5 Signs You Need a New Mattress

Sometimes it takes years of discomfort, poor sleep and sore muscles before we suddenly realize --- maybe we need a new mattress!

Here are 5 signs you may need a new mattress:

1. Mattress age

You've had your present mattress for more than 10 years. Some high quality mattresses will, of course, last much longer than this, but if you suspect it's time for a new mattress, this is the first thing to consider.

2. Lumpy, bumpy or saggy

Your mattress has noticeable lumps and bumps, or is uneven and saggy. Sleeping every night on a surface like this has the same effect on your body, particularly your back, as sleeping on rocky ground! Do your back a favour and get a new mattress.

3. Creaks and groans (the mattress, not you!)

When you lie down on the bed, your mattress squeaks, creaks or groans. This is a sure sign of old age in a mattress, and could soon have you creaking and groaning too!

4. Hole in the middle

You and your sleeping partner always end up crammed together in the deep depression in the middle of the mattress. This may sound romantic, but it loses its appeal after a couple of nights!

5. Sore, stiff muscles

You wake up sore and stiff all over. Worn out mattresses contribute to worn out bodies!

Any or all of these conditions suggest you need a new mattress. Before you run out and buy the first or cheapest one you find, though, do some research to find out which mattress will be the best for you

Sleep well!

By Mandy Duncan

Cleaning Tips For Your Mattress' Long Life

More than 30% of your life is spent sleeping. Now, if this statistic is true, which it is, then you would also want to have a comfortable and clean mattress to sleep on. How can you achieve this? You should therefore maintain the cleanliness of your mattress; make sure that it stays fresh for a much longer period. Use these helpful mattress cleaning tips to aid you in your cleaning task.

You must admit it, there are times when your mattress is stale-smelling; this kind of mattress is unfriendly especially to individuals with allergies. The common cause is dust mites. Make sure that you flip the mattress and vacuum it on all sides every 6 or 8 weeks. Remember to use your vacuum hose's hard surface and non-brush attachment.

To maintain the fresh smell of your mattress, put dryer sheets first before covering the mattress with beddings. The scents of dryer sheets vary, so make sure that you're quite comfortable with it, otherwise, change the dryers and choose a scent that you can sleep on at night comfortably.

It's impossible to find a used mattress without mildew or mold. For your health, purchase a new mattress if about 50% of your existing mattress is covered with mildew/mold. But if you're only dealing with a little area, you can salvage your mattress. When the weather is dry and sunny, take your mattress to the outdoors. Wear a mask and vacuum the mattress. Leave the mattress outside for the whole day and bring it in before dew settles in.

If you're a cigarette smoker, then your mattress might smell of cigarettes too. Again, take the mattress outside during a sunny and dry day. Spray some odor remover on the mattress and leave it under the heat of the sun. In the afternoon, bring the mattress inside and sprinkle some baking soda. Leave it on for the night and the following day, you can vacuum it.

Cleaning your mattress is one way to ensure its long life. Have a good night sleep.

By Anthony Lee

How to Remove Urine From Mattress?

Removing urine from carpets and mattresses is not very difficult. Urine contains salts and when they are on the mattress they smell. The smell of the urine won’t go away quickly. It will stay in the air for some days or weeks. Even if you put the mattress in sunlight for drying, the smell won’t go away.

Urine contains bacteria and if urine is left on the mattress for many hours or days molds or fungus could form and spoil the mattress completely. You need to take care of your mattress and try to remove the urine stains as quickly as possible.

During the rainy season the urine in the mattress along with the humidity in the air makes the smell worse. Spraying deodorants won’t make the smell go away from the mattress. You need to clean the urine from inside the mattress so that they don’t smell, and not only from the upper part of the mattress. There are many ways for people to remove the urine from the mattress. Some people pour vinegar on the mattress and suction it with a vacuum machine. Putting alcohol on the urinated area is another idea. Some people put shampoo on the mattress and clean it and dry the mattresses in the sun.

