Sleep is the foundation of good health. And our mattresses are the foundation of good sleep. So why do we neglect the most-used items in our homes? “If you don’t sleep well, it impacts on everything — how you feel, look and behave,” says The Sleep Council spokesperson Lisa Artis. “We all want a good night’s sleep because we all know how awful we feel without one. And if you’re suffering from poor sleep, it could well be mattress-related.“Most people think a mattress needs replacing every 15 years,” she continues. “We recommend every seven to eight years. But on average, people replace them every 10 years.”So how can you tell if your mattress has reached the end of its life span? “Suffering more neck or backache than you’ve had in the last year is one sign,” explains Artis. “If you start to notice any ridges, springs, dips or creaks, crunches and other noises, or if your mattress simply looks grotty, those all indicate too much wear and tear.”Even if your mattress stills feels comfortable, there’s the hidden hygiene aspect.
“We lose half a pint of fluid each night,” reveals Lisa. “With two in a bed, that’s a pint per night. We also shed a pound of dead skin cells a year.” According to reports, the average mattress may double in weight within 10 years from accumulating unwanted bedfellows – as many as 10 million dust mites and detritus.Puts you off buying a second-hand mattress, doesn’t it? Sleeping arrangements are also affected by circumstances – losing a partner, moving home, gaining weight or a medical condition can all mean your mattress is no longer appropriate. If you find yourself having a better night’s sleep when you’re in a hotel bed, you know it’s seen better days.Despite all this – and that an uncomfortable bed can deprive us of an hour’s sleep each night – many are reluctant to replace their mattress. While our most intimate moments take place in bed, it isn’t a very sexy purchase.“With other big-spend items such as sofas, you can take the aesthetics into account,” admits Lisa.
“But a bed shop can be full of 30 white rectangles. And if a customer hasn’t thought through what they need and want, they feel bewildered, rush their decision-making and buy something unsuitable.If you make a mistake, you then have to live with it for a very long time, which puts you off even more next time.”If just the thought of mattress-buying makes you want to hide under the duvet, don’t worry. Taking time to do some homework is half the battle. “Begin by assessing what you like and dislike about your current bed. Does it have drawers? Is it sufficiently firm?” advises Lisa. “Also take into account anything that might change in the next few years – your budget, room size and lifestyle.”Then, armed with your checklist, head for the showroom, talk to sales staff and test-drive as many mattresses as possible. This last part is crucial because everyone has their own personal comfort criteria, recommendations are futile and it’s essential to try before you buy. “One of our top tips is even though you may feel a bit of a wally, test each mattress in your normal sleeping position – not flat on your back – for at least 10 minutes,” says Lisa.
“The average test time is just two minutes, but you need to ensure the mattress feels good on pressure points like hips and shoulders.”A mattress is a major investment, so invest plenty of research and time in the shopping process. “Remember that, assuming a life span of seven years, every £100 you spend on a new bed actually represents just 2.7p a night,” says Lisa. It’s a small price to pay for a great night’s sleep.What is an orthopedic mattress? An orthopedic mattress is a type of bed cushion that addresses different body pains particularly in the joints, neck and back. The designs of orthopedic mattresses take inspiration from the medical field of orthopedics, which focuses on the disorders of the human body’s musculoskeletal system. What are some solutions to common mattress complaints? What are the benefits of a natural latex mattress? How do Original Mattress Factory and Serta mattresses compare? Several mattress manufacturers offer different designs, sizes and features of orthopedic mattresses.
Memory foam is a popular material for orthopedic mattresses for people who suffer from back pain, as it is very dense yet comfortable. Coil-sprung orthopedic mattresses are firmer; they are available in diverse levels of density to serve the needs of customers of various ages and weights. Pocket-sprung orthopedic mattresses have three times more springs than standard coil-sprung mattresses, and they respond to body movements better because each spring is stitched into its own pocket. Learn more about Beds & Mattresses What is a gel mattress? A gel mattress is a type of mattress that is infused with a special layer of gel in between layers of foam or on the mattress's top. The gel helps the slee... How much does a King size bed weigh? While the weight of a king-sized bed varies by manufacturer, quality and mattress type, Hyatt estimates the weight of a king-sized mattress as 95 pounds an... What is a California king? A California king, also called a Cal king or western king, is a mattress that is 72 inches wide and 84 inches long, making it the longest mattress type ava...
Is King size the largest mattress? A king is the largest mattress that is commonly manufactured, though a California king has slightly different dimensions if the buyer is looking for a long... Where do you buy an adjustable bed riser? What are the mattress sizes and their dimensions? How do you know if you should choose a hard or soft mattress? What is the best way to store a mattress? How do you get pee out of a mattress? What is the biggest size bed? Our new iGel™, with highly conductive ceramic, is our best yet. Researched and developed in America, its patented formula works with your body’s natural temperature, so that you don’t get too hot or too cold at night. iGel Pegasus Mattress Gold Our new iGel™ Pegasus, with highly conductive ceramic, is our best yet. Reserached and developed in America, its patented formula works wtth you... iGel Pegasus Divan Bed Set iGel Pegasus Mattress Platinum iGel Pegasus Mattress Toffee