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Choosing
the Right Mattress
There are basically
four different categories of mattresses available to consumers:
air mattresses, water mattresses, traditional or innerspring
mattresses and foam mattresses, made of memory foam, latex and/or
synthetic materials. Specialty mattresses are also manufactured
using a combination of these materials to meet specific needs
and preferences.
It's always a good idea to visit a local showroom to test out
each type of mattress before shopping online if possible. That
way you can take advantage of a good deal online with the knowledge
that the style you choose is one that you know will work well
for you.
Innerspring Mattresses
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Personal comfort and performance is the best way to measure
which type of innerspring mattress will meet your individual
needs. The large mattress manufacturers get almost all their
coils from the same company, Leggett and Platt, and the difference
in construction is determined primarily by the type and arrangement
of coils used.
Innerspring mattress coils are divided into three basic categories.
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The Bonnell coil, the original and most common coil, is an hourglass
shaped wire with knotted ends wrapped around the top and bottom
sections.
The offset coil, used by Stearns and Foster in their
manufacturing, is similar to the Bonnell coil, but the bottom
portions of the coils have been replaced with flat sides to
provide improved hinging action. Sealy and Spring Air 's open
end offset coil uses an extra "turn" of working wire for greater
spring action on each end.
The pocketed coil or Marshall Unit is the coil you will find
in Simmons Beautyrest innerspring mattresses. These mattresses
contain individual barrel-shaped coils attached to a perimeter
border rod which are encased like pockets in a panel of cloth.
This method reduces motion transfer and allows the mattress
to conform to the contours of your body.
Serta's Continuous Wire Unit consists of rows of single wires
that twist and turn the entire length or width of the mattress.
It is technically not a coil system although it is still categorized
as a traditional or innerspring mattress.
The support and durability of an innerspring mattress is influenced
by both coil count and wire gauge. Manufacturer test results
measure the load deflection, edge and center support of innerspring
mattresses, but of course the best test of comfort is the physical
one that you should take yourself.
Innerspring mattresses have a reputation for being better for
back pain than other types of mattresses. The truth is, the
support your spine receives while you sleep is the most important
factor in alleviating or accommodating a bad back. Neither a
too soft or too firm mattress is recommended for ordinary back
pain, though a firm mattress is recommended for acute back spasms.
The thickness of the innerspring mattress is another variable
to consider, and there has been a growing trend towards thicker
mattresses in recent years. The thickness of the innerspring
mattress however, doesn't necessarily determine its comfort,
and it is important to consider the weight of the mattress that
you may be moving or installing yourself. A thinner, lighter,
less expensive innerspring mattress may feel just as comfortable
and solid as a thick one. Again, test the different styles in
the showroom in advance so you can feel the difference in support
and design yourself.
Air Mattresses
Air beds are not to be confused with the rubber rafts you may
have blown up and floated on as a child. Air mattresses today
can be combined with standard bed foundations and have the great
advantage of being adjustable. Many air mattresses have dual
controls, allowing couples to adjust the firmness of each side
of the bed to meet their personal sleeping preferences. Air
mattresses utilize uniquely designed air chambers to conform
to the body's individual contours and distribute weight evenly,
providing support while alleviating pressure points.
One feature to look for in an air mattress is dual controls
on each side of the bed, so that adjustments to your side can
be made without your having to disturb your partner. Most air
beds can be adjusted, inflated and deflated at the touch of
a button, making them a great choice for guests and out of town
vistors. They are easily stored when deflated and provide a
space- saving extra bedroom option when the need arises.
Waterbeds
There are two basic types of water beds: hard-sided waterbeds
enclose a water-containing mattress within a rectangular wooden
frame on a plywood deck on top of a platform. Soft-sided waterbeds
contain a water-filled mattress inside a rectangular frame of
sturdy foam, within a fabric casing, that is generally supported
by a strong metal frame. A soft-sided waterbed looks very much
like a conventional platform bed. Both types of waterbeds are
generally heated.
"Free flow" water mattresses tend to be the least expensive.
These are the original rock and roll water beds that usually
contain only one water chamber and are thus prone to a great
deal of wave action. Newer and more expensive, water beds developed
methods for reducing wave movement by utilizing fiber batting
and interconnected water chambers to increase stability. Waveless
models contain a mixture of interconnected air and water chambers
to reduce movement. Waterbeds usually come with a water conditioning
and filling kit that will contain a faucet adapter and hose
so that you can fill the mattress to the level you find most
comfortable.
Memory Foam Mattresses
Memory foam is a heat and pressure sensitive elastic material
that was first developed by NASA in the 1970s. Body heat and
weight causes memory foam mattresses to mold to your body's
exact contours and distribute weight evenly while you sleep.
