Mattress Tips

Ladies, we spend a lot of time in the morning getting ready for the day. We take showers, put on makeup, blow dry our hair and put on just the right outfit we feel good in. Then we top it off with the hot colors of accessories from sunglasses to sandals - the details of what we wear matters in how we look and feel. Maybe it shouldn’t be that way, but it is. You can think of your bedding as fashion for the bedroom because you dress your bed just as clothing and accessories dress your body. The little details we put in our bedrooms such as vintage rag rugs, beaded lampshades, hand crocheted pillowcases or satin sheets will make all the difference of how we feel as we spend time in our bedrooms.

A bedroom is a place to feel safe, comfortable and cocooned as we sleep at night. I like the bedroom to be an expression of who I am as well as that of my husband. I don’t want it to be all cabbage rose, salmon pink and lace because that doesn’t make my husband feel too comfortable. He isn’t exactly the cabbage rose type. However, it also doesn’t have to be golfing, fishing and rustic log furniture either. We can compromise on a majestic leaf pattern with just a small floral touch. I use deeper colors of blue and green mixed with a sophisticated plaid and stripe for the bed linen. I love to mix all the patterns together and it turns out great. If you have never done that before you might find it a little tricky, but you will be okay if you stick to the same hue in the same color families. We live in the north woods so our colors are stronger, rustic and outdoors. There is a nice blend and flow throughout the home. Doesn’t it make sense to begin with colors inside that reflect the great outdoors, striking a balance between the two? I am surrounded by pine trees and a beautiful lake. I feel serene and happy when I take those same colors and make a beautiful room to spend my private time.

Take a cue from the great outdoors
If you are confused about where to begin when it comes to decorating the bedroom or other parts of the house, take a cue from the outdoors. Stand at one of the windows from inside a room and look out. What do you see happening in your backyard? Do you have a blue swimming pool or is your garden filled with yellow marigolds? Does your lawn look like green velvet or do you have earthy shades from rocks and stone? Do you love the cold strength of black wrought iron patio furniture or do you prefer bold awning stripes? You can begin to get the idea of how the inside can reflect the outdoors or vice versa.

You want your whole family to feel as comfortable in their bedrooms as you do. If you pay attention to details of bed linens, color, furnishings and small personal touches for your kids rooms, they will feel like they are special, and they may even clean the room a little more often. For example, your babys bedding could look cute and cuddly, the colors and patterns for kids can be bright, fun and whimsical. It doesn’t matter what size of mattress you or your kids have, the mattresses must all afford comfort. The goal of every bedroom is to have linens that are beautiful, easy to take care of, and mattresses that are comfortable to sleep on. If the room is dressed right, you will feel good while you are in it. You might consider just adding a duvet cover for a quick change over the tired comforter. I have taken old fitted sheets that were worn and placed them on the windows for an instant dramatic valance. Be creative when it comes to your personal style and get the kids involved. You don’t have to be extremely crafty to just get some fabric paint and let them design their own sheets. Isn’t it kind of boring to always buy what is shown to you in catalogs or retail stores? Place a table you had in the living room at your bedside and put a family quilt on it. Use solid velvet throw pillows that you havent had out in a while and add a few baubles to them or stitch a lace handkerchief to the top.

Take what you already own and just put it somewhere else in a new way. Divide all of your little collectibles into piles by color. Never prejudge something that you think is strictly for the kitchen, or just for a bathroom. If you look at the small knickknacks with fresh eyes you might be surprised at how warm a room can be just by using the play of color. I love using things in an unexpected way. Dont limit these ideas to the bedroom. Your whole house can be spruced up with a quick change by just moving around the pieces you already own. Another trick is to keep the small items all together in one spot. Don’t try to spread the small things out to cover space. You will make much more of a statement if you keep them together because there is strength in numbers.

Know your priorities before you buy
Do you prefer your bedding to be 450 thread count Egyptian cotton, or an easy no fuss fiber blend? Do the mattresses need to have a thick 100% cotton mattress pad? Are you looking for the most high tech mattress on the market? Do you want the babys bedding to be the softest available or is the cute factor more important? Do you want to be surrounded by fancy luxury or casual chic? Have a good idea of what you are looking for before you start making buying decisions. You are dressing your bedrooms in fashion just as you would your body. Don’t be afraid to experiment a little, and use the things you already own for a fresh look.

