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| How To Buy A Mattress |
| Tue 05/25/04 by Dr. Stephen D. Ambrose |
| BUYING A MATTRESS This report is on mattresses. In this country, we spend approximately 25-33% of our lives sleeping on a mattress. This means that not only choosing a mattress, but also determining the need is very important. Please feel free to ask Dr. Ambrose questions whenever you feel you need additional help in selecting your mattress. You may contact him at: doc@doctorambrose.com Mattress Shopping The best way to ensure that you're a satisfied customer is to shop at a store you know and trust to give you good information, good service and top quality products. Look for educated salespeople who can guide you through the many choices. If you don't feel your salesperson is knowledgeable or helpful, take your business elsewhere. Never shop at more than 1 store per day. If you're a shopper who likes to compare values from store to store, you should be aware that comparison shopping by model name might lead to frustration. Different stores re-label mattresses which are exactly the same to prevent price shopping. Don't forget to compare store services such as delivery, financing and removal of old bedding as well. What to Look for When Buying a Mattress COMFORT. Gone are the days when a mattress had to be hard-as-a-board to be good for you. A too-hard mattress may only succeed in putting your shoulders and hips to sleep. SUPPORT. Correct support is the essential ingredient for a healthy body. A good mattress and foundation will gently support your body at all points and keep your spine in the same shape as a person with good standing posture. Pay special attention to your shoulders, hips, and lower back?the heaviest parts. If there's too little support, you can develop back pain. But if the mattress is too hard for you, you can experience uncomfortable pressure. A word about "firm." Don't rely on product labels to tell you which mattress will give you the right support. One manufacturer's "firm" may feel harder than another's "extra firm." The only way to find out if the support is right is to lie down and try. DURABILITY. It's the quality of the materials used and how they're put together that determine how long a mattress and foundation will provide the comfort and support you bought them for. The best assurance of good performance over a good many years is to buy the highest quality sleep set you can afford. A word about the warranty. Don't look to the warranty to tell you how long to keep your mattress and foundation. It's there to protect you against product defects, not against the gradual loss of comfort and support. A sleep set may still be usable after 15 or 20 years, but it's not giving you the good night's sleep you deserve. The Basics on Beds INNERSPRING. The most widely purchased type of bedding uses the support of tempered steel coils in a variety of configurations. Layers of upholstery provide insulation and cushioning between your body and the spring unit. The result of this basic approach, coupled with state-of-the-art technology, is a full range of comfort choices. Quality tip: You can't judge the quality of a mattress solely on the number of coils it contains. A high coil count doesn't automatically mean it's a better product. It's a combination of top quality innerspring system and superior upholstery materials that makes the difference. FOAM. Solid foam mattresses also offer a wide choice of "feels". They can be made of a solid core or of several layers of different types of foam laminated together. Advanced technology in polyurethane foams, refinements to traditional latex foams and the new viscoelastic foams have added to the choice of comfort, support and performance. FOUNDATION. A good foundation (box spring) is as important as a good mattress. Don't put a new mattress on an old foundation. When you select the mattress, purchase its companion foundation?the two are designed to work best together. In fact, buying the mattress without its matching foundation may affect the terms of the warranty. Don't Forget The Pillow. Just as your bed should provide good support for your body, your pillow should give you the right cushioning to position your head and neck properly. It should hold your head in the same relation to your shoulders and spine as if you were standing with correct upright posture. If you sleep on your side, you may want a fairly firm pillow to give your head and neck extra support. If you sleep on your back, try a medium-firm pillow to cradle your head with more "give". And if you sleep on your stomach (although some physicians caution against this position), choose a soft pillow to lessen the strain on your neck. Other Choices AIRBEDS. Airbeds are now designed to look like the familiar mattress/box spring combination, with an air-filled core providing the support instead of an innerspring unit or foam core. These designs also offer a range of feels and typically are adjustable to suit individual sleepers' needs. FUTONS. Futons are a popular alternative for those who need a sofa by day and a mattress by night. The mattresses must be very flexible, so they are typically made of cotton, synthetic fibers and foam in various combinations. The futon is designed to support sitting as well as sleeping. ADJUSTABLE BEDS. Electrically adjustable beds allow sleepers to adjust the head and foot of the bed to the most comfortable position. The mattress and foundation must be specially built for the flexing motion and can be innerspring, foam or a combination. Since the flexing