Mattress Shopping
How can I tell if I need a new mattress?
When was the last time you thought about your mattress? Many of us forget that our mattresses are the most utilized piece of furniture we own. In fact, if you sleep eight hours a night, in one year you’ll rack up 3000 hours on your mattress. After ten years, you’ll have logged 30,000 hours on the same bed. Listed below are a few hints that indicate it’s time to start thinking about renewing your sleep surface.
- You bought your current mattress over eight years ago.
The average life span of a quality mattress is eight to ten years. Mattresses older than that suffer from deteriorating comfort features and diminished support capabilities.
- You wake up feeling more tired than when you went to sleep.
Most consumers wait too long to replace their mattresses. If you don’t wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated—or if you feel any pain or discomfort—you've definitely waited too long.
- The couch feels more comfortable than your bed.
Concentrate on the feel of your mattress. Do you feel coils or bumps? Your body needs a smooth, comfortable sleep surface to get a regenerative night’s sleep. Your mattress should enable you to sleep through the night with minimal tossing and turning.
- Your mattress looks worn and uneven.
Inspect your mattress regularly for sags and imprints. If your mattress appears uneven or worn and frayed, maybe it’s time to start shopping. The upholstery layers in all mattresses compress over time. For optimal performance, be sure to rotate your mattress occasionally to extend its durability and renew its comfort. If you "inherited" your mattress from a family member or friend, chances are you need to replace it now.
- You’ve taken your mattress for granted.
Mattresses are the most used yet most ignored piece of furniture in the house. Pay attention to your mattress. Do you hear creaks and groans? Do you notice the surface sags or indents in certain areas and not in others? The condition of your mattress may come as a surprise, once you take a close look.
How much should I spend on a new sleep set?
Mattress prices range greatly, from about $299 to over $5000 for a queen set. A good night’s sleep is one of the best investments you can make, so buy the best mattress you can afford. Keep in mind that most of us spend as much as one-third of our time in bed. Your investment will cost just pennies per night over the next ten years!
Should I replace my box spring when purchasing a new mattress?
Yes! A good foundation is as important as a good mattress! It acts much like a large shock absorber, taking a lot of the nightly wear and tear, and it contributes to your comfort and support. Don’t put a new mattress on an inappropriate box spring or foundation. When you select the mattress, purchase its companion flat foundation. The two are designed to work best together.
How long should my sleep set last?
The Better Sleep Council advises consumers to buy the highest-quality bedding they can afford, then replace old bedding every eight to ten years. After this many years, even the best bedding may no longer provide the comfort and support you deserve.
How do I shop for a mattress?
Focus on finding a sleep set that satisfies your comfort preference first, then your quality preference. To do so, always shop wearing comfortable clothes and shoes that can easily be removed for lying down. Take your time and don’t be shy. You can’t judge support and comfort by sitting on an edge or lying down for just a few seconds. Lie on the bed the way that you sleep, and if you sleep with a partner, try shopping with them so you can decide together. Shop at a store that you know and trust, and that offers services you desire. Read as much information about the sleep set as is available. Remember, buy the best bed that you can afford. You can always find “bargain bedding,” but it’s no bargain if you can’t get a good night’s sleep!
I compare my old sleep set to sleep sets available today?
No, the design and manufacturing of bedding has changed dramatically—even over the last few years! Innerspring technology has improved, new “comfort” upholstery materials have been developed, and comfort choices have been expanded to give consumers a greater selection! Today’s flat foundations help support your mattress to prevent bowing or sagging. This maximizes comfort and durability.
How do I compare today's sleep sets?
The best way to really know what you’re buying is to experience a top-quality pillowtop, then firm, then plush sleep set. Determine the comfort you prefer, then compare your comfort preference in three qualities—top-of-the-line, mid-range and lower range, and understand the differences. This comparison helps you make an informed decision. If you like the comfort and price, the store services, and possible financing options, you can make your purchase at the first store. If you decide to shop another store, find out what you’ve seen. Know the type of sleep set and its significant features, such as the type of innerspring unit, key comfort layers, type of edge support and significant features of the flat foundation.
What type of mattress should I buy for my child?
Children’s bodies aren’t just always moving, they’re always changing, and through all of those changes, their growing backs need support. Don’t skimp when buying a new sleep set for your child, make sure your children will get the comfort they want with the support their developing bodies need.
Can my children use my old mattress?
Children should have a comfortable, supportive mattress to get the deep restorative sleep their bodies need to grow. If your old sleep set was uncomfortable and lacked support, then it probably won’t help your kids get a good night’s sleep either.