About the Author

Bev Marshall is a successful freelance writer Aromatherapist and Feng Shui consultant offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying bed linen mattresses, and bedding for babies, duvets, spreads for the bed, and comforter. She gives information and tips to help you save money and make informed buying decisions.

Written By: Beverly Marshall

Wrought iron furniture is an antique form of furniture design that has never gone out of style. There is a wide range of products available such as beds, chairs and tables, patio furniture, and small accent items such as pot racks, towel bars, shelf brackets, fireplace accents, hat and coat racks, and more. It is possible to decorate with the elegance of wrought iron design everywhere in your home.

There are many styles of iron bed frames available, such as American and European antique reproductions, modern and custom designs, as well as cribs and cradles, childrens’ beds and daybeds.

Some companies specialize in restoring real antique cast iron furniture, since items made of this durable material exist dating back to the 1700s and 1800s. Since bed sizes used to be smaller, original twin and full size beds can be converted to king and queen sizes. Many of these antiques are canopy beds, exotic and stylish, especially if draped in fabrics to match the decor of the bedroom.

The term wrought is the archaic past tense of the verb to work. As the English language changed over time, the word has been changed to “worked”. Therefore, wrought iron literally means “worked iron”. The process of making these products is quite precise and complicated. Some mass-produced, light-weight ornamental metal work is not made of iron, but is actually milled steel.

True wrought iron is a very pure form of commercial iron with a low carbon content. It is tough, bendable and easy to weld. It is too soft to be made into high-quality knives or swords, and rusts easily. For the purpose of weapon-making, societies which discovered how to carbonize iron and mix it with other metals to make steel had a great advantage in warfare over their more primitive neighbors. Because wrought iron is a more basic and universal product, it is the “iron” referred to throughout history.

Archeologists find evidence of iron smelting as far back as 3000 BC in China. Wrought iron was originally made by a method called bloomery. Bloomeries employed small charcoal smelters, often pots or ladles, into which iron ore (iron oxide, or rusted iron) was placed and covered with a thin layer of charcoal. The charcoal was lit and air was blown onto it with a bellows, causing the ore to melt partially. During this process, the oxygen atoms would be released from the iron to bind with the carbon in the charcoal, releasing carbon dioxide which would bubble away. Therefor, little of the carbon entered the melted iron.

Using this old method, the fire does not get hot enough to melt the iron completely, so a spongy mass is produced containing iron and silicates from the ore, called iron bloom, which is how the technique gets its name. The bloom is then manually worked to remove the slag and impurities, giving rise to the term “wrought”, as the iron was pounded, twisted, and folded. Hammering a piece of wrought iron compacts the fibers, increasing the strength of the product, though it lacks the carbon content necessary for heat-tempering. During this process, many thin layers of slag are mixed into the metal, producing a distinct “grain”, and a fibrous appearance when broken or bent. Old, rusted pieces of wrought iron have a very distinct grain and resemble reddish-brown wood.

Producing iron by hand in a bloomery was a slow, small-scale and labor-intensive process. Iron production began on a much larger scale with the introduction of blast furnaces, which date back to approximately 1100 to 1300 in Europe. These furnaces produce bars of pig iron, a brittle compound with a high carbon content. By the 1750s, a number of oxides had been discovered to remove the carbon as carbon dioxide, similar to the process in a bloomery. Because blast furnaces completely melt the iron, the metal can be molded into cast iron products at this stage. However, cast iron is too brittle to be worked into shapes as is possible with wrought iron.

Wrought iron would be further processed by faggoting, a method whereby the iron bars would be bundled together like sticks of firewood and hammered into one piece, just as iron was worked by hand in medieval times. Each time the iron was folded and stretched, it became a bit stronger. Wrought iron which had been faggoted twice was referred to as “Best”, and had a tensile strength of 23 tons per square inch; if faggoted again it would become “Best Best”, then “Treble best” with a strength of 28 tons per square inch. With each processing, impurities would form as long thin inclusions, just as with hammering.

Due to the unique grain of wrought iron, it is difficult to work with; like wood, if stressed too much, it will split along the grain. Working with wrought iron is an art form that can take years to perfect. Unlike mass-produced milled steel items, a wrought iron product is a piece of art.

