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

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

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

As we’re about to show you, it can be as easy as choosing the next show to TiVo.

The first question you may be having is, “do I need a new mattress?” This one is probably the easiest. Ask yourself if you are sleeping well at night. Do you feel rested in the morning or do you need five cups of coffee before even thinking about getting ready for your day? If so, chances are you do need a new mattress.

The age of your mattress could also be a factor. Chances are you have dust mites, and dust mites can actually double the weight of your mattress in ten years. We won’t go into detail about that here, but you get the point. This along with mold and mildew can create havoc on allergies and asthma.

Some of the most common indicators of needing a new mattress are:

mattress is too lumpy

mattress is too soft/hard

mattress is too old

mattress is just not comfortable

Ok, so you decided that you do need or want a new mattress. The first thing you need to do is decide on what size you want. If it’s the same size as you already have, you’re ahead of the game.

If you have decided to move up in size, a simple way to see how your new mattress will fit is to move the old bedding and mark the area where the new bed will sit. You can do this using towels, sheets, or even an outline in string.

If you want to really get creative, buy yourself some graph paper and organize all of your bedroom furniture. Draw out your bedroom dimensions and on another sheet cut out your furniture to scale. Then you can organize your whole bedroom without lifting anything heavy.

Here are some of the more popular mattress dimensions to help get you started.

Twin: 38″ x 75″ Extra-Long Twin: 38″ X 80″ Double/Standard/Full Size: 53″ x 75″ Queen: 60″ x 80″ King: 76″ X 80″ California King: 72″ x 84″ (Recommended for people over 6′4″)

Important Tip: Remember these sizes can vary by manufacturer and don’t forget headboards and foot boards can add several inches to these dimensions.

When it comes to beds and mattresses, the softest are not always the best. This almost always comes down to personal preference. Your going to have to “test drive” your mattress. Don’t be shy, and don’t be afraid t ask the sales staff to leave you alone while you try out the mattresses.

If someone will be sleeping with you, bring them along. Above all, the mattress should support your spine and should not interfere with your pressure points.

Check the number of coils the mattresses has. The higher number of coils the better the mattress will wear. Generally, 300 coils for a double and 350-800 for a queen. A king size mattress can range from 400 to 900 coils.

You’ll also want a few fabric and padding layers and a pillow top.

Many recommend going to a local mattress store and test the ones you like, then go online to stores like were you can find better deals.

When you’ve found the perfect mattress, you need the perfect frame. You want a good solid frame. One that will sufficiently support the mattress and box spring.

Now, go buy yourself some nice new sheets to go with your brand new mattress!

About the author:

You can find beds, mattresses and box springs along with bedroom furniture, living room furniture, and dining room furniture in a variety of styles and wood types at http://www.GreatPriced Furniture.com

Written By: Matt Trostle

One of the first determinations you need to make when buying a down comforter is the amount of money you are willing to spend. Down comforters tend to be expensive, with most high quality options costing hundreds of dollars. However, there are down comforters available for less than $150, if you know where to look. Most quality discount stores will carry comforters for a very nice price, so be sure to shop around. It is important to realize that even though comforters may cost you a bit of money now, they usually last 15-20 years. This makes it worth your while to buy a quality comforter that will stay cozy year after year.

Another key factor to consider when choosing a comforter is size. The comforter you buy should be the correct size for your bed. This is very important, because often times comforters will be marked as a mix of different sizes, and you may end up purchasing an ill-fitting comforter. You can guarantee that you are getting the correct size comforter by measuring your bed and bringing the measurements with you to the store.

You should also consider the type of down filling used in the comforter you want to buy. While many reasonably priced comforters are filled with polyester, the pricier varieties tend to be filled with silk or actual down. Down comes from the breasts of both geese and ducks, and these fluffy balls act to create warmth and a puffy look in a comforter. While natural down options are very warm and appealing, many people have allergies that make these types of comforters impossible. In these cases, synthetic down represents a viable alternative.

Down comforters also have the added feature of being quite versatile. There are many down comforters that display a different color, print, or design on both sides. This can give your bedroom a whole different look, depending on your mood or the season.

