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How to Buy the Best Mattress

The ultimate guide to the best mattress types and brands.

mattress

Bunk Bed Mattresses

March 1, 2011 by mattress1982

CC Flickr photo courtesy of rowdykittens.

For some purchases in life, you just should not skimp on quality, and a mattress is definitely one of them. When choosing a bunk bed mattress, remember that you can spend up to one third of your entire life in bed, so choose a good, high quality mattress for your sake. A bunk bed is no exception to this rule. A good bunk bed mattress can literally translate into the difference between an amazing night of sleep and the potential for long-term health problems, not to mention thousands of hours of lost sleep.

The world of bunk bed mattresses is definitely a large and diverse one, but that does not mean it has to be complicated when choosing a mattress. By following a few simple points of information, you can make an informed decision on a bunk bed mattress.

Types of Bunk Bed Mattresses

In a very broad sense, there are two main types of mattresses: foam mattress and innerspring mattress. From a technical standpoint, an innerspring is just that, a mattress filled with springs on the inside for support. This type of mattress has been considered to be a very popular choice for bunk bed mattresses for many decades now. Another mattress type that seems to be gaining popularity is the foam mattress. A foam mattress uses special types of memory foams to create a firm, but conforming bunk bed mattress.

These different types of mattresses have many sub-categories like pillow top mattresses or the ones with different levels of firmness or softness. When it comes to these sub-categories, it is best to go to a furniture store and try them out because they are mostly personal preference.

No matter what type of mattress you choose, always try to stick with a higher quality bunk bed mattress and pick options that you will like.

The Safety Factor with Bunk Bed Mattresses

When choosing a mattress for a bunk bed, it is usually safe to assume that the person using the bunk bed is a child. Bunk beds make great beds for kids, but it is important to always think about the safety of your child.

A mattress that does not properly fit a bunk bed could open up gaps around the bed and mattress. These gaps are perfect for children getting their hands and feet stuck or getting a few bumps and scrapes during the night. The best and easiest way to prevent this from happening is by being diligent in looking for a properly sized mattress that is designed for the actual bunk bed itself.

To summarize, remember the differences in foam and innerspring, buy high quality, and always buy the properly sized bunk bed mattress. Use these guidelines, and buying a mattress can be the easiest thing in the world. Remember, one third of a person’s life is a very long time, so why choose the wrong mattress and be uncomfortable, when you can choose the one that will suit you perfectly and help your body get the most relaxation while asleep.

Read More About Bunk Beds and Bunk Bed Mattresses

Keep Kids Healthy writes this guide to bunk bed safety issues.

Consumer Reports has a very well researched guide to bunk beds and toddler beds.

The Clever Parents blog has a good guide to bunk beds for kids.

Chart of Mattress Bunk Bed Dimensions for the USA, including Standard Bunk, Narrow Bunk and Twin / Single mattress sizes.

What’s missing from this page? Does something suck? Leave a comment and let us know so that we can fix it and make it better!

Filed Under: types of mattresses Tagged With: bunk bed, bunk beds, bunkbed, bunkbeds, mattress, mattresses

Dealing with Bed Bugs and your Mattress

February 28, 2011 by mattress1982

bedbug evidence mattress
CC Flickr photo of bed bug evidence courtesy of cuttlefish.

Bed bugs are nasty little creatures. Although bed bugs seemed to be a thing of the past, and were rarely heard of since the 1940’s and 50’s, over the past decade or so, bedbugs have made their return. This is due in large part to the fact that many of the chemicals used 60 years ago to eradicate such pests are no longer available for use.

What Are Bed Bugs

Bed bugs, as can be derived from the name, are parasites that live in bedding and like to show up during the night and feed off of the blood of humans. They are approximately a quarter-inch long and are reddish in color. You will know if your home or hotel room is infested with bed bugs if there are red bites on your skin, and brown bug excrement markings on your sheets as well as on your walls.

Sadly, if you visit a hotel that is infested with these critters, there is a possibility that you can carry them home with you on the sleeve of your shirt or the hem of your pants or blouse. They also can ride home on your luggage as well.

How to Kill Bed Bugs in a Mattress

If you do end up dealing with a bed bug infestation in your bedroom and mattress, it can be difficult to exterminate them altogether. Your best bet is going to be to get rid of the mattress completely, and make sure any new one is fully encased.

However, there are a number of resources online that can be helpful in learning how to kill bed bugs in a mattress.

One of the first things that you will want to do is inspect the room for any areas where bed bugs may be hiding. Vacuum everything thoroughly, including your box spring and mattress. Any linen that may have been infected should be washed in hot water or placed in the dryer for several minutes. Additionally, check the mattress for any holes or tears. If there are openings, then the bed bugs very well may have crawled inside and it may be impossible to get rid of them. You may have to resort to purchasing a new mattress.

Chemicals and Bed Bugs

However, if there are no tears in the fabric, then you can proceed by treating the mattress with an insecticide. Pyganic dust, Temprid SC Insecticide, phantom aerosol, and bedlam aerosols are all possibilities if you’re thinking how to kill bed bugs in a mattress. Apply these with special attention to the folds and seams of the mattress. You can also hire an exterminator to do the work for you, but you will likely spend a lot of money doing so.

Dry Steam Mattress Cleaning

If you don’t like using chemicals in your mattress cleaning, you can also utilize a steam cleaner. The heat from the steam will kill both the bed bugs and their eggs on contact. Be sure to apply the steam to all areas of the mattress including any crevices where the bugs might be hiding. A dry steam cleaning of a mattress is especially desirable as it lets off little moisture, thus reducing your chances of causing mildew growth on the mattress.

Regrettably, even after all of this effort, sometimes the bed bugs may still remain. If you miss any bugs and they lay more eggs, then you will have the same problem all over again. Simply put, be extremely thorough in your mattress cleaning, and keep in mind that these critters are very hard to get rid of.

Reputable Resources Related to Bed Bugs

The Mayo Clinic writes about bed bugs, and symptoms you might have if you are infested.

WebMD also has a good page about bed bugs.

The University of Kentucky has this informational bulletin about bed bugs.

The EPA also covers the issue of bed bugs in great detail.

Filed Under: mattress problems Tagged With: bed bug, bed bugs, bedbug, bedbugs, mattress, mattress pests

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