causes extra wear on the mattress, quality construction is very important. Mattresses not built for this purpose should not be used with an adjustable bed frame. WATERBEDS. The newest waterbed designs are also built to look like the familiar mattress/foundation, with a water-filled core providing the support and layers of upholstery for insulation and surface comfort. Quality construction is especially critical when water is involved, so look for assurance that the vinyl and seaming are designed for maximum durability. Dr. A?s recommendation: Wyndham mattress at BedCrafters at West Broad St. These are firm mattresses with a soft pillow top. 20 year NON PRORATED warranty and made here locally in Colonial Heights, VA is something goes wrong. Boxspring A mattress and foundation are engineered to work together as a set, and the foundation takes a lot of the nightly wear and tear and contributes to the bed's overall comfort and support. Putting a new mattress on an old foundation, pairing it with a foundation it wasn't designed to work with or adding a board between the mattress and foundation will impede comfort and reduce the useful life of your new mattress. It may also affect the manufacturer's warranty coverage. When shopping for a mattress for a platform bed, there are a few things consumers should consider. First, the way a mattress feels when you try it in the store is partly due to its matching foundation (box spring) ? they are engineered to work in tandem with one another. When you replace the foundation with a platform bed's rigid surface, the feel will be different ? generally, firmer and less resilient. You might also want to consult with your salesperson to determine if there are any changes in warranty coverage for a mattress used without its matching foundation. Warranties The warranty on the new mattress and foundation you purchase is not an indicator of how long the product should be used before replacement. The warranty is there to protect the customer from product defects, not against the gradual loss of comfort and support. Moreover, different manufacturers offer different warranties, and you should check with the manufacturer of your mattress for product-specific information. When you consider emerging technologies that continually improve mattress construction and the changing needs of your body over time, you'll understand why it's wise to compare the comfort and support of your present mattress to a new mattress at least every few years, regardless of the length of the warranty. When should I replace my mattress Perhaps a better question is how long will your mattress continue to provide the comfort and support you need to assure the best night's sleep? How long your mattress will last depends on many factors. Is the mattress used nightly or it a guest room mattress? Was the mattress a top quality mattress when originally purchased? The weight and the sleep habits of the people who sleep on a mattress all factor into how long it will maintain optimum performance. People's bodies change over time, and their need for adequate comfort and support increases as they get older. That's why it's a good idea to compare the mattress and foundation you are sleeping on now to newer models at least every few years. Studies show that 87% of people who purchase a new mattress are satisfied with their choice and its impact on the quality of their sleep. Mattress technology is constantly advancing, and it's worthwhile to visit a store and take the SLEEP Test just to see what's new in better sleep and comfort. Mattress Care Consider your new mattress and foundation as "sleep equipment" that needs to be cared for in order to assure the best hygiene and performance. It's important to follow mattress care instructions from the maker of your mattress as products vary greatly. However in general it's important to know about the following: ?Proper installation Make sure your new mattress and foundation are properly installed in your home. Improper installation can damage your new sleep set. If you choose to transport and install on your own, ask the store personnel to give you some tips to help you avoid problems. ?Use a protective pad. A good quality, washable mattress pad (and one for the foundation, too, if you like) is a must to keep your set fresh and free from stains. ?Let it breathe. If you detect a slight "new product" odor, leave the mattress and foundation uncovered and well ventilated for a few hours. A breath of fresh air should do the trick! ?Give it good support. Use a sturdy bed frame. If it's a queen or king size set, make sure your frame has the adequate center support that will prevent bowing or breakage. ?Don't dry clean. The chemicals in dry cleaning agents/spot removers may be harmful to the fabric or underlying materials. Vacuuming is the only recommended cleaning method. But if you're determined to tackle a stain, use mild soap with cold water and apply lightly. Do not ever soak a mattress or foundation. ?Don't remove the tag. Contrary to popular belief, it's not illegal to remove the law tag, but the information on the label will serve as a means of identification should you have a warranty claim. ?It's not a trampoline. Don't let the kids jump on your sleep set. Their rough-housing could do damage to the interior construction, as well as to themselves! ?No boards, please. Never put a board between the mattress and foundation. It may enhance the sense of support for a while, but it will only make the problem worse over time. When any bed in your home has reached the "board stage", get rid of it. ?Out