Mattress Sizing and Height
What are the dimensions of traditional bedding?
These are standard finished product sizes. Actual size may vary by model, generally within a range up to 1 inch.
*Dimensions of each individual mattress may vary.
I am interested in a queen- or king-size bed, but the access to my bedroom is limited. How can I get a large bed through tight quarters?
King-size foundations and split queen foundations come in two pieces for easier access through narrow halls.
Why are some of today's beds so thick? My sheets don't fit!
Today’s mattresses are manufactured with much more upholstery padding and comfort layers than in days gone by! Many consumers prefer the plush and ultra-plush comfort that these thick mattresses provide. You can find deep-pocketed sheets in most retail stores today.
Traditional-size mattresses are not big enough for me; are there non-traditional sizes available?
Yes! We realize people come in all different sizes, so get in touch with a
Carson Home Furnishings proffesional, and let us find the perfect mattress for you!
Mattress Care
What kind of support/frame is necessary for bedding today?
Use a sturdy bed frame! If your mattress is a queen or king set, make sure that your frame has the extra center support needed to prevent bowing and sagging. This is required to ensure complete warranty protection for your sleep set.
How do I carry or move my mattress?
Two people should normally carry your mattress flat on its side. It’s easier to handle and less likely to get damaged. Don’t bend your mattress under any circumstances.* Bending may damage the innerspring unit. Flex rather than bend the mattress when going through doorways, and don’t bend the corners when putting on fitted sheets.
How and why do I rotate my bedding? How do I avoid body impressions in my mattress? How do I maintain consistent comfort and feel throughout the life of my bedding?
We recommend that you rotate your mattress on a regular basis to refresh its comfort. Mattresses contain many layers of upholstery padding to increase their comfort life and support performance. Body indentations can be a normal occurrence in new mattresses, and indicate that the upholstery layers are conforming to a person’s individual body contours. To help minimize body impressions, mattresses should be turned occasionally throughout their life.
How do I care for my mattress?
Keep your mattress clean. Don't allow your mattress to get wet. Protect it from water or other liquids. Don’t use dry cleaning fluid of any type on your mattress. These chemicals could damage some of the comfort and upholstery materials.
How do I clean my mattress?
Keeping your bedding clean is simple with the use of a protective mattress pad. Vacuuming is the only recommended cleaning method. If you must clean a stain, use mild soap with cold water and apply lightly! Don’t ever soak a mattress or foundation, and don't use dry cleaning fluid of any type on your mattress—these chemicals could damage some of the comfort and upholstery materials.
Mattress Types
Innerspring mattress
An innerspring mattress uses a steel coil support system. There are several types of spring systems, including those with springs connected into a single unit and units with individually wrapped pocketed coils. The spring shapes, designs, coil gauge and number of coils in a mattress can vary. The innerspring is covered by padding or upholstery materials, including various foams, fiber and even additional layers of smaller steel springs. In general, the greater the number of coils, the more points of support and the better the bed can contour and support the sleeper.
Pillow-top mattress
Pillow-top mattresses have an additional upholstery layer sewn onto the top of the mattress, as if pillows were placed on top of it. This layer can be made from a variety of fiber and foam materials.
Hybrid mattress
A hybrid mattress combines a steel coil support system with one or more types of foam, such as polyurethane, memory (viscoelastic) or latex, as well as foams that contain gel or other materials.
Specialty foam mattress
Specialty foam mattresses use one or more types of foam as the support system. The foam may be polyurethane, memory (viscoelastic) or latex, and can contain gel or other materials. The foam can be manufactured in a variety of shapes and densities to offer consumers a mattress that has different comfort, feel and heat dissipation features.
Gel mattress
Gel mattresses use foam that contains gel in the product’s support system, upholstery layers or both. The gel is added to the foam using different types of technology. The gel foam can offer consumers different comfort, feel and heat dissipation features.
Memory foam (viscoelastic) mattress
Memory foam (viscoelastic) mattresses use a high-density polyurethane foam as the support system, in the upholstery layer or both. This foam contours closely to the shape of the sleeper.
Latex mattress
Latex mattresses use latex foam as the support system, in the upholstery layers or both. Latex may be made from plant- or petroleum-based materials.
What's the difference between latex and memory foam?
Latex differs from memory foam in its elastic, open-cell structure that recovers from pressure immediately. Memory foam has a slower recovery time. Latex is a very supportive yet conforming material.
Does latex sleep "hot"?
No. Latex doesn’t sleep hot, because its open-cell structure allows it to breathe.
