Buying a Mattress

[Julie-Ann]

Mattresses can be hugely expensive and considering how much time we spend in bed they are an important purchase.
Have you been into a mattress store recently? Have you seen all the options you can chose from? It is a little mind blowing:confused:.
Some stores have computers to help determine which mattress would be best for you. But an easy way to know if a mattress is going to provide the correct support is to use your hand. If your hand can slide easily under the small of your back then it is too firm for you. If it can’t slide under at all then the mattress is too soft.
Here is a brief description of the different types available:

Open Sprung – It has 1 long wire that is coiled into springs. It usually has a wire edge to keep its shape. They are cheap and great for a spare bedroom.

Pocket Sprung – These have individual coils in individual fabric pockets. There are variations on the wire used, the position of the pockets and the materials laid on top of the springs. They allow for very little partner disturbance from movement. They also come in different firmness levels.

Memory Foam – This stuff is very strange when you first lay on it. People either love it or hate it. The mattress responds to your temperature and weight and is good for taking pressure of joints. It is also good for allergy sufferers. But because you sink into this bed it is not recommended for children as they may roll over onto their face and find it hard to breathe.

Latex – Latex foam is breathable so you don’t overheat. (Good to remember when we get to menopause;)). It is meant to be very durable and good for allergy sufferers. This is my favourite but it’s not cheap. The cheaper versions can actually develop lumps so buy a good quality latex mattress.

Sprung Memory Foam – is a combination of the pocket sprung mattress and has a memory foam top layer. You still get that sinking feeling with memory foam. But a lot of people like the feeling of having the support of the pocket springs.

The bad news is none of them stop partners from snoring:(.

Have you bought a mattress lately?
Do you know a way to stop a partner from snoring lol:D

[rachel]

Julie-Ann either our latex/memory foam mix bed stopped my husband from snoring or it has made me sleep better so i don't notice. Either way, I don't care, I'm happy!

[Julie-Ann]

Oh you lucky thing.:)
My DH snores only when he is on his back. I was hoping that a new mattress would keep him lying on his side. One of the sales people suggested a tennis ball under his back would do the trick lol:D:D

[silkess]

Don't forget to check out the waterbeds as well :)
We have a waveless one, and it is bliss to sleep on, and it fits wonderfully inside the frame of the bed.

[Julie-Ann]

I didn't even think of waterbeds- thanks Silkess:D.
We used to have one years ago. When our cat would jump up onto the bed and crawl under the doona she would frequently cause a leak. We would hop into bed and then realise it had happened again:D.

[thehousequeenhomedecor]

We unfortunately brought a very expensive mattress that was too hard and then had to buy $370 worth of memory foam underlay to put on top so it is now extra extra thick but absolutely sensational to sleep in. Until just recently we slept on two single bed mattress' pushed together that my husbands grandmother had when she got married!!!! I try not to think of what may have been lurking in there... let me know if you have a similar story

[Julie-Ann]

Lol goodness knows how old your mattresses were. The stores recommend you buy a new mattress every 10 years:D.

[sandalwood]

hi! we're thinking of buying from Snooze. There's this brand called Slumberland and the lady said it uses Bonnel springs with reinforced springs in the middle, to support the shoulder and hip area. I've done some readings on the "bonnel" technology and it's one of the older ones. We quite like the feel of the mattress, though. I wonder if it's worth buying.

[Julie-Ann]

I have not actually heard of Bonnel springs before but this is what I have found on the internet:
From this site (http://www.mattressinside.com/orthopedic.html)-Frankly speaking mattresses of the first category are considered to be out-of-date. They have a lot of disadvantages, and cannot provide in reality any orthopedic and healing properties. The only reason why people buy them nowadays is their low price. But we don't recommend saving on your sleep as it is directly connected with your proper rest and health.

And this website (http://www.mysleeptips.com/mattress-reviews/icoil-mattress-technology-vs-bonnell-springs-whats-inside/%25post-id%25.php) says- The reason bonnell spring mattresses are so cheap is because the springs are all tied together and then surrounded by a hard wire. This wire runs around the outside edge of the mattress to hold it in shape.
This wire is so rigid and unforgiving that when you sleep out toward the edge of the bed, you’ll definitely feel it under you…and it’s not a warm and fuzzy feeling.
Bonnell springs are hour glass shaped and they’re tied back to themselves at the top and bottom.

But Choice Magazine say- Hourglass-shaped springs are used in the original inner-spring system, called the Bonnell System. They’re joined together with spiral wires to form the unit. They compress quite easily at first, but then get firmer the more they’re compressed (hence offering more support), resulting in a ‘soft but firm’ bed. They tend to be found in cheaper mattresses.

To me if I could afford a pocket spring or something else I probably would. Mattresses are important and not something we are willing to change too often. I hope this helps:)
There’s one glaring problem with this design, as Sue Harrison of Boise, Idaho, found out. When someone flops into bed, you can be jolted clear up off your side of the bed. It’s what is known as motion transfer.

[thisisme]

We hate our latex mattress :(
It gets so hot in summer... sometimes we overheat even in winter :(

Also, it is so heavy and changing sheets is the biggest pain in the neck :(

[Lanne]

We bought a mattress about 6 months ago. GREAT advice from one store. Lay on bed for 5 mins and time it... because what feels good for 30 seconds.. might not 5 mins in! made a big difference to our choice.

also.. to solve snoring husband.. make him sleep in the guest room. Sorted out my problem first time i tried it. LOL.

[sandalwood]

@Julie-Ann even though we felt it was the best and most comfortable mattress we've tried, I'm still hesitant because of the old technology. But believe me, we spent the whooole day trying out beds and got really dizzy:) that I thought we finally found the one. Yes, it did feel firm yet soft on top, but Im not so sure how it would be after sleeping on it.

This means our search aint over yet :)

[Julie-Ann]

Sandalwood I got the impression from reading about it that the main problem with this old technology is "partner disturbance". With the new springs you will be less disturbed by your partner tossing and turning. If this isn't an issue for you then maybe the old style of springs will be fine for you - if they feel comfortable that's a plus.
Lanne that's so funny:D.

[sandalwood]

Just want to update. We finally bought a Sealy Posturepremiere mattress in FIRM. When we tried it in the store, it felt right. But when it came, I find it TOO FIRM, though hubby finds it just right. It's been 2 weeks now. Even though it's not really uncomfortable, it will take me another few weeks to get used to it. Now I'm thinking of buying that Foam Underlay they sell at BIG W. :confused: Any thoughts would be appreciated, ladies. ;)

[Julie-Ann]

Hi Sandalwood we had a similar problem when choosing our mattress. DH likes the bed very soft and I prefer it firmer. We bought a topper from Bed Shed that had a His and Hers side. One side is softer than the other. It works perfectly for us. But it wasn't cheap - I think around $400:(. I have slept on the toppers that you are talking about and they made an awfully uncomfortable mattress soft. But if you make it soft will hubby complain?