You spend a third of your life in bed, so you might as well be comfy! Check out these mattress shopping tips - whether you’re in the market for a single, double, king or queen size bed.
Do you ever wake up feeling like you didn't sleep at all? Is your back pain getting worse with every passing day?
If you have lower back pain, you're not alone. Back pain is the most common cause of disability and the leading cause of people calling in sick to work.
If you're tired of taking expensive pain medication and you want to avoid surgery, you should know that your back pain might have a simple fix. Improving your condition could be as easy as buying a new queen bed.
In this article, we'll give you valuable mattress shopping tips. We'll also give you some tips on finding a mattress online.
1. Get the Right Size
The very first step in buying a new mattress is to figure out what size you really need. In general, you should get a queen or king for two adults.
Otherwise, you're stuck sharing a small space. The average full-size mattress is only 135cm across.
If you have two people on a full-size bed, each person will only have about 60cm of room to lay in. That's about the width of a crib mattress!
On the other hand, a king-size bed is 200cm across. That's like having two twin beds next to each other, giving each person room to stretch out while they sleep.
If you're not sure which size to buy for your teenager, you should know that there is an option called twin XL (single extra length). It's longer than a regular twin by about 30cm.
You'll have to buy special sheets for that size bed, but it's a good bet for fast-growing teens. Lots of colleges have twin XL beds as well.
2. Test Before You Buy
Typically, the next step to buying a mattress is to go to a mattress store and test out a few styles.
Not anymore, you can find the best size bed for your needs at Bed King - thanks to their innovative mattress recommendation technology!
If you're concerned about germs in the mattress store, don't worry. Stores disinfect their beds regularly.
Just bring a towel or flat sheet and lay down on top of it instead of laying directly on the sample bed.
3. Find the Perfect Firmness
Wondering what to look for in a mattress? You want to find one that's big enough and that is priced fairly, but you also need to find the right degree of firmness.
If you have low back pain or another chronic condition, talk to your doctor or physical therapist. You can also ask the mattress salesperson what they recommend.
Keep in mind that every mattress company has its own firmness scale. There is no universal measuring system, and one company's "firm" could be another's "medium."
Some mattresses have supportive inner springs, while others are made entirely of foam. Foam tends to retain warmth and moisture, so you might want to skip it if you tend to overheat.
Inner springs work well with firmer mattresses but can wear out with continued use. Memory foam, on the other hand, springs back after you get out of bed.
This is another good reason to test out mattresses before you buy them.
4. Invest in a Good Foundation
Once you've found a good mattress, it's time to consider the foundation. Your mattress store may give you a metal mattress frame for free, but you have other options.
If you need storage, you might want to consider buying a captain's bed. These are wooden bed frames that have pull-out drawers on each side. It's the equivalent of having another dresser.
If you like a sleeker, more modern look, you might like a simple wooden foundation. This type of platform is usually low to the ground, so skip it if you have trouble getting up in the morning.
Even if you do use the metal frame, you can make it more stable by adding a sheet of plywood. This extends the life of your mattress by spreading out your weight and stabilizing the frame.
Talk to your salesperson about the types of frames you can buy, and see if you can try a few before you make your decision.
5. Review the Return Policy
Before you buy a mattress, make sure that you have a look at the return policy. Whether you're buying online or in a store, make sure that you have at least a 30-day window to do returns.
Also, take your time and review the warranty that comes with your mattress. You may have to pay for a protection plan, and it may come with a list of requirements.
For example, if you have a stain on your mattress it could void your warranty. You may have to buy a waterproof mattress cover to protect the mattress itself.
Surprisingly, removing that little tag that's attached to the mattress will also void your warranty.
If you end up ordering online, make sure that the return policy covers damage from shipping. You don't want to get stuck with a damaged mattress that can't be returned.
6. Maintain Your Investment
Now that you know how to shop for a mattress, let's talk about how to maintain it. Many people don't know that they should rotate their mattresses every three months.
If you have a memory foam bed or pillow top bed, don't flip it over but do rotate it regularly.
Kids love to jump on beds, but they don't realize that they're ruining the inner springs. For active kids, invest in a memory foam bed that will retain its shape.
But skip the bunk beds. Studies show that most bunk bed accidents happen with kids under the age of 10.
To extend the life of your beds, try not to perch on the edge of your mattress. If you're watching TV, try to sit back against the wall or headboard.
You can even vacuum your mattress once in a while. If you keep a cover on it, you won't get much dirt, but it's always a good idea to disinfect your mattress every two months or so.
If you're sharing the bed with your spouse, you might want to switch sides once in a while. This will even out the wear and tear on your mattress.
Article sourced from: https://bedscapetown.wordpress.com/2020/11/16/top-mattress-shopping-tips/
