mattress warranty

Mattress Quality Ratings

April 19, 2011 by mattress1982

Wondering about mattress quality ratings? Is there such a thing?

Back pain, fatigue and a sagging mattress all indicate it is time for a new mattress. Many people dread making this purchase because of the time, expense and confusion that can be involved. There is plenty of information available about how to buy a mattress that can cut through the uncertainty. If you’ve decided it’s time to replace your mattress the first step is to take a mattress review to find out what’s available.

Innerspring Mattress

Innersprings are popular because they cost less and offer a variety of options. For some, the answer to how to buy a mattress is simply to find the one that is least expensive. For others, improvements like pocket coils and no flip models are an enticement. But according to one mattress review the drawbacks of innersprings not being able to comparison shop and the rapid rate at which they sag and wear out.

Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam mattresses are made with layers of foam glued to a polyurethane base. Most consumers are not sure how to buy a mattress that is foam filled. In many mattress reviews, the pros were reported as better support, the ability to isolate motion and durability. Cons included heat retention, too much firmness and discomfort for larger people.

Airbed Mattress

Air mattresses adjust to give individual support for each sleeper. They also tend to have a longer life span than other mattresses. Disadvantages include expense, comfort level and the sides of the bed being too soft to sit on.

Mattress Cost

Here are a few ideas how to obtain a mattress without spending more than necessary. Consider buying at discount stores, such as Costco or other reasonably priced retailers. Exercise patience and wait for a sale but beware of so called “blowout sales” that are not truly a bargain. Learn to negotiate to get the best price possible. Don’t be pressured into upgrading to a mattress that has features that you don’t really need.

Mattress Scams

Learn how to buy a mattress without being taken advantage of. Manufacturers make identical mattress with a few cosmetic changes on the outside. Retailers give the mattresses different names to give the impression they are selling several unique lines that cannot be found in other stores. This tactic does not allow the customer to comparison shop. Avoid this scam by buying a mattress based on what’s inside rather than the name.

Do as much research as possible about mattress grades, coils, materials and levels. At the store, ask what components are inside of the mattress. The level of the mattress is found on the tag; even over the phone you can ask for the level before going into the store. Many times cushiony padding is placed on top of the mattress when it is on display. Test drive the mattress for a few weeks from the comfort of your bedroom and don’t hesitate to use the “money back guarantee” if the mattress doesn’t live up to its claims.

Mattress Trends

There are many changes in the mattress industry in recent years. Specialty mattresses, such as foam and air, are becoming more popular. Eco friendly, adjustable and homeopathic mattresses are in vogue all around the globe; including mattresses infused with essential oils. And the old standby, the futon, is making a comeback with plusher fabrics and more variety of styles than in years past.

Is There An Official Rating of Quality for Mattresses?

Not that we could find. Consumer Reports has some solid advice on choosing a mattress and a big section with video too, but they don’t rate individual mattresses.

Yelp has a category for many cities called Mattresses, where you can read reviews of various local mattress stores. Be careful to see that there are enough reviews that you are getting a good idea about the store, and not just reviews from a couple of very happy or very unhappy people.

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

How to Fix Rips and Tears in Your Mattress

March 3, 2011 by mattress1982

It almost seems inevitable that anything that gets used eight hours a day, every day for decades, will develop rips, tears and other assorted signs of wear. Your mattress fits this bill exactly. Most people spend so much time on their mattresses and even spend quite a bit of money to have nice mattresses. But what many people lack is the foresight to properly protect their mattresses.

Protecting your mattress should be just like protecting any investment that you have. However, protecting a mattress from some of the normal wear and tear of day to day life might be a little easier than most other investments.

How to Prevent Rips and Tears on Your Mattress

The first step you can do is to prevent rips and tears from happening in the first place. This is usually accomplished with a mattress cover. Mattress covers are very handy devices that can create a barrier to stop dust and water from getting into your mattress and provide much protection and support from forces that can cause rips and tears in a mattress.

However, if you find yourself in a situation where a rip or tear has already developed, following are a few pointers on how to fix them.

How to Fix a Memory Foam Mattress Tear

For many of us with a memory foam mattress, they may seem invincible when we first get them. But over time and with heavy use, some people find out that a tear or rip in a memory foam mattress can easily happen. The best and easiest way to fix this is to head down to your local furniture or upholstery shop and ask for a special kind of glue made for memory foam mattresses. This glue will help repair your mattress and stop any tears from getting bigger.

How to Fix an Air Mattress or Waterbed Mattress Tear or Leak

Usually trying to fix a tear or leak in an air mattress or waterbed poses a few different challenges to the person trying to fix it. For an air mattress, the first thing you want to do is try to find the hole by mixing up some soap and water, applying it to parts of the bed and looking for bubbles. If you see bubbles somewhere, chances are you have a hole.

Hopefully, a small hole in a waterbed is a little more obvious. Once the hole has been identified, if it is small enough just apply a little bit of glue over the hole and let it dry. If the hole is a little too big for that, you will need to find a small square of plastic or vinyl and glue it over the hole as a patch.

While fixing a tear or rip in a mattress is not necessarily a very difficult process, it can still be mostly avoided by using a protective mattress cover. Not only that a mattress cover will protect your mattress from rips and tears but it will also protect your mattress against dust and bacteria.

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.