By Paul Cris

How to Use Memory Foam Mattress Pads

Memory foam, the gel-like polyurethane material that holds impressions on its surface, is mostly associated with mattress pads. The memory foam mattress pad was first put to use in hospitals in the 1980s, where the material proved itself invaluable in reducing pressure sores for bedridden patients. In the 1990s, the memory foam mattress pad was introduced to the general public, at pretty exorbitant prices. Realizing its potential for popularity, private companies worldwide began marketing their own versions. Now, more and more people are investing in good sleep thanks to memory foam, as prices continue to decline and accommodate the growing market.

The terms “memory foam mattress topper”, “memory foam topper”, “memory foam mattress pad”, and “memory foam pad” are all interchangeable. A memory foam mattress pad provides much of the comfort and support of a memory foam mattress, at a fraction of the cost. You place the mattress pad on an existing bed, preferably one with plenty of firm support.

The pad must be broken in over a period of days or weeks. Try sleeping directly on top of the foam, rather than on a sheet covering it, to speed the process of breaking it in.

Memory foam, despite the breathability of its open-celled composition, can sometimes heat up, making it somewhat uncomfortable to sleep on. Many retailers and manufacturers recognize this, and recommend trying the mattress pad with and without a top sheet. You might find a great difference in temperature. You can also try lowering your room temperature.

On the other hand, memory foam is temperature-sensitive, so the mattress might be too hard for you if your room temperature is below 65. If this is a problem, try warming your memory foam mattress with an electric blanket before going to bed.

If you want to protect your memory foam mattress pad from spills and accidents, you can buy covers made from a blend of soft cotton and water-resistant polymers. You can often obtain a memory foam mattress cover from the same place you bought your mattress.

By Eric Morris

How to Choose the Best Mattress? Tips While Buying a Mattress

There are many types of mattresses available in the market and it is very difficult to choose a mattress. Everybody will not like a particular type of mattress, as the choice and tastes differ among people. Some people like a very light mattress while some like hard surface mattresses.

If you want to buy a mattress there are 4 important points to be kept in mind:

Soft or hard mattress: It is best to choose a mattress by lying down on it for a minute and giving it a test. Some people like a mattress that is little soft while others like very soft mattresses. Do not just check the brand name and buy a mattress, test and then buy.

Durability: The mattress should be very comfortable and the quality of the materials used should be very good, so that it can last for years.

Warranty: The competition in the mattress industry is picking up and there are companies which provide 20 years warranty, so buy a mattress which at least provides 10 years warranty.

Space: Buy the mattress according to the size of the bed. The measurements of beds are different, so buy the right ones. If you are single then buy a single mattress and if two people sleep then buy a double bed mattress so that you have enough space to sleep and roll on the bed.

It is very difficult to suggest a good mattress, as there are many opinions on each and every mattress available in the market. So, it is advised to judge the mattresses by keeping the above points in mind while buying a mattress.

By Paul Cris

How To Clean A Mattress

I work for the housekeeping department in one of the most reputed hotels in my town and mattresses are my specialty. Everything from purchasing decision to their maintenance is handled by me. So, I guess I should not be surprised if every other day one of my friends or their friends calls up to asks me "How do I clean the mattress?". Everyone wants a tip on how to clean the mattress.

As I kept repeating these tips time after time, I realized that there might be others who would want to know how to clean the mattress. So hear is what I learnt:

How to clean the mattress: Step 1-Prevention is better than cure

You must use a mattress pad. That is the first step to cleaning a mattress. Make sure that it is easy to wash and easy to remove and fit back.

How to clean the mattress: Step 2-Good old vacuuming

Vacuum the mattress often. Vacuum its sides, the box springs and every nook and corner. You set a routine. Vacuum the mattress every time you take mattress pad out to wash.

