types of mattresses

Pillowtop vs. Eurotop Mattress – What is the difference?

April 14, 2011 by Admin

What’s the difference between a pillowtop mattress and a Eurotop mattress?

There was a time when buying a mattress for your bed was a simple process. This is not the case anymore. There are so many different types of mattresses on the market today that it is hard to even know how to buy a mattress. The two more sought after mattress types are the pillowtop mattress and the eurotop mattress. Both mattresses seem to have some sort of pillow on top but what is the real difference between these mattresses you might wonder? Find it out here.

Pillowtop mattresses are different from your standard style mattress in that they have an extra layer of padding added to the top of the mattress. When looking at the mattress you can see where the pillowtop has been added to what was once a standard mattress. The pillow has been sewn on to give the mattress that added comfort and it allows mattress companies to increase the price.

Almost every mattress company in the world today offers a mattress with some sort of pillowtop added. This makes buying this type of mattress very hard as there are so many to choose from. Knowing how to buy a mattress with a pillowtop will ensure that you choose the right one. It is important to keep in mind that the pillowtop is not the same as adding a mattress pad. The mattress pad is not sewn to the mattress as is the case with a pillowtop mattress and it does not offer the same amount of comfort.

There is another type of mattresses on the market today called the eurotop mattress. In the eurotop mattress there is an extra layer of padding added to the mattress to create the illusion of sleeping on a cloud but instead of being sewn onto the mattress so that a gap is present between the mattress and the pillow, the padding is attached directly to the top of the mattress, so there is no gap. The euro top mattress is a great choice because you are getting a larger surface to sleep on and there is less risk of rolling off as you sink into the bed when you are sleeping.

When people are thinking about buying a mattress that has this added layer of padding, they often wonder what the difference is between a pillowtop and a eurotop mattress. They believe that knowing the difference will help them to know how to buy a mattress that is perfect. Essentially there is no major difference in both types of mattresses in regards to their function and benefits. Both mattresses offer sleepers added comfort with the extra padding.

The eurotop has been found to be slightly larger than the pillowtop and people have reported that it does offer more comfort in the long run as the pillowtop mattress tends to flatten out over a period of time, whereas the Eurotop seems to be more durable. Other than those two basic differences, when choosing between the two it will just have to come down to personal preferences.

Mattress Bags – What They Are and why You Need Them?

March 24, 2011 by mattress1982

With the recent outbreak of bed bugs in hotels around the United States and Canada people are being advised to use a mattress bag to protect their mattress, especially in locations such as hotels where a large number of people use the same mattresses.

Mattress bags can also be used when transporting or moving your mattress from one location to another. A mattress bag is commonly used my moving companies to protect your mattress from dust and other things that could damage or ruin the mattress.

Choosing a mattress bag is not difficult as they often come in a variety of sizes or some may be classified as one size fits all. They simply slide on over the mattress and can be taped at one end to thoroughly protect the mattress during transportation. Some people also cover their mattress using mattress bags all year round to give them the added protection from dust and allergens.

Choosing a mattress protector from a moving company is often the best choice as they often use heavy duty mattress bags that will not rip or tear easily. You want something that can be moved around without tearing.

What is it about the mattress bag that enables it to be so effective in protecting your mattress? When choosing a mattress protector you should get one that has been treated with an anti-microbial spray and one that is fire retardant. This type of bag for your mattress can then be used repeatedly. Bags that are made from thin plastic often have to be thrown away after each use. This can get expensive if you used them frequently.

The most commonly used type of bag for your mattress is the brown, heavy duty mattress cover. This bag is the bag of choice amongst moving companies. The purpose of the brown cover is to hide the mattress during transportation. The bag is designed to expand to accommodate mattress of different sizes therefore only requiring you to buy one type. The mattress can be inserted in to the bag easily and often only requires one person; however, two more people may be needed for larger mattresses.

Where Can I Buy A Mattress Bag?

Mattress bags are available for sale online. They are also sold by moving companies. Heavy duty bags can be rented from these companies whereas the plastic covers must be purchased as they are frequently torn when moving the mattress. They are less expensive due to their fragile nature.

