20 The Sleep Council Bed Buyers Guide 21
Your questions answered
What sort of bed should I choose if I have a bad back?
For a long time, it was believed that a hard bed was good for
a bad back. Nowadays it’s generally accepted that this is not
necessarily the case – and could in fact cause more damage.
A supportive and comfortable mattress is the best option – it
doesn’t matter what type of construction it is. Any reference
to beds being orthopaedic – or similar medical sounding
terms – does not automatically mean that the bed has been
professionally assessed or recommended – it is a term loosely
used by manufacturers to refer to extra firm models in their
range.
What sort of bed is best for asthma sufferers or other
types of allergy?
Almost all beds will, in time, attract house dust mites, whose
droppings are highly allergenic. Regular cleaning, airing and
the use of protective covers will reduce the effect. Some
manufacturers are now using anti-dust mite treated fabrics for
tickings. Always check details of construction and materials if
you suffer from any other allergies. Manufacturers will be able
to supply you with details.
Are foam mattresses hot?
Mattresses don’t create the heat and people can get hot on
beds of all constructions – and remember that age, health and
medications can all affect your body’s heat control mechanisms.
But foam is a good insulator and the higher the density (i.e.
the better the quality) the greater the potential heat retention.
Manufacturers are coming up with various novel solutions
for climate control – from the cellular construction or the
composition of the foam itself to aid breathability; to specially
constructed ventilation layers; special springs to enhance air
circulation; to warm sides and cool sides; to covers with the sort
of technology you see in high performance clothing: fast drying
and capable of allowing moisture to evaporate quickly.
Why are two similar mattresses so widely different in price?
Chances are they are not as similar as they seem. They might
both claim to be predominantly of the same construction – but
further investigation will probably reveal different material
qualities; densities; amounts; etc. If you want to comparative
shop you will need quite a lot of detail to make sure you are
comparing like for like.
What should I pay for a good mattress?
Prices for beds range from well under £100 to several
thousands. As a general rule you get what you pay for.
Remember that every £100 you spend on a new bed, actually
represents an investment of just 2.7p a night (assuming a
lifespan of seven years). A bargain bed is no bargain if you
don’t sleep well in it.
What happens to my old mattress?
Many retailers will offer to dispose of your old bed and take
it away when they deliver your new one. More and more
are sending these old mattresses off for recycling which
is good news but it’s worth digging a bit deeper to find
out just how that recycling works. Some of it may just be
crushed up and going back into landfill. Some old mattresses
or old components and fillings are making their way back
into production without proper processing. So look for NBF
Approved Members to ensure that the product you’re buying
is safe, clean and honest.
Which is better – tufted or quilted?
Better quality tufts are well protected by wool or felt
pompoms but some more sensitive people may be more
aware of them than others. A good mattress protector can
help. Otherwise, choose a quilted style instead.
Will I notice any difference between rigid and
flexible slats?
Not only are they likely to feel different – rigid slats will give
a bed a firmer feel – but they will affect the durability of
the mattress – rigid slats have no give and work against the
mattress, leaving it to do all the work; sprung slats work with
the mattress and will prolong its life and improve comfort
levels.
My mattress is not the same size as the base
There could be two reasons for this. You may not have
bought the same size mattress as base. There are so many
different sizes on the market these days, it is important
to check actual dimensions, in the same scale (metric or
imperial) to be sure of a size match. Don’t go by names
alone – one shop’s king size may not be the same another’s!
The other reason might be because of the construction. In
transit or storage, mattress springs can sometimes nestle
into each other temporarily reducing with the length or
width. During use, the mattress should recover its original
dimension. The effect is likely to be more pronounced if
the spring unit does not have a perimeter frame
or the mattress is not fully hand side stitched
– ideally a mattress should have one or the
other feature to ensure it keeps its shape.