Wrought iron can be painted in any color, and many manufacturers do custom painting and design. Cast iron can be formed into any shape, so if you have a design or picture you want replicated, bring it to a cast iron shop and they will work the image into your furniture. Buying wrought iron will give you a unique piece of furniture, and helps support local artisans and industries.

About the Author:

J Schipper loves iron beds Washington DC Storage Luxury Toronto Real Estate

Written By: J Schipper

When we enter any bedroom the first thing we notice is the furniture. All humans always see interiors and all decorating ideas that are executed in “elevation”. This means we always see the face of the furniture.

Every object in the bedroom large or small has a direct relation to dimensions of the human body. This relation with our body decides the comfort level in a bedroom. If a double bed is oversized, it will naturally occupy more floor space by reducing the volume of empty space. That’s why proportions of every furniture piece are vital to maintain comfort levels.

Let’s examine some important factors about bedroom furniture units.

1) Double Bed….

This piece of furniture occupies the maximum amount of floor space. A typical double bed measures about 1800mmX1800mmX450mm height. Of course this is a comfortable sized bed but can vary depending upon the requirements at the interior site.

Double beds come in steel/wrought iron/wooden frames. The most important point to note here is that 80% of the structural framework gets covered by linen. The mattress, bed sheets, pillows cover most of the part that supports the load of the users. That’s why the real beauty of a double bed lies in the linen used. Linen defines the shape of a double bed to some extent.

The patterns and decorations used on the linen also ads to the overall design theme of the bedroom. The headboard of the double bed (the part of the double bed which stands behind the head when we lie down on the bed) is a prominent feature and can be used effectively by using semi-circular shapes.

One creative use of the headboard is that we can add artificial lighting in it by providing blur glass and the effect of indirect lighting can be created. This is helpful if the master wants to read a book or magazine by relaxing in the bed itself.

Most of the time we see that the space below the mattress is used for storing linen. This is done in the form of sliding drawers which slide out from sides.

I have seen one more creative way of supporting the platform where the master lies down. By giving an angular slant to the supporting structure of the bed we can save valuable circulation space in a small bedroom. To understand what exactly I am talking about, just visit the webpage below. (Scroll down to the bottom to see a pictorial presentation of this method.) http://www.bedroom-design-and-decorating-ideas.com/teen.htm

2) Wardrobe….

A wardrobe is another element in a bedroom that creates a significant impact on the entire interior design theme. We always see a wardrobe in elevation. A typical wardrobe is most of the times measures 2100mm in height. The length and depth of the wardrobe differs from location to location but is typically around 1200mm in length and 600mm in depth for a single person’s wardrobe.

The internal compartments of a wardrobe are divided keeping in mind the various styles and sizes of clothes we wear. The internal design of a wardrobe also depends upon regional influences. For example in Japan, women wear a typical kind of dress or in Indian, most women wear a dress code called as “Saree” which needs much more space similar to trousers.

Depending upon the requirements a wardrobe might also include a small “money safe” with locking arrangements, drawers for keeping smaller sized clothes such as under-garments.

3) Dressing Table….

A dressing table is a place to be happy about. This is the place where we spend a lot of time shaping our faces. A small bedroom may not have enough space for a dressing table. At such times the outer faces of the wardrobe can be used to fix a full height mirror. This also creates a reflection of the rest of the room it and thus creates an illusion of more space.

A wardrobe needs special spotlight arrangements to throw light spot on the person in front of the mirror. This will include a flat mirror and small storage spaces for the makeup-kits, perfumes, etc…

In a case where the mirror is fixed on the outer surface of the wardrobe shutter,(as mentioned above) the storage space for make-up kit can be arranged inside the wardrobe.

4) Study Table with extra storage desk….

A study table is just a place to do some important daily tasks Sometimes it is useful to keep a computer on it. This study table can be designed to include an elevated storage space for books/files.

This combination of a study table and a book shelf is a great way to save space in small bedrooms. If the table top in not occupied by a computer or other objects, it can be made to fold and thus increasing more floor area.

