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How to Buy the Best Mattress

The ultimate guide to the best mattress types and brands.

mattress buying tips

Should I Ever Buy a Used Mattress?

March 1, 2011 by mattress1982

CC Flickr photo courtesy of soundfromwayout. Trying to save a few bucks? We don't recommend getting a mattress this way, even if it's free!

Let’s face it. Most of us like to find ways to save money, and that includes purchasing items that are used. Some have no reservations about hitting the rummage sales or browsing through the local thrift store.

However, when it comes to choosing a mattress, most experts agree that you should never buy a used one.

Used Mattress vs. New Mattress

Used mattresses can pose a health issue and sanitation issue, and no matter how much you clean them, you never know if you’ve gotten them clean enough. Years of dead skin and microscopic insects are likely lurking in the layers of the mattress, which are quite deep. Additionally, you never know what kind of prior accidents might have happened on the mattress, including bed-wetting mishaps, blood stains or nausea outbreaks. Cold and flu germs could even possibly be embedded in the fibers.

Choosing a Mattress – Think about Dust Mites and Bed Bugs

One of the most common insects that live in mattresses is the dust mite. Dust mites are not visible to the human eye, so even after you’ve cleaned, there is no telling whether or not all of the little critters have been eradicated or if any still remain. Dust mites feed off of the dead skin that flakes off of the human body, and leave feces wherever they go. These invisible bugs love mattresses, logically because there are loaded with dead skin, and they likely take up long-term residence in the fibers. For some, dust mites cause allergies, and no one wants to break out into a sneezing fit when they’re trying to get some sleep.

Bed bugs are another concern. Although they seemed to have been unheard of since the early 1940’s, bed bugs have actually been on the rise again over the past decade or more. A bed bug, also known as a wall louse or redcoat, is a parasite that feeds off of human blood. Certainly no one wants to be the late night dinner of these insects, let alone have them crawling within the four walls of your bedroom!

In fact, if you were to examine the fibers of a used mattress under a scientific microscope, it would be enough to make you run away screaming in complete disgust. All of the filth and bacteria that you would be subjecting yourself to is not worth shortcut of trying to buy used. And, the greatest horror is that it’s not even your dirt! Who knows who used the mattress before you!

Sure, you could hire a professional to come and deep clean the mattress, but since services such as these are pricey, in the end you would not be saving yourself money in the long run. Additionally, most mattresses are not meant to last that long anyway. The maximum life expectancy for a mattress is approximately ten years; so if you were to purchase a used mattress, who knows how long it would be usable? It could be completely shot within a year or two.

Finding the Best Mattress for You

In conclusion, when choosing a mattress, it’s best to buy new. Just like you would not want to buy a used pair of shoes or someone else’s previously sampled cosmetics, you don’t want to rub someone else’s bacteria from their mattress all over your body. The best mattress is a brand new, perfectly clean mattress – one that you know will last you a number of years, and when you clean it, you at least know that the germs you are removing are your own.

Filed Under: mattress buying tips Tagged With: bed bug, bed bugs, dust mite, dust mites, mite, mites, used mattress, used mattresses

Mattress Warranties Help Protect Your Investment

February 28, 2011 by mattress1982

When you are thinking about buying a new mattress, there are many different types available; from water beds, air beds and traditional spring beds. The one thing most people look for when shopping are the mattress warranties, many believing it is an indication of the product’s durability. Unfortunately, this is usually not the case and buyers need to know how to buy a mattress before considering any warranty information.

What to Expect From a Mattress Warranty?

Depending on the manufacturer, a mattress warranty can be between 10 and 20 years, but that does not mean you should expect it to last that long. Most warranties cover defects in materials and workmanship and possibly design flaws, but even that leaves the manufacturer room for discussion in the event the mattress was not used under normal circumstances.

If you don’t know how to choose the right mattress you may want to ask someone who does. Lying on the bed in the store for at least 15 minutes will give you better idea about how to pick the right mattress, but if the foundation on which the mattress will rest once you get it home is different than the one in the store, it won’t feel the same. It may also void some mattress warranties.

Inner spring mattresses will often suffer from broken springs or ripped seams, many of which are covered under warranty. Waterbeds, hospital beds and adjustable beds will have different types of warranties covering more than the mattress alone. Although, some manufacturers may have a separate warranty for the mechanical functions of the bed that are not part of their mattress warranty.

On average, the mattress industry sees only about a one-percent return rate under mattress warranties. Before you buy a mattress based on the warranty alone, be sure to understand what it covers. Those who know how to find the right mattress understand that the foundation for the mattress will need to support it properly or the warranty could be voided. Also, if certain tags are removed or the frame is not designed for a certain type of use, the mattress warranty may not be honored.

Prorated Mattress Warranties

Additionally, some manufacturers pro-rate their warranties, meaning the longer you own the mattress the less the manufacturer will give for a replacement. If you understand how to buy a mattress before you get to the store, you will have a better chance of finding one that fits you and will be covered under the mattress warranty that protects your investment.

Many people find that after a few years, their mattress doesn’t provide the support they had in the beginning. Most who know how to choose the right mattress understand the mattress warranties are not a guarantee against normal wear and tear or from regular deterioration. It should be noted that mattress warranties are among the most consumer-friendly when compared to many other industries.

When you arrive at the store, don’t pretend you know everything about mattresses unless, of course, you do, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Find out about the type of support that will be needed to maintain the firmness of the mattress, the foundation required and the frame you will need to help the mattress last longer and help extend its warranted life.

Filed Under: mattress buying tips Tagged With: mattress store, mattress warranty

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