What Makes A Mattress Toxic
You may think a mattress is a mattress, right? But if you’re buying a new mattress you should know that many mattresses are hiding a dark secret. Certain sleep surfaces are actually made with chemical components that could make you sick.
“Most mattresses typically contain polyurethane foam, which is made from petroleum chemicals,” explains Tasha Stoiber, PhD, a senior scientist at the Environmental Working Group . “This foam can off-gas, or emit, volatile organic compounds , which are harmful to health and have been linked to respiratory irritation and nervous system harm.”
This is a particular concern in baby mattresses, notes Avinash Kar, a senior attorney and director of state health policy for the National Resources Defense Council , which is why you’ll definitely want to seek out a non-toxic mattress for babies and kids. “Testing by the Getting Ready for Baby campaign shows the presence of several chemicals of concern in a number of mattresses tested, including toxic flame-retardant chemicals,” he says. “Flame-retardant chemicals are associated with adverse health effects ranging from cancer and reproductive harm to learning disabilities and interference with the normal operation of hormones, and children are especially vulnerable because they are still developing.” Since infants spend more time napping and sleeping, they’re around these harmful chemicals for longer periods, though these chemicals pose a risk to anyone whos near them.
Go With Hybrid Mattress
When considering buying a new mattress, you want to make sure its comfortable and durable.
Thats why we recommend that you try our bamboo hybrid mattress, which is a spring and foam fusion, and thus combines the benefits of foam and spring mattresses. This means changing sagging mattresses which are usually made of pure foam with hybrid ones that have additional longevity due to the added springs foundational support.
Different Body Types Need Unique Solutions
As with sleep position, you’ll want to consider your weight and body type before selecting a mattress. Each mattress model is constructed to support sleepers in certain weight groups. Firmness, thickness, and material construction all come into play.
If you weigh less than 130 pounds, you’ll probably feel most comfortable on a soft to medium soft mattress . These beds conform the closest to your body to alleviate pressure points in the shoulders, lower back, and hips. A firmer bed may not provide enough contouring, resulting in added pressure and discomfort.
If you weigh 130 to 230 pounds, you’re a good candidate for a mattress with a medium soft to medium firm feel. The bed will feel firm enough to support your shoulders, lower back, and hips, but soft enough to cushion and conform to your body.
If you weigh more than 230 pounds, you may want to consider a medium firm to firm mattress . Softer beds will sink more, and you may experience uncomfortable sagging especially between your shoulders and hips. A firmer, more supportive mattress will keep you on an even plane. You may also need a thicker mattress with extra support layers. Beds with lower profiles often sag too much for people who weigh more than 230 pounds.
You May Like: How To Return My Pillow Mattress Topper
What Size Mattress Should You Buy
If you are going to shop for a new mattress, get one thats appropriate for your room size. So measure your bedroom. Go for a mattress that allows at least three feet of space around three sides, so you can move freely about your room. And be sure it stays clear of opening doorwaysespecially closet doors.
Mattresses come in seven sizes, although individual measurements between mattress companies definitely vary. Here are the typical mattress sizes:
- Twin38 x 75
- King76 x 80
- California King72 x 84
Big and Tall guys should definitely consider getting an XL or Cal King size, because you want a mattress that extends beyond your frame. Generally, XL mattresses run about six inches longer than their Standard counterparts. They may cost a bit more, but its worth it.
Does The Firmness Level Affect Durability
Generally not. Durability is influenced predominantly by the quality of the design, materials, and workmanship that goes into a mattress. The only way that firmness can affect durability is that some mattresses, especially firmer mattresses, may have more margin for error to lose firmness as they suffer from wear-and-tear over the years. A mattress that is already quite plush could become wholly unsupportive if its components start to wear out. But a firm or medium-firm mattress may still retain sufficient firmness for a period of time even as it loses its full original firmness.
Don’t Miss: Dreamcloud Mattress Instructions
No : Know Your Needs & Preferences
Out of all the steps here, this would probably be the easiest one to determine. Still, its an important factor to help you pick the right mattress. So, what are the preferences you need to consider? Weve compiled a quick checklist below:
Do You Need a New Mattress?
Possibly one of the most important factors when assessing your needs and preferences is to actually make sure youll know when to replace or to change your mattress.
To give you the best information, here are some FAQs that may help you determine if you need a new mattress:
The benchmark longevity of most mattress types will be anywhere from 5 to 10 years for average mattresses made with mid-range materials and construction. Premium latex, hybrid and innerspring mattresses are known to last 15 – 20+ years.