One last tip in buying a down comforter is to look for quality when making a purchase. Many comforters can feature sloppy workmanship, which can lead to down shifting or escaping the comforter. A quick way to make sure that you are purchasing a quality down comforter is to look for proper stitching. The stitching should be consistent the whole way around the comforter, and should also be firmly in place. This will keep your down comforter serving the purpose for years to come.

These tips in buying a down comforter for your bedroom should help you make a wise decision. Although the comforter you choose is ultimately a matter of personal taste, these tips will help you find a comforter that is both high in quality and style.

About the Author:

Jo Williams has an interest Home & Garden related topics. To access more information on bed comforter or on bed spread and comforter, please click on the links.

Written By: Jo Williams

Thread count is only one factor in the equation of luxury bedding. The qualities of the fabric are what put the luxury in your sheets. There are, however, two main types of fabrics and they are natural and manufactured. Luxury bedding is almost exclusively made from high-quality natural fabrics such as Egyptian cotton.

Thread count refers to the number of threads per square inch of fabric. A higher count usually indicates a finer thread. It is the finer thread that gives a sheet its softer feel, unless chemical finishers are used. These chemical finishes, which are often used on cheaper sheets, will make the sheets initially appear to be silky smooth, but after a couple washings the finish will wear off. Chemical finishes are also detrimental to those who have sensitive skin or suffer from allergies. In reality thread count is mostly a measure of a sheets softness and not necessarily its quality. For example a 340 thread count sheet made with Egyptian cotton can feel as smooth as a 400 thread count sheet made with cheaper cotton. Does this mean that a low grade cotton sheet with 800 TC fabric feels twice as smooth as 400?

Not necessarily. If you have been shopping for luxury bedding you may have seen advertisements for 800 + TC sheets. This number can be misleading. These sheets achieve a super high thread count by adding multiple plies of fabric together. While these sheets are smooth, they are not as proportionally smooth as the high number would lead one to believe. The added plies increase the durability of the sheet which may be necessary if the bedding is made from low quality materials. High quality fabrics will be made with high quality fibers which are strong and tightly weaved. The best fabrics are generally going to have a thread count between 300 and 350.

Natural materials, such as Egyptian or Pima cotton, are preferred over manufactured materials for bedding. This is because cotton will allow the body to breathe while at rest. But if one prefers a silk-like feel then Lyocell is a good alternative. It is a manufactured material that is made from natural biodegradable materials.

So remember, when shopping for high quality sheets keep in mind that thread count is more an indicator of the smoothness of a sheet and not as much an indicator of quality. If a bedding set claims to have a high thread count check to see if it is made of a high quality fabric. One should seriously consider an investment in quality bedding materials such as Egyptian cotton for longevity, comfort, and especially if you have sensitive skin or suffer from allergies.

About the author:

Kelly White is co-founder of Home Delights. You can find more information about bedding and down comforters at: http://www.sleepdelights.com

Written By: Kelly White

Comfortably in her crib. That depends on the bedding sets you use. Babies have very delicate skin. A baby’s skin is so much thinner than adult skin. Some babies are very sensitive to their surroundings.

The first thing you have to take into consideration when it comes to baby bedding, is comfort. Will the fabric make baby’s skin itch?

Ideally, the best fabric to use for baby bedding is cotton. Preferably 100% cotton sheets in summer, soft warm flannel for winter. Wool may be itchy but that depends on the baby.

Next, because babies have such sensitive skin, you must keep the crib bedding clean and dry. Babies urine and pass motion frequently in their clothes. If their nappies leak, the bedding gets stained.

Disposable diapers are way more convenient as compare to cloth nappies. With cloth nappies, the nappies leak every time the baby urines which can be nightmarish for an exhausted new mother to clean up after. Disposable diapers allow the baby to stay dry after a few rounds of urine, but once baby strains her face and you know she has just moved her bowels, do change her diaper.

When baby dirties herself, clean her up right away. Leave her in dirty nappies longer than necessary and she will probably develop a nappy rash. Babies with nappy rash itch, cry a lot and are generally miserable. Keep a tube of diaper rash cream at hand to treat the problem, just in case.

You can get these baby products are very affordable prices at Cheapest Sale Baby Products.

A vinyl cover over the mattress itself keeps the mattress from getting soaked through. Remember to cover it with clean cotton bedding and to change it whenever it gets dirty. You do not want baby to suffer from skin allergies from dirty bed linen.

