Mattress Tips

It still amazes me to see that in almost every walk of life, consumers are looking for the latest and greatest on the market. Except when shopping for a mattress, it still seems that people are drawn to the ‘same old same old’ one mattress fits all coils and springs. Ouch! But that’s not the big kicker; the big deal comes when you actually price these mattresses. To get a top quality coils and springs mattress you have to pay between $1500US -$3000US to get the comfort levels you want and then you are still really buying an expensive foundation with a memory foam pillow top, which is what is providing the comfort you feel. So, let’s say you spend $2000US, you now own a 100lb wooden box filled with coils and springs and what sold you was the $200US pillow top.

So why not just take the time to really see what options are out there? You will find so many other choices that take advantage of our newest technology, are not only half the price but provide a much healthier environment for you to sleep. All the new types of mattresses and beds are specifically designed sleep systems that provide the right support to minimize pressure to acceptable levels for different body types and sleeping postures, maintaining back and spine alignment. The coils and springs mattresses can only say this when they come with the memory foam pillow top. The coils and springs can’t really “fill in the gaps” to support the parts of your body that do not sink into the coils, such as your lower back.

Coils and springs mattresses’ biggest claim to fame is that the coils work independently so when you move, your partner doesn’t. Great, but how much does that matter if you’re not comfortable and you wake up tired and stiff? And in all honesty, I don’t know anyone who actually “bowls” in bed.

So what are the options out there? There are four different types of new technology sleep systems that really are a great bang for the buck and are very affordable and provide many health and convenient benefits compared to coils and springs.

1) Air Mattress Beds – Air Mattress Beds cradle and cushion your body, providing more even weight distribution without the poking and prodding possible from a standard coil spring mattress. Easy to use handheld controls and a state of the art ultra-quiet air inflation system allow each sleeper to quickly adjust the firmness of their side of the air bed to the perfect comfort level, with just the touch of a button. Imagine, now couples can individually adjust each side of the air bed to the exact firmness and comfort level each partner prefers. (Tip: Look for horizontal baffling and contoured foam edges for quality construction.)

2) Adjustable Beds – Now any sincere 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. So if that’s the case then you really should think about doing it right! With the touch of a button, adjustable beds move into hundreds of relaxing positions. All without creating pressure, stress or strain on your body. Touch a button again and experience a new concept in comfort, while your own personal massage system helps to relieve tired, sore muscles, and reduce everyday tension and fatigue. Encourage restful sleep through relaxation. (Tip: Concentrate on the frame construction, don’t fall for the “mattress included” it’s rarely of any quality.)

3) Latex Beds – Latex mattresses provide the most comfortable sleep surface in the world. Already immensely popular in Europe, Latex Mattresses are beginning to boom here in the United States. More and more Americans are learning about the tremendous advantages of Latex Mattresses everyday. The Talalay Process produces the highest quality, most resilient and consistent latex foam in the industry. Its consistent cell structure and exact density result in the most even firmness and feel possible. You can also buy Natural latex products. (Tip: Look for US made foam with layered construction, as this gives you quality foam and creates a variety of comfort levels to choose from.)

4) Memory Foam Beds – Well I think the word is out on this one, I’m sure you’ve heard all the NASA explanations of why this is used in the Space Shuttle and seen the “handprint” pictures. But, in case you haven’t, Visco Elastic Memory Foam Mattresses utilize amazing, space age and NASA developed Visco Elastic Memory Foam. Visco Elastic Memory Foam is temperature sensitive. It actually reacts to the heat produced by your body, conforming to your body in a way no other material can. Where your body is making the most contact with the memory foam, the foam reacts and becomes softer. Where your body is making less contact, the foam stays cooler and remains more firm. The result is pressure being evenly distributed throughout the sleeper’s body, leading to fewer pressure points and a more restorative sleep. (Tip: Again, look out for problem European foam; US made Sensus with layered construction for the same quality and comfort level benefits.)

All of these new age sleep systems can be purchased for a fraction of what a coils and springs mattress goes for and depending on the mattress, you can adjust the foam layers to personalize your comfort level as you please. And don’t forget about the many major sleep benefits from all the sleep system technology. You just can’t miss, if you have to purchase a mattress or sleep system, you owe it to yourself to check these out, not only for your health but for your pocketbook too, ouch again!

Tune in to my next articles where I’ll break down what to look for in each of the new age sleep systems.

Why Sleep On Coils and Springs When You Can Sleep On Air?

Take time to consider the highest, quality, luxury and convenience of air mattress beds, adjustable beds, latex beds and memory foam beds, including mattress toppers and pillows.

Cloud 9 Air Mattress Beds, for more information click http://cloud9airmattressbeds.com

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

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

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