A mattress that seems comfortable in the store may disappoint later At Consumer Reports we have traditionally advised you to try any mattress you’re considering buying by lying on it for at least 10 minutes on each side, your back, and your stomach if that’s how you sleep. And when we asked subscribers if they had taken our advice, more than 80 percent said they had and that they were satisfied with their purchase. But then they told us that there was something that trumped trying the mattress in the store and that was the return policy. While trying out a mattress is key, more and more of the to-go places to buy a mattress aren’t a local department store or national chain. Warehouse clubs such as Costco, which sells the Novaform Memory Foam Collection Serafina 14", a top-scoring mattress in our mattress tests, tend to display mattresses standing up—not on a frame with a foundation. If you buy a mattress online, the very notion of trying it out is moot. And even with a store where mattresses are arranged to allow for sampling, how you feel after a tryout might not match how you feel after a full night’s sleep.
That’s why the return policy is paramount. Retailers tend to agree that it takes about 30 days for your body to adjust to a new mattress, which is why you often get at least that period to decide on a return or exchange. But some policies are more generous than others. Here are the details you need to know before you settle on the purchase itself: How long can you keep the bed before notifying the seller if you’re dissatisfied? How long after that do you have to arrange a return or exchange? Can return the mattress for a refund, or just an exchange (or store credit)? Do you need to repackage the mattress in the case of a return or exchange (many foam beds, for instance, are machine-folded into a box)? Who pays shipping for a returned mattress—and can you return it yourself? How much is any “restocking” or similar fee (often a percentage of the price)? In past Consumer Reports surveys, almost 40 percent of our subscribers with regrets wished they had done more research.
So consider yourself warned. We’ll soon be adding more models to our mattress Ratings, which should help in pre-selecting a mattress that is tops in back and side support, among other factors. And be sure to see our mattress buying guide before narrowing down your choices. —Ed Perratore (@EdPerratore on Twitter) View and compare all Mattresses ratings.Memory foam mattresses usually have the highest ratings for comfort, durability, and customer satisfaction. One of the only complaints owners have is about memory foam smell. This unpleasant odor is caused by the materials used to make the mattress and lasts up to 4 weeks. The good news is that some mattress brands make their foam from better components that reduce or eliminate memory foam smell. This article explains how, and tells you what to look for to make sure your mattress comes odor-free. What causes memory foam smell? Memory foam smell comes from a reaction called “off-gassing.” If you’ve ever smelled fresh paint, dry cleaning, or the inside of a new car, that’s off-gassing.
New foams and many other manufactured products experience off-gassing. It happens when “volatile organic compounds” (VOCs) break down. As opposed to being stable, these “volatile” (or unstable) compounds break apart, most commonly forming gasses — hence the term off-gassing. In mattresses, the most common place to find VOCs is in the foam and adhesives. They can include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), formaldehyde, benzene, methylene chloride, toluene, trichloroethane, naphthalene, perfluorocarbons. These "volatile" (or unstable) compounds break apart, mostly forming gasses.A good night’s sleep reaps bountiful rewards for your health, including improved memory, metabolism, and mental outlook. Consequently, choosing the best mattress is an important decision not only for your bed but also for your body. The mattress-buying rule of thumb says to buy a new one every 10 years, but some won’t hold up for that long. If you haven’t hit the 10-year mark and aren't sure whether you need a new mattress, watch out for signs that tell you it might be time for a replacement: aching shoulders,
hips, or lower back could mean the mattress isn’t supporting you properly, while lumps, bumps, and excessive squeaking might indicate the mattress structure is breaking down. If you’re experiencing any of these discomforts, it may be time for a new mattress from The RoomPlace furniture store located nearest you. With a wide variety of mattress sizes and brands, The RoomPlace is sure to have just what you need at one of our 24 locations throughout Illinois and Indiana – whether you’re looking for Comfort Solutions mattresses in Schaumburg or queen size mattresses in Indianapolis. Queen-size mattresses are the most popular on the market, but size isn’t the only thing that matters. To guarantee a good night’s rest, a mattress should be soft enough to suit your comfort levels and firm enough to support your frame. Proper mattress support will also vary from person to person, but it should always provide enough pushback on shoulder, hips and the lower back.
From firmest to softest, common mattress comfort categories include cushion firm, firm pillowtop, and plush. Since everyone’s body is different, certain mattresses are suited to how you sleep. Side sleepers who require additional cushioning along their hips and shoulder should pick from plush and pillowtop mattresses. Firmer mattresses are optimal for back sleepers. Couples should invest in motion separation mattresses that muffle each other’s movements, as people tend to toss and turn as often as 40 to 60 times per night. Queen-sized mattresses are usually the go-to option for couples, but that isn’t much real estate for two bodies. Slightly larger than a full sized bed, mattresses actually offer less individual room than one person on a twin mattress. For that reason, motion separation queen mattresses guarantee undisturbed sleep for couples. If the bedroom space is available, king mattresses are a couple’s best choice. Though typically more expensive than queen sizes, king mattresses give both partners ample siesta space.
Measuring 76 inches by 80 inches long, king mattresses are roughly the equivalent of side-by-side twin mattresses. But don’t let that ample sleeping acreage fool you. Motion separation mattresses, complete with cushioning tailored to partners’ side or back sleeping habits, are still the prime setting for rejuvenating shuteye. Just because twin mattresses are on the short end of the spectrum doesn’t mean you should rule them out. They’re a great option for a child’s first bed and for adults sleeping solo. Their compact 39-inch by 75-inch dimensions also fit well into smaller bedrooms and guestrooms. When it’s time to choose a mattress, it’s important to understand your options before you go shopping for a new one at The RoomPlace Furniture Stores. It’s also important to test drive it for yourself; you might realize that firm innerspring mattresses feel different than molded foam mattresses. Given the wide range of mattress types and sizes, from twin mattresses to kings, these simple steps will make it much easier to find the one that’s right for your body – and your overall health.