However, there is really no one-size-fits-all for mattress age. You can find expensive mattresses bought 5-odd years ago beginning to show signs of deterioration while some have lasted 20+ years without visible signs of wear and tear.
- Eco Institut Tested Product
How To Firm Up A Mattress 6 Tips To Firm Up A Mattress
According to a 2009 study, new, medium-firm mattresses increase sleep quality while significantly reducing back pain.
But what if your mattress is broken down and you dont have the budget to replace it yet? What do you do? Or, more importantly, how do you firm up a mattress?
There are several ways to make your mattress feel firmer – lets check them out.
Recommended Reading: Cost Of My Pillow Topper
No : Whats Your Budget
Now that youve figured out the right mattress type and you just took some time off your well-deserved weekend to measure the room size for your new mattress, now its time to talk about money.
The next step in this mattress-picking guide is to determine your budget against the cost of the mattress youre looking to buy. Remember that there is no one way to determine the cost of the mattress as it depends on a lot of factors.
Also, the mattress industry is quite competitive. Mattress giants like Tempur Sealy or Serta no longer single-handedly dominate the market. Casper, Purple and a number of online mattress brands have become more popular over recent years. Shipping innovations like the bed-in-a-box have also changed the mattress game in a significant way.
That said, here are some common factors to remember when looking at mattress prices:
Size
For obvious reasons, smaller sized-mattresses cost less than larger-sized mattresses e.g. a Twin will be more affordable than a Queen mattress. Following that logic, oversized mattresses are definitely higher-priced compared to standard-sized mattresses.
Brand
Online? Or brick-and-mortar? These both affect mattress pricing significantly. In general online brands sell mattress prices lower than brick-and-mortar mattress shops.
Materials Used
The most basic example of this would be natural latex foam vs. conventional synthetic polyfoam:
Warranty
Accessories, Delivery & Set-Up Costs
| Mattress Type |
|---|
Signs That Your Mattress Is Giving You Back Pain
Read Also: What To Do With Purple Mattress Bag
What Firmness Level Is Perfect For Me
We often get the question, what is the best mattress for me, soft or firm? In return, we like to ask you a couple of questions. Do you prefer a bed that offers more support than plushness? If the answer is yes, you might benefit from a firm mattress thatll keep your spine in neutral alignment. A soft mattress, on the contrary, is usually best for people who need ample pressure relief along their sides, especially in their hips and shoulders.
A medium mattress, a firmness right in the middle of the scale, is great for sleepers or couples who want to find a compromise between support and pressure relief. The truth is, the most comfortable mattress wont be the same for everyone, and your sleeper type has a lot to do with the kind of mattress you should purchase, along with mattress thickness and construction.
Are Certain Mattress Types More Firm
As a matter of reputation, memory foam is known for being more plush while latex and innerspring mattresses are considered to be firmer. However, this is highly dependent on the specific design of the mattress and the formulation and construction of the mattress materials. As a result, we encourage you to look at the details of any specific mattress rather than assuming that a mattress will have a particular feel because it is made of a certain material.
Read Also: How To Return My Pillow Mattress Topper
Know Your Needs And Preferences
Assessing to see if you truly need a mattress and why you need one in the first place will help you make an informed decision about your purchase. For starters, youll want to know if you actually need a new mattress in the first place. The best thing to do is to think about the following:
- Analyze your sleep. If you sleep better in other places other than your own home, maybe it really is time to replace your mattress.
- How old your mattress is. If its more than 5 years old and youre getting disrupted sleep, time to get a new one.
- Your partners sleep. If you sleep with a partner and they are complaining of bad sleep quality, as well. This is a good sign that youre on the right track.
- The current quality of your mattress. After removing layers and really examining your mattress, if its deteriorating or sagging in the middle and sides, then its time to replace it.
Other factors include your lifestyle and your beliefs. Knowing and understanding how you live is also understanding how you sleep. Your beliefs also shape your purchases and general buying behavior. Think about these things and it will help choose a brand or mattress type that suits you.
Looking For Stick Vacuums
Do you need to flip or rotate my mattress?
Most manufacturers agree that you should rotate your mattress at least every:
Spring : three to six months.
Foam, memory foam, hybrid and latex: six months.
This extends the life of the mattress as it evens out wear and tear. It can also help keep your body aligned while you sleep as it stops a single sagging point from forming over time.
The days of flipping mattresses appear to be numbered as most models have some sort pillow top, or specific top and bottom layers. In this instance it’s best to refer to the manufacturer’s website but as a rule of thumb, foam mattresses and spring mattresses with a pillow top do not need to be flipped as they have designated top and bottom layers . The bottom layer is not designed for sleep. Spring mattresses without a pillow top and/or bottom layer can be flipped at least every six months.
