7 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Mattress
by: D Ruplinger
Purchasing a mattress is the most important furniture purchase you?ll make because you spend more time on a mattress than on any other piece of furniture you own, unless you have a tendency to fall asleep every night in a recliner like my husband does.
The seven items below are things you should be aware of and to consider before you purchase a mattress since that mattress will be a huge factor in the quality of sleep you receive each evening.
1) Decide on a budget. The prices of mattresses vary a great deal. If price is your number one consideration you can find an inexpensive mattress and box spring set for a few hundred dollars. But I recommend buying the best mattress and box spring you can afford. When you buy a mattress you get what you pay for. My first two mattress purchases were based on price and I never really got a good night?s sleep. I saved and bought a high quality mattress a few years ago. It was a great buying decision. I now wake up feeling rested and refreshed, not tired and sore like I used to.
2) Decide what size mattress you are going to buy. If you are buying a mattress for a child a twin size mattress is fine, but if you are an adult and there are two people sleeping in your bed I don?t recommend going with anything smaller than a queen size bed. If you can afford a king-size bed and you have the room for it, I recommend it.
I now own a king size bed and it?s nice having enough space in bed to move around a little without disturbing my partner like I used to. In our old bed (a full size) I once accidentally hit my husband in the mouth in the middle of the night when I rolled over and flung my arm out. He was not a happy person! If you think a full-size mattress is big enough for two people consider this: a full size mattress gives each person the same amount of bed width as in a baby crib. Queen size mattresses are the most popular size but if two people are sleeping in a queen size bed each person still has 10 ? inches less bed width than if they were sleeping by themselves in a twin bed.
The standard sizes of mattresses are: TWIN: 39? wide, 75? long; TWIN EXTRA LONG: 38? wide; 80? long; DOUBLE/FULL: 54? wide, 75? long; QUEEN: 60? wide, 80? long; KING: 76? wide, 80? long; CALIFORNIA KING: 72? wide, 84? long.
3) Test. Test. Test. Try out mattresses. Go to several stores and lay down on different mattresses. See what you find comfortable. A firm mattress isn?t always the best mattress. It depends on the individual. If you and your partner prefer different firmness levels look for a mattress that can have different firmness levels on each side. For example, I prefer a firmer mattress than my husband does so his side of the bed is less firm than mine. Comfort (as long as you are in your within the range of your budget) should be your number one consideration.
4) Don?t be too concerned about the words, firm, extra firm, etc. especially when looking at mattresses from different manufacturers. Firmness is not standardized in the mattress industry. One manufacturer?s ?firm? mattress may actually be firmer than another manufacturer?s ?extra firm? mattress. Look for comfort and support. You want to feel cradled and supported when you lay on a mattress. And don?t feel self-conscious about going into stores and lying on as many mattresses as you want. It?s the best way to tell if a mattress is or isn?t right for you. The best way to check out the mattress is to take off your shoes and your coat if you?re wearing on. Lying on a mattress with your coat and shoes on is not going to help you determine what mattress is right for you unless you plan on sleeping in your coat and shoes every night.
5) Warranty is important but not as important as you might think. A mattress with a 25 year warranty is great, but the life expectancy of a great quality mattress is only about 10 years. You want a warranty to protect you from defects and problems. To me a sleep guarantee is more important than a long warranty. What I mean by a sleep guarantee is that you are given a period of time to try out your mattress. For example, some stores and manufacturers give sleep guarantees of up to 90 days although 30 days is the most common. If during that time you decide the mattress you purchased is not right for you, you are able to either exchange it or return it for a refund.
For example, when I purchased my last mattress from a sleep specialty store that custom builds each mattress (Verlo), it came with a 60 day sleep guarantee or trial period. If we didn?t like the mattress the store would come to our house, pick up the mattress, take it back to their factory and rebuild it for us. I liked that peace of mind. After sleeping on our mattress for a few weeks I decided my side was a little too firm. We called the store where we bought it and made an appointment for them to come and pick it up. The store picked up our mattress in the morning, took it to their store/factory, rebuilt it, and returned it late the same day. They did this so we wouldn?t be without a mattress to sleep on.
6) Get familiar with the following terms: innerspring and box spring (also called the foundation). Innerspring mattresses are, by far, the most common type of mattress purchased. An innerspring mattress is made with tempered steel coils encased in layers of cushioning and upholstery. The box spring or foundation is what the mattress sits on. It?s generally not considered a good idea to put a new mattress on an old box spring. A manufacturer?s box spring and mattress are designed to work together to give you the best product. In addition, many manufacturers will void their warranty if a mattress is not placed on the box spring that is designed to go with it.
7) Know what choices you have besides the traditional innerspring and box spring sets. There are other viable options depending on what you are looking for. Those options include foam mattresses, futons, airbeds, adjustable beds, and waterbeds.
Foam mattresses ? a foam mattress can be made of solid foam piece or may be composed of several layers of different types of foam. Some foam mattresses have a top layer that is composed of memory foam that remembers the shape of your body and conforms to it.
