Freefall Design so the head and foot sections lower by gravity only, this will ensure the motor gets extended life. Also ensure that it’s equipped with insulated rubber wheels for smooth, quiet operation. - A Polarized “Modular” electrical system is the way to go as it ensures you won’t have any stray wires and with the plug-in feature makes service a snap. - Look for at least a 50 degree incline at “both head and foot”, 60 degrees is optimal. - Make sure the legs have threaded glides allowing you to adjust the height of the bed to your liking. - Now depending on your preference, make sure there’s the availability of a massager. I don’t know about you but I like the massager, it provides that little bit extra pampering you need at the end of some days. Some brands you have no choice, either you get it and pay for it or you can’t get it. Having a choice is always nice. - Same goes for the remote, it’s nice to have the choice between wired or wireless.

The Mattress: Your mattress is the single most important component of any bed, adjustable or not, even if your foundation was the corner of 4th and Main. The proper mattress should provide the proper support, pressure relief and spinal alignment even in this situation.

- Many companies only offer coil and spring mattresses with their adjustable bases. This is not exactly the best case scenario. The coil and spring mattresses are not very pliable and don’t really work well with an adjustable base and often need replacing every five years. - There are other very luxurious choices “at a fraction of the price” that you would benefit from with use of your adjustable base. All are designed to offer you pressure relief, proper spinal alignment and a more breathable sleep surface. Air Mattress Beds work well with the adjustable base when they are equipped with horizontal chambers, the chambers follow the contour of the bed nicely. Although this works well, it’s still not the optimal choice. - Try looking at a Memory Foam or Latex mattress, these mattresses are made from highly specialized foams and are more durable and pliable than coils and springs, as a result they will work in unison with the adjustable base to provide you with the ultimate adjustable sleep experience. Not to mention your mattress will most probably last for its intended life and these foam mattresses can go for twenty years. - The final tip is to stay away from the deal that promises, “Mattress Included” rarely does this mean your getting any quality in the mattress they’re giving you. Just “FOAM” doesn’t mean Memory or Latex foam; check it out to make sure.

So depending on your lifestyle or if your health dictates (I hope this isn’t the case) check out all the health and convenience benefits of a quality adjustable bed, but don’t forget the “quality” mattress!!

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About the author:

Neil Teasdale is the Owner of Cloud 9 Air Mattress Beds. Dedicated to helping others understand the immediate and long term life and health benefits of proper sleep habits. We provide the highest quality sleep systems including air mattress beds, adjustable beds, latex beds, memory foam beds, mattress toppers, bed warmers and pillows at very affordable prices with Free Shipping!

Written By: Neil Teasdale

Sleeping bags are sold in different styles (mummy, rectangular, hooded, and kids’ sleeping bags), for varying temperatures (extreme weather, cold weather, three season, and warm weather sleeping bags), and with many different insulations (synthetic fibers and down fill). Sleeping bag insulations should be considered when purchasing your next bag. Here are some commonly used insulations and their benefits.

Slumberloft HQ

is a synthetic fiber composed of a 50% hollow core polyester fiber joined with a 50% solid core polyester fiber. This combination offers great warmth and loft. Examples of sleeping bags with Slumberloft HQ are: Slumberjack - Latitude, Long -20F/-29C and Slumberjack - Lil’ Timber, Kids Bag +10F/-12C.

DuPont Hollofil 808

is a synthetic fiber. Its hollow core is designed to trap more air for greater warmth and loft. Examples of sleeping bags with this insulation are: Coleman - Crescent +15F/-9C and Coleman - Mountain Lodge, King -5F/-21C.

DuPont Hollofil II

is a synthetic fiber that features four hollow tunnels that run throughout its length. With four compartments per fiber to trap air, it typically provides even more warmth and compactibility than Hollofil 808. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Coleman Exponent - Northbound +0F/-18C.

DuPont Thermolite Extreme

is a high performance insulation that blends three different fibers - fine denier fibers, thermal bonding fibers, and hollow core spring fibers. This tri-blend fiber system offers ultimate warmth and superior compactibility. Examples of sleeping bags with this insulation are: Slumberjack - Diablo +40F/+4C and Slumberjack - Odyssey, Long +10F/-12C.

DuPont Thermolite Extra

is a high-loft, high-resilient technical insulation for extraordinary warmth. Because it is made from unique patented hollow-core, three-dimensional crimp having a helical configuration, it provides superior loft, compactness, and exceptional resiliency. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Slumberjack - Telluride, Long +30F/-1C.

Polarguard HV

is a high-performance insulation made of high-void, continuous-length polyester filaments that are bonded into a batting of multiple layers. Because it is a continuous filament, Polarguard HV does not shift, clump, or separate. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Coleman Exponent - Boulder Ridge +20F/-7C.

Polarguard 3D

is a high performance insulation produced from continuous filament in the same manner but finer than Polarguard HV. This makes Polarguard 3D softer, more compressible and stronger while providing great insulating value and loft. Examples of sleeping bags with this insulation are: Sierra Designs - Paul Bunyan, Long +10F/-12C and Sierra Designs - Rosa, Regular +20F/-7C - Women’s sleeping bag.

Polarguard Delta

continuous filament polyester is the newest member of the Polarguard family. Polarguard Delta combines a super void cross section with modified batt formation. The larger void creates higher loft with less weight, making it warmer, yet lighter. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Sierra Designs - LX, Regular +45F/+7C.

Down

is a time honored, expedition proven natural insulation made of very small extremely light down plumules found next to the skin of geese. For its weight, down has an exceptional ability to trap air, making it the most efficient warmth to weight insulation available. Examples of sleeping bags with this insulation are: Kelty - Light Year Down, Long +15F/-9C and The Backside - Blue Ice -50F/-46C (750 Down).

ThermoTech

exclusive to Coleman, is made of solid-core fibers and is soft and lofty with good thermal retention, properties to keep campers warm. Generally used for mild condition bags, this insulation keeps campers snug on cool summer nights. Made of 100 percent polyester fibers, which are non-allergenic, machine washable, and odorless. Examples of sleeping bags with this insulation are: Coleman for Kids - Journey Junior +40F/+4C and Coleman for Kids - Voyager +40F/+4C.

Coletherm

also exclusive to Coleman, is a hollow-core fiber, allowing for greater loft (a measure of the amount of space the insulation occupies and the amount of air the insulation can trap). The hollow-core fibers create pockets of air that serve as an extra barrier between the sleeper and the environment, maximizing thermal efficiency. Made of 100 percent polyester fibers, which are non-allergenic, machine washable, and odorless. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Coleman Exponent - Big Basin +0F/-18C.

Buckloft

is a fine denier, solid core polyester fiber. This combination offers outstanding warmth with extra loft. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Slumberjack - Kenai +0F/-18C.

Buckloft HQ

is a synthetic fiber composed of a 25% siliconized, hollow-core polyester fiber joined with a 75% solid core polyester fiber. This combination offers great warmth and comfort. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Slumberjack - Chaparral -30F/-34C.

Kelty CloudLoft

is Kelty’s affordable and durable branded synthetic fill insulation. The blend of solid core and hollow core fibers trap heat efficiently and provide excellent loft and comfort. Cloudloft is used in Kelty’s most value-oriented mummy and rectangular bags. An example of a sleeping bag with this insulation is: Kelty - Mistral, Long +20F/-7C.

About the author:

Jimmy is author, owner, and publisher of http://www.allsleepingbags. com

AllSleepingBags.com - all sleeping bags, all styles, all temperatures, all occasions

Written By: Jimmy Zambrano