How to choose a mattress?

A person needs rest and this is an indisputable fact. During sleep, the body relaxes, filled with strength. This time also affects the formation of mood. Whether it will be good depends not on the number of hours you sleep, but on the comfort of the sleep itself, so you need to equip your resting place with special love and care.

And this is impossible to do without knowing how to choose a mattress. Yes, yes, you heard right, neither a sofa, nor a bed, but a mattress. If you don't want to wake up with back pain or toss and turn at night with insomnia, then go to sleep in a comfortable bed. Well, let's try to figure out which mattress is right for you?

What can be a modern mattress

All mattresses presented in the market assortment can be divided according to several indicators.

1. By design: spring and springless. The last group will include such exotic subspecies as air and water models.
2. According to age criteria: adults and children.
3. By hardness.
4. By type of filling: single-layer and multi-layer.
5. By functionality: conventional and orthopedic.

To decide how to choose a mattress that meets your needs, you need to know the general criteria for assessing its quality.

back to index ↑

Criterias of choice

Decided to change your mattress? You should not go to a nearby store or try to find a comfortable copy in the market. The first model you come across may not justify your expectations, so take the time and visit a specialized salon that offers only certified high quality goods. Only there you can find out all the ins and outs about the model you like.

Of course, the sellers will advise you on all issues, however, it would not hurt you to know what to look for in the selection process.
So. When choosing a mattress, check the following items:

1. The degree of rigidity. This parameter is usually written in the product description.
2. The quality of maintaining the body during sleep. You should not feel any tension while lying on your mattress.
3. Overall dimensions. The mattress should fit neatly into the base of your bed.
4. Appearance.

Aesthetic appeal for a mattress is by no means the last thing, as many people think. And here it is necessary to be captivated not by the brightness and originality of the color, but by the quality of the material from which the cover is sewn. Look at what exactly went into its creation, ask how practical this fabric is in its role and how difficult it will be to care for such a cover. The best products are sheathed in jacquard. Such covers are additionally quilted on natural wool or synthetic winterizer.

back to index ↑

How to choose a mattress for your needs

To have a comfortable sleep, you need to sleep in a comfortable bed, so it makes sense to get acquainted with each type of product personally in order to evaluate their advantages or identify disadvantages.

Single and double sided models
Single-sided mattresses are unremarkable. They have a small height. The cover put on them is identical from all sides. Sleeping on such a mattress is not exactly uncomfortable, but somehow uncomfortable. To be convinced of this, there is no need to try to lie down on it, everything is visible, as they say, at a glance. So it turns out that even those who do not know how to choose a mattress are subconsciously looking for something more original.

Much more comfortable and convenient are their comrades in the subgroup - bilateral options. Since in our climate there is a clear division of the seasons into heat and cold, this model of mattresses may be of some interest to you. These products are distinguished by their quality and advanced functionality. The fact is that they provide two sides for relaxation: one is made of warm fabrics and is designed for use in winter, the other is made of light fabrics, for summer holidays. The “winter” part of the mattress is insulated with natural merino wool. This material does not dampen and is very warm. The summer side is covered with jacquard. The surface is non-slip and well ventilated. All these qualities make winter-summer mattresses an excellent solution for residents of the temperate climate zone.

Orthopedic mattress
Before looking for an answer to the question of how to choose a mattress of this type, let's figure out what it is in principle. Orthopedic is a mattress that can repeat the contours of the body lying on it, without the slightest gaps. In this case, the weight and compression load in the body is distributed evenly, which is especially important for the spine.
You need to understand that the product is not a panacea and the mattress in no way cures existing diseases of the bones and joints, it can rather be called a tool for preventing their development, because, resting on it, a person really gets rid of muscle tension and unloads the workload of the day the spine. Rest on such mattresses is intended, first of all, for the growing organisms of children and adolescents, while adults are more likely to acquire them because of the comfort of sleep.

But back to the question of how to choose the right mattress. In the orthopedic group there are spring and springless models.The first one is the most affordable. Therefore, it makes sense to talk about them in more detail.

