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Pillowtop and Eurotop mattresses and Deep Pocket Sheets

March 1, 2011 by Admin

The pillowtop mattress and the eurotop mattress are among the top mattress types on the market today. They are being made in all sizes from twin to king and people are enjoying the added comfort that they offer. Knowing how to buy a mattress of this type will ensure that you are getting the best night’s sleep possible.

However, there are things that people are not aware of when they buy a pillowtop mattress or a eurotop mattress. One problem that people are running into is finding sheets that fit these mattresses perfectly. People are reporting that their sheets do not fit down over the corner of the mattress and adjustment of the fitted sheet is needed. What you need with a pillowtop or eurotop mattress are deep pocket sheets.

Deep pocket sheets are sheets that have been designed to fit over mattresses like the pillowtop mattress and the eurotop mattress that are thicker or higher than the standard mattress. The extra padding that has been added to the mattress is making it harder to find sheets that fit nicely. This is why bed sheet manufacturers have created the deep pocket sheets.

People who buy deep pocket sheets will find that not only are they buying a sheet that will now fit their bed but they are finding that the quality of the sheet is better too. The thread count in these sheets is typically higher than standard bed sheets.

Knowing how to buy a mattress and the sheets that fit nicely is being made easier every day. When shopping for deep pocket sheets you will find that they are being marked to show which exact type of mattress they fit on. In most cases however, they will be grouped together under the pillowtop heading. By reading the packaging you will have no problem finding the sheets that you want.

Measuring your bed can also help you find the perfect sheets. Some mattresses have extra padding when compared on others and not all pillow or eurotop mattresses are the same. Deep pocket sheets vary in size but they can be found from sixteen inches up to twenty-two inches in depth. Again, the packaging will be labeled to tell you how large they are; therefore reading the packaging is extremely important.

When deep pocket sheets first came on the market the patterns and prints were very basic. However, today there is a high demand for this type of bed sheet and designers are working hard to make their prints and patterns the best. The material used for these sheets is also changing. As said earlier, the thread count is often higher and the quality is better.

You can now find deep pocket sheets made out of silk, satin and even flannel. There is something for everyone in the world of deep pocket sheets. Knowing how to buy a mattress was once considered a simple thing, today however there is so much more to consider, right down to the type of sheets that will be needed to fit the bed.

Amazon has a wide selection of deep pocket sheets, sortable by color, style, size and material.

Did we miss anything with this article? Were you expecting to learn something that you didn’t find? If so, please leave a comment so that we can continue to improve this page.

Luxury Mattress Brands

March 1, 2011 by Admin

Looking for a luxury mattress brand? As in seriously luxurious?

The makers of the most expensive mattress brands adhere to that philosophy and offer the most luxurious mattresses on the planet. Each manufacturer pulls out all the stops in the quest to become the best mattress brand that money can buy. People who are fortunate enough sleep on these mattresses surely have nothing but “caviar dreams”.

Hästens mattresses

Established in 1852, Hästens is the Sweden’s oldest mattress brand. The mattresses are handmade with all natural materials. Their Vividus mattress is one of the most expensive mattresses in the world starting at $59,000. Care and attention to detail puts these mattresses on everyone’s list of top mattress brands. The frame is hand crafted and secured by wooden pegs. The springs are placed by hand on top of the frame and tied together by hand in a way that the springs don’t make contact with each other. The Royal Family in Sweden sleeps on Hästens beds.

E.S. Kluft & Co. luxury mattresses

Do you have the means to buy a mattress with a price of $33,000 (yes, that’s THIRTY THREE THOUSAND) on a mattress? Then consider the E. S. Kluft.

Check out this Wall Street Journal article about their mattresses. As reported there, “Earl Kluft, chief executive of E.S. Kluft, a family-owned company based in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., says it takes 10 craftsmen about three days to make the Palais Royale, which contains 10 layers and more than 10 pounds of cashmere, mohair, silk and New Zealand wool that has been washed, dried and crimped. Natural latex foam and certified organic cotton are among the materials used to reduce motion transfer and provide cooling. The Sublime has a layer of horsehair for resiliency.”

If you don’t want to spend that much, you can always go for the much more reasonable Kluft Starry Night mattress for a mere $14,999.

Aireloom Mattresses

Aireloom luxury mattresses are so well regarded that they have been used by movie stars and Presidents. Even a movie star who became President! Supposedly, when Ronald Reagan entered the White House, all the beds were changed over to have an Aireloom mattress. How much do these cost? It’s hard to say, because you can’t find pricing online for most of the models. Macy does list some of the Aireloom mattress Vitagenic models, which can cost up to $9,000.

