Research shows that most of us do not buy new bedding often enough. Whilst we may buy good quality bedding that is comfortable and will last for years, there will still come a point when it needs a change. Here are some of the signs that tell you that it is time for a change.
- Your bedding/bed has become uncomfortable. You wake with a neck or back ache or are too hot or too cold during the night. Neck and back ache can be addressed by buying a new mattress and pillows. Mattresses should be changed every 7-10 years to ensure your body weight is supported properly. Always invest in a good mattress. If you can’t get a new mattress, then take a look at a mattress topper. Mattress toppers come in all sizes and thicknesses and are available in both natural fillings (eg goose and duck feather and down) or synthetic hollowfibre or microfiber. The topper will act as an extra layer between you and the mattress and will add a bit more support for your body. Pillows are similar. Get the right pillow for you. The right pillow will depend on the firmness that you like, and your sleeping style. You may also find that you are not sleeping at comfortable temperature, even though your room is well heated and aired. It could be your bedding. Fibre and textile technology is developing all of the time, and you can now get duvet covers and sheets made from materials (eg bamboo and silk), that provide insulation with maximum airflow, thereby keeping air circulated. Even with conventional materials be sure to get good quality materials. Polyester topped duvet covers, whilst they may look shiney and nice, will cause overheating and prespiring as polyster restricts air circulation.
- It looks old. Faded, threadbare, and buttons popped off are all signs that your bedding needs to be replaced. We can get quiet attached to our bedding, especially if it is comfortable and cosy and sometimes we don’t see just how tired it is looking. Duvet covers and sheets that have been washed many times will fade, no matter how good the quality is.
- You’ve noticed allergic reactions. The saying “sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite”, has a meaning behind it. Old, unaired, and unwashed bedding eg, pillows, toppers and mattresses are prone to bed mites. Obviously mattresses can’t be washed, but some toppers and pillows are also hard to wash, leading bed mites to fester. These mites can give rise to all sorts of allergic reactions like sneezing and respiratory conditions, as well as skin reactions.
- Fit. Your bedding doesn’t fit your bed anymore! There could be two reasons. You have upgraded your bed to a bigger size. Your current duvet fits your king size bed … but at a stretch. Get the correct size for your bed – it will be more comfortable and is worth the investment. Secondly, you may have kept the same size bed, but upgraded your mattress to a thicker one. You may find that your old fitted sheets only go round your mattress at a s-tr-e-tc-h, to the point that they sometimes ping off. Get new fitted sheets that have the right depth of pocket for your mattress. Extra deep fitted sheets are now commonly available.
