Image: Yes, we'd all love to purchase a new mattress to float away on at the drop of a hat, but they're so dang expensive it's not always possible. The good news is, if you have a semi-decent mattress and box spring, you can make some small investments and tweaks to boost your bed's level of fluffy comfort. A photo posted by Fruition Skin Therapy (@fruitionskintherapy) on Jan 7, 2017 at 8:48pm PST Even if you have a pillow-top, don't just throw a single foam pad on over the mattress and expect your bed to dish up the best sleeping experience ever. For a luxurious and super-comfortable bed, you need to layer on the extras and add a few other goodies to create the perfect combination for you. More: Things to consider when buying a new bed Check out a memory foam mattress pad, for instance. They come in various sizes, but we suggest going for one that's 1-1/2 to 2 inches thick. You get the benefit of amazing cushioning, but the pad isn't so big that you don't have room for other types of padding.
A photo posted by Beta Cat (@betabetacat) on Dec 31, 2016 at 8:01am PST Memory foam is a great start, but next you need to double down with an eggcrate mattress pad. Yeah, they look a little crazy, but they're also amazingly comfortable. Get one big enough to cover the entire top surface of your bed and position it near the top layers of extras (on top of your memory foam, for instance), just beneath a thinner topper that's directly under your fitted sheet. If you aren't allergic to feather products, down bedding can be a gorgeously fluffy addition to your bed. Look for down pillows, mattress toppers and comforters. But quality matters here, folks — if you buy a cheap down comforter or pillow, you're going to be constantly needled to death with the prickly ends of the feathers poking through the cloth barrier. A photo posted by Cristina Dumitrache (@qrstin) on Jan 8, 2017 at 3:28am PST Whether you are allergic, don't like to buy animal products or just don't feel like dishing out the dough for down, there are synthetic substitutes/down alternatives for feather bedding.
More: DIY wooden headboard makes your bedroom instantly farmer-chic If you're looking for a good bang for your buck, the Chezmoi Collection goose down alternative comforter is a steal at $55 at Sears, and you can't beat the Natural Comfort super-warm and cozy down alternative comforter at $42 on Amazon. A photo posted by @sleep.whale.pillows on Jan 8, 2017 at 7:58am PST Speaking of comforters, it's important to pay attention to seasons and the climate you live in while shopping for one. The Natural Comfort down alternative mentioned above is great for winter, but for summer you'll want to seek out something a little lighter. There's also a whole category of all-season comforters to keep on hand to get your body temperature just right. Comforters also come in a variety of weights — so if you are claustrophobic or are soothed by a substantial heavy covering while sleeping, weight is definitely something you'll want to take into consideration. Originally published August 2009.
Next up: Get great sheetsI firmly believe the secret to a great bed is a mattress topper. While I love a good hard mattress (attribute it to years spent visiting ryokans in Japan and sleeping on the floor), I also love the sensation of sinking into bed. Years ago, I invested in a thick down mattress topper, and I’ve slept comfortably ever since. Note: All sizes quoted are for a standard full-size topper unless otherwise mentioned, but most designs are also available in twin, queen, and king sizes. Above: The Down Mattress Topper is a luxury option filled with European white goose down covered with cotton twill with nine baffle boxes; $660 in queen-size from Anichini (king, California king, and “ultra king” also available. Above: Another plush option made from goose down, the Baffled Square Goose Down Featherbed is $199 from the Company Store. Note that full and queen sizes are in stock, and twin and standard king will be available after December 27. Above: A budget option: the Down-On-Top Featherbed has a cotton cover with duck feather and down fill;
Above: Covered in certified organic cotton jacquard, the Organic Merino Wool Topper is a chemical-free mattress topper designed for those with allergies to down feathers and polyester fibers; Above: The double-sided pure Merino Wool Mattress Topper from UK company Arrella has a soft hypoallergenic filling and comes with elastic corner straps to slip onto the mattress; Do you have a favorite mattress topper? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below. For more inside tips, see our gallery of Bedroom posts, including 10 Secrets for a Better Night’s Sleep. N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on January 8, 2012 as part of our Bedrooms issue.User ReviewedHow to Clean a Feather Bed Typically, a feather mattress only needs to be hung out in the sunlight for freshening 2 times per year. True washing should only occur once every several years. However, there are some incidents when your Featherbed may become soiled and need an immediate thorough cleaning.
It is essential to follow correct instructions to clean a Featherbed. Check the label on the Featherbed. You should find a tag that lists the proper method for cleaning the bed. It is likely attached to 1 end of the bed. The label may suggest that the bed be cleaned only by a dry cleaning service. If so, contact a dry cleaner for pricing and services. Inspect the bed to ensure that it does not have tears or damage. Torn areas will allow the feathers to exit the bed during the washing and drying. Mend any damage or tears before continuing to clean the Featherbed. Use a large capacity washer that can handle the load of the Featherbed. Choose a liquid laundry detergent for washing the bed. Place the washing machine on cold cycle for wash. Use the detergent as directed on the bottle. Place the Featherbed into the washer and carry out the wash cycle. Stuff the Featherbed and a solid, dryer-safe object into a dryer. Consider items such as a clean tennis shoe or tennis balls.