Shifman Mattresses

Shifman uses more than 50 different highly skilled craftspeople to manufacture each one of their luxury mattresses. The company was founded in 1893, and is located in Newark, New Jersey.

The Masters Collection is Shifman’s flagship mattress. It is hand made, and two sided. Shifman uses natural materials like cotton and latex and even pashmina in a few models. The mattress has a double offset innerspring, and comes in several firmness levels. The tuft is hand sewn from top to bottom, which locks up all of the upholstery layers. The boxsprings are hand tied at 8 different points with Italian twine. Each mattress and box spring has a heavy gauge steel edge support to strengthen the edges.

Magniflex mattresses

Magniflex, headquartered in Italy, produces 10,000 mattresses per day. The company distributes several brands in 45 countries around the world. Three of their most popular luxury mattress types are the platinum, gold and Seacell Emotion.

The mattress cover on the platinum collection is made with platinum fiber. The mattress is filled with Magniflex’s patented five zone memory foam containing soy and vegetable oil. The queen size retails for over $75,000. The gold mattress cover is 22 carat gold yarn which resists bacteria, dust mites and odors. The gold mattress starts at $24,000. The core of the Seacell Emotion mattress is treated with essential oils. The cover is infused with tiny particles of marine algae fiber. According to Magniflex, the fibers aid in cellular activity and contain vitamins and anti-oxidants that are transferred to the sleeper through osmosis.

Tempur-Pedic mattresses

Tempurpedic is a best luxury mattress brand contender due to the unique technology of the pressure absorbing, temperature sensitive material. The technology was first developed by NASA in the 1970’s and released to the public in the 1980’s.

This foam memory reacts to the body through a range of temperatures. It gets softer in warmer areas that have the most contact and stays firmer in cooler areas. In their advertising the company states that cells actually shift position as though the material knows how far the sleeper should be allowed to sink maintaining full support. The company’s 90 night tryout period has help make it one of the best mattress brands in the country.

What’s their expensive version? Check out the GrandBed.

[Editor’s note: I own a regular Tempurpedic mattress and it’s the best bed I’ve ever experienced.]

DUX mattresses

Based in Sweden, the DUX bed (also known as Duxiana) is one of the brands that are well known around the world. For over 80 years owners of the mattresses have passed these beds down to their children along with new topper padding.

The simple yet comfortable design features a unique spring system which differs from American innerspring mattresses. The DUX mattress contains a larger number of springs that are interlaced; resulting in less pressure on the body. The foam topper is filled with a down-like material which is comfortable and saves wear on the mattress. Although the company’s website does not quote the price for this ultimate luxury, top mattress brands lists all over the Internet set the price from $5,000 to over $6800. The DUX mattress also has Hollywood credentials. The opulent mattress was featured in a scene from the movie “Law Abiding Citizen” in 2009.

Looking for the fancy model? Check out the 8888 mattress.

VI-Spring mattresses

The UK based VI-Spring mattress company was founded in 1901. It is considered a high quality mattress brand all over the world. Each mattress is individually hand made to order. Each spring has an individual pocket and there are six (VI) coils in each spring. The sumptuous comfort of the mattress is also provided by quality materials such as lambs wool, cotton and mohair that make up its construction. VI-Spring is well known as a best mattress brand to buy for a peaceful night’s sleep. The popular mattress is requested by name when guests book rooms in luxury 5 star hotels all across Europe.

The history of the mattress includes their use in the most prestigious establishments in the entire world. The VI-Spring mattress brands were used on the famous ocean liners the Titanic and Queen Mary. In 2010 the British mattress manufacturer expanded the line of high end mattresses to North America; opening six retail accounts in Canada and one in Chicago. A custom VI-Spring mattress can cost over $50,000.00.

Looking for a high end model that isn’t custom? Try the Baronet Supreme mattress.

Hypnos mattresses

Hypnos has the distinguished history of providing beds for the Royal Family of England; including Her Majesty the Queen. The wealthy elite like Oprah Winfrey also lie down on a Hypnos mattress each night because it is a best mattress brand of superior quality. The company has been in business over 100 years, manufacturing mattresses dating back to the Edwardian days.

The mattresses are assembled using chemical free materials with natural fibers. The frame is made from selected pieces of Poplar wood. Three thousand coils and springs cushion the body. Every mattress is sewn by hand using natural hand sheared and spun wool and fine damask cloth from Belgium. On the inside of the Hypnos brand, cashmere and pure silk add to its richness and durability. In 2010, a mattress and box spring set retailed $15,000 or more.

What’s the high end model Hypnos mattress? Try the Sandringham mattress.

