The Little Green Sheep Organic Wool Cot Mattress Bedding set (if purchased): Mattress protector (if purchased): Turn your mattress once every three months: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.Your browser is not supported We recommend using the latest version of Chrome, Safari, Firefox or Internet Explorer. Chrome 14 / Safari 5.1 / Firefox 4 / Internet Explorer 10double bed frame buttons double bed frame small double bed frame good double bed frame free double bed frames brand double bed frame 150 double bed frame domino double bed frame sofa double bed frame need double bed frame 2016 1 - 25 of 436 ads for "double bed frame mattress" in New South Wales double bed frame buttons double bed frame 2016If you can’t afford a new mattress – or you’re not ready to replace your existing one, but are aware it needs a pick-me-up – then a topper could become your new best friend.
Sitting on top of the mattress, under your sheets, it offers extra padding and comfort that could make all the difference to your quality of sleep. Research the fillings as rigorously as you would with a new mattress. They all have different benefits for different kinds of sleepers and types of people – for instance, if you get hot at night or you suffer from allergies. Check how snugly the topper fits onto the bed – you don’t want it to move about. And be sure that the filling is evenly distributed, just as you’d want it to be with a duvet. 1. John Lewis Soft Touch Washable Mattress Topper: from £75, John Lewis This 6cm polyester topper, with dual layers and woven fabric, offers cloud-like comfort. It lasts well too, staying squidgy and soft without going flat. Plus, you can wash it in the machine umpteen times without losing any of the quality. Great value for hotel-like luxury. 2. Breasley Flexcell Mattress Topper: from £129, Mattress Online This thick, comfy topper is made from memory foam, which moulds to your body’s shape and distributes your weight evenly.
There’s a smooth winter side, which gets really quite warm (great for those who feel chilly at night), and a bumpy summer side, which circulates air to keep you cooler. 3. Hästens Top Mattress BJ: from £670, Hästens This is the deepest topper in our roundup (7cm) and it feels like you’ve got a whole new deluxe mattress. It’s handmade from all-natural materials including wool, cotton and flexible horsetail hair, all of which keeps your body at the ideal temperature and means the mattress stays comfortable and durable. It is very heavy, though, and it can’t be washed. 4. Vispring Heavenly Mattress Topper: from £550, John Lewis Vispring is the crème-de-la-crème of mattress brands, and its mattress toppers are equally fabulous. Each one is handmade to order in any size and generously filled with the best British wool, which all makes for a comfy, soft, breathable and hypoallergenic sleeping experience. 5. The White Company Supreme Luxury Down Topper: from £150, The White Company
Anyone who’s experienced good duck down and feather bedding will know that this filling can swiftly take you into the land of nod in the lap of luxury. The same can be said of this incredibly comfy topper. The top layer includes down for extra softness, while the bottom layer is 100 per cent feather for support. It's box stitched for even distribution, but it does need regularly plumping up. 6. Dorma Anti-Allergy Mattress Topper: from £45, Dunelm This is excellent value for a soft and plump mattress cover, made from spiral fibre which is encased in 100 per cent cotton sheeting. We found it every bit as good as some toppers we tested (that didn’t make this list) at two or three times the price. It fits well on the bed and is machine washable. 7. The Woolroom Deluxe Wool Topper: from £111.99, The Woolroom This soft and cosy topper, made from top-notch British wool, carries the British Allergy Foundation’s Seal of Approval, making it an ideal choice for anyone who suffers from asthma, allergies or eczema.
It’s 3cm thick, extremely well-made, keeps body temperature comfortable throughout the night and is machine washable. 8. Silksleep Topper: from £110, Silksleep This works like a fitted sheet, wrapping right round your mattress. At just 1cm thick, it’s neither firm nor supportive, but the 300 thread-count cotton cover, filled with long-fibre silk, does a particularly good job of regulating body temperature – ideal for women of a certain age – and it feels luxurious. Dust mites hate silk, so it’s also good for allergy sufferers. 9. Soak and Sleep Ultimate Microfibre with Silk Topper: from £60, Soak & Sleep This is a good one for anyone who wants the luxury, springy feel of down and feather, but either can’t afford it or is allergic. The filling – top-quality, hypoallergenic microfibre and silk – is box stitched so the filing doesn’t disappear down one end, no matter how much you toss and turn at night. 10. Marks & Spencer Supersoft Mattress Enhancer: From £89, Marks & Spencer
This is soft but supportive, thanks to the cluster fibres that cushion your body. Particularly well suited to those who get chilly at night, it keeps the bed nice and warm – so probably not the best for those prone to sweating while they sleep. 11. Ikea Talgje: from £65, Ikea Ikea has a wide range of mattress covers, with this one – a blend of cotton and polyester foam filling – towards the bottom of the price range. It has a good, snug fit and although it’s only 3.5cm thick, it offers an indulgent layer of comfort, particularly for the price. It’s not for people who get hot at night and it has an initial chemical odour, although that does disappear over time. 12. Gingerlily Silk Filled Mattress Topper: from £85, Gingerlily This 100 per cent long-strand, silk-filled topper is a great natural body regulator, making it a godsend for anyone who overheats at night, as well as suiting allergy sufferers. It fits on well with elastic straps and the cover is a luxurious 300 thread-count cotton sateen.