| Determine If You Need A New Mattress. One | | | | back and neck pain. |
| question with which we are always approached is, | | | | Visco Elastic/Memory Foam Mattresses: |
| "How do I know if I need a new mattress?" The | | | | Originally developed by NASA to make the pressure |
| answer is not always an easy one to answer. You | | | | of space shuttle lift-offs more bearable, the foam |
| can tell when you need a new car because your old | | | | has seen drastic reductions in price in recent years |
| one starts breaking down more often. You can tell | | | | and is now a popular mattress material. The material |
| that you need a new television if your old one won't | | | | gets its name from its ability to conform to the |
| turn on. With your mattress, however, such visible, | | | | shape of an object and retain that shape for a period |
| physical signs of needing a replacement are less | | | | of time. While visco-elastic beds are typically more |
| obvious. In fact your mattress may look as good as | | | | expensive than their coil counterparts, the quality can |
| the day you bought it, but its not the looks that | | | | vary widely and is one of the main contributors to its |
| counts. Mattresses are designed to alleviate the | | | | price. Good quality memory foam means a firm bed |
| pressure put on your back, shoulders, neck and hips | | | | that will evenly distribute your weight regardless of |
| while you sleep. Your mattress should be replaced | | | | how you sleep. Some memory foams also respond |
| when it's no longer providing adequate support for | | | | to heat by becoming even more soft. Memory foam |
| any of these critical areas of your body. In order to | | | | has lifespans between 10 and 20 years depending on |
| determine whether your mattress is in need of a | | | | quality. For those who have never owned a |
| replacement ask yourself these questions: | | | | visco-elastic foam bed before there is typically a |
| 1.Is the mattress more then 7 years old? | | | | period of getting used to the "weightless" feeling the |
| 2.Do you wake up with back, neck, shoulder, or hip | | | | bed induces. New memory foam mattress owners |
| pain? | | | | may also notice a strong odor. While the odor does |
| 3.Do you spend more than 10-15 minutes tossing and | | | | fade with time, it can continue to cause irritation, so |
| turning before you can get to sleep? | | | | be on the lookout for complaints from those sleeping |
| 4.Do you frequently experience "dead" legs or arms | | | | on the bed. Also, memory foam by nature retains |
| when you wake up? | | | | heat which some users find uncomfortable. |
| 5.Is your mattress sagging, lumpy, starting to come | | | | Waterbed Mattresses |
| apart or showing visible signs of wear? | | | | Although waterbeds were first conceived in the late |
| 6.Have you recently noticed that other beds (at a | | | | 1800s the modern bed that we're familiar with was |
| mattress store, hotel, friend/family member's house) | | | | developed in 1968. Waterbeds were initially popular |
| are more comfortable than your own? | | | | for their ability to be heated (which was popular in |
| While the life of a mattress depends on it's material | | | | colder climates) and for their ability to relieve |
| and how well it was manufactured, if you answered | | | | pressure from the spine as the water in the bed |
| "yes" to Question 1, then chances that its time to | | | | conformed to the shape of the person using it. |
| start looking for a replacement. We should note that | | | | However, this same "free flow" design that relieves |
| a manufacturer's warranty does not necessarily | | | | spinal pressure also results in waves being created |
| guarantee that your mattress will continue to provide | | | | each time weight is shifted on the bed. These waves |
| adequate support for the length of the warrantee. | | | | can be distracting and can interrupt sleep. Waterbeds |
| Usually a warranty simply means that a mattress | | | | are difficult to move and are also prone to leaks, but |
| manufacturer guarantee's against defects in quality. | | | | last longer than most coil mattresses and are dust |
| However, warranties do differ from one | | | | mite free. |
| manufacturer to another, so be sure to read up on | | | | Air Chamber Mattresses |
| what the manufacturer of your current mattress has | | | | Air mattresses come in a variety of designs and |
| agreed to before purchasing a new mattress. If you | | | | levels of quality. However, the driving principle of an |
