Types of Mattresses

• Spring Mattresses - inside contains spring structures that support the human body. Spring mattresses are relatively cheap, durable (12-20 years lifetime), but not too comfortable. Over time, these mattresses begin to sag under constant loads. In addition, risk of corrosion of metal springs is cannot excluded.

• Springless Mattresses - instead of springs contains natural and synthetic elastic fillers. Springless mattresses favorably differ from spring counterparts with a high level of comfort, lack of creaking and high orthopedic characteristics (above all, uniform load distribution). The back side of these advantages is a high price, a long time of getting used (first of all, air and water) and a shorter service life (5-8 years).

• Non-spring mattresses are rare types of mattresses.

• Waterbed mattresses - perfectly distributes the weight of the body, but very heavy (about a ton) and requires regular water changes (1 time in 2-3 years). In case of damage, such a mattress will flood the room with water, and the product itself can not be repaired. Adjust the rigidity of this mattress is quite difficult.

• Air mattresses (inflatable) - favorably differs from the previous version of ease of use: the stiffness of the mattress can be changed with the help of a special compressor.

• Mattress pad - thin mattress, having a height of 1-2 inches, which is spread from above the main mattress. Mattress cover protects the mattress from dirt and improves its performance.

The mattress pad is of two types:

• Topper - a thin springless mattress that makes the main mattress softer;

• Japanese Futon - reminiscent of a topper, but differs from it in thickness and composition (may include several fillers).The mattress is a thin non-woven coating that protects the product from friction against the base of the mattress and dust. The mattress prevents slipping of the light or small mattress. This coating is located directly on the base of the mattress and is fixed in a special way. Cover - the shell of the mattress, protecting it from contamination and other external factors.

Mattress Spring blocks

A one-piece (Bonnell) is a dependent spring unit consisting of springs connected together by rigidity and frame assemblies. The main advantage of such unit is a low price. The block "Bonnell" inaccurately repeats the outline of the body, as when pressing on one spring, the neighboring ones ("hammock effect") are compressed. Over time, such mattress begins to creak.

The density of the dependent spring unit is 12 springs per sq.ft. The number of coils of springs in a quality mattress should not be less than 5. In cheaper versions, this figure is 3-4, which negatively affects the comfort of your bedroom.

Mattresses with the "Bonnell" block are not suitable for obese people (from 220 lb), as well as for two people with a significant difference in weight (from 45 lb) - in this case a person with less weight will roll down to a heavier person.

Separated springs (Pocket Spring) - an independent spring unit: each spring is placed in a special bag (pocket) of fabric and does not affect the other spring. These mattresses do not creak, have a longer service life and better orthopedic properties than products on the basis of the “Bonnell” construction. The main disadvantage is a higher price.

Orthopedic qualities are determined by the location of the springs and their density (25-100 springs per sq.ft.). Mattresses with a density of 10-25 springs per sq.ft. do not have a high orthopedic effect. Much better models, in which this parameter reaches 50-100 springs per 1 sq.ft.

Spring blocks "Pocket Spring" in density are divided into three categories:

• "TFK" - density (25 springs per 1 sq.ft.), The maximum load (245 lb);

• "Multipocket" - density (50 springs per 1 sq.ft.), Maximum load (265 lb);

• "Micropocket" - density (100 springs per 1 sq.ft.), Maximum load (330 lb). The best option for people with a significant difference in weight.

Other parameters of springs:

• "TFK" - diameter (±2 in), height (±5 in), wire thickness (0.07 in), number of coils (5-6);

• "Multipocket" - diameter (1.65 in), height (±5 in), wire thickness (±0.04 in), number of coils (8-10);

• "Micropocket" - diameter (±0.8 in), height (±5 in), wire thickness (±0.04 in), number of coils (12-14).

Also you can find a two-layered block "Pocket Spring". This mattress is characterized by even greater elasticity.

It is advisable to choose mattresses with the "Multipocket" construction for people suffering from illnesses of the spine. This model will appeal to those who are accustomed to sleeping on their sides.

Spring blocks "Pocket Spring" by location are divided into three groups:

"Honeycomb" - springs are placed in a hexagonal pattern. The firmness is 30 (for "TFK") or 70 (for "Multipocket") springs per 1 sq.ft., the maximum load is 265 lb. Such a mattress will cost less than "Micropocket".

"Multi-zone" - "TFK" and "Multipocket" with reinforced transverse zones in places where the greatest load on the mattress is. This increases the orthopedic properties of the product.

"Duet" (spring in the spring) - an improved version of "TFK": an additional spring is placed inside the main spring or next to it, having a smaller size. This spring starts to operate at a significant load on the main spring. Such a unit is able to withstand up to 330 lbs. Spring block "Duet" is the least common.

