Mattress Buying – Tips on How to Shop

July 27, 2010 · Posted in mattress · Comment 

Still sleeping on an old, sagging mattress because you absolutely dread the idea of shopping for a new mattress? Fear no more! This piece will give some mattress buying tips that will ease your worries and equip you with the knowledge you need to buy the most important piece of furniture in your home.

Comparison Shopping
First, when shopping for a new mattress it is important to shop by value, not by price. A good quality mattress will have thicker coils, more padding and inevitably a higher price tag. However, mattress retailers often have sales and promotions that offer quality name brand mattresses for as much 50% off. Therefore, it is important to comparison shop to make sure you’re getting the biggest bang for your buck.

Another way to save money on purchasing a new mattress is to buy online. Usually, online mattress retailers sell the same or similar mattresses for less than you’ll find in a brick and mortar store because online retailers don’t have to pay for store space and sales staff. The money they save in overhead expenses is thereby passed on to the consumer. In addition, some online retailers offer free shipping in the United States and no sales tax to all states except for the one the company is registered in. You’ll save hundreds of dollars from free delivery and no sales tax alone!

Features to Look for in a Good Mattress
When shopping for a new mattress there are several features that a good quality mattress will have. The features you’ll want to pay close attention to are: comfort layers, support, and durability.

First, mattress padding on the top and in the middle of a mattress are a sign of good, quality components. Years ago it was thought that the harder the mattress the better, but studies show that you’ll sleep better when your mattress has some degree of concavity and cradles your body. Mattress padding creates soft comfort layers from luxurious materials that cradle your body and offer a better feel.

Next, you’ll want to take notice of the coil count and wire gauge of the mattress set. The more coils a mattress has – the better the quality of mattress it will be. However, the highest number of coils doesn’t mean that the mattress is the best one for you. The gauge of coil indicates how soft or firm a mattress is, the lower the gauge of the coil, the stiffer or firmer the mattress is. The coil unit of the mattress provides back support, so you’ll want to purchase a mattress that allows your spine to align in its natural curve. You’ll want to pay attention to your shoulders, hips, and lower back. Too much support in these areas can create uncomfortable pressure.

Finally, the quality of the materials used and the workmanship of the mattress and foundation directly affect the durability of the product. If you want your new mattress set to last as long possible then follow these tips:

- Buy the highest quality mattress set that you can afford.

- Use the matching boxspring/foundation. Manufacturers make both the mattress and the boxspring to work together. Putting a new mattress on an old, worn out boxspring will compromise the performance of the mattress significantly.

- Use the appropriate frame required for your mattress size. Please note that queen size models require a frame with a center support rail and leg that extends to the floor. King size models require a center support rail with two legs that extend to the floor.

- Most mattresses are backed by a manufacturer’s warranty. A good quality mattress will have at least a ten year warranty. However, the length of your warranty should not determine how long you keep your mattress. Your warranty protects you from poor workmanship and defects, not gradual loss of comfort or support. Your warranty may be good for ten years, however, it is possible that you may have to replace your mattress after just seven years.

Mattress shopping does not have to be a frightening experience. Please feel free to use these tips to find out what type of mattress is the best fit for you. Remember, shop for the best value and then buy the best mattress that you can afford. If you shop online, you may save some headache and plenty of money while you’re at it…. good luck!

Author: Kermit Bauer
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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A Latex Mattress at Any Cost – Shopping Guidelines

July 13, 2010 · Posted in mattress · Comment 

Many informed consumers have begun seeking mattresses free from chemical off-gassing and possible toxic fire-retardants, now in use as a result of the new open-flame federal fire codes, which went into effect in July, 2007. Not only have mattress manufacturers continued to use a variety of fire-retardant chemicals, many of which are banned in Europe due to toxic side-effects, but the concentrations of topically applied chemicals to fire-proof mattresses have increased substantially. For example, it is not uncommon to find as much as one and half pounds of chemicals saturating the mattress ticking in a conventional queen sized mattress.

Many consumers, after careful research on the internet, reach the conclusion that the healthiest mattress solution is the purchase of a latex mattress. However, for many, the cost of a latex mattress can be a budget buster, particularly when considering all natural latex mattresses. A natural latex mattress is generally created by using at least 2 layers of all natural latex, covered in organic cotton with organic wool batting, which is a natural fire-retardant. Mattresses constructed with these components will typically cost as much as 2 to 3 thousand dollars for a queen sized mattress.

However, the benefits of latex are certainly available in more affordable all latex mattresses, which can be priced below a thousand dollars for a queen sized mattress. Substituting blended latex, with high natural content, and a cover that avoids the use of topically applied chemical fire-retardants, can create a significant cost advantage in all latex mattresses. In addition to lowering cost, mattress manufacturers using blended latex often feel that it adds a plus by combining the elasticity of natural latex with the consistent quality and durability of synthetic latex.

Off-gassing, which is generally the result of accelerators and curing agents used in the creation of polyurethane foam, is not a problem with either all natural or blended latex. For example, blended latex, made in the USA by Latex International, has been certified to contain no harmful substances and has passed Europe’s stringent Oeko-Tex standards. In addition, latex is hypo-allergenic, anti-microbial and resistant to mild, mildew and dust mites. When considering latex used for a mattress, become familiar with the manufacturer to avoid latex of inferior quality, which is generally the result of fillers added to the latex. “Fillers,” tiny particles of clay or other materials that are mixed into the foam, make the resulting latex less costly, but also stiffer and less durable. The term “pure latex” typically refers to latex that does not include fillers, and can be applied to either synthetic or natural latex. Most higher-quality latex mattresses use pure latex.

The same consideration for materials used in the choice of latex for your mattress should also be applied when considering mattress covers. Mattress covers that are fire-retardant as a result of fire-resistant fibers are far superior to covers with topically applied fire-retardants, which often use toxic chemicals. An added advantage, when considering a latex mattress, is that it is not necessary to add any fire-retardant to the latex itself, while many conventional mattresses have topical fire-retardant applied directly to the mattress ticking.

The use of more affordable materials allows quality mattress manufacturers to offer latex mattresses, with all the benefits of pure latex, at a more affordable price than “natural” latex mattresses. While all natural latex, with an organic wool cover, assures the consumer of the most “natural” mattress possible, quality latex, with a non-toxic mattress cover, continues to offers the tremendous benefits of latex to the consumer, at a more affordable price point.

A quality latex mattress, constructed without the added expense of a natural wool cover and all natural latex, is a very wise mattress choice. Latex mattresses with more affordable components offer the durability, unsurpassed sleeping comfort and hypo-allergenic qualities only available with all latex mattresses, and are a superior choice to the traditional inner-spring mattress. In the effort to find a safe sleeping surface for you and your family, remember that quality latex mattresses stand alone as incorporating the best in non-toxic mattress construction, regardless of the use of all natural components.

Author: Kc Ennis
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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