with the old. Now that you've treated yourself to a new sleep set, arrange to have your old bed removed and disposed of. Don't give it to the kids, relatives, guests or neighbors. If it wasn't good enough for you, it isn't good enough for anyone else. Throw it out! THE SLEEP TEST Remember the SLEEP Test when you are checking out new mattresses. Select a mattress Lie down in your sleep position Evaluate the level of comfort and support Educate yourself about each selection Partners should shop together You should remove your shoes (if you're a woman, it's best to go mattress-shopping in jeans or slacks) and lay down on several different models in various positions, especially the one you usually sleep in. Pay special attention to the support at the lower back, postural alignment (as if you were standing) and level of comfort at the shoulders and hips. Definitely shop with your partner so the selection of your new bed is made together. Those few extra minutes of focusing on the "feel" of different mattress choices can save a lot of time later. Remember, too, that you'll spend nearly a third of every day on this new mattress ? consider this an investment in a good night's sleep and a good start to every day. What's more, consumer research shows that nearly 90% of the people who buy a mattress are very satisfied with their choice afterwards, many reporting that a better mattress translates into better sleep. Body Impressions Many of today's top-quality mattresses use technologically advanced foams and fibers that are designed to be softer and more comfortable while ensuring your body has the support you need for good health. By cradling your body, these materials relieve pressure and are so comfortable that you'll probably toss and turn less in the night. For that reason, in the first few weeks you sleep on a new mattress that offers these extra comfort layers, you will likely notice some body impressions on the mattress surface. These impressions are normal and shouldn't be considered a sign that something is wrong with your new mattress. Unless your mattress care instructions indicate otherwise, you may want to rotate your mattress from end-to-end and from top-to-bottom. After a few weeks, the impressions will begin to smooth out. Frequently Asked Questions Q. What are some ways to get a better night's sleep? A. A few key things should help. Try going to bed and getting up at the same time every day ? even on the weekends. This will help keep your biological clock in sync. Develop a sleep ritual by doing the same things each night just before bed. Parents often establish a routine for their kids, but it can help adults, too. A routine cues the body to settle down for the night. Another hint: Unwind early in the evening so that worries and distractions don't keep you from getting a good night's sleep. Finally, create a restful sleep environment ? sleep in a cool, quiet, dark room on a comfortable, supportive mattress and foundation ? to get your best night's rest. If you're sleeping as much as you need, but still find that you're sleepy during the day, you should consult your doctor to see if you might have a medical condition interfering with your sleep. Q. What if there's no time for sleep? What can people do to sleep better? A. Sleep needs to be a health priority. It affects every aspect of your day-to-day living. If you can't say "yes" to sleep, make sure to make the most out of the sleep you get. Exercise regularly ?people who exercise a few times a week sleep better than people who don't. Also, avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco products late in the day. All can interfere with sleep. You need to create a restful sleep environment so the sleep you get is restorative and uninterrupted. Sleep in a dark room, on a comfortable, supportive mattress. Keep the room cool and quiet. And if you find yourself too stressed to sleep, make a list of all the things you need to do. Once you've made your to-do list, give yourself permission to relax and sleep. Q. Can people make up for lost sleep during the week by sleeping in on weekends? A. No. If you sleep more on the weekends than during the week ? and many of us do ? this indicates that you have a "sleep debt." A sleep debt accumulates when you don't get enough sleep. The only way to reduce the debt is to sleep as much as your body needs every night. Make sure you're getting the right quality of sleep as well. Sleep in a cool, dark, quiet room on a comfortable, supportive mattress to get your best night's sleep. Q. How much money should be spent on a mattress? A. Your rest ? the amount and quality of your sleep ? is a critical factor in your overall well-being. Accordingly, we urge you to invest in your rest, and spend enough on a mattress to ensure that your individual comfort and support needs are being met. Be sure not to shortchange yourself out of a good, quality night's sleep and buy the best mattress you can afford. The average person spends one-third of his or her life in bed. This equals 220,000 hours over the course of a lifetime! And the mattress is the most used piece of furniture in the home. Q. What size mattress does a couple need? A. Couples should sleep in a queen or king-size mattress for free, easy movement. Couples who sleep on a full mattress are only allowing themselves the same room to move around as a baby has in a crib. And make sure to take your partner with you when you shop for a mattress. It's important that you find one that meets both your support need and comfort preferences. |
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