Spring version of an orthopedic mattress

At the heart of such products are spring blocks. They can be integral or consist of separate parts. Any spring serves as the heart of the mattress, and the quality of the entire product will depend on its functional characteristics. It should not burst or sag, since in this case both the elasticity of the mattress and its rigidity will be violated.

Mattresses with independent springs inside are more practical than block mattresses. Since in this case cylindrical springs are taken, placed in special pockets (bags), the quality of such a mattress is completely different. Parts that are not fastened together do not make creaking sounds. Such a mattress does not give the effect of a wave. Independent springs are smaller than standard double-cone springs, so to fill the product with them, you need to take more of them, which means that the product will have a high point elasticity.By the way, if you really set yourself to choose a quality mattress, then this indicator should be of interest to you in the first place. Point elasticity is responsible for the tightness of the mattress to the body and its physiological deflection under the latter in places of load. With a low elasticity index, the mattress will quickly become covered with depressions and you can forget about quality sleep.

In addition to the springs, the mattress design has a floor filter. This rigid spacer separates the upholstery from the springs. Previously, several times folded burlap was used for this purpose, but today it has been successfully replaced by heat-pressed felt and spunbond.

The space between the spring core and the upholstery fabric is filled with filler. Its main task is to redistribute the weight load, than to add additional rigidity to the mattress, or vice versa, to soften it. How to choose a mattress with this aspect in mind? Ask what material in the model you have chosen is chosen for this role. The filler can be:

1. Foam rubber.
2. Batting.
3. Latex.
4. Felt.
5. Coir.
6. Horse hair.

The worst option on the list is batting. It rolls quickly and has low elasticity. In this regard, foam rubber is more practical, as it has good elasticity, the main thing is that the manufacturer uses not cheap grades of material, but latex-like ones that do not sag or crumble. The disadvantages of foam rubber include their high moisture absorption. Mattresses with latex filler or horsehair are recognized as the highest quality. Recently, however, products filled with horsehair have been difficult to find, because the material can provoke allergic reactions. It was successfully replaced by coir.

Now it's time to learn how to choose mattress upholstery so that the product will last for many years. Jacquard is considered the best material for these purposes. It has a high density of thread weaving, so fabrics of this type belong to the category of strong and durable. In general, 100% cotton, 100% synthetics, or combinations of them in any ratio can be used for upholstery. It is clear that natural fabrics are more pleasant and it is more comfortable to sleep on them, but synthetic coatings captivate with their durability. However, mattresses with purely synthetic upholstery are not recommended to be purchased. Never purchase products for a case that was used by flock. This material is absolutely impervious to air and moisture.

What other indicators will tell you how to choose a good mattress? Execution option. The mattress can be quilted and buttoned. In the first case, the upholstery fabric is quilted with interlining, synthetic winterizer, and sometimes even with filler, if the structure of the latter accepts migration. In the button model, the soft layer is fixed with a cord and two buttons. The flooring material in this case can migrate freely, which reduces the quality of the mattresses.

Springless mattresses
This type of mattress has a multi-layer filling, so their orthopedic effect is weakly expressed, here we can rather talk about the physiological comfort of resting on them. The filler in such a mattress can be anything from memoris to coir. These types of mattresses are good for people who are overweight and have spinal problems.

How to choose the hardest mattress from this range? Look at the double sided mattress. In it, layers of latex are interspersed with layers of coconut coir. The side with coconut has increased rigidity, while the reverse side is latex, therefore more plastic.Latex is generally considered an ideal filler for mattresses, because it is incredibly elastic and perfectly adapts to the shape of the body. This material, due to its capillary properties, is able to create an ideal microclimate for the lying person. Since the structure of the latex is perforated for aeration, this mattress easily regulates the temperature level and maintains a comfortable humidity.

back to index ↑

How not to get into trouble, or what manufacturers sometimes “please”

“How to choose a mattress and not get a “masterpiece” with all the list of problems? Don't go cheap"

Manufacturers, in an attempt to get the maximum profit from their business, go to a variety of tricks. Well, you will have to get acquainted with this impartial side of the "mattress" medal.