This was a very basic study of the most commonly used furniture items in a bedroom. There are hundreds of creative ways to improve the performance and efficiency of furniture items in interior design. This article was just a starting point to trigger the creative genius in you.

I hope you have benefited from these words.

About the author:

Copyright Shrinivas Vaidya

Shrinivas Vaidya is the webmaster of Bedroom-Design-And-Decorating-Ideas.com . Visit TODAY to find some great concept level design tips for bedroom sets.

Written By: Shrinivas Vaidya

Microfiber is used in so many ways that we hear the word often when speaking of bedding, apparel, fabrics and furniture.

Microfiber bedding is a newer fabric and is very, very popular these days- but have you every wondered what this microfiber truly is?

To the layman who doesn’t want a bunch of technical data, the fiber is microscopically thin..1/100th the diameter of a human hair. Microfiber bedding, as a result is wonderfully soft to the touch.

Products made from microfibers like nylon and polyester are created with fibers that are also strong and extremely thin. These fibers are even thinner than the most luxurious than natural fibers, such as silk. And get this- microfiber can even be made to feel like suede, cotton or silk! How cool is that? Fabric created from microfiber that is then used to create your bedding means that you will have products that are lighter, more comfortable, long lasting, breathable and even easier to clean. And it doesn’t come with a high pricetag either.

Products created from these fibers are also great for allergy sufferers.

Dust mites can live in such places as comforters, pillows and mattresses, microfiber can be woven into dense covers that do not allow the dust mites to escape and bother the allergy sufferer. Microfiber is an invention that has made a big difference in the lives of those with allergies. Zip on pillow covers, quality mattress pads, duvets to cover comforters and even comforters made with microfiber exteriors have reduced the problems for those allergic to dust mites significantly.

But these products are not just for those with allergies.

Let’s look at some of the great bedding you can find made from microfiber:

The Bolder Peak Comforter by Columbia is a great example of the use of microfiber to create practical bedding at low prices.

This reversible comforter has an exterior shell made of 250 thread count microfiber and 100% polyester filling. The comforter is labeled machine washable. Color combinations are navy/camel, black/blue and Berry/China Berry. Practical as bedding choices for dorm rooms, guest rooms, master bedrooms and every bedroom in your house, you’ll love the prices you’ll find on these microfiber comforters by Columbia.

Dockers doesn’t just make clothing anymore.

The famous Dockers label can now be found on bedding- including a reversible comforter set that comes with matching bed skirt and shams.

The microfiber polyester outer shell holds 100% polyester filling to create a lightweight but cozy comforter. Stain Defender technology means that spills and stains will be few and easy to remove because they will not bond with the fabric. Amethyst, black, navy and other colors are combined to provide lots of color choices in the reversible comforter. The pillow shams and bed skirt match one side of the comforter and coordinate with the other side. This microfiber choice is a great way to stretch your bedding dollar.

Microsuede and microfiber combine to create a great comforter from the J.C. Penny line of bedding.

One side of the reversible comforter is microfiber polyester, the other side is polyester microsuede, providing variation in textures. The hypoallergenic 100% polyester filling makes this machine washable comforter a great choice. Available with matching cotton/polyester blend pillow shams. Colors are black/tarragon, navy/wedgewood and thyme/tarragon.

If you want a comforter that feels like real down, you’ll want to know about Camden’s Reversible Down-Like Comforter. This bedding is filled with microgel, a down-like product that is allergy resistant and has that luxurious down feel. The outer shell is polyester microfiber and ten reversible color combinations are available. If you love down but don’t love the weight of down, you’ll love this down-like microgel filling inside the lightweight microfiber shell.

If you prefer blankets to comforters, Biederlack has created the Aurora Microfiber Bed Blanket that is light weight yet warm and cozy. The soft feel of the microfiber makes this bedding choice perfect in any and every one of the nine beautiful colors available. All common sizes are also available. You’ll want to add several to your bedding collection because they are reasonably priced yet high quality and fully machine washable.

Remember to read and follow the care labels on your bedding created from microfiber. Most microfiber should not be left in a hot dryer for prolonged periods of time. The material dries quickly because of the tiny fibers in the bedding.

Microfiber- A new favorite in the world of bedding.

Patricia Bowlin helps you choose just the right bedding for your home. Find hundreds of great Free tips, advice and information on finding your next favorite pillows, bedding collections, blankets, bed linen and comforters by visiting here now.

