There are so many mattresses on the market that choosing a new one can seem overwhelming. Each manufacturer bedazzles with new technology and marketing speak, making it practically impossible to weigh up comparable products between brands — unless you bring it down to basics. Keep in mind there are predominately four types of mattresses to choose from, so once you know what you like you can limit your search to that style and then select the appropriate bells and whistles. These are the most common mattresses sold in Australia. It’s the spring system that provides support, so it’s important to check the quality of the springs and the way they’re arranged. Pocket spring systems, where the springs are independent of each other, are generally considered the best. It’s the padding surrounding the springs that supplies the comfort. Many manufacturers will use the same spring system and then vary the padding to provide a range of different mattresses. Confusingly, a particular model produced by a manufacturer may be listed under different names at various retailers, making it hard to compare prices.
Latex is a natural hypo-allergenic material made from the sap of rubber trees. Good latex mattresses have pin-core holes incorporated into the design that allow them to breathe. Latex mattresses curve to the shape of your body, minimising gaps between you and the mattress and providing a great cushioning experience. Quality latex matresses are expensive, but can last up to 25 years. Plus, they’re good for allergy sufferers as they are much less attractive to dust mites than traditional spring styles. Also known as viscoelastic foam, memory foam was originally created by NASA to be used in astronauts’ seats to soak up g-forces. It’s made from polyurethane and conforms to the shape of your body. It takes about 15 minutes to fully respond to your body’s warmth and doesn’t spring back like regular foam. Some testers have reported lying on this type of mattress felt like floating, as it supports high-load areas such as hips and shoulders, while others said the experience was more like being bogged in wet sand.
There is concern that memory foam may retain too much heat to be comfortable, but some manufacturers are incorporating new, ‘temperature neutral’ materials into their designs. Pillow tops are inner-spring or latex mattresses that have a top layer of another material, such as feathers, memory foam or latex, to provide a luxurious cushion, which they undoubtedly do — at first. The problem with pillow tops is the upper layer tends to wear out faster than the mattress. Consider buying a separate pillow top, known as a mattress topper or overlay, and fitting it onto your mattress if this is the way you want to go. Pillow-top mattresses are not to be confused with memory-foam ones, which are designed to have two layers and will wear evenly. Standard Australian mattress sizing is as follows: All Australian manufacturers produce mattresses around these sizes, give or take a centimetre here and there. When buying a mattress for an existing base, it’s important to check that the new mattress will fit.
Also check the size of sheets when purchasing new ones to ensure they fit the mattress. For instance, the size of a Sheridan regular queen fitted sheet is 152x203x37cm and an Aura queen fitted sheet is 154x204x40cm, which will cover a standard mattress perfectly. While the width and length of mattresses are pretty standardised, depths are often varied, particularly when it comes to pillow-top styles. If you intend to buy new bed linen, some mattresses require what’s known as deep-walled sheets, so take a bottom sheet with you when purchasing. Sheridan now make fitted sheets with 40cm and 50cm depths, while all of Aura’s are 40cm. When lying on your back in bed your spine should maintain its natural curve. You should be able to slide a hand under your lower back, but not easily as too big a gap means the mattress is too hard. When on your side, your spine should remain straight. If the mattress is too firm you’ll soon feel pressure on your hips and shoulders. If too soft, you’ll sink into the mattress, causing your back to ache.
Anne Cooper, president of the New South Wales branch of the Australian Osteopathic Association, likes a mattress to be firm but not hard and to have consistent support under the middle of the back. Her advice is to look at inner-spring mattresses with a latex top as the combination offers both support and cushioning. Beds and mattresses at the top end of the market are making inroads into Australian bedrooms with those who take luxury seriously. Sealy Posturepedic, for instance, has recently released the Crown Jewel — a handcrafted bed that incorporates the best of the company’s technology. At the core is a patented inner-spring system. It is wholly encased to provide minimal partner disturbance, plus layers of natural latex, high-quality and resilient foams — as well as an edge-support system that means greater stability and much less of the wear-and-tear that sometimes results from sitting on a mattress’s edge. Depending on the model, you’ll find fibres as luxurious as silk, cashmere or angora incorporated.
While the coverings of most mattresses are machine quilted, the covering on the Crown Jewel is finished in damask and hand-tufted by artisans. The only other bed that comes close to this type of opulence is the British-made Hypnos.If you answered "nothing!", you're right. When temperatures drop, thoughts turn to hot drinks, woollen socks and an electric blanket to ready your bed for a cosy night's sleep. Depending on the amount you want to spend, you can get a simple electric blanket from major chain stores, but there are also options with a few more bells and whistles. Warm up quick: read our our expert to find out which ones heat up your bed the fastest. OK, so what do I need to know? Overheat protection senses abnormal temperature variations and switches the blanket off if it gets too hot. A fitted blanket is easier to put on and take off, and stays flat and taut on the mattress. If your feet get particularly cold, look for a blanket with an extra-warm foot zone.
If you change your blanket's settings during the night, look for a control with raised markings (so you can identify the settings in the dark), or a light, which will also indicate the blanket is switched on. If you're willing to pay a little more, an illuminated LCD screen makes it even easier to see your settings in the dark. Before you purchase an electric blanket, feel how thick the material is. Ideally it will be thick enough so you can't feel the heating elements. A fleecy, synthetic electric blanket is more comfortable to lie on. Dual controls allow you to control the temperature on your side of the bed independently. Programmable settings allow you to pre-set a maximum heat setting at a particular time - say, 10 minutes before you go to bed. Waterproof electric blankets are suitable for children. They contain a waterproof membrane that stops spills reaching the heating wires. Removable controls mean you can safely wash your electric blanket. Wool-pile cover gives extra comfort, and can be used as an underlay during the warmer months.
Based on our measurements, you shouldn't expect to pay more than $15 per season to run a single bed electric blanket, which includes pre-heating and leaving it on overnight, every night, for three months. To be on the safe side, we advise against all-night use, even if the blanket has an all-night mode, so running costs should be even less. Are electric blankets safe? A large number of electric blanket recalls have been issued over the years, leading to CHOICE placing a greater emphasis on testing for durability and electrical safety. Our tests have shown modern electric blankets are safe, but where electricity is involved there's always a small risk, and accidents can happen. All electric blankets must carry Australian Standard 3350.2.17:2000, so look for this when shopping. Recalled models typically have problems with controller durability and in recent years, a number of electric blanket fires have occurred. Read the instructions and follow the manufacturer's recommendations for use and care.
Fire and Rescue NSW recommends people test their electric blankets before using them. How to check your blanket To test an electric blanket, lay it flat on top of the bed and switch it on for five minutes. Visually inspect and feel the wires; make sure they're operating correctly and are undamaged. Other tips to ensure you use the blanket safely are: Turn the power off and remove the plug when the appliance is not in use. Make sure your blanket isn't wider than the mattress. Don't leave electric blankets switched on all night. Don't switch the blanket on while it's folded or when there's something on the bed (such as books, clothing, a folded blanket, pillows or a pet). Any of these may lead to localised overheating. Place the blanket flat on the mattress with the switches at the pillow end, and secure it well. Keep the electric cord and switch outside the bedding. Be careful with pointed or sharp objects that could damage the heating element.