All the secrets (and more) on how to choose the mattress !
How long does a mattress “last”?
It is a question that many people ask. We have to take several factors into consideration, of course. But, to understand what the duration of the mattress is, we need to focus essentially on 3 factors:
- use: even the mattress, like all things, must be preserved by avoiding everything that can overload it (for example, avoiding our children to jump on the mattress is definitely good and right)
- frequency of maintenance: turning it head-to-toe and upside down where possible is always advisable
- quality of the material: always check the origin of the raw material and above all the technical characteristics of each product.
Generally when a mattress has kept its characteristics unchanged for 10 years, it has done its duty and should be changed even just for the hygienic factor.
Why does the mattress have an “expiration”?
A mattress, to be considered as such, must guarantee adequate rest for the body, must improve the quality of sleep and must allow a recovery of the energy spent during the day, for a better and healthier life.
Which mattress guarantees the spinal column a correct position?
To date, different types of mattresses can be chosen on the market: from the most rigid model to the most welcoming, from the most ergonomic to the classic. When choosing the right mattress, it is necessary to consider a fact and absolute principle: while we sleep the entire musculature that controls the correct position of the spinal column relaxes, thus allowing the body to adapt to the support on which it is lying, the mattress. To fully perform this function of supporting and welcoming the body, the mattress must be chosen on the basis of certain personal physical characteristics of the user, such as weight, height, certain specific needs relating to, for example, the thermoregulation of body temperature, any problems of a musculoskeletal nature (scoliosis; herniated disc; cervical and non-temporary muscle pain) or allergic in nature and resting habits (sleeping on the stomach, up or on the side). Remember that there is no mattress for everyone but there is a mattress suitable for each of us that must be researched with care and with the help of an expert!
The weight distribution of our body is very well highlighted, to be taken into account in order to choose the right mattress.
Specifically, the weight and height of the person who has to use the mattress are the starting point for establishing the most appropriate degree of rigidity. With respect to the choice of material, any allergies must be considered, in addition to the type of sweating. It is also important to evaluate the temperature and humidity of the room.
How to choose the most comfortable mattress?
In this area there are now many models of mattresses, different from each other in terms of height, material, coverings and padding. The mattresses all look the same but you need to pay close attention to comfort and its duration over time. In fact, a good mattress must adapt to the body day after day, maintaining its characteristics and elasticity for as long as possible. For this, before purchasing, it is essential to test the characteristics of the mattresses and verify their comfort, by lying down for at least 10 minutes, possibly in the position in which you usually sleep.
What makes a mattress comfortable?
Answering this question is difficult and varies greatly from person to person depending on habits, needs and preferences. In fact, those who sleep on their backs will not look for the same characteristics in a mattress as those who are prone or sideways, just as those who suffer from joint pain will look for a more specific and particular product. Then there are those who love to feel supported and those who prefer to sleep on the soft side. And if you have to sleep in two, in addition to your own comfort you must also think about reaching a compromise! Buying a mattress is an investment for our long-term health and for this it is essential to try it to find out which is the right product for a better rest.
With springs, memory or latex: here are the main models for choosing the right mattress
And now let’s analyze together the main characteristics of the spring, memory or latex mattress.
All about spring mattresses
Spring mattresses are divided into traditional springs and independent springs also called pocket springs. Traditional springs were used more in past years: these mattresses have very wide steel springs joined together that make the mattress more rigid and suitable to support evenly but without differentiating body areas without a specific balance. The independent and pocket spring support is the evolution of the traditional spring. Each spring is “independent” and, thanks also to the differentiated zone processing, it adapts perfectly to the different pressures exerted by the body; this certainly guarantees the spine to assume a correct position. This mattress, even better if combined with a layer of superficial memory, is one of the most performing and requested supports on the market.
How important is the quantity of springs present in a mattress?
In mattresses with independent springs, the number of springs is very important for the choice of a product, as it also determines the rigidity and acceptance of the mattress. For those who prefer more support, a mattress with a quantity of springs between 700 and 1000 is preferable; for those who love hospitality, a mattress with a greater number of springs is recommended, usually between 1600 and 3000. In conclusion, the higher the number of springs that make up the mattress, the greater the welcome and comfort it offers.
