Can't read the text above?Try another text or an audio CAPTCHAText in the box:What's this?The right bedding can mean the difference between a restful or restless night's sleep. But with so many kinds of mattresses, sheets, and pillows on the market, it can be difficult to know which ones to choose. Below, the virtues and drawbacks of various types of bedding and demystifying the oft-perplexing process of properly making a bed.MattressBegin by selecting a good-quality mattress and box spring, as well as a protective cotton cover or mattress pad. A fleece-wool pad will safeguard the mattress from stains, while 100 percent wool mattress pads are hypoallergenic and won't absorb odors. In addition, a pad will help keep your sheets in place, particularly if, like most mattresses, yours is covered with a synthetic fabric that makes it scratchy or slippery. Although some people argue that you don't need a mattress pad for a feather bed, Martha recommends always using a pad for added protection as well as the enhanced comfort provided by an extra layer of cushioning.
According to Ted Marschke, of Charles H. Beckley, a New York City custom mattress maker, you can prolong your mattress's life by following a few basic rules of thumb. First, don't let your shoes rub, knock, or rest against the mattress or box spring, as repeated contact can damage the sides. Be sure to rotate your mattress once a month, flipping it over so that the side that was the top becomes the bottom. If you're going away for the weekend, strip your bed of linens beforehand, to give the mattress a chance to "breathe." And most important, never jump on a bed; the sudden pressure can be disastrous to the springs!SheetsAfter the mattress pad comes the fitted sheet, which will help keep the pad in place, even if you're a fitful sleeper. When selecting sheets, there are many factors to consider, including the fabric, the weave, the thread count, and, of course, your personal taste. One important consideration -- the thread count -- refers to the number of threads woven per inch. In general, sheets with a higher thread count are softer and more durable.
A thread count of 200 is a good standard, but if you upgrade to 300, the difference will be noticeable.Two popular choices for sheets are percale and sateen, but few people are aware of the differences between the two. To distinguish between them, carefully inspect the weave. Percale is a plain weave fabric, meaning that the warp and weft threads cross each other one at a time. Because percale threads are tightly woven, these sheets have a fine texture and finish. Sateen sheets, which look and feel a bit more luxurious, are made in a satin weave, meaning that the warp threads, which run lengthwise, are interlaced with filling threads. The result is a lustrous, smooth-faced yet surprisingly durable fabric.If you're not using a fitted sheet, you can use a flat sheet as the bottom sheet and make hospital corners, starting at the bed's head: Drape the sheet evenly over the bed, leaving about 1 foot of fabric hanging beyond the head. Stand beside the bed, toward its center, and pick up a side hem.
Pull the hem toward you into a taut crease, then raise the creased section over the mattress so that the sheet makes a triangular tent over the bed. With your other hand, smooth the sheet flat along the mattress's side. Then, fold the creased section down over the side, and tuck the sheet snugly under the mattress. Repeat this process at the foot and other side of the bed. When placing the remaining flat sheet on top, keep in mind that the top sheet always goes wrong side up. That way, when you fold it back over the blanket, the right side -- the decorative, printed side -- will show.PillowsWhen selecting pillows -- whether soft, medium, or firm -- the most important consideration is the position in which you sleep. Soft pillows are ideal for stomach sleepers, who need pillows that slope gently in order not to strain the muscles in their necks. Medium pillows, which gently cradle and support the head, are a great choice for back sleepers. And for side sleepers, firm pillows are a perfect choice, as they hold their shape and thus support the neck and spine.
For those seeking a little more comfort, Japanese-style buckwheat pillows might be the answer. The small buckwheat hulls shift inside the case to match the contour of the neck and head, and the even support helps to relieve cramps and muscle tension. Plus, they're great for traveling. Another option is the Eurosquare pillow, which is filled with 600-fill-power goose down and provides good support for all sleepers. In addition, this hypoallergenic pillow makes a great accessory for generously sized couches and chairs, and it's ideal for reading in bed. Typically, a queen-size bed requires two pillows and a king-size bed requires three. To create a faux headboard, place Eurosquare pillows at the back of your regular pillows; forters and BlanketsYour decision to buy an all-season down comforter or a traditional blanket will depend largely on your personal taste, but there are a few distinct advantages to choosing the former. First, an all-season down comforter has just the right amount of down to keep you comfortable year-round in most climates.