Savoir Beds

Can’t be bothered to spend mere tens of thousands of dollars on a bed? How about $175,000? That’s how much the most expensive Royal Bed model from Savoir Beds costs. But hey, if you sleep on a mattress from Savoir Beds, you’ll be in fancy company. Sir Winston Churchill, Giacomo Puccini and Marilyn Monroe are a few of the famous people who have slept on a mattress from Savoir.

If you have simpler tastes, and $175K is a little too steep for you, try the Savoir No. 1 model for a mere $50,000 or so.

Want to try one out without buying? Stay at the world famous Savoy hotel in London, or the Lowell in New York city. There are also Savoir showrooms in both of those cities.

Carpe Diem Beds of Sweden

Carpe Diem sells complete beds that are more like a European bed than a traditional American style of bed, so you buy the whole thing and not just a mattress. These are luxury beds that start at around $6,000 and go up to $30,000 or more. Carpe Diem Beds is one of Sweden’s leading bed producers and was established in 1995. Both the head office and the manufacturing facility are located in Lysekil on the west coast of Sweden. The frames are made of Swedish pine from sustainable forests, the bed itself with heat treated pocket springs and the top mattresses with New Zealand wool and cotton. When the beds are completed they are signed by their craftsman, as a confirmation that each bed meets the highest possible quality, with a 20 year guarantee on the springs and frame. On their site, you can see a listing of hotels that use their beds, so that you can try one out.

Other Luxury Mattress Resources

During my research, I found several news stories worth reading that also cover the subject. Check them out.

Wall Street Journal luxury mattress article.

Pittsburgh Post Gazette luxury mattress article.

Press Enterprise article about E S Kluft.

Business Week video about European luxury mattress brands.

The Record writes about the Shifman factory in New Jersey.

Did we miss any high end luxury mattress brands?

Please leave a comment and let us know so that we can keep the page up to date.

Looking for a good mattress that doesn’t cost as much as some of these? Amazon has some good options to consider at surprising low prices.

Are Some Stores Selling You Used Mattresses for New Ones?

March 1, 2011 by mattress1982

dirtymattress — CC Flickr photo courtesy of deadling. Did your "new" mattress start out here? If so, it was against the law.

There are always rumors and accusations that some stores try to pass off used mattresses as new and in a few cases that may be true. However, federal law prohibits that practice and all used mattresses must be plainly marked as such. When choosing a mattress it is important to remember that it is not illegal to sell a used mattress or those containing used materials. However, in the majority of states, it has to be marked as used. Some states also require that all tags be in place in order to be sold, even as used.

There are a few ways you can protect yourself when looking to buy a new mattress where you won’t get a used one instead. Even if you are buying from a seemingly reputable retailer, if the protective plastic has been removed from the mattress and box springs, look closely at the fabric pattern and make sure they match. Even a slight variation could indicate one or the other is from a used set.

Pay Attention When Buying a Mattress on a Discount

Some stores will offer discounts on mattresses if the plastic has been torn or if there is a defect in the merchandise. Most of the time this will not be an issue, but you will want to grill the sales person to insure you are getting a new mattress even though the price is outstanding. There is no telling what you will be taking home in a used mattress.

Some obvious signs to look for when buying a mattress are any stains that may be visible and excessive wear on the fabric or in the threads, especially near the seams. Don’t be afraid to pull open the area around the bead at the seams to see if there is any evidence that shows you are not looking at a new mattress.

Choosing a Mattress

When you are deciding which mattress to take be sure you try it out for more than a couple of minutes before making the decision. As strange as it might seem, it is recommended that you spend about 15 minutes lying on one before choosing a mattress to take home. Many stores will not have a problem with this, but some others may take exception to you taking a nap on their showroom floor.

Some stores you visit when looking for a mattress may offer the mattresses that have been on the floor for demonstration purposes for sale. Often they will be reduced in price but some of the less than honest stores may pass them off as new. While it may have never left the building, it is not a new mattress. If not in its original cover and has had other people on them, in most states they are required to be identified as used.

Comfort and protection are some important things to ask about when choosing a mattress and remember to get all warranty information in writing. If the promise is not in writing, it’s not a warranty and will not protect you if anything happens to your mattress.

Read what the FTC has to say about used mattresses.

What is Living in My Mattress?

March 1, 2011 by mattress1982

Not everyone knows what is sleeping in their bed with them and if they knew, may reconsider sleeping at all. Since the year 2000, pest control companies have reported an over 80 percent increase in infestations of bed bugs in motels, hotels and private residences and most people do not know how to kill bed bugs in a mattress.

