Three Things to Know Before Buying a Mattress

Buying a mattress is weird. So weird that people are eager to buy them sight-unseen with just an online click, instead of trying them out in person.

I don’t blame them at all! It’s hard to justify spending thousands of dollars more for one quilted rectangle over another that looks pretty much the same. Sure, the mattress folks will tell you that the price is justified, but why should you believe them?

Many furniture and mattress stores spend a great deal of time training their mattress specialists and salespersons in helping their customers find the right mattress. Not the most expensive, not the cheapest, but the correct mattress that will promote restorative sleep and good health. It really is that important, and a good salesperson will be glad that you have done some homework before you started shopping.

Many furniture and mattress stores spend a great deal of time training their mattress specialists and salespersons in helping their customers find the right mattress. Not the most expensive, not the cheapest, but the correct mattress that will promote restorative sleep and good health

Here’s three things that your mattress salesperson wants you to know before you look for a mattress. It will help you to understand the mattress they suggest for you and give you confidence that you are making a good decision.

1. Mattresses Don't Last Forever (Even if They Have a Lifetime Warranty)

Mattresses last about 6-10 years, so you will likely buy at least five mattresses in your lifetime. Why five? Because when you are a child and student your parents probably bought your mattresses, and when you are an adult, you will likely put off buying mattresses longer than you should.

Mattresses wear out even faster for the following reasons:

• Lower-quality materials such as a high coil gauge (the higher the number the thinner the coil), low density foams, and synthetic latex don’t hold up as well as lower coil gauge, higher foam density, and natural latex. You really will wear out a mattress made with cheap materials faster than one made with materials of higher quality.

• Not using a mattress protector is a mattress killing decision. The mattress will absorb your sweat, dead skin cells, dust mites, and dust mite feces. That can lead to mold and also irritate already-present allergies, and the moist and humid environment can break down the foams and padding.

Besides that, most mattress warranties are voided if the mattress is dirty or stained. Using a mattress protector preserves the warranty and your investment.

• The weight of the user has a big impact on the longevity of the mattress. The heavier the sleeper the faster all the materials will degrade, even a high cost ‘luxury’ mattress.

The weight isn’t just human weight either, if your pets habitually sleep with you, they will add to the weight load of the mattress and reduce its longevity.

• Lack of mattress support on queen and king beds will shift the springs and any foam materials in the bed. If a technician inspects your mattress for a warranty claim they will look for a central support on a Queen or King bedframe, lack of which could be considered cause to void the warranty. Be sure to have a center support under the foundation of a queen or king mattress.

2. There are Two Key Words to Describe Mattresses

Mattresses are described using the words ‘support’ and ‘comfort’. These are two different things.

Support is the way the mattress holds your body in the correct alignment: opening your airway, keeping your spine straight, promoting good circulation. Comfort is the way you want all of that to feel.

Hmmm. Let me explain it another way.

If you said you wanted a firm mattress and nothing else would do, does that mean you want to sleep on a hard concrete floor every night? No, it most likely doesn’t. A hard concrete floor WILL give you the firmest support, but the level of comfort it offers is zero.

Support

A mattress’s job is to properly support you as you sleep. A good mattress salesperson will test your spinal alignment to make sure the level of support is correct, and you can check your current mattress the same way. Grab your pillow and see how your current mattress supports you:

• Side sleeper: lay on your side using your pillow as usual. After a moment of settling into the position have someone stand behind you. As they look at the way you lay they can hold a pencil in front of their eyes, with the tip of the pencil at the base of your neck. Does the spine follow the straight line of the pencil? If so, then your body is being properly supported for restful sleep and good circulation.

• Back sleeper: Lay on your pillow and relax. After a moment or two notice the angle of your neck. Is your chin dropped to your neck? If it is then you are sinking too far into the bed and compromising your airway. That means you are not getting enough support.

Spinal alignment and airway tests are something that your salesperson should do as they work with you. If they DON'T check your spinal alignment ask to work with someone else. You wouldn't buy shoes for $20 if they didn't support your body and hurt your feet, don't buy a mattress for hundreds (or thousands) of dollars that won't support your alignment and will hurt your breathing, circulation, and health.

In general, a small child or frail person can be properly aligned on a light support mattress; their body barely makes a dent so the alignment holds in place. A heavier person will sink into a low support mattress and needs more support to maintain their alignment. (No, we aren't back to sleeping on the floor again!)

Comfort

Comfort is the stuff between the correct support and you. In the example of sleeping on the floor the proper comfort would be the padding you would place on the floor that would allow you to sleep well in proper support.

Knowing if a person is properly supported is easy to see, knowing the right comfort is something only the sleeper knows.

It’s like taste! Think of a pizza: the crust is the support and the toppings are what you like; the toppings stand for the level of comfort that is right for you. Just as everyone has their preferred topping flavor profile for a pizza, everyone has their ideal topping comfort profile for a mattress.

You may choose pillowtop, soft top, or plush for maximum comfort, or go for latex and honeycombed grids that allow you to sleep IN the bed and not ON the bed. It's all up to you, just know you can get that AND the support you need!

3. You Are Probably Going to Hate Your New Mattress For a Few Weeks

I know this is a hard and bitter disappointment. You spent a lot of money, finally cleaned all that stuff out from under your old bed, rearranged the furniture, changed your schedule for the delivery, and all you want is a great night's sleep. Well, that you will have... but maybe not right away.

The reason is that your body has gotten used to sleeping with poor support. Sure, you toss and turn, maybe wake up two to five times a night, but you get used to sleeping in a sloped hollow of the mattress, or maybe curled around that poking spring.

Now your body is being supported and it isn't used to it. It is normal to take up to six weeks for your body to relax and get used to the new support. That doesn't mean it is the wrong mattress!

Another thing you might notice is that your new mattress isn't 'broken in' and might feel 'harder' than the one in the store. That's normal. It came right from the warehouse or the manufacturer and you are the first person to lay down on it. The mattress at the store has had other people test it and the material has had a chance to settle and aerate. Your mattress will feel the same way within a few weeks.

Now You Are Ready to Shop

• Be ready to explain why you want to replace your old mattress. Let's the salesperson know that will help them suggest something that will meet your needs.
• MEASURE YOUR ROOM before you choose the mattress! Be sure you have room for a king before you purchase it. And if you do get a queen or king make sure you can maneuver the doorways, hallways, and steps to get it in place. (If it looks tight, let them know you need a 'split queen' or 'split king')
• Give yourself at least three minutes to try out a mattress, laying on it in the position in which you go to sleep, and using a pillow that maintains your spinal alignment.
• Don't try more than three mattresses during the shopping trip. If you can't make up your mind by trying three of the mattresses the salesperson suggests then let them know you will come back another time, or ask to work with someone else. Trying too many mattresses in a row starts to make everything feel muddled, and you may rush into making a bad decision just to get it over with.
• Pro Tip: Unless it is a Tempur-Pedic, don't be afraid to ask if they can do better on the price. The worst that can happen is they say "no". If they do, ask if they will include the pillows you used when you tested the mattress.

In Conclusion

Do your homework and shop for new mattresses with confidence. You deserve the very best night's sleep at the very best price; and not a penny more. Sweet Dreams!