For safety sake, get baby to sleep face up or on the side. Don’t let baby sleep lying on its stomach. A BBC article about cot deaths links cot deaths with the baby sleeping on its stomach – http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/520993.stm

Finally, since baby is going to spend most of her time in the crib, even while she is awake, give her something to look at. Cotton baby bedding with friendly patterns, little animals, or other interesting pictures keep her occupied, and stimulate her mind. Plain white crib bedding sets without any patterns are really boring. They do not give baby anything to look at. To make matters worse, plain sheets show up stains glaringly. Patterned bedding sets are more forgiving in this aspect. Besides, babies would find pattern bedding more interesting.

About the Author

The writer is the webmaster of Bedding Sets, a resource that is created to help you decorate your bedroom.

Written By: Janice Wee

A platform bed is a bed which consists of a mattress placed on a solid platform raised off the floor by legs or framing. The space below the platform bed can be utilized for storage purposes. Platform beds do not have springs.

Types of platform bed:

One can select a platform bed from the two varieties available.

* The wooden platform bed – Wooden platform beds are usually made from oak wood or maple wood. They offer warmth as well as beauty to any type of bedroom decor. They are available in many different sizes like full size, king or queen size, and twin size. Though they are usually designed to support a mattress, they can be changed and customized for use with box springs. Altering the height of the headboard and lowering the size of the slate board allows for this. The wooden platform bed is generally given a Danish oil finish.

* The metal platform bed – Metal platform beds come in many varieties from the contemporary metal platform bed to the traditional ones and they are all available in a variety of colors. The beds have predrilled holes to allow for the adjustment to the height of the bed.

* Special quality steel is used for more strength and durability of the bed. To avoid stripping and over tightening of the bolts a special Allen key is used. Steel cross bars sheets of Masonite are used for support at the side railing.

* DIY beds, from plans and instructions available on the internet

Advantages of platform beds:

1. You can make a platform bed yourself from readily available plans found on the internet

2. They provide a better mattress support area since it does not have a box spring underneath.

3. It increases the storage space and makes the room looks clean and tidy.

4. These beds are very affordable.

5. Allergies to dust can be avoided, as dust does not get collected under the bed.

6. They are portable and comfortable.

To buy a platform bed:

There are many web sites and on line merchants from where you can buy a platform bed. These web sites offer the latest designs for platform beds at very reasonable prices.

They are available in a wide range of prices so its very easy to choose a bed that suits our budget. Alternatively you could make a platform bed, the plans are readily available on the internet.

About the Author:

Malcolm Moorhouse Web: www.finda-bed.com Email: info@finda-bed.com Copyright Malcolm Moorhouse 2006

Written By: Malcolm Moorhouse

Consequently they are turning away from their conventional innerspring mattresses which create pressure points that cause tossing and turning in search of a better alternative. Tempurpedic has poured money into advertising their viscoelastic memory foam mattresses, fueling interest in spring free mattresses.

People who are allured by the intrigue of the space foam are often unfulfilled by the lifeless feel of memory foam, and begin searching in a new direction. As a result latex mattress makers are experiencing a substantial boom in sales.

Latex international, the top US manufacturer of latex mattress components and latex pillows, is currently generating sales around $80 million a year showing an average increase of approximately 30 percent a year since 2001. With high end mattresses showing an industry average increase of roughly 20 percent, latex mattress producers are ahead of the curve.

This astounding and steady increase in sales is not because of some ingenious new marketing scheme, it simply reflects the consumer response to a quality product. Latex mattresses provide a sleeping surface that relieves pressure points better than memory foam.

They are naturally dust mite resistant and anti microbial, which makes an incredible difference to people who suffer from allergies and asthma. Unlike other mattresses on the market today latex mattresses are biodegradable, and are made from natural, sustainable resources. With an average life span of 20 years, nearly twice those of other beds, latex mattresses outlast the competition.

Looking to the future this trend has no end in sight. With the price of polyurethane foam recently jumping a whopping 55% due to factory closures, the margin between premium latex mattresses and other mattresses narrows giving latex the clear advantage.

About The Author

Ben Hermsen, a latex mattress and foam cushion engineer, 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