In addition to bed bugs, dust mites also set up residence in your beds and dogs and cats can offer their contribution by bringing in fleas and ticks as well. If you suffer from allergies, some of the effects may be due to dust mites in the mattress. Using a dust mite mattress cover can eliminate that problem and can also help keep bed bugs out of the mattress.

All Those Hungry Pests

Using a dust mite mattress cover can help keep them out of your mattress, but bed bugs may be another story. Bed bugs can go about a year without eating so starving them out is not how to kill bedbugs in a mattress. While they wait in the seams of your mattress, they grow hungrier. Unfortunately, they feed at night, when most people sleep, and they can be quick to jump on the first meal that becomes available.

Bed bugs thrive in mattress where history has shown them that a blood meal will eventually be available. A proper mattress cover will likely keep them off the mattress but they can live just about anywhere on or around the bed. Knowing how to destroy bed bugs in a mattress can be beneficial to prevent infestation as well as the irritating bites to which many people are allergic.

Some Facts about Bed Bugs

These bugs are small, about one-quarter-inch long and nearly as wide, they are flat with an oval shape. They can slither into many areas in the bed or bedding, even in some anti dust mite covers, remaining hidden from view and come out at night to feast on nearby warm-blooded animals. Humans are not the only source of food for bed bugs as dogs, cats and any other warm-blooded animal that ventures near could be considered a healthy blood meal. Keeping your mattress encased in a dust mite mattress cover can offer some protection from them hiding in the mattress and contain them if they do.

Knowing how to kill bed bugs in a mattress is one reason many people call in a professional service as soon as they see indications they are present. Others will try many of the powders and sprays available on the market before reaching out for professional help. Portable steam cleaners are one way how to kill bed bugs in a mattress, but if not used properly can cause injury as well as be ineffective. Many of the chemicals sold for residential use are not strong enough to work as well as those used by professionals.

Another method of destroying bed bugs in a mattress is to vacuum the mattress frequently making sure you get into the seams and small spaces. Remove any dust mite mattress cover before vacuuming and get your fingers into the seams and pull them open to make sure you get as many as possible.

Water Bed Mattresses

March 1, 2011 by mattress1982

One of the most important pieces of furniture in most homes is the bed and the type of mattress that is on the bed generally sets the tone for how the day will go. Backaches from a bad night’s sleep or a smile on your face if you wake up rested bring out the difference between a good mattress and one that’s not so good. Information about the best types of beds can be found in a mattress review based on the size and type of bed you’re looking for.

Thumbs Up or Thumbs Down For a Water Bed Mattress?

In terms of water bed mattresses there are typically only two sides: one side loves them, the other side hates them and usually there is no middle ground. The amount of water in the mattress can be raised or lowered to help adjust the firmness. However, if the bed is shared, one may like it firmer than the other and that can cause dissention in the bedroom. Although traditional mattresses are the same firmness across the board, something in the middle can sometimes be found to benefit both partners.

In cold climates, a water bed mattress is heated and can be much more comfortable climbing into than a regular mattress. Many people say that they like the warmth when they get into bed. In warmer weather the adjustable thermostat can be turned down on a water bed mattress for a cooler sleeping environment.

Water bed mattresses are not always one large bladder that can cause motion sickness in some people. Most of the newer water bed types of mattresses have baffles to make them waveless or at least semi-waveless. This can also stop one problem often cited in a mattress review of one person being disturbed by their partner getting in or out of bed. This can be especially bothersome, along with unwanted noise, if any air is in the mattress.

No Dust Mites, What a Revelation!

One of the other advantages of a water bed mattress is that it does not offer a friendly home for dust mites. Although the mites can live in bedding, they will not find a home in the mattress. Typical sheets for water bed mattresses are also different than those for traditional beds. The so-called fitted sheet and top sheet are usually attached at the bottom, basically because you can not tuck them under the mattress to hold them in place.

The mattress itself may take getting used to, especially for someone who has slept on a regular mattress and box spring for many years. However, in the event of an accidental spill they are much easier to clean. Simply remove the bedding and wash them down with warm, soapy water and you’re good to go. Some couples have commented that they thought intimate activity would be different in a water bed, but found that not to be the case.

Another issue posed on mattress review sites is the weight of mattresses. When filled with water, a water bed mattress will be impossible to move. However, when empty, most of these mattresses are lighter than traditional mattresses and box springs, depending on the size of the bed.

Like most beds, different manufacturers offer different features and it is best to read many mattress reviews before buying one to hear about other people’s experience with a particular brand.

Visit American National Manufacturing to see the newest in waterbed technology.