How to clean the mattress: Step 3-Flip and rotate

Flip the mattress and rotate it from time to time. This prevents rough use of the mattress and the pressure zones don't get defined.

How to clean the mattress: Step 4- Stains and pains

Stains are inevitable; if you must clean them try using mild soaps. It would be even better if you could get upholstery shampoo.

How to clean the mattress: Step 5- The trade secret We use something called Dry Suds to get rid of stubborn stains. It is easy to make. Mix a little detergent with warm water, beat it up in a beater. Now remove the froth and the stuff that remains is ideal to clean these stains.

How to clean the mattress: Step 6 Dry is Clean

Make sure that your mattress and mattress pads are dry and clean. You can occasionally air them in sun. If you work in the hotel industry like me and have to dry the mattresses at short notice before the customer arrives, there is nothing like a blow dryer. The hair dryer is ok at such times but it does not have the anti-bacterial properties of the sun. So drying it out in the sun is definitely the best option

By Allan Wilson

6 Mattress Care Tips

Ensuring that you get the most life out of your bed is an important aspect of enjoying your sleep for years to come. These helpful mattress care tips should help prolong the life of your mattress.

* Invest in a Bedding Pad: A quality mattress pad serves several functions in prolonging the life of your mattress. A good mattress pad will bear the brunt of your weight and use of the mattress, which will help reduce the wear and tear on your mattress. Mattress pads will also catch stains before they reach your mattress. Replacing a stained mattress pad is much less expensive and much more convenient than replacing a quality bed.

* Turn Your Mattress Regularly: To help prevent sagging springs and unsightly sags, turn on a regular basis. Be sure to flip both vertically and horizontally.

* Provide Support: Old, busted foundations and box spring sets may not be firm enough to provide adequate support for a high-quality bed. When you replace your bedding, also consider replacing your foundation.

* Carry Your Bed On It's Side: Instead of using the handles on the side when you are carrying it, be sure to always carry the bed upright on its side. The handles should only be used for positioning the mattress on the foundation, and can create sags in the mattress if carried by the handles.

* Avoiding Smoking, Eating, & Drinking on the Mattresses/Beds: Although it sounds comfortable, avoid eating & drinking on it. If it does get wet, be sure to quickly dry it using a hair dryer or by air drying. Keeping the mattress away from smoke can also help to prolong the life!

* Keep Jumping to the Trampoline: Although it's tempting, avoid jumping on the beds and avoid letting others jump on the bed. Mattresses are not designed to withstand the weight of a person jumping on the bed.


By Mat Siltala

Selecting a Mattress Pad for Your Baby's Crib

Mattress pads are commonly used in cribs to protect the mattress from being damaged by liquids. The best mattress pads are highly absorbent and fit snugly against the mattress. By making sure that the mattress pad that you select for your baby's crib is both very absorbent and fits the mattress properly, you are ensuring that it will be able to keep both the mattress and the baby as dry and clean as possible.

When selecting a mattress pad, you also need to be certain that you choose one that is both washable and easily to remove. It is likely to need washing every single day, sometimes more than once a day. The fabric should be durable enough to withstand frequent washings. You may want to consider investing in more than one mattress pad to allow for those days when wetting problems are at their worst.

Making sure that the mattress pad you select fits the mattress in your baby’s crib properly is very important for reasons other than keeping the mattress and the baby clean. A proper-fitting mattress pad is an important safety consideration. If the mattress pad in your baby’s crib can shift easily from one place to another in the bed, it is a suffocation hazard.

Another important consideration when selecting a mattress pad is to find out if the one you are considering is designed to protect your baby from dust and other allergens that may build up on his or her mattress. Choose a mattress pad that is dust proof so that it will provide an additional benefit of protecting your baby from dust and other allergens. A dust proof mattress pad can play an important role in reducing common health related issues often triggered by allergens, such as asthma, bronchitis and sneezing.