| answered "no" to Question 1, but "yes" to some of | | | | air mattress is (as the name implies) that you inflate |
| the other questions asked, then your bed may be | | | | the mattress with an air pump to a level you find |
| new enough that it's not worn out, but it sounds like | | | | comfortable. Whether you're using a simple, single |
| its not providing you with enough of or the right kind | | | | chamber mattress or a more advanced |
| of support. There may also be special cases that | | | | multi-chambered bed, you're able to control how firm |
| warrant the purchase of a new mattress, such as | | | | the bed is by how much air you pump into the bed. |
| when floods or damp conditions cause your bed to | | | | The air in air mattresses behaves much in the same |
| develop harmful mildew or mold. | | | | was as the water in waterbeds. The air in the |
| Once you've determined that you'd be benefit from | | | | mattress conforms to the shape of the body and |
| a new mattress, the next step involves making | | | | helps to reduce the amount of pressure put on the |
| several key decisions that will help determine the | | | | spine. While air mattresses have a typical lifespan of |
| mattress you'll go shopping for. | | | | 10+ years, there are more parts that can wear out |
| Determine What Size Mattress Is Right For You. | | | | and caues the mattress to loose its ability to provide |
| Deciding what size mattress you need may be fairly | | | | adequate support and comfort. |
| straight forward. If you're simply replacing an existing | | | | Intelli-Gel Mattresses |
| mattress your decision is frequently limited by the | | | | Another recently developed technology that is being |
| size of the bed frame you're using. If you're looking | | | | adapted to a number of products - everything from |
| to purchase a new mattress and frame here are | | | | shoe insoles to backpack straps to hunting equipment |
| some things you will want to consider: | | | | to mattresses. Intelligel is different from other |
| 1.How much space is there in the bedroom for a | | | | bedding materials because it works on a column |
| mattress? | | | | buckling principle. Most other mattresses provide |
| 2.How many people will be sleeping in the bed? | | | | support by pushing against those protruding areas of |
| 3.How satisfied were the people sleeping in the bed | | | | the body. Intelli-Gel is different. Columns of elastic gel |
| with the amount of space they had? | | | | are placed next to each other across the mattress |
| 4.How much will it cost to upgrade to a larger bed, or | | | | surface. The columns are designed to stand until a |
| how much will saved by purchasing a smaller | | | | certain amount of weight is placed on them. When |
| mattress (not only the cost of the mattress, but also | | | | the columns' weight limit is reached the columns |
| the sheets and bedding)? | | | | buckle, and becomes soft, while columns around the |
| While mattress sizes can vary some, here are typical | | | | area remain firm and supportive. The result ends up |
| mattress sizes: | | | | being a bedding surface that is firm, supportive and |
| Mattress Name Dimensions (Width x Length) | | | | comfortable. Also, because the Intelligel is broken into |
| Twin 39" x 75" | | | | columns it doesn't retain heat like memory foam. |
| Twin XL 39" x 80" | | | | Intelligel is used as the main material in some |
| Full 54" x 75" | | | | mattresses and is combined with coils, memory |
| Full XL 54" x 80" | | | | foam, and air chambers in others. |
| Queen 60" x 80" | | | | A couple other things to consider when looking at the |
| King 76" x 80" | | | | different mattress options that are available is the |
| California King 72" x 84" | | | | mattress's warranty and whether the mattress |
| Determine What Type Of Mattress You Need. Beds | | | | comes with a foundation. As mentioned above, a |
| have come along way since the single coil mattress. | | | | mattress's warranty does not guarantee its useful |
| Mattresses now include a variety of new | | | | life, but it does protect against manufacturing |
| technologies and are frequently hybrids of two or | | | | defects. Typical warranties run between 10 and 15 |
| more types of material. When shopping for a new | | | | years and may last upwards of 20 years. Be sure to |
| mattress there are a couple things to keep in mind. | | | | read what the warranty does and doesn't cover as it |
| First, you'll want to buy the best value, not the least | | | | may save you time, money and headaches in the |
