When we decide to buy a mattress online we discover, sometimes, that it will be vacuum packed before shipping. This means receiving a mattress rolled and pressed into a plastic bag at home, in order to take up less space and facilitate transport.
Many people wonder if this procedure could cause damage to the internal structure, as well as compromise the functionality and efficiency of the support. Then there are those who argue that only low quality mattresses are vacuum packed, while the best products are always shipped with traditional packaging. Let’s try to clarify this topic that often puts the consumer in difficulty.
Vacuum mattresses: how is packaging done?
First of all, it should be pointed out that the belief that a vacuum mattress is of poor quality does not find any confirmation and much less foundation in reality. Indeed, we can say that exactly the opposite occurs. Let’s try to understand the reasons.
The process for vacuuming a mattress involves the use of special machines, without which it would not be possible to obtain a satisfactory result. The main reason why some companies ship their products in a normal way is because they do not have the aforementioned machinery or the materials used cannot withstand the intense stresses.
The operations of rolling up, pressing and extracting the air must be carried out following precise directives. The mattress to be put under vacuum is introduced into a press that develops very high forces in order to reduce the size as much as possible.
Then we proceed to insert it into the plastic casing and eliminate all the air. This procedure can be subjected to mattresses with pocket springs, natural latex or memory foam, but only if they are of the highest quality. Conversely, the materials would not be able to withstand mechanical stress.
Another element of great importance concerns the ability of the mattress to return to its original shape once the envelope has been opened. Depending on the construction characteristics and type of materials, a different time will be needed.
Usually within a few hours the mattress takes on the correct shape and size. If this is not the case, it means that we are dealing with a product that has remained vacuum-packed for too long or made with poor materials that have yielded under strong pressure. Obviously this procedure is also often used for memory foam bed pillows.
What are the advantages of a vacuum mattress?
We understand how only quality mattresses can be vacuum packed. But what are the advantages of this procedure that make it preferable to traditional packaging? The reasons are many starting from the ease of transport, without forgetting the best hygienic conditions but also greater convenience.
Easier to transport
The most obvious advantage is the considerable ease in loading / unloading a vacuum mattress which reduces its size and is also lighter. In this regard, a model with a pizza after the procedure takes the form of a cylinder about 1 meter long, a measure that rises to 1.7 meters for the double size.
The width instead varies between 40 and 45 centimeters. This means that three times more can be accommodated in the same truck than traditionally packaged mattresses.
In this way, greater environmental protection is obtained on the one hand and economic savings on the other. In fact, transport is managed using fewer human resources and making fewer trips.
Less chance of contamination
A vacuum mattress ensures better hygienic conditions than a model with normal packaging. From the moment the product is placed in a protected atmosphere in the company and until delivery to the customer, it is perfectly isolated from dirt, mites, bacteria, viruses and any other pathogen or microorganism. The layers of plastic film also protect the coating from damage and humidity. All this is a guarantee of receiving a mattress which, after unpacking it and waiting a few hours, can be used in absolute safety.
Economic saving
As I have already said, the vacuum process allows to significantly reduce the size of the packaging and consequently the transport costs. The manufacturer will thus be able to save money and offer the same mattress at a lower price.
How to unpack a vacuum mattress
When we receive the mattress, I suggest unpacking it directly in the room where it will be used. We can already place it still rolled up on the bed slats and remove the plastic cover, being careful not to damage or cut the upholstery.
Once free, the mattress immediately begins to incorporate air into the internal layers and recover its original shape and size within which time. Usually a high quality product received in the morning can already be tried the same evening.