When it comes to sleeping everyone young and old needs a certain amount on a daily basis. Why not make it as comfortable as you possibly can?
The one single most important thing when it comes to your sleeping accommodations is – your mattress. If you don’t have a good mattress then you don’t have a good nights sleep.
The age of your mattress as well as the condition has an effect on how well you sleep. But how do you know when your mattress needs replacing?
Well it is estimated that a good mattress can last around 5 to 10 years. But you may need to replace it sooner, if you find you’re not sleeping as well as you should.
You certainly can try to get more life out of your mattress by cleaning it and rotating it, but at some point that becomes less effective.
Some tell tale signs that it may be time to replace your mattress are simple. First it’s age – if it’s over 10 years you should definitely consider replacing it.
Another, believe it or nor not, is if your allergies start to become worse at night. This could be an indication of an abundance of dust mites that thrive on mattresses and bedding.
Other signs it needs replacing are:
- if you wake full of aches and pains
- if your mattress squeaks or the box frame creaks
- your bed sags in certain places or your more comfortable sleeping on the couch
Maybe you have been suffering with a bad back lately and can’t seem to find the cause? Or are you waking up constantly during the night and feeling uncomfortable?
All these are indications that it’s time to replace your old worn out mattress. Now comes the task of trying to figure out what type of mattress is best to replace it with. Compare a few options!
Which Mattress Is The Right One For You?
There are numerous types of mattresses available on the market today and you need to make sure you purchase the right one for you.
To begin, an important aspect of purchasing a mattress is to determine the firmness that’s best suited to you. After all you will be spending an average of 8 hrs a night sleeping on it.
If you purchase one either to soft or to firm you will still be uncomfortable and loose sleep. So take time and think about it, then visit a mattress store and try a few out to discover the right one for you.
Mattresses are available in soft, medium and firm and have certain qualities that are best suited to certain people depending on their needs.
For example the medium firm mattress is considered to be one of the best for people suffering with back problems, sciatica, or hip and joint pain.
When you have reached a verdict when it comes to the firmness of the mattress the next step is to choose the mattress type that’s a good fit for you.
There are several types available and each one has it’s own qualities. From the spring mattress to the memory foam, latex, foam or gel you want the one that’s right for you. You can find other articles on choosing the right bed and mattress on the homepage.
The Inner Spring Mattress
The inner spring mattress has been around for many years. On the sales graph they are still the most purchased mattress on the market today.
This is mainly due to the fact they are widely available, affordable, and come with plenty of firmness and comfort options. As well, they are very familiar to consumers.
The inner spring mattresses tend to have more bounce to them than some of the other types. This can interfere with the person sleeping next to you.
The mattress features a support system made up of steel coils. There are many types of coils used one for instance is an encased coil system, this type stops motion disturbances while sleeping.
Innerspring mattresses tend not to mold to the sleepers body or envelop them the same as other mattresses. But there are inner spring mattresses that do conform more than the others.
Although it is estimated only about 70% of people who purchased one are completely satisfied. The percentage grows if you purchase the best one available.
Memory Foam Mattresses
The most up and coming mattress on the market today is the memory foam. It’s sales have grown tremendously over the past few years.
The memory foam mattress is basically made up of three main layers, there’s the memory foam, the support core, and then the cover. You cannot flip these mattresses!
The foam lays on top of the core then the whole thing is wrapped in a zippered cover. This zippered cover can usually be removed for cleaning purposes.
Memory foam molds to the body, evenly distributing your weight. It then returns to it’s original shape once you remove the pressure.
Memory foam is available in different densities as well as depth. It has superior comfort qualities making it widely used in all sorts of products.
The foam mainly consists of polyurethane as well as additional chemicals increasing it’s viscosity and density. The heat from your body allows it to mold around you for a more comfortable sleep.
The latest memory foam to hit the market and soar closer to the top purchased mattress would be the eco friendly, plant based memory foam that is derived from soybean oils.
The foam is formed with a pressure foaming (VPF) process that emits no contaminants. This makes for an environmentally friendly foam that will emit fewer volatile organic compounds.
The Latex Mattress
Latex foam is another popular alternative to the innerspring mattress. Especially since it appeals to those who wish to purchase organic or eco friendly products.
These mattresses are mostly made with natural materials that are derived from the rubber tree. Unless of course you purchase a synthetic one.
Latex mattresses tend to be slightly firmer and don’t have that sinking feeling that some people dislike in the memory foam mattress.
If you suffer from allergy’s the the latex mattress would be a good fit for you, as they are reportedly hypoallergenic which would make it ideal.
Latex is also ideal for those who prefer a firmer sleeping surface, as it provides more support and is easier to move around on.
The Gel Mattress
A few years ago we saw the introduction of the gel memory foam mattress in the bedding industry. And they have quickly become a favorite with many consumers.
These mattresses seem to embody some of the best aspects of memory foam, including the highest level of comfort available in a mattress.
Gel foam mattresses have some of the latest technology in memory foam. Gel memory foam is made up of gel beads that are infused into the memory foam.
This procedure creates an open cell structure that promotes air movement. Enabling the heat from your body to dissipate instead of collecting in your mattress.
There are basically two types of gel memory foam. The first has gel infused throughout the top layer. While the second has a layer of gel nearer to the surface.
Gel mattresses feel cool when first touched but after laying on them for a few minutes you can feel the heat increase slightly.
Memory Foam Vs Innerspring – Which Is Better?
When it comes to your mattress, only you can decide what type is right for you. Whether you like firm, medium or soft – that choice is also yours.
All mattresses have pros and cons, but ultimately it’s the sleepers decision. The innerspring mattress is often preferred by back sleepers.
The traditional spring mattress doesn’t adjust or feel different based on body temperature. Unless it comes topped with memory foam.
The top layer of a spring mattress is known as the comfort layer. And some companies will add memory foam to enhance comfort, support and quality of the mattress.
But when it comes to the price you can’t beat the innerspring. It is one of the most widely available and very popular. Although, it does not last as long as a memory foam.
The memory foam has been around for a number of years now and has grown in popularity. It has the benefit of good pressure relief and is preferred by side sleepers.
Each time you lie down on this mattress the heat from your body causes a chemical reaction, which makes the mattress surface slowly contour to your shape.
Many consumers read about memory foam and believe their innerspring mattress doesn’t offer the same comfort and support as a memory foam.
When it comes down to the bottom line memory foam is a good choice for longevity, comfort and support but certainly costs more than the innerspring.
Do You Need A Mattress Topper?
Say you have a mattress that’s only a couple of years old but starts to feel uncomfortable. You don’t want to purchase a new one, so what can you do? Aside from actually choosing a new frame and all, you do have another option.
A good idea would be to purchase a memory foam topper. This is a cost effective idea and will bring new life to your mattress until it’s time for a new one.
Mattress topper are very popular these days, not only for the mattress that has become uncomfortable or old, but for mattresses that are too firm for your comfort.
Also many people purchase memory foam toppers for their new innerspring mattresses. Thus adding to its support and comfort at a reasonable price.