| expensive. An inexpensive mattress may save you | | | | future. The foundation of your bed is an important |
| money up front but cost you a fortune in | | | | part of how well you sleep each night. Chances are |
| chiropractor costs in the future. Similarly, the most | | | | that if your mattress needs a replacement, your |
| expensive bed on the market may not be providing | | | | foundation does too. Some manufacturers will include |
| you with the right kind or right amount of support | | | | a new foundation with the purchase of a mattress. If |
| and/or comfort. Second, if you're going to be sharing | | | | they don't be sure to ask the manufacturer which |
| your bed with someone else, make sure you bring | | | | foundation will work best with your mattress as |
| them with you when you go shopping. | | | | foundations and mattresses are commonly paired to |
| The mattress you find most comfortable may not be | | | | provide you with the best sleeping experience |
| the most comfortable for your partner. If that's the | | | | possible. |
| case you'll want to find a mattress you can both | | | | Dispose of your old mattress. If you've determined |
| agree is suitable, even if it's not your first choice. To | | | | you need a new mattress because you are no longer |
| properly evaluate each possibility you should lay on | | | | receiving the support you need, then the last thing |
| the mattress the same way as you'll be sleeping | | | | you should be doing is passing that discomfort on to |
| each night. Be sure to lay on the mattress for at | | | | someone else. Rather than selling your mattress or |
| least a few minutes. Some of the materials used in | | | | passing it on to a family member or friend, check to |
| mattresses respond to both weight and heat, and | | | | see if the purchase of your new bed includes some |
| can take several minutes to fully adjust to your | | | | sort of disposal for your old mattress. Frequently, the |
| body. If you move quickly from one bed to another | | | | folks who deliver your new mattress will be able to |
| you may be missing out on all a mattress has to | | | | take away your old bed. If you're embarrassed by |
| offer. Finally be sure to learn as much about the | | | | the condition of an old, worn out mattress, you can |
| advantages and disadvantages of each mattress | | | | use an old bed sheet as an inexpensive solution. |
| material. To give you a starting point we will cover | | | | Simply cover the old mattress with the old bed |
| the most significant features of each material below. | | | | sheet, send it off and enjoy your new bed! |
| Coil Mattresses: | | | | Determine what new accessories you'll need for your |
| Coil mattresses rely on steel coils that are tempered | | | | new bed. To further improve the support you get |
| to give them additional strength and durability. The | | | | while you sleep you may also want to consider a |
| coils can be placed in a variety of different | | | | new pillow. Like mattresses, pillows are also made in a |
| configurations to provide additional support to specific | | | | variety of materials. Besides traditional feather and |
| areas of the bed. A new coil spring beds is firm and | | | | down, pillows now also incorporate combinations of |
| is best at providing support for those who sleep on | | | | latex rubber, memory foam, air chambers, Intelli-gel |
| their back. In addition to being one of the more | | | | and more. Finding a pillow to compliment the comfort |
| inexpensive mattress options on the market, coil | | | | your new bed provides will help turn your night's |
| springs are also easy to maintain. Regularly flipping the | | | | sleep from good to great. Also, depending on the |
| mattress helps prevent sagging, and ensures that | | | | size mattress you purchased you purchased you may |
| you will get the most life out of your purchase. | | | | need new bedding. While a mattress's size is fairly |
| However, coil mattresses have a shorter lifespan | | | | standard in terms of its length and width, there are a |
| than some of the other options out there. They can | | | | variety of mattress depths being used to incorporate |
| begin to sag within a year and wear out within 5 to 7 | | | | some of the new materials we've discussed. By sure |
| years. If those using the bed sleep on their sides, the | | | | to check the depth of your new bed to determine |
| mattress exerts greater pressure on the shoulders | | | | whether you'll need deep pocket sheets or larger |
| and hips causing spinal misalignment, which can lead to | | | | blankets. |