Shopping For The Right Mattress

by Kirsten Whittaker

Most people are unaware that their mattress is old and doesn�t provide enough support, doing you more harm than good. If your mattress disturbs your sleep, so that you feel some firm details or even springs under the fabric and cushioning, then it�s definitely the time to it and shop around using mattress ratings and reviews as a guide.

A good mattress does more than providing you a soft comfortable place to rest after the long day or a place to cuddle with your loved one. The right mattress may actually improve your sleep and posture keeping your spine in the right position for seven to nine hours.

If your sleep is worse than it used to be a few months ago, check for signs of mattress deterioration. To determine whether you need a new mattress, take note of any stiffness or sore muscles or joints when you wake up in the morning. Any friction of the fabrics, unusual sounds and if there is a noticeable dip formed by one or two sleeping bodies on the mattress will tell you that the mattress needs to be replaced.

Most mattress ratings consider such attributes of a mattress as thickness, the material the mattress is made of, a warranty, price point and special features such as hypoallergenic qualities, stress-relieving design, and the fabric of the covering. After carefully studying the customer reviews and mattress ratings, this is what most people look for in a mattress:

1. The Material.
Organic cotton and soft wool have become very popular among health-conscious buyers. However, cotton and wool mattresses are not treated with fire-retarding chemicals required by law. The mattress should not contain any polyester fillings and should be made of pure wool, preferably lamb or alpaca wool or at least latex foam. The perfect mattress should be dye-free, dust mite repellent, hypo-allergenic and anti-bacterial. Ideally, the mattress should be moisture repellent and flame resistant, too. The mattress should be encased in unbleached organic cotton. Memory foam mattresses are highly rated as the most suitable mattresses for allergy sufferers, but some people suggested that these mattresses become stiffer in a hot climate.

2. The Shape.
Firm mattresses provide more support and the most upscale models are doctor-prescribed. In general most reviewers prefer soft and thick mattresses which provide more comfort. The most common wish is that the mattress should regain its shape and should not flatten over time. People highly rated mattresses that are durable and are likely to last many years.

3. The Size.
Most mattresses reviewed in mattress ratings are available in twin (single), double, queen, king and Californian king sizes. In general, people prefer to buy a mattress from a manufacturer that offers all imaginable sizes.
Your mattress foundation is also important. Ideally, you should get it from the same manufacturer because it will prolong the life of the mattress. When properly chosen, mattress and foundation will keep your spine healthy and naturally curved, ensuring you have a good sleep and pain-free morning. After a good night sleep on an orthopedic mattress your sleep will become deeper, and you will have much more energy during the day.

For more information on Mattresses please visit the Home Improvement blog.
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A Guide To Buying A Mattress

by Bob Alexander

Everyone hates to shop for a mattress. For most of us the last time we purchased a mattress was fifteen or twenty years ago. Prices have risen astronomically since then. Like car buying, we get sticker shock when we see what lofty premiums bedding stores have on their merchandise. We freak out when we see how much they cost. I could almost buy a good used car for the price of some new beds.

Have you looked in the yellow pages and marveled at all the places that sell mattresses and foundations, not to mention headboards, footboards, frames, futons, pillows and just about anything you else you could think of to get you a good night's sleep. If that's not enough, you have to decide on such things as memory foam, rubber foam, foam encased sides, edge guards, pocket coils innersprings, hypoallergenic products, and even body pressure imaging systems, it's no wonder that selecting a mattress can be confusing. Let's take a look at the often complex task of selecting just the right mattress for you.

The most important thing you can do to begin your mattress shopping is to try the mattress out. Most bedding stores don't allow you to take the bed home and try it for a month, so it's up to you to do the footwork necessary to insure pleasant slumbering. There are bedding store with comfort exchange policies. If you find one, take advantage of it.
First of all, if you're calorie challenged and weigh 400 pounds, don't expect a two hundred dollar mattress to last you ten years without collapsing. It just won't happen! Use common sense and find a mattress tough enough to withstand the weight night after night, year after year. Price alone should be an indicator of performance, but alas, that is not always true. Some folks say that there isn't much difference between a cheap mattress and a more costly one. As with almost anything else, you really do get what you pay for.

Shopping for a mattress should be fun! For most people though, it is a grueling test of physical and mental endurance. Let's face it, after you've looked at three or four mattresses, your eyes are starting to glaze over. They all look so much alike; it's hard to choose a mattress that will give you years of restful, peaceful sleep!

Lay down on the beds you are trying out. Don't just walk around the beds looking at the price tags and pushing the mattress with your hands. Don't do that! It's not going to bite you! You won't be standing on your hands when you sleep, so quit squeezing the mattress. Doing that won't tell your body how the mattress feels.

Also, do not lay down on the mattress with your legs hanging over the side. You don't sleep that way, so don't do it when mattress shopping. Laying this way creates a strain on your back muscles. Your back will start hurting and you'll start thinking it's the bed's fault that's causing your back pain and not the weird way you are lying. Give the bed a chance!

Bob Alexander is the author and owner of this copyrighted article. He is well experienced in the art of barbeque cooking, outdoor activities and leisure living. Visit his sites: http://www.bluemarlinbob.comhttp://www.homeandgardenbob.com

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