(Bear in mind that you should always protect your comfortable with a duvet cover.) And then, of course, there's the advantage of minimal care: Comforters only need to be cleaned every three to five years. Whether you’re operating a dormitory, 5 star hotel, or healthcare facility, bed bug infestations can happen at any time without warning. These tiny blood-thirsty pests are difficult to treat and can damage the reputation that you’ve worked so hard to earn. Act proactively, ensure sanitation, and allow your guests to sleep tight by investing in protective bedding. Our selection of bed bug mattress encasements and box spring encasements, pillow encasements, sprays, and powders will provide you with what you need to keep your establishment bed bug free! Who's Affected by Bed Bugs? Having been around for centuries, bed bug infestations were once under control due to the use of intense pesticides. But as we've become aware of the harmful side effects these chemicals have on our health and environment, we’ve resorted to other means of pest control such as traps and various pest control products;
however, bed bugs thirst on human blood and are not attracted to traps, glues, and zappers, which means bed bugs are again on the rise. I keep my establishment clean, so I don’t have to worry about bed bugs, right? Unfortunately, due to increase in international travel, these pests are catching a ride on luggage, clothing, and other personal items, hitchhiking their way back to residential homes, dorm rooms, hotels, and other overnight facilities. Many establishments try to prevent bed bug contamination with personal belongings by providing rooms and residents with luggage racks to keep luggage off possibly infested carpeting and floors; however, not all establishments provide these racks, and not all residents will use them. So regardless of an establishment’s efforts and cleanliness, bed bugs can and will infest any environment. However, bed bugs are attracted to clutter because it allows them to hide in tiny crevices similar to the wrinkles found in our bed sheets. While the level of a facility’s sanitation may not spark an infestation, it will impact the ability to control or eliminate it.
Anyone is at risk; and that’s why it is extremely important to protect your mattresses, box springs, and pillows with our selection of bed bug encasements and other supplies. Mattress, Box Spring, and Pillow Encasements One of the most effective ways of not only treating bed bug infestations, but preventing them as well, is to furnish your beds with bed bug mattress encasements, box spring encasements, and pillow encasements. By encasing the box spring, mattress, and pillow, it is now virtually impossible for bed bugs to enter or escape due to the encasement’s design. An encasement completely covers the top, bottom, and sides of your box spring or mattress. This design keeps any existing bugs you may have trapped inside the encasement, cutting them off from access to blood –their primary survival source. It also keeps any other bugs that may be hiding on bed rails, carpet, luggage, or other items in the room from entering the mattress or box spring. As outside bed bugs try to infest your mattress, the mattresses encasement makes these small, flat, brownish colored pests more noticeable than they would be on your bed sheets.
Simply place the encasement over your mattress and leave it there long term. Your hotel sheets, bed sheets, or other blankets and covers can then be placed directly on top. Not only are encasements a reactive method for treating bed bug infestations, they’re also the most trusted method for preventing them. By immediately purchasing encasements for your bed sets before use, you are protecting your establishment in the long run, because the longer an infestation goes without being noticed and treated, the harder and more expensive it is to exterminate the issue. Besides the difficulty of treating an infestation, any word of bed bugs in your facility wreaks havoc on your reputation. Bed bugs are an issue and are one of the first things guests look for when reading reviews and searching for an overnight venue. With this in mind, finding the most effective encasement can be a difficult task. What Makes a Good Mattress Encasement? The market offers various different bed bug mattress encasements, but just because it may say “Bed Bug Proof” on the label doesn’t mean it really is.
There are many factors to consider and research when in the market for your bed bug protection products.The material must be thick enough so that bugs cannot feed through the material and break through the encasement.The encasement must not have any openings, large seams, or other ways for bugs to get in or out once installed.This is critical because immature bed bugs can easily weave their way through the teeth of larger zippers, even when it’s closed, escaping the confines of the encasement.It’s crucial to find an encasement with some type of locking system to ensure the zipper is tightly and completely sealed shut, because again, bugs can crawl through the gap that’s commonly left between the zipper and the fabric.Some companies, such as Bargoose, provide test results upon request for proof that their products are actually bed bug proof.The type of material will provide you with the bite-proof and escape-proof qualities you’re looking for. We carry all high-quality materials;
therefore, the material type depends on the durability level you’re looking for, and the type of venue you have. Bed bug encasements are usually composed of vinyl or fabric, generally polyester or terry cloth. Bargoose and J T Eaton & Co are two popular vendors we carry that offer you the best in bed bug protection. Bringing you state of the art zipper end stops, optimum comfort, and durability, your guests can rest assured knowing they're protected from the dreaded bed bug. The type of establishment you’re looking to furnish will help you decide which material is most appropriate for your needs. Higher end, luxurious environments: Encasements of certain vendors we carry are categorized on a good, better, best scale. Bed bug proof mattress encasements from Bargoose are divided into three types: vinyl, hybrid, and elite. Good, Better, Best Scale Economical and durable vinyl material composition, ideal for more rugged environments Patented Bug Stop seal
Tested and certified bed bug proof; results available upon request Lush, comfortable 100% polyester knit material composition for more luxurious environments Breathable 1 mil urethane barrier on top and half way down sides Stretches to fit mattresses 9” to 15” deep Breathable 1 mil urethane barrier on all six sides Size specific to fit mattresses 9”, 12”, and 16” deep In addition to bed bug proof mattress encasements, there are various powders and sprays that give you additional backup forces to fight these pests. J T Eaton & Co is a reputable company known for providing excellent products for preventing, fighting, and eliminating not only bed bugs, but other crawling insects and pests such as ants and fleas. JT Eaton 203 7 oz. Bed Bugs and Crawling Insects Powder is a strong powder with diatomaceous earth serving as its active ingredient. This powerful powder can be sprinkled directly on pests or on other surfaces, and it kills all bugs, particularly exoskeleton insects, in their tracks, yet it’s safe for human contact so you, your employees, and guests do not have to worry about harmful side effects.