Futons ? futon beds are basically a frame with a folding mattress on it. A futon can function as both a sofa and a bed. Most futons come with a standard 6 inch foam mattress, which isn?t very comfortable if the futon is going to be a person?s primary bed. If the futon is going to be a primary bed a better option is to purchase an innerspring mattress for the bed. Several manufacturers make innerspring mattresses for futons. The innerspring mattresses are more expensive but are also a whole lot more comfortable. If an innerspring mattress is out of your price range, try to at least upgrade to an 8 inch foam mattress.
Airbed ? an airbed is just what it sounds like ? a bed full of air. Most airbeds are touted as being portable, easy to set-up, and easy to store after use. I have an airbed at my house for use as an extra mattress during the holidays when we always seem to have more overnight guests than beds. Today?s airbeds are a lot more than inflatable pieces of plastic. Our airbed has a pillow top mattress which makes it surprisingly comfortable. Some airbeds have adjustable firmness levels and/or a heated top to make them more comfortable.
Adjustable beds ? an adjustable bed is a lot like a hospital bed because it allows you to adjust the head and foot of the bed to your liking. Adjustable beds come in all sizes and the larger sizes have separate controls for each side of the bed.
Waterbeds ? today?s waterbeds are more sturdy than the wobbly water-filled mattresses from the 70?s that you could get seasick on. The latest designs are built to look like an innerspring/box spring set. The interior of the mattress has layers of baffling and upholstery to provide support and comfort (www.mattressespro.com/watermattress).
There are a lot of choices in mattresses today. If you do a little research and become familiar with the different types of mattresses available to you before you start to shop, the task of finding the right mattress for you will be easier.
About The Author
D Ruplinger is a featured writer for http://www.mattressespro.com. For more information about mattresses, mattress ratings, and mattress sizes, visit http://www.mattressespro.com.
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Challenge Yourself: Travel Alone
Challenge Yourself: Travel Alone
by: Eric Odom
Now let?s be honest, this isn?t going to be easy.
I find traveling alone to more of a mental workout than anything. When you travel with a few friends or a significant other, you have several other people encouraging the hard decisions to be made in one direction or another. When it is just you, you have no ?yeah let?s go there? or ?I want a beer in Ireland?. It?s just you.
You have to make the decisions. You have to buy the plane ticket and plan everything from scratch. You?ve got to hit the search engines and find the information, you?ve got to figure out exactly how Europe works and you are going to drive yourself mad wanting to know what a youth hostel is. Traveling alone isn?t as easy as it sounds.
Ok, so are you scared yet? You shouldn?t be.
Actually, I was only kidding. If you slow your mind down and just understand that a truly unique journey does not begin when you...
Challenge Yourself: Travel Alone
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Aluminum Fishing Boats: From Compact Jon Boat to Custom Design!
Aluminum Fishing Boats: From Compact Jon Boat to Custom Design!
by: Neels Theron
Looking around on the web for an aluminum fishing boat? You'll soon enough find out there are a number of different ways to go, depending on your needs and budget...
Are you looking for something very straightforward and uncomplicated you can quickly fit on your pickup? Or maybe you want something more sophisticated you can use for both tournament fishing and recreational fishing?
Another option - if money isn't your biggest concern - could be to look into a custom built boat with everything just the way you want!
You will probably know why you're looking for an aluminum fishing boat as opposed to a fiberglass or steel boat, but lightness (greater performance or fuel savings) and strength (around 35,000 pounds per square inch (psi) will deform it as opposed to 30,000 psi for mild steel) are probably the greatest advantages.
Price also comes into...
Aluminum Fishing Boats: From Compact Jon Boat to Custom Design!
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Log Cabin Living: Soften the D?cor with Fabric, Artwork, and Plants
Log Cabin Living: Soften the D?cor with Fabric, Artwork, and Plants
by: Aldene Fredenburg
If you're looking for a rustic living experience, log cabins - either individually built or from a prefab kit - are a great choice; but they do present some unique decorating challenges. Most often the interior walls around the perimeter of the home are constructed of the same rough logs as the exterior; so what do you do to define your d?cor, or to provide a new look to a home that's become boring to you?
Drapes on the windows are always an easy option, but don't stop there. Quilts or other fabric wall hangings can add interest while establishing a color scheme; add enough large quilts in your choice of designs and the bare log walls will fade into the background. (Wall hangings can also do double duty by helping to minimize drafts common in log homes.) Carefully chosen artwork can also help define the d?cor; a group of small paintings can complement the...
Log Cabin Living: Soften the D?cor with Fabric, Artwork, and Plants
Beds > Log Cabin Living: Soften the D?cor with Fabric, Artwork, and Plants
Log Cabin Living: Soften the D?cor with Fabric, Artwork, and Plants
Log Cabin Living: Soften the D?cor with Fabric, Artwork, and Plants
by: Aldene Fredenburg
If you're looking for a rustic living experience, log cabins - either individually built or from a prefab kit - are a great choice; but they do present some unique decorating challenges. Most often the interior walls around the perimeter of the home are constructed of the same rough logs as the exterior; so what do you do to define your d?cor, or to provide a new look to a home that's become boring to you?