Option I
The manufacturer changes the design of spring blocks. We have already said above that the most popular products contain blocks of two-cone springs in their design. So, this notorious block will turn out to be of high quality only if it is equipped with a machine assembly. In order to save money and not to purchase expensive equipment in small enterprises, mattresses are assembled by hand. It is much cheaper, however, the springs installed in this way do not receive the required strength fastening. Without proper fixation, they will quickly loosen up and begin to creak. Unfortunately, such a defect cannot be detected during the initial examination. It will show up after a couple of weeks of use.

You can save on the number of coils of the spring. For example, instead of the prescribed five-turn “bonnel”, four-turn spring elements are installed. Since there is no need to talk about elasticity here, therefore, the product cannot be recognized as an orthopedic product either. How to choose a mattress without such a surprise? Check for compression! A standard mattress with springs of the correct height has a thickness of 18 - 22 cm. To check the model you like, you will have to squeeze it hard, literally to the stop. Its thickness should not become less than 15 centimeters. This technique will let you know if the thickness of the product is the result of adding additional layers of filler to the mattress.

In order to save money, the spring blocks themselves can be thinned out. According to the requirements of regulatory enactments, the number of spring rows must correspond to the width of the finished product, expressed in decimeters. For example, in a mattress with a length of 170 cm there should be 17 rows of springs, in reality there may be 16, 15 or even less. When custom ordered, adding spring rows to the norm may be called an "improvement" and you will be charged an additional fee for this. The check in this case does not consist in counting the rows of springs, but in placing the mattress on a short edge. If it bends and loses its shape, then there are clearly not enough springs in it.

How to choose a mattress and not get a "masterpiece" with all the list of problems? Don't go cheap. Buy mattresses of popular firms with a worldwide reputation. Such manufacturers certainly care about their image and will not save on quality.

Option II

Low quality flooring. This term refers to the layers underlying the shielding material. Usually, felt, foam rubber, etc. are used on the flooring. The use of low-density low-density foam rubber leads to the fact that after a few months the filler is converted into dust. The surface of the mattress is decorated with a dent. It is impossible to determine by touch what is laid under the cover. No one will allow you to open the product, so again, do not buy into cheapness. Believe me, a miracle will not happen.

It is very economical in production to replace high-quality filler with batting, while many do not hesitate to present this to the buyer as improved environmental friendliness. You must understand that batting has zero elasticity and it is simply impossible not to notice this initially. Over time, the batting will generally fall off and the mattress will acquire a “pleasant” tuberosity. After sleeping on such a bed, you will feel as if beaten.

You will also have to suffer with the question of how to choose a mattress with coir. This magnificent material is really popular with foreign manufacturers, but we rarely use high-quality coir because of its high cost. The one that we are offered is kneaded with phenolic adhesives, which at best threatens only with an unpleasant odor, and at worst with an allergic reaction. In terms of elasticity, these two materials are also incomparable. Glued coir crumbles and crawls out through the upholstery.

Option III
Upholstery. The domestic calico in the role of jacquard does not bother negligent manufacturers either.
If you don’t understand fabrics and don’t know how to choose a mattress with real jacquard upholstery, ask a specialist for help, otherwise it may happen that your new thing will quickly take on an unsightly look. Thin fabric will quickly rub, stretch, or even tear completely. Sometimes highly electrifying materials are allowed on the upholstery, which is also unpleasant.
If there is no opportunity to consult a specialist, try checking the quality of the upholstery yourself. To do this, slightly stretch and gently rub the fabric. It should not "beat current" and pile.

Option IV

“When solving the problem of how to choose a mattress, do not hesitate to arrange a little interrogation with the seller”

Poor quality mattress pads. These products don't last very long. The coating almost instantly begins to creep from point loads. To damage the skin and displace the underlying layers, it is enough to lean on the surface with your hand.

How to choose a mattress with the right stitching, professionals will tell you. They advise paying attention to the quality of the line. The stitch pattern should not be large. Skip stitches are not allowed.

