Happy Housekeeping: Home And Garden Tips

When you’re shopping for a mattress, some of the most important parts are the ones that you won’t be able to see. In particular, you’ll want to find out as much as possible about the metal coils inside the mattress and how they are made. Mattress testing in the store will offer you some information about the current condition of the mattress, you’ll have to ask some questions in order to determine how the mattress will hold up over a longer period of time.

Number of coils and coil construction

It’s important to ask how many coils are enclosed within the mattresses you’re looking at, as well as their size. But don’t assume that the same number of coils will equal a similar level of quality from a different manufacturer. Manufacturers may design their coils in a slightly different way or use a different wire size – both of which can have a big impact on their feel. When evaluating this aspect of a mattress, it’s best to just lie down on the mattress and see how it feels.

In addition, it might be helpful to ask if the store owner has a bare coil set on hand for you to look at. As you study the coils, you’ll be able to see how the coils are pieced together. This will show you the size of the wire in each mattress and help you understand how the mattress supports your body. Even if you can’t see a bare spring set for each model, you can still use the visual information to help you assess other mattresses.

Observe how the handles are attached to the mattress

Even though you may not be giving much thought to turning your mattress or to how much work goes into moving one should you need to relocate. But give the mattress handle a little respect – you won’t know how much you need it until it’s gone. When you’re looking at new mattresses, it’s important to evaluate the durability and quality of the handles. Ask if the handles are attached to the inner coils – if not, they may tear out quickly.

Asking about recycled content

Unfortunately, there’s no way to determine whether or not you’re receiving all new materials when you purchase a new mattress. In some cases, manufacturers may take coils from old mattresses and simply add a new covering. If you’re concerned about this issue, ask to test a number of mattresses of the same model. Chances are, if one of the mattresses has been made with used or refurbished coils within, it will sound and feel different than the others you try out.

As you’re shopping for a new mattress, you may be tempted to buy the one that looks the prettiest or the one that’s the cheapest in the store. While the covering of a mattress may be important, the coils that determine how your body will be supported are far more important. Even though you won’t be able to directly assess the coils in the store, you should still do your best to test them out and ask questions about their construction.