If you are using your mattress cover when storing your mattress you must ensure that it is waterproof. This will ensure that no moisture will inside the bag while in storage. It is also a good idea to tape the bag thoroughly on the open end as this will also prevent water from getting it. If you are have a pillow top mattress you may require a special mattress protector. When looking for a bag always ask for help and explain what type of mattress you have to ensure you get the proper cover.

Other Mattress Bag Resources:

If you’re looking for the kind of mattress bag that you use during a move, Uhaul offers them for sale.

Uline is a terrific source for boxes and other shipping supplies, and they also offer a mattress bag for moving.

Want to go heavy duty with your mattress? Forget the mattress bag and go for a mattress box instead.

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Hospital Beds Help Recovery at Home

March 22, 2011 by mattress1982

Many patients with lingering illnesses or the ones recovering from an accident with the prognosis of long-term recovery may consider having a hospital bed in the home to improve their comfort. Depending on the patient’s needs, there are essentially three types of hospital bed mattresses to choose from, each having specific functions.

The standard rented bed typically comes with a hospital bed mattress made with inner coil springs. This type of mattress is the most economical and usually the type approved by Medicare. However, there are some conditions that warrant different hospital bed mattresses, such as obesity, or pressure relieving mattresses for wound care or air mattresses offering alternating pressure to aid in recovery.

Of the three basic types, foam mattresses provide comfort similar to the inner spring type and are not that much more expensive. Therapy foam mattresses or multiple layer foam mattresses provide greater comfort, especially for patients with a long-term recovery outlook. Regardless of the type of mattress being used, mattress covers are recommended to protect the mattress.

Hospital Bed: Keeping the Patients Safe

When using a hospital bed, care must be taken to prevent injury. Between 1995 and 2010 there were reports of over 800 accidents, almost 500 resulted in death from being caught in the bed, trapped or otherwise entangled in a hospital bed. Guidelines have been issued by the Food and Drug Administration based on studies by the Hospital Safety Work Group, determining how patients can be kept safe.

Some patients have been tangled up in bedding and get caught between mattress and the side rails, as well as getting entangled in mattress covers that may not have been designed for the specific bed. Additionally, other covers on the mattress may slip off if used with the wrong type of covers making the patient uncomfortable.

Medicare will also pay for hospital mattresses and beds provided that the patients meet the established criteria. They must be a Medicare B participant and have a certificate of medical necessity signed by their doctor. The need can be established if the patient needs to sleep in positions not possible in a regular bad or has medical issues requiring them to sleep with their head up at as mush as a 30-degree angle or has a need for traction equipment that is unable to be attached to a regular bed.

In any event, hospital bed mattresses will generally be provided whether they are rented or purchased, and should be used with covers to protect the investment. In most instances a bed paid for by Medicare will also include standard maintenance to keep it functioning properly, but rarely will this pay for a hospital bed mattress or for the mattress covers.

There are many different types of hospital beds as well as mattresses that it is likely anyone can find the one that fits their comfort and budget. Insuring the use of mattress covers, and changing them each time it is needed, will extend the life of the mattress and the bed, as well as make the patient more comfortable.

Hospital Bed Resources:

Transfer Master is a manufacturer of hospital beds designed for the home.

Electro Ease is a business that sells at least 50 different brands of electric assist products, including hospital beds.

The FDA has this comprehensive page about hospital bed safety.

What is a Box Spring?

March 21, 2011 by mattress1982

boxsprings — CC Flickr Photo courtesy of blmurch. The box spring is the thing underneath the mattress on top in this photo.

You might be asking yourself, “Do I need a box spring? And what is a box spring, anyway?”

Let’s clear it up for you.

A box spring is essentially the support system for a mattress. The boxed spring itself is a series of springs that have been enclosed in a wooden frame and then covered with a cloth to keep the springs and frame from being visible. The box spring is placed under the mattress on the bed frame. It keeps the mattress from sagging and falling off the bed frame. Without the boxed spring it will be harder to get in and out of bed as the mattress will be closer to the floor.

With a box spring the mattress is raised off the floor and getting into bed is much easier. It also acts as a shock absorber. When you lay on your mattress the box spring bears your weight more than the mattress. This will help prolong the life of your mattress. Without it there would be very little support for the mattress; the sleeping surface would not be flat and not very comfortable.

