Happy Housekeeping: Home And Garden Tips

Every year, thousands of people purchase mattresses, only to find that their new mattresses are as uncomfortable as the old ones. You can avoid this problem by assessing your personal needs before you go to the store. Depending on your tolerance to certain aspects of a mattress, you may find that you need to purchase a specific type, rather than simply shop based on brand name or price.

Pressure Sensitivity

While many people assess the firmness of a mattress, few think about how this will affect sleeping posture. For example, a box spring mattress that’s too soft may wreak havoc on side-sleepers – the last thing you want is to try and arrange your body around bedsprings just as you’re trying to fall asleep! On the other hand, a mattress that is too firm is bound to feel like a board, and leave you wondering how you will arrange your knees and shoulders. The best way to assess your pressure sensitivity is to lie on a number of mattresses at the store to determine which is most comfortable for you and your sleep style.

Tolerance to Springs

Some people just hate box-spring mattresses. While the springs provide flexibility in a mattress, they also have a tendency to be in all the wrong places – so you could spend hours looking for a position where the springs aren’t poking into your back. It’s important to know if you have a low tolerance for springs before purchasing a new mattress. There are plenty of alternatives on the market today, including adjustable bed mattresses – so don’t feel that you’re trapped if you don’t like springs.

Back Support

Without question, your back needs the proper amount of support while you’re sleeping, since mattresses that are too soft or too hard can aggravate existing back problems. Today, there are a number of mattresses available that can be adjusted to fit the shape of your back. While these mattresses may be more expensive, you might find that you sleep more comfortably on them. For a low cost option, try purchasing a memory foam cover that “remembers” the shape of your back. If you find this helpful, consider it a sign that your next mattress should be one that adjusts to fit your back.

Mattress Odor

Surprisingly enough, the way a mattress smells can make it very difficult to sleep on. In particular, if the mattress has a strong vinyl odor – or does not air out well – you probably won’t be able to sleep well. Therefore, before purchasing a mattress, you may want to smell its surface carefully to make sure it does not have a strong vinyl or chemical odor to it. Even a mattress that does not have much odor in a store can accumulate a stronger odor in an enclosed space – like your bedroom. When in doubt, find a different mattress.

Before looking for a new mattress, it’s especially important to identify your personal needs and sensitivities. Even if you think that your old mattress needs replacing because of worn out springs, you might want to consider why and how the springs are causing you distress. In some cases, it might be best for you to purchase a different type of mattress, rather than find yourself unhappy with the new one a few months down the road.