Mattress Buying Guide
When should you buy a new mattress?
You will know it’s time to buy a new mattress when:
• Your mattress is over eight years old.
• You hear noises or creaking when you move.
• You roll to the middle of the bed or easily roll off the end.
• You wake up with aches and pains.
• You toss and turn in bed and wake frequently.
• Your mattress is sagging or showing signs of wear and tear.
• You feel coils when lying on your bed.
• Your sleeping position has changed.
• You generally feel something’s not quite right.
How to choose the perfect mattress
First thing’s first. What level of firmness do you prefer – soft, medium, or firm? To experience a blissful night of sleep, you need your mattress to cradle the curves of your body while providing adequate support to maintain alignment.
At Crafted Beds, we always recommend choosing a level of firmness that supports your sleeping position.A good way to test the firmness of a mattress is to see if your spine is horizontal when you lie on your side and ensuring you can turn easily. If the mattress is too soft, your body will feel out of alignment. If it’s too hard, you feel tension when you lie on it.
Back sleepers
If you are a back sleeper, choose a medium comfort level mattress. A medium mattress will cradle the curve of your lower back, while preventing your legs from sinking and providing vital support to your back.
Side sleepers
If you are a side sleeper, opt for a soft to medium mattress. This will enable your body to be cushioned by the mattress while keeping your shoulders hips aligned and preventing any pressure points.
Stomach sleepers
If you are a stomach sleeper your mattress should be firm to prevent your torso from sinking into the mattress, while preventing your spine from going out of alignment, and promoting your best night of sleep.
Pocket Sprung and Open Coil:
Constructed with steel coils for a traditional level of support, mattress coils are described in terms of gauge and count. Coil count relates to the thickness of the coil and the lower the coil gauge, the firmer the mattress. Coil relates to the amount of coils in the mattress, and the higher the coil count, the more support your mattress can offer you. On average, pocket sprung mattresses have between 1,000 and 3,000 coils and 700-800 is the average. There are two types of coils – open and pocket. Open coils comprise an interlocking coil system to provide support, durability, and bounce, making it easy to change positions during the night. Pocket coils are made up of individually wrapped coils that provide targeted support and minimise motion transfer.
Top tip: High coil counts are unnecessary and tend to be expensive. Make sure you choose a mattress with a coil count of at least 1,000. Don’t obsess about the coil count and make sure it’s backed by a decent amount of filling. Just as wouldn’t buy a Ferrari and use budget tyres, make sure a plentiful coil count is backed up by plentiful filling.
Memory foam and pure foam
Foam mattresses contour to your body and enable you to turn in bed without disturbing your partner. The foam conforms to your body shape and reacts to heat and pressure. Memory foam provides even support, spreading your weight across the bed’s surface, relieving pressure on joints, and reducing or eliminating aches and pains. Ideal for side sleepers, foam mattresses contour and support your joints. Both memory foam and pure foam mattresses are dust and mould resistant and hypoallergenic. Pure foam is like memory foam but much denser.
Latex mattresses
Just like memory foam mattresses, latex mattresses cradle and conform to your body. Derived from the rubber tree, it’s an organic substance that is lighter and offers more bounce than memory foam and is slightly less contourable. Latex is also naturally breathable and hypoallergenic.
Hybird mattresses
Just like memory foam mattresses, latex mattresses cradle and conform to your body. Derived from the rubber tree, it’s an organic substance that is lighter and offers more bounce than memory foam and is slightly less contourable. Latex is also naturally breathable and hypoallergenic.
Orthopaedic mattresses
Orthopaedic mattresses are specially designed to support your back, joints, and body. Many people with back and joint pain say orthopaedic mattresses ease their pain. From open coil, memory foam and pocket sprung, orthopaedic mattresses come in a wide range of materials and tensions.
Choose a Bed Base:
Bed foundations include flat platform or floor, slatted foundation, box spring or solid foundation. To best support your mattress, use any solid foundation like a platform bed or a slatted foundation with slats less than 4 inches apart.
There are two types of coils – open and pocket. Open coils comprise an interlocking coil system to provide support, durability, and bounce, making it easy to change positions during the night. Pocket coils are made up of individually wrapped coils that provide targeted support and minimise motion transfer.
Latex mattresses
Just like memory foam mattresses, latex mattresses cradle and conform to your body. Derived from the rubber tree, it’s an organic substance that is lighter and offers more bounce than memory foam and is slightly less contourable. Latex is also naturally breathable and hypoallergenic.
Hybird mattresses
Just like memory foam mattresses, latex mattresses cradle and conform to your body. Derived from the rubber tree, it’s an organic substance that is lighter and offers more bounce than memory foam and is slightly less contourable. Latex is also naturally breathable and hypoallergenic.
Orthopaedic mattresses
Orthopaedic mattresses are specially designed to support your back, joints, and body. Many people with back and joint pain say orthopaedic mattresses ease their pain. From open coil, memory foam and pocket sprung, orthopaedic mattresses come in a wide range of materials and tensions.
Choosing a mattress size
The standard dimensions for UK mattresses are as follows:
Small single and single beds
If you’re looking for a mattress for a child or single person, a small single or single is the idea choice. Single mattresses are slightly longer than small single mattresses and are therefore the perfect choice for taller individuals.
Small double and double beds
If you are a single person but still prefer plenty of sleeping space, a small double or double bed is the idea choice and will enable you to stretch out in style without handing off the bed.
King size
King size mattresses are the perfect choice for couples, giving you both extra comfort and space to spread out.
Super king
If you’re a couple and you love it sleep in supreme comfort, a king size mattress is the perfect choice for you, giving you both plenty of room to spread out.
Tufted
Tufting is passing tapes through various points of the mattress to keep it in shape. A feature of pocket sprung mattresses.
Quilted
Typically used on open coil mattresses, quilted tops provide a soft, smooth finish and comfort.
Damask
Damask can be made from fabrics, such as cotton, silk, or acrylics and provide coolness and smoothness.
Pillow Top
Pillow tops have a pillow layer on one side. They can’t be turned but provide a built-in cushioned feeling.
Use a mattress protector
Rotate your mattress
Rotate your mattress every six to eight weeks, especially while new. Turning it in all directions ensures optimum support and comfort – handles will make this easier.
Air your mattress
A few times a year, strip your mattress and air it outside for a few hours. Cover the floor with a ground sheet and take it inside at the slightest chance of rain (water on mattresses can lead to mould growing). You might also want to hoover your mattress, especially if you have allergies.
Freshen your mattress
Remove odours and nasty smells by sprinkling a layer of baking soda over your mattress next time you wash your bedding. Add some crushed vanilla or dried lavender. Leave to sit for a few hours and then vacuum off. The baking soda acts as a sponge for odours, leaving your mattress smelling wonderfully clean. You could also just spritz an odour-eliminating spray over the mattress.