All about memory mattresses
The memory foam mattresses are designed to adapt perfectly to the different weights and pressures exerted by the body; thus they ensure adequate support for the spinal column. Memory foam is a thermosensitive material that is sensitive to heat: this means that during the night this particular foam adapts perfectly to every physiological curve of our body, giving us a pleasant sensation of comfort and relaxation of all the muscles. It also promotes good blood circulation and avoids feelings of numbness on the body.
A good quality memory also guarantees excellent breathability and freshness performance during sleep and is hostile to the proliferation of mites and bacteria.
In summary: here are the main characteristics of the memory foam mattress:
- follows the shape of the body
- gives an immediate feeling of comfort and well-being
- antidecubitus: avoids the formation of pressure points
All about latex mattresses
This is one of the most elastic natural materials in nature, which allows the mattress to adapt optimally to the body, promoting total relaxation and also ensuring a correct position of the spine. Latex is an elastic and non-deformable material and has the ability to recover its original shape almost instantly once the pressure is removed. It also manages to undergo huge deformations without breaking. It is hypoallergenic and has bactericidal, germicidal and fungicidal properties. It also has good breathability characteristics thanks to a structure with communicating microcells that allow greater air exchange.
It must be said, however, that latex needs constant care and attention as, despite its breathability, it must be ventilated periodically, it must not be exposed to the sun and it must not be placed in humid and poorly experienced environments.
In summary: here are the main characteristics of the latex mattress:
- breathability: the structure with communicating microcells as in a dense network of channels allows air to circulate freely
- hygiene: latex has bactericidal, germicidal, fungicidal properties, which determine absolute hygiene and non-allergenicity
- elasticity: the latex can undergo huge deformations without breaking
What is the best mattress for a child?
It is necessary to distinguish the cot phase 60 × 120/125 from the normal bed phase 80 × 190/200.
In the first case, when the child is still small and still in the first years of his life, we must think mainly about the safety and hygiene of the mattress on which he sleeps. It is important that the mattress is anti-suffocation and therefore safe even in the event that during the night it should turn on its stomach and clean! An ad hoc mattress for these 2 needs is the Babydreamy mattress, the first mattress with washable memory: this mattress, thanks to the open cells of the Babyhealth memory that guarantee a continuous passage of air, prevents the child from suffocating and above all it is also washable inside comfortably in the washing machine at home !!!
In the other case, when the child “moves” to a bigger bed, the one where he will probably also spend his adolescence, it is necessary to consider that the child will grow up. In this phase, the child has a reduced muscle tone and therefore the mattress must be adequately supported to support the child correctly and prevent him from assuming the wrong positions. The necessary support, however, is not that given by springs but by a foam or memory mattress.
In fact, the springs would create a surface that is too rigid and not suitable for the continuous changes of the child’s body in terms of weight, height, etc., which on the contrary require a material that is able to adapt to the growth of the child in a constant and proportional way.
It is important that it is also hypoallergenic, better if removable.
Finally, even the pillow must be chosen with the utmost caution: for correct safety it is good to have an anti- suffocation pillow, on whose surface there are through holes. Once you have passed the stage of the baby bed, it is recommended to switch to a bed with a traditional mattress: this is because children grow quickly and a smaller mattress would be only a temporary solution.
When is it time to replace the old mattress?
Today, unlike products that were once made, mattresses are made to last a lifetime, or at least that’s what many advertisements tell us. In truth, even mattresses have their own duration, which varies from 8 to 10 years. Our body changes with the passage of time and, therefore, the mattress that is perfect today may no longer be perfect in ten years or so. In addition to this, these products are “containers” for dust, mites, fungi, germs and molds, which can cause serious health problems, even up to the appearance of new allergies. In this regard, anti-mite, hypoallergenic, antibacterial and ecological coverings contribute to making this resting surface ideal also from a hygienic point of view. So, if your mattress is 10 years old or more, now is the time to get rid of it. Not sure if the time has come?