FAQ
What should I look for when buying a new mattress?
Sleep experts recommend a firm support system with no sag or hammock. The innerspring unit in most mattresses today provides the deep down support for your back. All innerspring units today will provide good support, although at least 390 coils are recommended. You also need enough surface conformability, or pressure relief. On average people toss and turn 50 times a night. Your body sends an impulse to your brain signaling that circulation is being cut off. Your brain then pulls you out of the deep rejuvenating stages of sleep to turn over in hopes to restore proper circulation. The layers of foam in today's mattresses provide the necessary pressure relief for minimal tossing and turning. Push down on the mattress firmly with both hands. Make sure you don't get any coil feel. If you sleep on your side, you will want a mattress with more padding. This will let the heaviest parts of your body (your shoulders and hips) sink into the mattress without experiencing circulation cutoff.
What size should I get?
The sleep experts recommend the largest mattress your room will comfortably fit. The most popular size today is Queen. The larger the sleep surface, the less your natural sleep position is interrupted. You will also feel less motion transfer between partners on a larger sleep surface.
Is the coil count in a mattress important?
No. 390 coils are recommended in a queen size model, which the majority of todays mattreses satisfy. Consumer Reports states; "Coil count nor coil size made a difference in durability or quality, in all but the cheapest of mattress sets. In general the sleep experts recommend at least 390 coils in a queen size mattress. A 390 coil unit will provide a supportive, durable surface. In general, as the number of coils in a mattress increase, the thickness of wire used for each coil decreases. More coils will provide a more responsive surface but not usually increase the durability.
Can I put my new mattress on old box springs?
No. Sleep sets usually wear out from the bottom up and your old boxes aren't likely to support the weight of today's thicker mattresses. Most of the cost in a new sleep set is in the mattress. If you are on a budget, a new foundation or box spring will make your old mattress feel firmer. Most manufacturers will void the warranty if your new mattress is placed on an old foundation or box spring.
How can I tell if I need a new bed frame?
All king and queen sets made today require a center support for warranty compliance, twin and full mattress sets do not. If your current frame is bent, squeaks, or has any broken wheels/glides, it is time to replace your frame.
What should I do with my old mattress?
Get rid of it! Perspiration and repeated compression will break down the foam layers over time. Your old set is probably much thinner than when it was new. Even if your set looks okay, the tempering has likely worn out of the steel coils and does not provide the proper support needed anymore. It is recommended that a mattress be replaced every 7-10 years for people under 40, every 5-7 years for people over 40…regardless of quality. The sleep experts have found that the average mattress doubles in weight every ten years from dead skin cells and dust mites! Removal of your old set may cost extra with the purchase of a new set. Be sure to ask your salesperson if there is a charge for removal as most trash services will assess a disposal fee on mattresses.
Why do stains void mattress warranties?
Less than 3% of all sets sold ever encounter a warranty issue. Mattress warranty claims are far and few between so the warranty length should not be a determining factor in selecting a new mattress set. Due to OSHA regulations, every manufacturer will refuse and/or void the warranty if the mattress and/or foundation are found to have stains, soils, or are in any way unsanitary. No retailer will require you to purchase an additional product to maintain your mattress warranty but most will suggest a product to keep your new set sanitary for the above stated reasons.
One-sided vs. two-sided mattresses?
The majority of today's innerspring mattresses are one-sided. They call them no-flip or never-turn mattresses, but most salespeople will neglect to tell you that you can't sleep on the other side. The other side to the one-sided story is that the biggest complaint in the bedding industry today is body impressions. Body impressions are a normal occurrence in any innerspring mattress. The layers of upholstery are designed to conform to you. Over time, a body impression will form. The thicker the mattress, the greater potential of long term body impressions. Remember the height of the coil unit is very similar in height from brand to brand model to model. The thicker luxury mattresses will contain more pressure-relieving material which is more likely to develop body impressions over time. Most manufacturer warranties are written that body impressions must reach 1½” or greater before replacing the product under the confines of the warranty. Flipping and rotating a two-sided product will equalize the compression of the filling materials and keep your mattress feeling newer and extend the comfort life. When a body impression forms, flip your mattress, next time it forms, flip and rotate it.
Why do I have a backache on my new mattress?
The wear out process of your old mattress was very gradual. Over time, the springs lost their ability to support your body. Many people complain of rolling toward their partner or excessive tossing and turning on their old mattress. When you go to a new support system, the new innerspring will push your back into a straight-line sleeping posture. It can stretch muscles and ligaments in the process. Don't let this alarm you…it may take up to a month for your body to re-adjust to being properly supported.
Why are new sleep sets so thick? Will my sheets fit?
Today's sleep sets are much thicker than past sets. More upholstery and luxury materials enhance pressure-relieving benefits but also add to the overall thickness. It is a good idea to measure the different mattress thicknesses. Sheet sets that fit mattresses up to 15” are common at most discount department stores. It is important to note that as mattresses become thicker the selection of sheets to fit them properly goes down and the prices go up.
Will I still be able to see my headboard? Can I still sit comfortably on the side of my mattress?
Most sets are available with a low-profile foundation. This will reduce the overall height of the set without sacrificing comfort. Very seldom is there a cost difference between the regular and reduced height, and it will not change the comfort of the mattress. Many headboard/footboard sets over 10 years old will most likely need a low profile foundation.
MORE RESEARCH
www.bettersleep.org http://www.bettersleep.org
www.sleepfoundation.org http://www.sleepfoundation.org