Your mattress pad check list needs to include the following items: proper fit, washable, easily removable, and dust proof. There are many sources to find affordable mattress pads for your baby’s crib that meet all of the above criteria. Many baby oriented retailers, mass merchandisers, linen stores and a wide variety of online retailers are likely to have exactly what you need to protect your baby and his or her crib mattress.

By Scott Nichols

Waterbed Mattress Pads

Waterbed mattress pads can enhance your enjoyment of your waterbed. You know you can sleep well in a waterbed, but using a mattress pad will give you more personal comfort and support as well as improving air circulation around you and your mattress.

If you are using a hard-sided water bed, then you can choose from a wide selection of mattress pads. There are cotton top waterbed pads for your mattress, heavy-duty polyester, as well as thermal waterbed pads. Whichever your preference, it is important you buy or order the appropriate size pad for your water bed. You should measure the overall depth of the waterbed mattress and the pillow top that you intend to cover.

You can also get mattress pads for your hard-sided waterbed which are quilted, this means the mattress pad has side quilting for a more elegant and sophisticated look. They can come in different sizes, and are usually made up of 100 percent cotton. Usually, the pads fit perfectly to a mattress with a depth of 12 inches. For a plusher feel as well as improved support, you can get pads with additional filling and anchor bands. Pads made from 100 percent cotton should be machine washable and only need gentle drying.

Classier mattress pads tend to be made of cluster fibers. They have various sizes, so you can choose one which perfectly fits your bed frame. They normally come with an anchor band and are made of 100 percent cotton. They can be fitted to a mattress with a depth of 16 inches and utilize a zippered mattress cover. What’s generally great about these types of mattress pads is the amazing sleeping comfort you can obtain from their down-like fill of cluster fiber—a mixture of softness for a sounder sleep and hardness that warrants their long-lasting use.

If you are not sure of the size of your water bed then you can simply opt for the one-size-fits all mattress pads. Regardless of whether you have hard-sided or soft-sided water beds in king and queen sizes, you know you can’t go wrong with these mattress pads. Normally, they are made of 100 percent quilted cotton top and can contain additional deep pockets. They are designed to be usable to any standard mattresses available, even those with a 14-inch depth. To make them extra soft, they may be overfilled with cotton or polyester.

By Richard Merson

Choosing the Right Mattress Pad

So, you’ve decided to buy a new mattress. You even know what kind you’re going to buy. Then you see the price. Yikes! Don’t worry, you don’t have break the bank. And you don’t have to continue to suffer with your old mattress -- there is another alternative. You can buy a mattress pad.

Mattress pads are available in a variety of different types. This mattress pad goes on top of your existing mattress, giving you the benefits of the more expensive memory foam, but at a much lower price.

Memory foam is also available in a mattress pad. This gives you the body-contouring support of memory foam, but at a fraction of the cost. Memory foam mattress pads are available in a variety of thicknesses. Naturally, you will get more support from the thicker pads, but these do cost more.

In addition to memory foam mattress pads, there are other options. Pillowtop mattress pads are also popular. Pillowtop mattress pads are soft and comfortable, but also give added support to joints.

For those with allergies, the Allergy Buyers Club offers many choices. For example, the Euphoria Organic Wool and Latex mattress pad uses natural lambswool. It is completely chemical and dye-free, so even the most sensitive allergy sufferers can use it. In addition, latex is anti-microbial, dust-mite resistant, and mildew proof, so the mattress pad has added health advantages. Allergy Buyers Club also offers mattress pads made of cotton, alpaca wool, goose down, and fleece wool. Some of these mattress pads are quite a bit more expensive than their non-hypoallergenic counterparts, but they are still much cheaper than hypoallergenic mattresses.

Whether you need a pillow-top, memory foam, or hypoallergenic mattress pad, you should be able to find one to suit your needs.

By Eric Morris

Cotton and Wool Mattress Pads

A mattress pad is a cover that fits on top of your mattress below the bottom sheet. It can add great comfort to your bed and help you sleep well.