Our test has cross sectional diagrams that indicate which models are flip friendly. If you decide to flip your mattress, ask someone for help as it’s a heavy, awkward and often difficult task.
Do you need a mattress protector?
A mattress protector is essentially a fitted sheet designed to help protect the bed to keep it feeling “fresh” for longer. It can prevent damage and stains from things like dirt, skin flakes and hair from being absorbed into the mattress, and most also have material to stop sweat and spills from seeping through. Some claim to stop dust mites and allergens as well.
Also Check: How To Return My Pillow Mattress Topper
How Old Is Your Mattress
This is the very first question you need to answer. Why? Well, the age of your mattress can play a big role in determining whether or not you need a new one. As a general rule of thumb, youll want to start thinking about getting a new bed if youve had your old one for over 8 years. This isnt a set standard by any means, but is usually a good benchmark for checking in with your mattress and figuring out whether its still doing its job re: Lulling you to sleep!
For a quick primer on the typical expiration dates for different mattress materials, check out the graphic below:
While these numbers are helpful in contextualizing the lifespan of your mattress, the best way to determine whether or not its time to boot the old gal is to listen to your body. Are you waking up with new pains in the morning? Do you have trouble finding a comfortable position at night? Have you noticed any new dips in your mattress that cant be fixed by rotating it regularly? If you answered yes to any of these questions, it may be time to bid adieu to your bed.
What Are The Best Mattress Types
Each of the five main mattress types offers distinct benefits and disadvantages. The best mattress type for you depends entirely on which mattress qualities matter most to you. If you’re a hot sleeper, for example, then you should seek out a bed with breathable, temperature-regulating components. Those with back pain may need a conforming and pressure-relieving mattress instead.
Since the early 20th century, innersprings have dominated the mattress market. These models still represent the greatest percentage of annual mattress sales in the U.S. Memory foam mattresses that contained high-density foam bases and no springs first appeared in the 1980s airbeds with adjustable air chambers were introduced around the same time.
Over the past decade, online “bed-in-a-box” mattress brands have reshaped how mattresses are bought and sold. These brands represent a more affordable alternative to shopping in a brick-and-mortar mattress store. You can also choose from a wide range of individual bed-in-a-box models that fall into one of the following five categories.
Don’t Miss: Can You Finance A Purple Mattress
How To Choose The Right Mattress For Your Sleep Position
If your body isnt properly supported while you sleep, you can start experiencing weird aches and pains. As we mentioned above, neck and shoulder pain could indicate that your pillows arent doing their job. But back pain or other types of discomfort might mean that you need a more supportive mattress. Regardless of your preferred sleep position, the goal is to get to a place where spinal support and pressure-point relief intersect.
As is the case when youre standing, proper spinal alignment is important when youre lying down. Your spine should more or less be straight, except for that subtle curve inward toward the belly, in your lower back.
Pressure points are the bony or heavier parts of your bodysuch as the shoulders, hips, or kneesthat press against the surface of the bed. They vary depending on your sleep position. Pressure-point relief is helpful from a musculoskeletal standpoint if you have muscle or joint issues. For instance, if youre a side-sleeper with hip pain or rotator-cuff tendinitis , youll want a mattress that isnt too firm, so it doesnt put excessive pressure on these painful areas.
In general, here are the features you should look for based on your sleep position, as well as tips on how to check for good alignment:
How To Get A Good Deal On Mattresses
Shop online.
This is probably the most commonly-used advice but theres a reason why because it is generally true. Purchasing online usually means lesser fees.
Take your time.
Unlike a pair of shoes which you can maybe buy in the morning and wear the same day, its recommended that you take your time when choosing your mattress. This allows you to keep an eye on the following:
- Price comparison against different brands
- Promos and price deals
- Clearance sales
- Read real customer reviews
However, if budget isnt your issue then taking your time is still beneficial as this will also allow you to:
- Get your moneys worth by researching materials/certifications properly
- Find the best luxury mattress
- Learn about the best brands
- Hunt for the best warranties and longer trial periods
Talk to the experts.
No one knows how to get the best mattress deals than the ones making it. Dont hesitate to click that contact us button and get in touch with the mattress manufacturer. Aside from asking your questions about the mattress youre intending to buy, youll be able to find out ways to score the best mattresses at the best price.
Take advantage of mattress payment plans and financing.
Mattress brands normally offer financing plans especially for their more expensive mattress models. If youre on a budget and cant come up with some cash, this might be a good way to get a great deal.
Follow your favorite mattress brands on social media.
Also Check: What To Do With Purple Mattress Bag
