How to Buy the Best Mattress

The ultimate guide to the best mattress types and brands.

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Do you Need a Firm Mattress? Here’s What the Experts Say

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CC Flickr photo courtesy of alisdair. You might think you want an extra firm mattress, but you really don’t. If you get one, it will end up feeling like sleeping on this!

People who are unsure when choosing a mattress often buy one that is soft and “comfortable” only to find that they have chosen the wrong one. What they really needed was a firm mattress that will enable them to get a good night’s sleep. Experts in sleep related problems are saying that many people too often rush into choosing a mattress and they go for what looks comfortable but doesn’t give the support needed. Instead these people are waking up sore and even more tired than the night before.

According to the experts at spine-health.com, the firmer the mattress, the less likely you will experience back problems. There are varying degrees in a firm mattress and choosing a mattress that is firm enough for you might be a problem if you are unsure of the degree of firmness needed. Some people who do find their mattress comfortable and do feel as if they get a good night’s sleep can still wake up with lower back pain and feeling sore all over. This is an indication that while the mattress is comfortable, it is not the right mattress for you.

How to Prevent the Back Pain?

The reason why people experience the pain is discomfort in their backs is because there is a lack of support in the mattress that they are sleeping on. In fact, when they sleep on a soft mattress, they are causing the spine to misalign throughout the night. When sleeping on a firm mattress the spine is in proper alignment, which prevents the back and muscles to become sore and uncomfortable. Experts are saying that medium firm mattresses are the best choice for preventing back pain.

Waking up throughout the night with lower back pain can really disrupt your sleep pattern and leave you feeling tired and cranky in the morning. To find out what mattress would work best for you, you can visit an interactive online site such as sleepdoctor.com where you can watch a video that will show you the proper mattress for you determined by the way you sleep. For example, if you are a stomach sleeper you will be given suggestions for what mattresses would work best for you.

Is Too Firm Always a Good Solution When Choosing a Mattress?

Many people who are seeking advice about back pain from their doctor almost always ask if it could be due to a poor mattress rather than a seriously medical problem affecting the lower back. Some doctors will suggest that you change the mattress to a firmer, more supportive mattress. This is great advice but getting a mattress that is too firm could cause more problems.

Firm mattresses do not have to be the ones that are rock hard and flat. There is a happy medium between firms and comfortable. Firm mattresses can have padding on the top such as in a pillow top but it is what’s underneath the padding that counts. There must be good support in the springs in a quality firm mattress. These springs take on the pressure of your weight while keeping your spine and back in line, therefore enabling you to sleep well and wake up rested without that unnecessary back pain.

Other Great Resources About Firm Mattresses:

Consumer Reports writes that if a mattress is too firm, it will cause pressure points and discomfort.

Expert Village demonstrates in this YouTube video about why you shouldn’t get a mattress that is too firm.

CBS reports that “medium firm” is a better choice than firm when it comes to a mattress to avoid back pain.

Dust Mites – The Most Dangerous Enemies of a Mattress

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Dust mites are microscopic organisms that feed on dead skins cells from humans. Just thinking that these living creatures are thriving inside of your mattress is enough to make you drop whatever you are doing and get a real good mattress cleaning. How do dust mites get into a mattress? Is there a danger to the health of people who sleep on a mattress containing dust mites? True facts about dust mites will answer the questions that surround their existence.

Dust mites are more concentrated in the fall and winter months because people seal up doors and windows in the home during this time. It is important to get a regular cleaning of your mattress since the average dust mite mattress contains from 100,000 to 10 million dust mites. The mites thrive in the warm, moist environments that occur when people are in bed. They get into the mattress from dead skin that is shed by all humans; around 1/5 ounces each week. Carpeting and upholstered furniture also contain dust mites. A good look at a sun beam will reveal dust mites happily floating along its shaft munching on dead skill cells along with other indoor air pollutants.

Allergic to Dust Mites?

As unpleasant as this image may be, dust mites are not harmful to most healthy people. In fact, the allergic reaction actually comes from the skin and feces of the mites. Each dust mite produces 20 droppings every day. The American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology reports that about 10 percent of Americans have an allergic reaction from sleeping on a mattress filled with dust mites. Most of these people also have allergic reactions to other substances, such as pollen. Asthma sufferers are also susceptible to reaction from dust mite feces and skin.

Although some people are predisposed to allergy symptoms caused by dust mites, some people develop allergies to the mites after long time exposure. In 2010 the director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Services reported that up to 50 percent of the air in American homes has high enough allergen levels to cause allergic reactions to people are usually non-allergic. This is one reason why it is crucial to have a consistent mattress cleaning even if there are no allergy sufferers in the home.

Dust mites can cause nasal polyps to develop in some people who sleep on a dust mite mattress. Polyps occur when the soft tissue of the lining in the sinus becomes swollen. The tissue expands into the nose forming nasal polyps. Occasionally, polyps will grow large enough to result in breathing problems or affect a person’s sense of smell.  Either of these conditions would require medical treatment. Cleaning your mattress on a regular basis reduces the chances of these and other health issues.