There are many types of mattress pads but probably the two most common types are pads filled with wool and pads filled with cotton.

So, if you decide to buy a mattress pad you may be faced with a choice between a pad filled with wool and a pad filed with cotton. What are the advantages of these two types of pads?

The advantages of wool are:

* Science cannot match the quality of natural wool.
* Wool helps your body maintain a regular temperature.
* Wool assists in wicking away moisture from your body. Amazingly, wool traps moisture and releases it later. The result? A drier and healthier sleeping area for you.
* Wool fights against dust mites and mildew.
* Not only does wool repel water and dust naturally, it is difficult to ignite.
* Wool is a natural insulator, so a pad filled with wool will be warm in winter and cool in summer.

The advantages of cotton are:

* Organic cotton is hypoallergenic - this means it has a "decreased tendency to cause an allergic reaction". If you have an allergy problem, chat to your Doctor before you buy.
* Science has never been able to copy natural fibre.
* People have been enjoying cotton close to them for about 5000 years. What a recommendation for cotton!
* Cotton absorbs moisture that accumulates where you sleep. This keeps you and your bed dry.
* Cotton is soft and supple.
* Most cotton pads are easily washable and can be mended easily if damaged. Don't wash your cotton mattress pad in very hot water as it can cause shrinking.
* Cotton is resilient. Cotton is also a good natural insulator. This means your mattress pad is warm in winter and cool in summer.

By John Bartels

Magnetic Therapy Gives Pain Relief

The idea of using magnetic therapy for therapeutic purposes started thousands of years ago in Greece. It can increase blood flow and increase the oxygen level in the body, which will alleviate the pain in the treated area. So it shouldn't come as a surprise that athletes such as Bill Romanowski and Steve Atwater have resorted to magnetic therapy to get some pain relief. The American public has also decided to use this alternative, non-invasive healing technique. One out of 1,000 American homes use magnetic therapeutic products. Companies that sell magnetic therapeutic products say that American consumers will spend more than $500 million on these items this year. Some athletes are even endorsing brand-name magnetic therapeutic products. The use of these products is even more popular in other parts of the world. One out of 7 Japanese homes and 1 out of 10 German homes use these products. There are many magnetic products available that can treat many conditions. A magnetic mattress pad can provide relief from insomnia, joint pain, muscle spasm and fibromyalgia. Magnetic insoles can alleviate painful inflammation resulting from bone spurs. Magnetic wraps can be used to relieve lower back pain, arthritic joints and inflamed tendons. Magnetic bracelets can be used to help with carpal tunnel syndrome. There have been studies that indicate that there are positive benefits to using magnetic therapy.

At the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, a double blind study was conducted to determine the effects of authentic magnetic devices and placebo devices on the knee pain of 50 adult patients. The knee pain was attributed to the poliovirus they contracted when they were kids. This study concluded that the 29 patients who used the authentic magnetic devices had a greater reduction in pain than the 21 patients who used the placebo devices.

In the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine there was a study conducted by researchers at the University of Virginia that looked into the effectiveness of magnetic therapy on patients suffering from fibromyalgia pain. People with fibromyalgia suffer from musculoskeletal pain, fatigue and multiple tender points. Two percent of the population suffers from fibromyalgia. The 6-month study was conducted on 94 patients suffering from fibromyalgia to test the effectiveness of magnetic sleep pads. They were randomly placed into 4 groups. The first group used sleep pads with fake magnets. Another group was asked to stick to their normal treatment routine that didn't involve magnetic therapy. A third group used magnetic sleep pads that exposed their entire body to a low, uniform magnetic field. The last group used magnetic sleep pads that used magnets that varied in intensity. At the end of the 6 month study, it was determined that the two groups that used magnetic therapy did show improvement in outcome scores of pain intensity level, number of tender points on the body and functional status. The other two groups did not show the same type of improvement.