About the author:

Patricia Bowlin is an entrepenuer, writer and researcher who loves to share her tips, sense of humor, advice and ideas on creating the perfect bedroom sanctuary. Get hundreds of Free useful tips, advice and ideas now by visiting http://www.best-in-bedding.com

Written By: Patricia Bowlin

1. Latex mattresses are a natural, biodegradable renewable resource:

Beginning on plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia, latex is sap milked from rubber trees in a manner not unlike collecting maple syrup. Local workers harvest the liquid latex and prepare it to be processed. The liquid latex is then shipped in drums to locations in Europe and the United States where it is manufactured into mattress cores and toppers, as well as pillows. Unlike Talalay processed latex foams, natural latex has no added petroleum or other chemical additives making it a truly all natural material. Being a 100% renewable resource, as well as biodegradable, natural latex does not have the taxing effect on the environment as other conventional bedding material.

2. In bedding, natural latex provides support where it is needed most by contouring to the bodys natural nuances:

It relieves pressure points, particularly at the shoulders and hips, and it allows for better circulation with less tossing and turning. The result is a deeper, more restful slumber.

3. Natural latex is remarkably conducive to situations that require custom mattresses:

Available in a wide range of firmness levels, it is simple to build a mattress that caters to an individuals needs: his and her sided beds, toppers, and more. Because of the wide variety of firmness variations available, natural latex can help ensure you feel as comfortable as possible when it matters most. Integrating an open cell structure with a pin core design allows for maximum breathability essential for removing excess heat and moisture that can prevent a good nights sleep.

4. For those who struggle with allergies natural latex provides a safe haven as it is naturally hypoallergenic, and anti-microbial:

This means that moulds, mildew, and dust mites that may help trigger allergies will not be waiting for you in bed, where they can be the most frustrating.

5. A naturally resilient and durable material, natural latex will supply consistent performance for 20 years or more.

6. The Advantages of Latex mattresses have been tried, tested and proven in Europe for decades:

Unlike the plethora of new age sleep systems available today, latex mattresses have been tried and tested in Europe for over twenty years. Their ability to withstand the test of time as well as provide an all-natural sleep surface that conforms to the contours of the body is finally beginning to catch hold in the United States.

7. Other new age sleep systems cannot offer the same qualities as natural latex:

Viscoelastic (memory) foam offers good support and relieves pressure points, but comes up short in other areas. It is a chemical product that is not biodegradable and as such it is not environmentally friendly. It doesn’t breathe like natural latex, which translates to a more stuffy and sticky sleeping environment. Memory foam easily retains moisture and is an environment prone to dust mites and molds, leaving allergy sufferers sniffing and congested during what should be the most restful time of the day. Being far less resilient than natural latex, viscoelastic foam has a lifespan of only about 10 years, meaning it will need to be replaced twice as often:

8. Air beds, such as sleep number beds, offer much less support and pressure point relief than natural latex:

They are non-breathable bladders full of air so they offer no way to keep moisture and heat from building up during the night. The only advantage of this type of mattress is its adjustability, which is only an advantage to those who enjoy varying firmnesses.

9. Innerspring mattresses seem a thing of the past when compared to natural latex - they don’t provide nearly the amount of support and customization opportunities:

Frequent tossing and turning is the result of pressure points caused by a rigid spring system. The batting material in the cover cultivates any amount of dust mites, molds, and fungi giving them free range to reek havoc on allergies. Motion is easily transferred through the mattress decreasing the quality of sleep for couples. It is clear why the standard is changing.

10. The independent cell construction of natural latex is not prone to transfer movement allowing two people to comfortably share the same bed without disrupting each other with every motion.

Natural latex provides excellent support and effectively relieves pressure points. Couples can sleep soundly together without disruption. It is a natural product and is environmentally sound. Designed to be breathable it is effective in keeping heat and moisture build up to a minimum for more comfortable sleep. Finally, it is hypoallergenic and antimicrobial to keep allergy sufferers well rested. It is easy to see why natural latex is far and away the best natural sleeping surface available.

About The Author

Ben Hermsen, a latex mattress enginner, is a manager for http://www.foamsource.com where he champions the benefits of latex mattresses, toppers and pillows for both individual health and also the preservation of our natural environment.