Signs that a person has a mattress rich in dust mites include increased allergic reactions or other issues as mentioned above. Homeowners can have their mattress and other furniture tested for dust mites if they are suspected. The good news is that there are several ways to reduce dust mite population in the home. Regular mattress cleaning, whether done by the homeowner or a professional service, is a good line of defense in the fight against dust mite infestation.

Some mattress types tend to be more resistant to dust mites than others. Latex mattresses and some memory foam mattresses like the Tempurpedic are said to be more resistant to dust mites than a traditional innerspring mattress. If you have a new innerspring mattress, you’ll want to cover it with a dust mite resistant cover all of the time. This way, you’ll only need to worry about your sheets and pillows, which can be easily cleaned and rid of dust mites.

Mattress Disposal – Eco Friendly Ways to Dispose of Your Mattress

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mattress dumped garbage
Stop! Don’t dump your old mattress. It is against the law, and there are much better alternatives.

When it’s time for a new mattress, what do you do with the old one? Here’s a guide to proper mattress disposal.

After about 10 years your mattress should be replaced with a new mattress. Even a quality mattress, under normal wear and tear, will begin to lose support after this length of time. Proper mattress disposal may take a little planning but the payoff is in the benefits to the environment. Far too many mattresses end up in landfills or on the side of the road. With a little research you will find that there are more eco-friendly ways to dispose of your mattress.

The first thing you can do when is contact the store where you bought the mattress. Furniture stores and mattress outlets sometimes offer mattress disposal at no cost. They either will pick up the old mattress when the new one is delivered or schedule another date. However, it is a good idea to ask the vendor whether their policy is to take the old mattresses to a recycling center. In many cases furniture stores simply take the mattresses to a landfill; which is what you are trying to avoid.

Another alternative when you buy a new mattress is to sell or give away the old mattress. Put out the word that you have a good quality used mattress available. Take out an ad in the local newspaper or online classifieds. There are people who look for used mattress to either recycle or rebuild. You can consider leaving the mattress curbside in hopes someone will drive by and pick it up for this purpose. However, your city may have regulations against this so it is best check first.

Donating to a charity is another eco-friendly mattress disposal option. Contact charities in your area to see if they accept used mattresses. Charities in some municipalities have restricted the types of donations they will take. Old mattress can contain bugs, dust mites and bodily fluids like perspiration, so it is best to check to see if they are accepted. Some charitable organizations do have the facilities to properly sanitize used mattresses for reuse.

If none of these options work for you, try looking for creative ways the mattress can be repurposed. The most environmentally conscious way to dispose of your mattress is to recycle it. You can do this yourself by dismantling the mattress and making use of its parts. For instance the foam can be cut into pieces and made into pillows for your new mattress or other furniture in your home. If you enjoy sewing, the cloth can be used to make clothing or for other crafting projects. Junk yards will sometimes buy coils and other salvage pieces from your mattress.

Recycling centers across the country can also be helpful with a proper disposal of your mattress. They will pick up your old mattress for a fee depending on the size of your mattress. The mattress is broken down to the bare bones and the pieces are separated for various uses. Even the wood from the frame can be shredded for wood chips or cut into small pieces for other uses.

Whether you choose to donate, recycle or reuse the old mattress, your effort benefits the environment. Knowing this, you can enjoy your new mattress feeling good about the method you have chosen for proper disposal of your old mattress.

Did we miss any good methods? How did you get rid of your last mattress? Leave a comment!

Mattress Recycling

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dumped mattress
CC Flickr photo of dumped mattress courtesy of editor.

Wondering about your mattress recycling options?

Sooner or later your old mattress will start to show signs it is finally ready to give up the ghost. A permanent sag in the middle, lumps, bumps and springs that don’t bounce back are all indicators that the time has come for a new mattress. While waiting for that fabulous mattress you’ve ordered, the question becomes what to do with the old one. Dumping the mattress is not an option. Fortunately, there are several recycling options available.

Mattress Recycling at Furniture Stores

Most furniture stores and mattress outlets offer to take away the old bed when they deliver the new mattress. But not all stores take them to recycling centers. More often, the old mattress ends up in a landfill. Ask the store what is their policy on mattress recycling before you take them up on their offer to remove the old furniture.

Recycling Centers: Will They Take A Mattress

The most resourceful recycling centers reuse up to 90 percent of an old mattress. The mattress is thoroughly broken down to make the most of all materials. The cloth is used to make clothes, the wood is shredded into chips and the springs and foam are recycled for various projects. One company in California that specializes in recycling has an entire facility dedicated to dismantling mattresses down to the bare essence. The company charges $48 to $88, depending on the size of the old mattress, to pick up an old mattress.