Filler

Fillers are used in both spring and springless mattresses.

• Latex is an eco-friendly, resilient and durable filler that quickly restores its shape after compression. Due to their high performance characteristics, such a filler is the most popular option. The only drawback is the high price.
• Polyurethane foam (rubber foam) is an elastic and "breathing", filler. Foam quickly crumbles and loses its elasticity.

Important: the quality and durability of rubber foam directly depends on its density.

• Coconut fiber (coir) - an eco-friendly, fairly hard and elastic filler. In addition, it well passes air. In the process of using the coir, it quickly loses its shape and becomes unusable. Coir is one of the most expensive fillers. Mattresses with such filler is chosen on the recommendation of a doctor, it is suitable for those who like to sleep on a hard mattress.
• Cotton is an ecological and "breathable" filler. Cotton filler provides a comfortable rest at any time of the year.
• Sisal - has a high strength and elasticity, has a long service life.
• Viscoelastic foam - has a unique property ("shape memory"), through which the most uniform load distribution is achieved. Such a mattress works well on the joints, neck, back and improves blood circulation. All these advantages contribute to a calm and healthy sleep.
• Wool is an eco-friendly filler that perfectly passes air and does not cause allergies. Note that the wool is wonderful warmer.
• Holofiber - a synthetic filler, not inferior in performance to natural analogues. Such material is remarkably "breathing" and retains heat, does not absorb odors and retains its shape.
• You can find a filler like waterlatex. This material does not cause allergies and breathes well, differs rigidity and withstands a significant load. Mattresses with a similar filler are good for people suffering from diseases in the upper spine. Also they are suitable for children and teenagers.

Fillers for toppers and futons are the same materials as for basic mattresses: latex, polyurethane foam, coir, etc.

Firmness level of mattresses

The choice of the level of stiffness of the mattress depends on the age and weight of the person, as well as determined by personal preferences.

It is equally harmful to sleep on a too hard or too soft product: on such mattress spine will bend, and the muscles will be in constant tension. In addition, on a very hard mattress, blood vessels are squeezed, but on very soft mattresses, lungs are squeezed, which leads to uneven breathing.

Important: if it is difficult to navigate with the choice of stiffness of the mattress, you can follow this rule: it is better to choose a stiffer mattress, since if necessary, it can be "softened" with a mattress pad.

Recommendations for choosing a mattress depending on the diseases of the spine:

• diseases of the lumbar spine - soft mattress;

• cervical and thoracic diseases - medium-hard mattress;

• disorders of posture and osteochondrosis - hard mattress.

If a person suffers from chronic and complex illnesses, suffered a trauma or an operation, then in order to choose the right mattress, a doctor's consultation is necessary. Such an expert will help you to orient yourself in every concrete case.

Important: Check the firmness of the mattress. The product should be comfortable and not sag under the weight. If the discomfort is felt in the hips and shoulders, it is better to refuse to buy such a mattress.

You can put the mattress in a vertical position next to the wall and push it - if it bends more than 9-10 in, it is worth paying attention to another product.

Mattresses by structure

• One-sided - this mattress has the same level of rigidity on both sides.
• Two-sided - has a different level of firmness on each side. This design allows you to sleep on the hard side at summer, at winter - on a softer. Thanks to the alternate use, the two-sided product will last longer. Disadvantages: higher price and the need for periodic rotation.
• Winter/summer - a double-sided mattress, one of whose sides has a woolen layer (winter), and the second - cotton (summer). Wool perfectly warms in winter nights, and cotton perfectly "breathes" and provides a comfortable sleep in the summer.
• Zone hardness - occurs in multi-zonal spring blocks. In each zone the springs have different spring stiffness and elasticity. This allows you to evenly distribute the load on the mattress and support the head, waist, hips, shoulder girdle, neck.
• Multizonal blocks can be 3, 5 and 7 zonal. In the 3-zone zone, the middle zone is the most rigid, in the 5-zone zone there are 5 zones of different stiffness, in the 7-zone zone the most rigid are the lumbar and cervical zones.

Orthopedic Mattresses

It is necessary to distinguish such concepts as "anatomical effect" and "orthopedic effect". In the first case, the mattress follows the contours of the human body as accurately as possible and is the most comfortable. In the second case, the mattress only takes the form of a body and, in comparison with the previous analog, is more rigid.

The mattress with anatomic effect is suitable for people with lumbar diseases, the mattress with orthopedic effect will be the best choice for people having problems with the spine, joints, neck.

Anatomical mattress can be chosen for people engaged in manual work - this will help to relax muscles as much as possible, and the orthopedic model is recommended for people leading a sedentary lifestyle for the prevention of locomotor system diseases.

