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Mattress Buying Guide
Other Things To Consider in Mattresses
Sleeping Position
The position you sleep in determines what part of your body will interface with the sleeping surface as well as the amount of stress the body undergoes during sleep.The three basic sleep positions are back, stomach and side. Most people will use more than one position during a typical night's sleep. Back sleepers need a mattress that offers support filling in the gaps in the contour of the back while at the same time being comfortable to the individual user preference. Stomach sleepers need a firmer support surface to prevent spinal distortion that can result in back pain. The size and type of pillow used can also play a significant role in obtaining the right combination of comfort and support. Side sleepers typically face the greatest amount of weight on the smallest areas of the body thereby creating pressure points. Pressure points reduce circulation and can be a cause of the tossing and turning that occurs as we sleep. A side sleeper will probably want a plusher feel that minimizes pressure points.
Coils
Coil count, yes, you need to know about this as well. Coils are the springs that give the mattress its primary support. In general, the more coils you have the more support you have - but wait. What if you used fewer stronger/thicker coils, would that offer the same support as more thinner coils? The answer is - it depends on your personal preference. Most mattresses are built with coils from 12 gauge to 15 gauge. The larger the number the thinner the coil. Right off the bat you don't need to ask for a specific count and gauge when you enter a sleep shop but once you know what feels best for you then you can shop based on coil count/gauge.
Turning your Mattresses
While there is quite a bit of difference as to what various manufacturers recommend, a safe middle ground is to try and rotate the mattress every 3 months and to turn the mattress at least twice a year. Some thicker mattresses are being marketed as "never rotate" beds. If they are innerspring, latex or foam, this is miss-information. They need to be rotated to reduce the inevitable wear patterns, which develop on all mattresses.
How long should my mattress last?
Your sleep set should generally last 7 to 10 years of nightly use. Premium mattresses slept on nightly will provide reasonable levels of comfort and support for about 10-12 years. After that, gravity begins to take its toll, and mattresses lose a significant amount of both comfort and support. In order to get the most out of your mattress, try to avoid putting a new mattress on a saggy, broken down base. Also, if you sit on the edge of your bed, try to avoid sitting on the same spot every time.
Water retention
A healthy sleeper exudes about 0.5 liters of liquid a night. During illness this can be up to 1 liter. Mattresses that do not absorb moisture well are not only hygienically unsightly but unsuitable. After 10+ years the mattress has had up to 3000 liters of perspiration and is saturated with salts, taken up and partially given off.
Furthermore, it is not justifiable for parents to give their old mattresses to their children. Children's bone structure is not yet fixed and therefore shapeable and more easily damaged. Old mattresses no longer offer the correct support required for these young bodies.
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