When choosing a mattress you must also consider the box spring as well. The life of a spring is not long and often they need to be replaced after several years. It has been said that choosing the box spring is as important as choosing a mattress as they come in a variety of types and styles.

For example, there are variations in height of the box spring just as there are with mattresses. The number of springs and the material covering them also vary, which can affect the comfort of your bed. You may even consider choosing a mattress that does not require an inner spring.

There are several types of beds on the market today that do not require a boxed spring underneath them. However, there must be some sort of frame to support the mattress; otherwise it would fall onto the floor. Some of these beds include futons, baby cribs and bunk beds. All of the mentioned beds are not known for their comfort. Unless you purchase an extremely expensive, high quality mattress for these beds, you are not going to be able to sleep on these mattresses for long periods of time. Without the boxed spring there is no flexible support for the mattress. There are no springs to bear the weight of the person lying on the bed. There is a hard flat surface.

It is important to buy a boxed spring that matches the size of your bed frame and your mattress. It would be pointless to buy a box spring that is smaller than the mattress as you would roll off. Buying one that is larger than the mattress would simply not look right.

The only time you would not buy a box spring that matches the size of your mattress perfectly is when you buy a king size bed. In this case, you would sometimes buy two twin box springs which equal the size of the mattress. This has been done simply to make transportation of the king size bed easier. It would be very difficult to move a king size box spring around a corner in your house.

More Box Spring Resources:

Buy Box Spring Sets at Amazon

Metafilter has this interesting thread about the pros and cons of using box spring sets.

Is your box spring set giving you cancer? Doubtful, but here’s an interesting take by Scientific American.

Can box spring sets be used in an Evil Plot? This “Best of Craigslist” post apparently thinks so.

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Foam Mattresses

March 14, 2011 by mattress1982

When it comes to sleeping, the most important component is obviously the bed and mattress. Over the years, much advancement has been made in the way of mattresses and one new up-and-coming technology in particular is the foam mattress.

A foam mattress is made almost entirely of something called visco elastic foam. This is essentially foam that is firm, yet still has some “give” to it to make it comfortable. Most memory foam mattresses can range anywhere from a few inches thick to over twelve inches thick. Like one would expect, a foam mattress also comes in the same sizes as a normal innerspring mattress.

Many people agree that foam mattresses seem to be the method of sleeping of the future. They are generally considered to be very comfortable and there are many reports of memory foam mattresses alleviating back pain caused by traditional innerspring mattresses. Most foam mattresses tend to be on the firm side, but still have enough given that they comfortably conform to a person’s body no matter their shape or size. This is an important factor in relieving stress on many parts of the body that make contact with the bed, like the back and shoulders.

Are Visco Elastic Foam Mattresses Suitable For Everyone?

Memory foam mattresses are not completely perfect. Even though visco elastic foam is considered to be a revolutionary breakthrough in sleeping technology, because it brings relief to the pressure points and provides you with a better sleep, it can be quite tricky to pick a suitable memory foam mattress.

Many people report that these foam mattresses are too firm and can get unusually hot during the night. Due to the nature of some foam mattresses, they can retain a lot of body heat given off, which can cause a person to feel uncomfortably warm at night. Some other problems that people have identified are that memory foam tends to be very heavy.

A larger foam mattress can weigh as much as one hundred pounds. One annoying thing about memory foam is that when first unpackaged, a foam mattress will emit a very strong chemical smell for the first two days or so. Every mattress company assures its customers that this smell is harmless, but is nonetheless still annoying.

If you are thinking about purchasing a memory foam mattress, you may want to start saving up your money, since a decent quality mattress could run anywhere from $800-$2000 or more. While the price tag does seem to be fairly high for some mattresses, many owners still agree that a foam mattress is worth the purchase price since you can see an improvement in your sleep the first time you use a foam mattress.

Before you decide to buy a memory foam mattress, read the reviews online and try one out in person at a local furniture store. While fairly confident that you will be very happy with these new mattresses, they are not made for everyone and therefore you need to be certain that this type of mattress will be good for you.

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