To choose the right anatomical or orthopedic mattress, you need to consult a doctor.

Mattress Sizes

The size of the mattress should match the size of the bed. Therefore, before choosing a mattress, you should know the size of the bed (bedroom set).

Standard parameters:

• Single, Twin, or Bunk: 38 in × 75 in;
• Full or Double: 54 in × 75 in;
• Queen: 60 in × 80 in;
• King: 76 in × 80 in;
• California king: 72 in × 84 in;
• Texas king: 80 in × 98 in.

It is desirable that the length of the mattress will be more than the person’s height by 6-8 in.

Important: if the results obtained differ from the standard size by 0.4 in, you can select the model of standard parameters. If the data differ by more than 0.4 in, then the size of the mattress should completely coincide with them.

The height of the mattress depends on its filling and ranges between 2-16 in:

• spring mattress - 7-10 in;
• springless  mattress - 7-8 in.

The higher the mattress, the more durable and reliable it is.

Important: for a double bed it is better to choose two small mattresses, rather than one big one. Thus, each of the partners will not wake another during the overturning.

Maximum load

The maximum acceptable load is the load (person's weight) at which the mattress can be comfortably used without risk of damage. If the load is too high, the mattress will bend, which in time will lead to its deformation. If the load is much less, such a mattress will be very rigid, which means it is inconvenient for the user.

The main guideline in choosing a mattress for this criterion is the person’s weight. It should be borne in mind that a mattress can be used by people with different weights.

One more detail: the maximum load is usually calculated for a sleeping person (static load). However, in some cases, the mattress can be subjected to a greater load, with the same weight. Therefore, it is better to choose a mattress with some safety margin (about 10 kg).

Mattress case cover

As materials for the cover are used natural (cotton), synthetic and mixed fabrics.

• Coarse (cotton) covers are hygienic, do not crumple and are easy to clean.

• Jacquard cases are distinguished by their effective texture (relief pattern) and wear resistance. The fabric itself can contain cotton, wool, linen, viscose or be synthetic.

• Covers made of mixed fabrics, for example, stretch (cotton + synthetic) are resistant to wear, strength, air permeability, elasticity. Another example of mixed materials is a cotton jacquard, quipped with synthepone.

Important: the optimal combination of natural and synthetic materials is described by the 70:30 proportion.

Poly-cotton cases, contain in its composition less cotton, and therefore, are cheaper. They worse "breathe", but do not shrink after washing and are strong enough.

You can find cases sewn from jersey. Such products are pleasant to the touch, look good and absorb moisture.

Important: pay attention to the cases with the effect of "antislip" (from sliding the mattress). The fabric of the product should be treated with anti-fungal, antibacterial, antistatic and anti-allergenic compounds.

Mattress covers by types:

• Removable - equipped with a zip around the perimeter of the product and allows you to shoot for washing or replacement on another. On the other hand, users note that it's very difficult to put a removable carrying case back (after washing, the boot often "sits"). It should be borne in mind that the loose fit of the removable cover to the mattress leads to its deformation and rapid wear.

• Non-removable - stitches directly on the mattress and is snug against it, which ensures a long service life.

Additional Features

Antiallergenic effect - this mattress is made of materials that do not cause allergies (more often synthetic ones). The product can be equipped with special aerators, ventilating the internal cavities of the mattress.

Vacuum packaging - used in non-spring mattresses and allows to reduce the size of the product in several times for convenient transportation. Note that such a package is disposable and after removing the film it can not be restored at home.

Mattress Buying Tips

First of all, the mattress must have a certificate of compliance and a sanitary and epidemiological certificate certifying the quality of the product and its safety for health.

Carefully inspect the mattress: on its surface there should be no damage and defects. Evaluate the firmware of the product: even stitches indicate a high quality of products. Remember that even a sloppy line can lead to quick damage to the mattress.

Mattress Care Tips

• Carry the mattress in a sealed package and only in a horizontal position, so that its weight is distributed evenly. At the same time the mattress should be on a flat surface. The mattress can not be bent, otherwise the springs and other materials of the product can deteriorate.
• Handles located on the sides of the mattress should be used only for rotation, not for transportation of the mattress.
• It should periodically rotate the mattress (the first three months - every two weeks, then - every two months). This will extend the life of the product and allow to evaporate accumulated moisture.
• The mattress should be vacuumed at least twice a month. Otherwise, accumulated dust and dirt can cause allergies. The mattress pad should also be periodically washed (1 time per month).
• Do not allow any liquids to get on the mattress.
• Do not allow sudden load drops on the mattress (for example, jumping).
• It is advisable to change the mattress every 10 years.

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How to choose a perfect bed for your bedroom

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