Mattresses - Buying Guide
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Mattresses - Buying Guide There are dizzying arrays of choices among mattress types. We have the traditional cotton ones, more expensive silk-cotton ones, rubber or latex foam, PU or synthetic foam, inner spring mattresses and different types of coir/foam mattresses. Other types available abroad are water beds, air beds and memory foam or ‘tempur pedic’ and special orthopaedic beds. Experts agree that any of these mattress types can provide proper support, and that choosing between them comes down to costs, durability, how often we want to flip the bed and how we fall for the glib talk of the sales people. There are adjustable beds which can bring you to a sitting position and experts say should be used primarily by people who are immobile or who have medical problems such as hypertension, congestive heart failure, circulation problems or a difficult time sleeping on a flat bed due to health conditions like back or joint pain. However, adjustable beds prevent free movement during sleep, which is important for spinal health. Rather than purchasing an adjustable bed, experts suggest using additional pillows, which can help simulate an adjustable bed. The old adage that firmer is better when it comes to mattresses and back pain has all but been disavowed. A 2003 Spanish study of people with lower back pain published in The Lancet reveals that medium-firmness innerspring mattresses help back sufferers more than hard innerspring mattresses. And a 2008 study of back pain sufferers published in the journal Spine compares a hard futon mattress to a memory foam mattress and a waterbed. Interestingly, a large percentage of the participants assigned to the hard mattress dropped out of the study because of increased pain and decreased quality of sleep. For those with back or joint pain, doctors suggest using a pillow-top or a foam mattress topper under the sheets. They also recommends satin sheets to improve one's ability to turn over and get out of bed. As always, check with your physician on the best sleeping arrangements for you if you have any health concerns. 1. There are two types of foam. PU foam (Polyurethane) and latex foam. a. PU foam is light, cheaper and soft.. These are most popular in India mainly because these are the cheapest, gives the feeling of plush and luxury. The other side is that these collect allergens, releases fumes, does not dissipate heat easily, does not breathe and is not long lasting. These have to be changed every 5/7 years or so. These are synthetic polymers and are not bio- degradable. b. Latex foam is a good choice for allergy- and asthma-prone people since it is more dust mite-resistant and doesn't release fumes (known as offgassing). However, latex itself can provoke allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Latex is breathable, keeping the sleeper warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, and some prefer it to viscoelastic memory foam. Latex mattresses also spring back more quickly than a memory foam mattress so it's easier to move around in bed. Foam mattresses aren't for everyone. We found many comments from owners who say they had to get used to sleeping on one. That's because foam mattresses don't feel as fluffy or springy as an innerspring mattress with pillow tops and cushy quilted ticking (cloth case of mattresses). Before you buy, you'll want to take a test nap on a foam mattress. In an interview with the Daily Southtown, Chicago chiropractor Corlin Stein says foam beds might not be the best choice for heavier people because the foam "tends to get crunched together," resulting in loss of spinal support. Both viscoelastic and latex foam are durable, but they'll eventually lose their springiness. Latex mattresses are also generally more expensive than memory foam mattresses. 2. A coir mattress doesn't mean the whole mattress is made of coir. The mattress will have all the layers that a regular mattress has such as a coil (spring) system, foams, etc.Coir's moisture reducing and ventilation abilities give a coir mattress the feel of a cool sensation and relaxation. Coir fibre is heat and moisture resistant, has good ventilation, is moth proof and flame retardant, and is an excellent insulator. The older coir mattresses had 2” or 3” of coir, one inch of padding and 1” of foam on top. The coir and the pad lose springiness after some use and sags. There are other constructions, like sandwich construction with layers of Coir and foam. This and the special treatment of materials is supposed be “anti sag” design. 3. Inner spring mattresses are most popular in western countries and are getting popular here too. These have wire coils as the support structure. It has a strong border wire attached to the perimeter of the coils. The border wire supports the coils, helping to retain shape and reduce sagging. The edge is reinforced with specially shaped springs or foam to support the sleep surface right to the edge, to help prevent 'rollout' and edge breakdown. The upholstery is separated from the innerspring system by an insulator, a tough padding, wire or netting layer that prevents the upholstery from sinking into the coils. Spring mattresses transfer the movement of one bed mate to the other, especially if it is queen or King Size. 4. Traditional Cotton and Silk cotton beds seem to be totally out of fashion. These absorb moisture, form clumps and sags a lot after a short usage; they are hyper allergenic; and do not retain any kind of shape. But they are probably very cheap but the people who nake these are dwindling. What to look for in a mattress? A good mattress should align the spine When it comes to choosing the best mattress, proper sleeping posture is the most important consideration. Lying on your side, your shoulders and hips should sink into the mattress, while your waist is supported. "Your spine should look the same when you're lying down as it does when you're standing up," Scott Bautch, a Wisconsin chiropractor, tells The New York Times. A too-firm mattress -- whether made of foam, springs or air chambers -- may not allow enough give for that to happen. An excellent article at Australia's Choice magazine explains that a hard mattress may tax back and neck muscles, which will have to work harder to keep your spine straight. At the same time, a too-soft mattress will also cause spinal alignment problems, as "your muscles work to compensate for the lack of support," Choice's editors say. Keep in mind that heavier people, however, may need a firmer mattress in order to provide similar spinal support. But most people probably need something in the middle, neither the hardest nor the softest mattress. Alan Hedge, a professor of ergonomics at Cornell University, recommends looking for a mattress designed to conform to the spine's natural curves and to keep the spine in alignment when you lie down. Mattresses designed to distribute pressure evenly across the body to help circulation, decrease body movement and minimize the transfer of movement from one sleeping partner to the other, as well as one that includes perimeter edge support, as also recommended. Tips for choosing the best mattress: All reviewers say shoppers should test a mattress -- at a store, hotel, even at a friend's home -- before buying. Consumer Reports say that based on expert and user reviews, they were not able to form a definitive opinion on whether foam, latex or air mattresses really are a superior choice. Lumps, bump, dips, sagging, as well as a stained or torn cover, are all signs that it may be time to buy a new mattress. Even if the exterior of your mattress is in good shape, experts recommend the average mattress to be replaced every eight to 10 years and every 10 to 12 for a premium mattress. Some experts even recommend buying a new one every seven years for the sake of hygiene, which isn't a bad idea considering that the average sleeper secretes half a liter of perspiration a night, and up to double that when ill. Experts give the following advice about purchasing a mattress: 1. Spend at least 15 minutes on a mattress in the store. By spending five minutes each on your back and both sides you will be more likely to determine if the mattress you are trying out is the right choice for you. If you sleep with a partner, try out mattresses together. 2. You shouldn't overpay, but you shouldn't underpay either. ConsumerReports.org editors say you should expect to pay about Rs 6000 for a single (72” by 36” ) innerspring mattress. It can't hurt to negotiate price. 3. The mattress should support your body at every point. If you prefer, you can buy a mattress with extra support at the head, center or ends, or with zoned support, which offers different support levels for different parts of the body. 4. Test for firmness. If you have difficulty rolling over, the bed is probably too soft. If the bed is too firm your hips and shoulders will feel uncomfortable. Lie on your back and try to slide your hand under the small of your back. If your palm slides easily, then it is too firm and does not support the back. 5. Pay attention to padding materials. Less expensive mattresses may have vinyl ticking (the outermost layer of the mattress) instead of polyester or a cotton-polyester blend, but all should hold up over time.