If you thought the princess in “The Princess and the Pea” had it pretty soft, wait until you see the latest generation of mattresses. A decade ago, mattresses were about 8 inches thick. Nowadays, they’re nearly twice that, averaging 14 to 15 inches (although the thinner versions are still available for those who prefer them).
The coils and upholstery layers on the inside and the coverings outside account for today’s deeper, plusher mattresses. Elements such as individually pocketed or covered (as opposed to exposed) coils, natural upholstery fibers and “pillow top” covers (cushioned top layers that resemble a thin pillow and provide a plush feeling) would make it hard even for an insomniac princess to feel a pea–or even a whole can of them.
While bedding experts are not certain whether manufacturers or consumers are the ones spurring the changes, what’s known is that comfort is the key factor in this $3.3 billion-a-year industry. When consumers buy mattresses–to the tune of 18.4 million a year–more people are seeking softer cushioning and larger size.
“The bedroom has become a sanctuary or haven, especially for two-income families who are pressed to the max. It’s the place they can retreat for relaxation,” explains Andrea Herman, director of the Better Sleep Council, headquartered in Arlington, Va.
“Many experts say a hard bed is best for you, but if you look at the human spine, it’s not flat but curved, and you need a product that really cradles and supports you, whatever weight, height and shape you are. It’s a matter of preference.”
There’s more good news: Consumers have more choices than ever and they can almost always find a quality mattress on sale. Larry Thomas, an editor of Furniture Today, a weekly industry publication based in the furniture capital of High Point, N.C., says: “Many stores use mattresses as a way to get traffic into a store. It’s not uncommon to see them on sale every weekend.”
How often should you buy a new mattress? Experts advise every 10 to 16 years, depending on frequency of use. The clearest signs that it’s time for a new one are signs of wear such as heavy sagging or an uncomfortable night’s sleep and waking up with stiff or sore muscles or back pain.
Your mattress also will last longer if you buy a foundation (sometimes referred to as a box spring) at the same time. A washable mattress pad will add another layer of protection, and all should be set off the floor on some sort of frame.
Finally, it’s smart to try your mattress before buying it. Don’t be shy about trying it out in the store. Get into your favorite sleeping position and also sit on the edge of the bed to see how the mattress feels. And if you’re not happy once you’ve gotten the mattress home, many stores have a 30- to 60-day grace period for returns or exchanges. But be sure to ask before it goes out the door. Following are the key criteria to consider:
– Construction. Think of a mattress as a giant sandwich with the innermost filling representing the core of support, topped by several layers of padding and upholstery, then an outside covering. In addition to waterbeds, you have numerous choices, including foam, which comes in different densities; latex, also called rubber; air, also called springless and consisting of adjustable air chambers; and, the most popular, an inner spring, which contains dozens of coils that support the mattress.
Coils come in different configurations, sizes, shapes and weights (or gauge). A full-size mattress with heavier coils might have 368 while one with finer (lighter) coils might have as many as 660 to 700, says Furniture Today’s Thomas.
A March 1997 Consumer Reports article said that neither coil design nor count affects quality or durability except in the cheapest models. Herman agrees: “It’s become obsolete as technology has advanced. The science of the coil has expanded and there are many variables. It’s just one of several variables, but shouldn’t be taken alone as a measure of quality or performance.”
Besides the core, you need to consider the material for the upholstery layers, which can be a synthetic or dacron at the lower end, a higher grade of dacron at the middle range and a hypoallergenic wool, silk or cashmere at the upper end, says John Rotella, president of the Chicago Mattress City sleep shop chain.
The cover or outermost layer of the mattress, also called the ticking, comes in a variety of materials, too. In most cases, it is made of a polyester or cotton-polyester blend at the low end and silk, wool weaves or blended weaves at the high end, says Rotella.
– Foundation. You must decide what type of foundation to buy because they come in wood, steel or a combination of those materials, which are then wrapped in fabric. The foundation acts like a giant shock absorber and provides additional support for the mattress, Herman says. Most are sold with a mattress as a set.
– Size. Mattresses come in a number of sizes, measured in inches: twin (38 by 75), extra-long twin (38 by 80), full or double (54 by 75), extra-long full (54 by 80), queen (60 by 80), king (76 by 80), California king (72 by 84) and non-standard sizes such as super single (48 by 84) and antique (48 by 75).
Dan Korbakis, a sales consultant at Marshall Field & Co., says what size you buy should depend in part on the room in which the bed is used and, of course, on personal preferences.
– Price. Cost varies, depending on all the previous factors as well as the name-brand or private-label mattress you buy and where you buy it–at a department store, large bedding chain or small mattress chain.
But as Consumer Reports also pointed out, the names of essentially identical mattresses often differ from store to store, making comparison shopping tough.
Typically, a queen-size inner-spring costs between $599 and $899; a dual mattress in the same size, $800 to $900; a queen-size foam or latex mattress $799 to $1,000; and a springless queen-size around $1,000. But don’t be surprised if you see prices as high as $1,500 and as low as $175. “Everybody has a promotional mattress at the low end,” says Rotella.
What about care? Just as you rotate your car tires, rotate your mattress for even wear and tear. Do so every two weeks for the first two months of use, then every three months, says Al Hart, a salesman at a Sears Homelife Furniture store in suburban St. Louis.
– Extra reading. The Better Sleep Council publishes a guide that tells how to assess the condition of your mattress and what guidelines to follow when shopping for a new one. It is available by sending $1 and a stamped self-addressed business-size envelope to Better Sleep Guide, P.O. Box 19534, Alexandria, Va. 22320-0534.
