Buying a mattress? Then read this.

We spend a third of our lives asleep so as well as great bedding and pillows, it is essential to have a good mattress, to ensure a comfortable and restful nights sleep.

There is no definitive answer as to which mattress is right for you.  The mattress that you choose will depend on your weight and size (and the weight and size of your partner) and sleeping styles, but one thing is certain, your mattress must be supportive.

There are many different types of mattresses, varying in the way they are made, the materials that are used, and the quality they offer. We briefly look at some of the most popular ones currently available.

Types of mattresses

  1. Open sprung mattresses. These mattresses have one continuous shaped spring which extends throughout the mattress.  The spring moves as one, so if you are sleeping with a partner, you both will feel each other’s move. Because there is only one spring, this type of mattress will “wear” quicker than others, and will need replacing more frequently. However, in the early years, the fact that it is one, stronger spring, the shape will be retained better.   Open sprung mattresses are generally at the budget end of cost.
  1. Pocket sprung mattresses. Pocket sprung mattresses contain many individual springs, encased in individual fabric pouches. This allows the spring to move independently, and so react to the weight and pressure they are individually under. This ensures that the right amount of support is given to not only different areas of your body, but the springs will move independently of your partners. Naturally, the more springs in a mattress, the better.
  1. Memory foam mattress. Also known as visco-elastic, memory foam mattresses use material that moulds to the contours of your body. The moulding depends on your weight and is aso sensitive to body heat, providing the right amount of support for your body. These mattresses are also great for those who suffer from allergies. One point to note, some people find that memory foam mattresses to tend to be very warm and that can be uncomfortable at times)  Memory foam was first developed by NASA for their space programme, but now a days is used more and more for every day uses from mattresses and pillows to cushioning in-soles.  (Memory foam mattress toppers are also available for you to put on top of your existing mattress to provide a layer of memory foam support. Whilst not as good as a full mattress itself, they can provide a short term solution of budgets are tight).
  1. Gel infused mattress . These mattresses are very similar to memory foam (they are memory foam infused with gel particles), but proponents say that they provide support that is superior to memory foam.  The gel particles also take longer to heat up, and so the mattresses are more comfortable then their memory foam counterparts.
  1. Latex mattress. Latex mattresses are also similar to memory foam, and are great for people who suffer from allergies. Like latex pillows offered by Dunlopillo, latex mattresses provide good support, moulding to the contours of your body and a good quality one will feel like new for many years.

 

Mattress firmness

There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to firmness. It really depends on what you find the most comfortable, but below is a rough guide

  1. Soft – great for light weight adults or children, and for those who prefer to sleep on their side.
  2. Medium – ideal for average weight people and those who like to sleep on their backs or fronts, as the extra firmness gives more support.
  3. Firm – better for those who are over average weight as the firmness gives extra support. The extra firmness is also good for those who have back or joint issues .

Industry experts suggest that you should change your mattress between 7-10 years. However, this does depend on the type and quality that you buy  in the first place.  There are also suggestions to replace the base of the bed at the same time as the mattress or to at least ensure the quality of the base reflects the quality of the mattress. A top grade mattress with a lousy base to support it won’t work so well.

 

Care for your mattress

Once you have bought your perfect mattress, it is essential that you care for it to ensure it’s longevity.

  1. Flip – flip your mattress at least once a month.  This ensure that you do not sleep in exactly the same spot all of the time, thereby causing the spings/latex/memory foam/gel to experience more wear in the same spot. Fliping ensures the wear is distributed evenly.
  1. Mattress protectors – there are many types of mattress protectors on the market – including quilted, waterproof, polycotton and terry towelling, all designed to help protect your mattress from wear, and also dust mites, bacteria, and dead skin. The mattress protectors can be whipped off and washed regularly, ensuring your mattress stays as fresh as possible.
  1. Mattress toppers – you can also buy mattress toppers (you can get them with various types of fillings ranging from feather and hollowfibre to memory foam) to act as an extra layer of comfort between you and your mattress. You should not need topper if you have got a brand new mattress, but as the years of your mattress progress, you may like a little extra support.
  1. Bedding – once you have got your perfect mattress and base, you need to decorate it with perfect bedding. Again, the type of bedding (look, finish) that you go for is a personal choice it is worth bearing in mind that different materials will provide different levels of comfort. For duvet covers, cotton materials , especially 100% cotton with a high thread count, will provide a lot of comfort, cooling in the summer (cotton has absorbing qualities and is naturally aerated) and warmth in the winter. A high thread count will also provide silk like softness.  Also, in my opinion, nothing beats a feather duvet – whether it be goose or duck feather. This provides all the warmth that you need, whilst being very light to sleep under (the light feathers work by trapping heat). However, feather duvets are not for everyone, especially animal lovers or allergy suffers!

Finally, size matters!  A standard UK double bed only allows enough space for two people as they would get in a cot or small bed. If you can afford it and have the space, go for a bigger size, either a king or get the luxury of a super king bed.

 

About Author

Hello, I am Rebecca and my role at Home Space Direct is to populate the blog with informative and interesting pieces that keep audiences engaged and answer any of your purchase questions and queries. I am passionate about interior design, textiles and of course writing. I have been immersed in the textile industry, particularly the ecommerce side for many years so hopefully you will find my blogs creative as well as knowledgeable. Happy reading and do comment on the blog if you would like to know more about any of the subjects discussed.

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