And the last trick of dishonest sellers, which cannot be ignored. Very often, would-be entrepreneurs assign high-profile brand names to their shoddy products. Looking at the price list, few people think why there are such different prices for two identical categories of mattresses, and even more so they are not going to find out the details of their design. And in vain! The fact is that the categories of products are assigned by the manufacturers themselves. There are no installations and GOSTs for categories.
In light of the above, when solving the problem of how to choose a mattress, do not hesitate to arrange a little interrogation with the seller. Here is a rough outline of the questions he might want to ask:

1. What block is installed in the model you have chosen?
2. What is used as filling and whose production?
3. Were glues used in the assembly?
4. What material is used for the upholstery?
5. Is the mattress padded?
6. Does the model have a removable cover?

With this approach, the chances of finding a really comfortable mattress are tripled.

back to index ↑

Mattress exotic

In the assortment of stores, in addition to the mattresses familiar to us in shape and familiar with the structure, you can also see real exotics, such as water and air models. These categories, by the way, also belong to the orthopedic series, so it is quite possible that representatives of this series will become your priority choice.

water mattress
In fact, it is a PVC case filled with a specific liquid or water.This is a unique product with a number of original characteristics.
So, a water mattress is able to provide an ideally correct position of the body during the night's rest. It contributes to the complete relaxation of the muscular system. Getting up from such a mattress, you will always be in shape. The model has a heating function. The mattress is hypoallergenic. Its service life is at least 20 years, of course, with careful treatment.

How to choose your type of water mattress in the widest range of models? Of course, lie on it. This is exactly the case when the choice is based only on your feelings and depends only on your financial viability. In general, water mattresses can be:

- adults,
- children's,
- multi-chamber,
- single chamber
- with solid frames,
– with polyurethane block.

The fact that such exotic items in our beds are still rare is solely our merit. The fear that they will break is completely unfounded. Try to spend at least one night on such a mattress, and it will be extremely difficult to refuse such pleasure.

Air mattresses
This is not quite a beach option, as many people think, although such products have a certain structural similarity.

 

How to choose a reliable air mattress, the following recommendations will prompt.

1. Pay attention to the presence of stiffeners. An air mattress must have them. How they will be located is another question. If the stiffeners are located longitudinally, then it is better to refuse such a model initially. Durability is not her forte. Quality mattresses have transverse stiffeners. Laser stitching of vertical inserts guarantees their strength and durability. Due to the elasticity of the surface of the product, redistribution of the load on the spine is ensured.
2. It is equally important what exactly the covers of air mattresses are made of. For obvious reasons, synthetic materials are used for this purpose. The case may be plastic. It is good to take such a mattress with you on a picnic or to the sea, but sleeping on it is not very comfortable. Too smooth surface does not allow linen to stay on it.
The task of choosing an air mattress for a comfortable overnight stay is not an easy one. Try waterproof vinyl options. One of the surfaces of such mattresses has a rough coating. It is applied with flock, a material that looks like velor. On such a surface, bed linen will hold perfectly. It won't wobble or slip.
Air mattresses are versatile. Their surface is very easy to clean, the mattress itself does not let water through, so you can safely take them with you to nature without worrying that the bed will become damp.
3. How important it is to choose a mattress with a sealed valve, no one needs to explain. This place is one of the weak links of the products. Manufacturers are aware of this, so modern models are equipped with valves with double protection. Checking the quality of the valve is easy. Fill the mattress with air, close the inlet, then moisten it with soap and water. Now lie down on the mattress and watch. If bubbles appear in the valve area, then the likelihood of waking up on the floor and a deflated mattress is very high. In addition to tightness, the inflatable opening must be wide enough. This will help you quickly inflate and deflate the mattress as needed.
4. And another mandatory attribute of such a mattress, to which you need to pay some attention - a pump. Of course, you can train your lungs, but, perhaps, in this case, you will simply have no time to sleep, so look for products with reinforced frames and built-in pumps. Checking the degree of air filling of the mattress is not difficult. Just swear by it. The surface should not sag under your weight.

back to index ↑

Mattresses for children

How do you want to choose such a mattress for your child, so that he can sleep comfortably and comfortably in his crib. But you need to think not only about the calm sleep of the child, but also about his health. The mattress should be such that the correct posture is formed in the baby, and the spine remains healthy. An ordinary wadded mattress will not cope with this, you need to look for a high-quality orthopedic sleeping accessory.