Written By: Ben Hermsen

Toile is a centuries old fabric that has once again become quite popular for use in gorgeous, lushly detailed bedding. (pronounced twaal)

Delicate drawings, very Old World in nature, often define the fabric. Some conflicting opinions exist about the origin of toile. Some say it was originally created in Ireland in the 1700s. Other sources believe it originated in Toile de Jouy France.

Because of a new technique of engraved plate printing, the look became wildly popular.

Today, it most often describes a fine line printed fabric design that looks very much like a pen and ink work. The most elegant toile fabrics are still printed using engraved plates or rollers.

The majority of bedding created from toile today is based on country themes.

For example, Waverly’s toile comforter of 100% cotton depicts a scene that appears Colonial or Old World in nature, with men, a woman riding a donkey and greenery. The bedding is trimmed in a tiny gingham check of 100% cotton toile. This particular bedding selection of toile comes in blue and cream or black and cream. The comforter is bound on three side and reverses to a gingham check for a change when you want something different.

C&J Enterprises offers a gorgeous toile set for your bedroom. Called simply “Midnight”, this bedding features deep blue nearly-black and soft white to create a bedding set that has a French feel. The graceful floral provides a country feeling. The soft rows of quilting make this quilt feel so cozy and inviting. The quilted pillow shams, pillows, and throws complete this lovely bedding set of toile. Choose some accessories in the gingham checked pattern to add a whimsical touch to the bedding.

Sferra Brothers provides a beautiful toile set for your bedding collection. The crimson or dusky green toile pattern is printed on Celeste 406 thread count percale sheeting with hand drawn hems. The quilted coverlet is reversible with one side having a light background with dark toile print; the reverse side is dark background hosting a light print. Pillows shams are available with either light or dark background and look wonderful with two of each. You’ll love this bedding set of toile for your bedroom.

Kouchini has designed a traditional toile set in the French Country style. The bedding set contains a comforter, bed skirt and shams. Matching sheets, pillow cases and throw pillow are available. The comforter is created in the European style which does not have center quilting and is a bit thinner than other styles of comforter. The charcoal grey is beautiful against the soft cream background.

For a little pizzazz, mix the traditional toile print sheets with solid colors or plaids to showcase the fine country prints of the toile. This bedding set will give your bedroom a cozy, inviting ambiance.

Designer Vera Bradley has created a new toile set that provides that look of fine old linen in a bedding set that truly looks antique. The pastoral countryside depicted in this toile of 100% cotton. The three color choices coordinate with Vera Bradley’s other designs like Seaside Vermicelli and Signature Paisley designs.

This bedding would definitely become on of your toile favorites. Toile water chestnut, summer rose and blue willow are all gorgeous choices for your bedding sets.

Baby nurseries look so serene and peaceful done in delicate toile. What do you mean you’ve never thought of using toile for baby bedding? =)

Baby bedding made of small toile prints look just right whether for baby girl or baby boy. Choose from pink, blue or sage when you choose a Burlington Basket bassinet liner set. Made of a cotton polyester blend, the delicate country prints on while backgrounds make these beautiful baby bedding sets of toile. These sets include sheet, skirt and bassinet hood cover.

If you love the tradition country look of top-quality toile, you’ll want to care for yours properly.

Most sheets, pillow cases, bed skirts and shams are machine washable. Some comforters are labeled machine washable, but comforters are simply too heavy when wet to be washed in most home laundry machines. For only a bit more expense, and actually much less expense than a washing machine repair, you can have the heavier bedding in your toile collection laundered in a commercial laundry or dry cleaned.

This way you’ll enjoy the charm and casual elegance of this wonderfully unique bedding for along time to come!

Patricia Bowlin informs and entertains you as you shop for home bedding! Find out everything you need to know about chosing the perfect pillows, comforters, and bedding here now.

About the author:

Patricia Bowlin is an entrepenuer, writer and researcher who loves to share her tips, sense of humor, advice and ideas on creating the perfect bedroom sanctuary. Get hundreds of Free useful tips, advice and ideas now by visiting http://www.best-in-bedding.com

Written By: Patricia Bowlin

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

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

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

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