This reduces pressure points on the body and supports your back
while allowing the spine to remain in its normal position, offering
a welcome respite from the gravitational pull that can result
in muscle strain and morning fatigue. A memory foam mattress
will adjust itself to your shifting sleep positions during the
night, but resume its original shape when you rise in the morning.
Memory foam mattresses can alleviate fatigue, insomnia, muscle
aches, headaches, numbness, fibromylagia and many ailments.
They will reduce pain and irritation in the neck, back and shoulders
and are also very resistant to dust-mites, mold, mildew and
bacteria.
One of the benefits of memory foam mattresses is that they accommodate
all styles of sleepers, whether you predominantly sleep on your
back, your stomach or your side. Tall, short, slim or fat, memory
foam provides customized contouring for maximum support and
comfort. Whether sleeping alone or with a partner, a memory
foam mattress will adapt to your specific preferences and needs.
Latex Mattresses
Latex is natural rubber tapped from the rubber tree and molded
into a variety of bedding products. Latex mattresses are available
in 100% organic models with no use of synthetics or chemicals
using the Talalay or Dunlop process. Some Talalay latex mattresses
are engineered to retain the exceptional benefits of latex augmented
by 30% synthetic materials that have been added to insure consistency
and extend the life of the mattress. Latex mattresses, mold
to the contours of the body and provide support and cushioning
while relieving pressure points. Latex mattresses are naturally
anti-microbial, hypoallergenic, durable and resistant to mold,
mildew and dust mites.
Organic Mattresses
In keeping with the growing trend toward global conservation
and natural living, manufacturers are now offering several types
of organic mattresses. Organic mattresses are manufactured without
dyes, chemicals or materials treated with pesticides and they
are recommended for those who are highly allergic or sensitive
to pollutants and want to support a "green" lifestyle.
Organic latex is derived from the milky sap of the rubber tree
(hevea brasiliensis), and is usually cultivated in Africa, South
Asia, South America, Indonesia and Sri Lanka. This natural,
hypo-allergenic material is recommended for those who need or
prefer to remove all synthetic materials from their sleeping
environment. Mold and mildew cannot live in latex and organic
latex mattresses are naturally anti-microbial and highly resistant
to dust mites. The natural rubber in an organic latex mattress
molds to your contours, provides orthopedic support and relieves
pressure points on your body while you sleep. Organic latex
mattresses are available under many different brand names
Organic latex mattresses are metal-free, extremely durable and
resilient, and one of the few sustainable resources currently
promoting the preservation of the world's rain forests. Often
surrounded by quilted layers of wool and cotton and encased
in sanitized organic cotton fabric, natural latex mattresses
are biodegradable and as easy on the environment as they are
on your body.
An organic latex mattress is made of 100% pure rubber and is
usually constructed with a six-inch supporting core of natural
latex manufactured using the Talalay or Dunlop process. The
mattress coils in an organic innnerspring mattress are untreated
by chemicals or oils and are surrounded by quilted, padded layers
of sanitized organic cotton and pure wool. When purchasing an
organic innerspring mattress check to make sure that the mattress
was manufactured in an organic mattress factory with third-party
certification.
Crib Mattresses
Since a baby cannot articulate his needs and preferences to
you, it's important to understand a few things about baby or
crib mattresses from the outset. Crib mattresses need to be
firmer than adult mattresses, because babies cannot lift their
heads up from a soft mattress if they get turned over at night.
Some studies have indicated a link between overly-soft bedding
and some cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), so to
evaluate the firmness, pick the crib mattress up in the middle
and squeeze with each hand on opposite sides.
For the first seven months, babies spend the majority of their
time asleep, so providing them with a natural environment free
of synthetic chemicals is highly recommended. Pure wool (which
is naturally fire retardant), and organic cotton bedding can
reduce potential irritants. Watch your baby for signs of discomfort,
allergic reactions or restlessness. If you suspect trouble,
consider the benefits of an organic crib mattress. Most cotton
crib mattresses are hypo-allergenic and some will also include
an anti-microbial top layer to reduce germs from spit-ups, drooling
and diaper mishaps. Look for good venting in the crib mattress
to help odors dissipate. If you are considering a cotton crib
mattress, make sure you get a waterproof cover for easier cleaning
and maintenance. For durability, multi-layer covers comprised
of triple layers of vinyl or waterproof material is ideal.
As far as comparing crib mattress types, foam crib mattresses
are less heavy and expensive and just as safe as coil crib mattresses.
In coil crib mattresses, the coil count and wire gauge will
determine the mattress firmness, but bear in mind, coils were
really designed to support heavier loads. Again, and most important,
when it comes to choosing between firm and soft crib mattresses,
it is always best to err on the side of firmness.
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