How to Buy a Mattress
Shopping for a new mattress can be a very daunting task with so many questions to answer. How do you know which type of mattress is right for you? What are the pros and cons of all of these different types of mattresses? There are not only numerous types of mattress but also various small differences that make one mattress vastly different to another. If you’re not sure of what you should be spending on a mattress, you should probably begin buy considering its use. If the mattress is to be used in a spare room and won’t get frequent use, you can opt for a cheaper mattress with an inner spring probably being the safest bet. If however it is for personal use, it is a good idea to spend some time trying out mattresses since you will be sleeping on it every night!
Being the most common mattress in Australia, inner spring mattresses can come in multiple varieties from standard springs to pocket springs, some with built in mattress toppers, some without. The various price ranges are usually defined by the quality of not only the springs but also the padding that supports the springs. If the springs are of bad quality, the mattress may sag and sink. Meanwhile, if the cushioning is of a lower standard, you are more likely to feel the actual springs in your back. A common add on of inner spring mattresses is to have a pillow top. This is an extra layer of padding on top of the mattress for extra comfort, and basically has the same benefits of a mattress topper.
Latex mattresses are a great choice for allergy sufferers as they are made entirely from the sap from rubber trees. This means they are anti-microbial, avoiding fungus, bacteria and dust mites. They do however feel vastly different to a traditional innerspring mattress so if you haven’t slept on one before it is a good idea to try a few out in store first. Latex mattresses are often said to be a good choice for couples as they reduce partner disturbance caused by tossing and turning.
Memory foam mattresses, also referred to as viscoelastic, are designed to contour the shape of your body, relieving pressure points while increasing circulation and reducing tossing and turning. This mattress type is definitely a case of you either love it or hate it so it’s worth getting some advice in store before purchasing. The foam used has a much less springy feel than a traditional mattress which is what makes it so different to sleep on compared to a traditional inner spring mattress. Memory foam mattresses are not recommended as a guest mattress since they are designed to form to a single body over time.
Another major question is how to choose the firmness of a mattress. While personal preference plays a large part in this decision, generally you should also take into consideration the weight that will be on the mattress. For some people, soft mattresses may not provide enough support while others may find hard mattresses too uncomfortable. Making the right decision in terms of firmness is an important part of a comfortable sleep, so make sure you choose wisely.
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