Researchers from the Peninsula Medical School conducted a magnetic therapy study on 194 patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee. For 12 weeks, these test subjects were required to wear either a standard magnetic bracelet, a weak magnetic bracelet, or a non-magnetic bracelet. The standard magnetic group had a reduction in pain that was not matched by the other two groups. The results for the non-magnetic and weak magnet groups were similar. These results indicate that the magnetic strength of the bracelet is also important.

But as of today, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not yet approved of magnetic therapy.

Michael Russell

Ten Reasons why You Should Buy a Memoryfoam Mattress

A memoryfoam mattress is constructed of space age materials, initially created by NASA, that can conform to the unique contours of your body like nothing else. Memoryfoam never fulfilled its space age potential but is nevertheless the single most important technological innovation in bedding in the last century.
There are a number of reasons why you should consider buying a memoryfoam mattress--this article discusses a few of those reasons.

A memoryfoam mattress conforms to your body completely, and is a perfect choice no matter whether you prefer to sleep on your back, on your side, or on your stomach.
Also, a memoryfoam mattress isolates vibrations, which means that your partner will not be disturbed no matter how many times you get up or change positions.
In addition to that, memoryfoam is designed so as to not put undo pressure on any part of your body. Memoryfoam is by its nature hypoallergenic, so it is perfect for allergy sufferers. Since a memoryfoam mattress does not sag, there is no reason to go through the ritual of occasionally flipping it as you would have to do with other mattresses.
Another reason to consider purchasing a memoryfoam mattress is the simple fact that it was developed by NASA, so you know that no expense was spared in coming up with the most advanced and functional technology possible.
Of course, perhaps the best reason to consider purchasing a memoryfoam mattress is the luxury factor. There is simply no other technology that can provide a sleeping experience that can compete with memoryfoam on comfort.
The other reasons to choose a memoryfoam mattress include the fact that dust mites and other parasites can not survive on it, the fact that millions of health care professional endorse memoryfoam, and the fact that most outlets provide outstanding warranties on their memoryfoam products.

By Allen Wicker

How To Clean A Mattress

I work for the housekeeping department in one of the most reputed hotels in my town and mattresses are my specialty. Everything from purchasing decision to their maintenance is handled by me. So, I guess I should not be surprised if every other day one of my friends or their friends calls up to asks me "How do I clean the mattress?". Everyone wants a tip on how to clean the mattress.

As I kept repeating these tips time after time, I realized that there might be others who would want to know how to clean the mattress. So hear is what I learnt:

How to clean the mattress: Step 1-Prevention is better than cure

You must use a mattress pad. That is the first step to cleaning a mattress. Make sure that it is easy to wash and easy to remove and fit back.

How to clean the mattress: Step 2-Good old vacuuming

Vacuum the mattress often. Vacuum its sides, the box springs and every nook and corner. You set a routine. Vacuum the mattress every time you take mattress pad out to wash.

How to clean the mattress: Step 3-Flip and rotate

Flip the mattress and rotate it from time to time. This prevents rough use of the mattress and the pressure zones don't get defined.

How to clean the mattress: Step 4- Stains and pains

Stains are inevitable; if you must clean them try using mild soaps. It would be even better if you could get upholstery shampoo.

How to clean the mattress: Step 5- The trade secret
We use something called Dry Suds to get rid of stubborn stains. It is easy to make. Mix a little detergent with warm water, beat it up in a beater. Now remove the froth and the stuff that remains is ideal to clean these stains.

How to clean the mattress: Step 6 Dry is Clean

Make sure that your mattress and mattress pads are dry and clean. You can occasionally air them in sun. If you work in the hotel industry like me and have to dry the mattresses at short notice before the customer arrives, there is nothing like a blow dryer. The hair dryer is ok at such times but it does not have the anti-bacterial properties of the sun. So drying it out in the sun is definitely the best option.