Drapes on the windows are always an easy option, but don't stop there. Quilts or other fabric wall hangings can add interest while establishing a color scheme; add enough large quilts in your choice of designs and the bare log walls will fade into the background. (Wall hangings can also do double duty by helping to minimize drafts common in log homes.) Carefully chosen artwork can also help define the d?cor; a group of small paintings can complement the...
Log Cabin Living: Soften the D?cor with Fabric, Artwork, and Plants
Beds > Log Cabin Living: Soften the D?cor with Fabric, Artwork, and Plants
The #1 Sin Made by Success Seekers!
The #1 Sin Made by Success Seekers!
by: Kenny Goh Jern Yue
Have you ever wondered why some people are able to make their dreams a reality while others? hopes and dreams remain only a fantasy? What is it that propels some people to higher level of fulfillment; lifestyle and happiness while others remain stuck at the lover level their entire lives? Life is too short to waste on a treadmill, which makes us feel stuck and unhappy. We are not born to wake up each day to fulfill obligations and then to fall wearily into our beds at the end of the day.
Many books, CDs and seminars promise the quick fix and magic pill to make all your dreams come true or solve all your problems. What participants experienced is temporary motivation that fizzles out when days go by. The answer lies not in motivation, but inspiration.
Motivation is simply a result of inspiration. When you are inspired, your life takes on a new meaning and you embark on a wonderful...
The #1 Sin Made by Success Seekers!
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How Exactly Do Septic Tanks Work?
How Exactly Do Septic Tanks Work?
by: Scott Leahy
A sewerage drain field and a septic tank make up a small scale sewage treatment system. A septic tank is basically a rectangular shaped underground receptacle for wastewater. It is watertight, made of concrete, and consists of tanks that are divided into chambers. The first chamber has twice the volume as the second and the majority of the organic solid matter, referred to as sludge, gets settled here. The second chamber further purifies the wastewater.
The septic tank collects wastewater from toilets, showers, sinks, etc. Due to the absence of a current the sludge quickly settles down to the tank floor. Anaerobic bacterial digestive activity on the sludge leads to the generation of methane and carbon dioxide; the sludge is stabilized and does not rot anymore. Particles of stabilized sludge stay settled, some may float to the top as scum.
A septic tank should be constructed such that there...
How Exactly Do Septic Tanks Work?
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How To Take Care Of Your Home Tanning Bed
How To Take Care Of Your Home Tanning Bed
by: John Grant
We all wanted to have our tanning beds to last as long as possible. This is why some people buy tanning beds that are touted to be durable. But tanning beds do last long if the owners take good care of them.
Here are some ways to take good care of your tanning bed.
After each session, you need to do two things, ?inspect? and ?clean?. You need to inspect the click strip and make sure that it is attached firmly. And you need to inspect the facial glass (if your tanning bed has it) and make sure that it has no cracks or any other ?blemishes?. Then, you need to clean. You must clean the bench and canopy acrylics. Use only the right cleaning liquid, not alcohol nor bleach. And use only soft non-abrasive cloth. You must also clean the tanning bed pillow. Do not use the outdoor or oil-based tanning lotions. These will damage the acrylic. And lastly, you must clean and sanitize the goggles....
How To Take Care Of Your Home Tanning Bed
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Do It Yourself: Drip Irrigation System
Do It Yourself: Drip Irrigation System
by: Janeth Duque
Installing an irrigation system in your yard can help make maintenance easier. After all, you will not have to hand set sprinklers all day and try to remember where you have already watered. A sprinkler system, however, is not a project for the average do-it-yourselfer. This is because there are multiple precise calculations that need to be made, and a great deal of special handling necessary to properly set up the sprinklers. A drip irrigation system, on the other hand, can be set up fairly easily by most do-it-yourselfers and conserves water to boot.
A drip irrigation system consists of a series of tubes. These tubes have holes place in them at specific intervals, corresponding with the placement of your plants. Most of the time, these systems are placed under the soil, providing deep and efficient watering for the plants. These systems promote water conservation, as there is very little...
Do It Yourself: Drip Irrigation System
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Beds 7 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Mattress
Beds 7 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Mattress
Mobile Reliant. Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Payphone!
Mobile Reliant. Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Payphone!
by: Emily Sims
I?m waiting for a friend to pick me up. There are nine people coming for dinner and I?m cooking. Our whole evening depends on my hasty retrieval from the train station, and I?ve forgotten my mobile phone. I was standing on the platform, fumbling for it in my bag, when I realised my phone was absent. I had told my friend that I?d call her when I arrived at the station. Unsettled,...
Mobile Reliant. Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Payphone! ringtones Beds 7 Things You Need To Know Before Buying A Mattress
Beds > Mobile Reliant. Or How I Learned To Stop Worrying And Love The Payphone!
Why Vacation in Mont-Tremblant?
Why Vacation in Mont-Tremblant?
by: Paul Altobelli
Theme parks! Imitation mountains covered with imitation snow; places to eat serving food that just might taste almost like you?re eating in a quaint, foreign restaurant, picturesque little fake villages that are supposed to resemble picturesque little real villages; hotels built around man-made lakes. Sure they?re fun for the whole family but why settle for ?fake? or ?imitation? or ?almost like? when you can...
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