Key quality indicators

When choosing a children's mattress, you need to be able to choose the right degree of its rigidity, and for this it is desirable to know what type of springs are installed in it. These are the two main parameters that are responsible for the orthopedic effectiveness of the product, that is, the ability of the mattress to take the form of a child's body. In whatever position the baby sleeps, the load on his spine will always remain uniform.

The next criterion that will tell you how to choose a good mattress for a baby is a filler. This material, no less than spring blocks, affects the degree of rigidity of the product. Newborns usually sleep on high-stiffness mattresses. Coconut coir filler will help enhance the effect. If there is no opportunity to buy a super-eco-friendly mattress, then look for an option with natural latex. On it, the child will sleep no less comfortably. Separating layers can also be made from latex or coir, isolating the springs from the mattress pad. Both presented fillers are safe in terms of allergens, perfectly absorb moisture and do not retain odors. At the same time, coconut is also not limited in terms of operation, that is, it can be considered an eternal material. He will not ban, having survived even hundreds of "accidents", because the air circulates freely in it.

back to index ↑

How to choose a mattress size

In principle, it does not matter which bed for a child or an adult a mattress is chosen for. In both cases, this is done according to identical rules. The accessory should not be longer or wider than the base of the bed on which it is planned to be placed, otherwise it will need to be compressed to fit into the limited frames of the bed. As a result of such actions, either a depression or a hump will appear, which is categorically unacceptable. If the mattress turns out to be smaller than the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe bed, then, naturally, pits and slides are not expected, but another danger will appear - cracks. A limb of a child can fall into such a “trap” and injury in this case cannot be avoided. Store options for beds and mattresses, as a rule, differ in standard sizes, so there are no difficulties with the selection and configuration. But a custom-made bed is likely to require the same custom-made mattress. It is irrational to look for non-standard parameters in a retail network.

back to index ↑

Cotton mattresses

Contrary to the myths about the poor quality of cotton mattresses, the list of their advantages inspires respect. If you know how to choose a good wadded mattress, then in your house, in the country or in the car there will be a great place to relax.

The main advantages of the products include:

- elasticity,
- naturalness
- ease of care,
- the ability to keep warm,
– ease of transportation,
- attractive price.

Cotton mattresses today are produced manually and automatically. Products produced by the first method are of the highest quality, in contrast to spring mattresses, in the manufacture of which it is preferable to use special equipment. The role of the frame in such products is performed by stitching. The filler correctly laid out in the mattress pad is quilted so that it does not crumple.

back to index ↑

Conclusion

We examined the main types of mattresses, got acquainted with their characteristics, now we will try to summarize the information received and sort it out.
1. How to choose the firmness of a mattress, tell your own weight. A soft mattress can be afforded by those who have a body weight of up to 60 kg. Medium hardness is the prerogative of owners of weight no more than 95 kg. And, accordingly, the rest of the weight category will have to rest on hard mattresses.
2. The size of the mattress must be perfectly adjusted to the parameters of the bed base.
3. For a double bed, you can look for combined mattress options, where one half is harder than the other. This is useful in the case when the weight of people resting on it varies significantly.
4. Do not forget that it is better for allergy sufferers not to sleep on products with natural fillers like horsehair, merino wool or coconut coir.
5. Control the quality of the mattress stitching. Poor-quality stitching is not a trifle, but a reason to refuse a purchase.
6. Don't forget to test the stiffness of the product. Put the mattress on its edge, lean it against the wall, press it and evaluate the degree of deflection.

We hope we have helped you answer the question of how to choose a mattress, and now, on occasion, you can do it right.

back to index ↑

Photo gallery - how to choose a mattress

back to index ↑

Video

---