A rebuilt mattress is made of recycled materials on the inside. Rebuilt could also refer to a rebuilt frame added to an old mattress. Laws in most states require that stores clearly disclose if a mattress is rebuilt, since they are usually made of a mixture of both new and used materials.

Donate A Mattress

Donation is another mattress recycling option. In many communities Health Department ordinances are very strict so it is best to check to see if your donation will be accepted. Even in areas where donations are allowed, some charities will only accept a new mattress because of health concerns. Used mattresses are a habitat for dust mites, mold and mildew as well as other bugs. The surface of the mattress can contain matter that is unhealthy to inhale such as urine, saliva and perspiration. Older mattresses can also contain odors which can cause problems for people with allergies or other respiratory problems.

Used mattresses can be properly sanitized using a strict procedure requiring either heat or chemicals. Mattress recycling centers that use these cleaning techniques must disclose to customers details of the cleaning process. A furniture bank in Atlanta, GA accepts used mattresses that are free from bugs, tears or heavy stains. The mattresses are sterilized in their warehouse and donated to needy families. People who do choose to buy a used mattress rather than a new one cover it in plastic to stop soil or parasites from making contact with the body.

Mattress recycling prevents the waste of useful materials and decreases consumption of raw materials. It has saves on energy usage and the resulting gas emissions. For these reasons and many more people are planning recycling option for their old mattress even before they begin shopping for a new one.

Other Resources About Mattress Recycling

Ohio Mattress Recovery recycles mattresses, but not nationally.

Earth911 can give you local options for recycling or donating your mattress. Go to the main page, and search for mattresses.

Earth Talk at The Good Human covers the subject in a question and answer column.

Did we miss anything? Leave a comment and let us know, so that we can continue to update this page.

How to Vacuum a Mattress to Fight Dust Mites

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mattress and box springs from simmons
CC Flickr photo courtesy of castawayvintage.

Dust mites are microscopic organisms that live by eating human dead skin cells. They live all over the home in pillows, furniture, carpet and especially mattresses; since human body creates millions of dead skin cells during sleep to provide plenty of food. It is important to know how to clean a mattress since dust mites can cause health issues for people with allergies or respiratory conditions such as asthma. Proper mattress cleaning can effectively fight dust mite infestation.

Using a Vacuum Cleaner on Your Mattress

Any homeowner can get a good mattress cleaning using a high quality vacuum cleaner equipped with a HEPA filter. Since dust mites multiply quickly, a thorough vacuuming should be done on a regular basis. Between the mattresses should be vacuumed as well as box springs, under the bed and anywhere the mattress makes contact with the wall. Homeowners whose bedrooms are carpeted most likely need more help with cleaning a mattress since dust mites hide in carpeting.

Using a Steam Cleaner on a Mattress

Steam cleaners, when used with specially designed cleansers, disinfect and deodorize a mattress in addition to killing dust mites. Vapor steam cleaners come in a variety of styles and price ranges and can be a big help with mattress cleaning to help control dust mite infestation. A good cleaner will heat the water to 298 degrees; which is the temperature that also kills any mold and mildew in the mattress. For households with allergy or asthma sufferers, it is especially important to learn how to clean a mattress in a thorough manner.

Hiring a Professional

Hiring professional cleaning services is the best way to get effective mattress cleaning. Employees of professional companies are knowledgeable about health issues that can arise from dust mites and other pollutants found in mattresses. They are trained to use the correct tools to thoroughly clean mattresses and other dust mite hiding places. The vacuums that are used by professionals are more powerful than the average homeowner has at home. Most have filtration systems two times the size of vacuums sold in department stores.

Professional steam cleaning is another way to solve the dilemma of how to clean a mattress well enough to kill dust mites. Most companies use non toxic and natural cleaning solutions that don’t leave a residue that could aggravate allergy symptoms. A professional steam cleaning provides a deep cleaning to your mattress. Professional cleaners also apply an antibacterial and fungicidal spray on the mattress for protection between cleanings.

Mattress Maintenance

Maintaining a mattress that has been cleaned is just as important as knowing how to properly clean a mattress. Bedding should be washed at once a week with water that is at least 130 degrees. Specially designed fitted sheets, called dust mite encasings are effective for dust mite control. Most department stores sell tannic acid which can be sprayed on the mattress to deactivate dust mite feces that can aggravate people with allergies. Since dust mites thrive in conditions where there is a 50 percent or more humidity level, running a dehumidifier is helpful to fight dust mites in between a mattress cleaning to keep the level under 30 percent.

Other Resources for Getting Rid of Dust Mites in a Mattress

How to get rid of things has a good page with solid tips on getting rid of dust mites in a mattress.

The Dust Mite Protection site has a list of tips on getting rid of dust mites in your mattress.

Net Wellness is a university based site with a lot of good advice on fighting dust mites in general.

Did we miss anything? Is there anything wrong with this page? Was it helpful? Leave a comment and let us know, so that we can continue to improve it.