Good mattresses are expensive, and they are expected to last a long time. Since humans spend about a third of their lives sleeping, a comfortable and supportive mattress is paramount for a good night’s rest. Because of this, it is worth a person’s while to learn the finer points of buying a mattress.
How to Know It’s Time for a Change
It may be time to buy a new mattress if it sags, is worn out, makes creaking noises or feels lumpy. A mattress certainly has to go if it’s impossible for the sleeper to find a comfortable spot on it, or causes them to wake up with an aching back or sore muscles. Here are five tips for buying a new mattress:
1. Consider the Size
A person who’s swapping out an old mattress for a brand new one doesn’t necessarily have to buy it in the same size. The size of the mattress depends on the person’s individual taste and their lifestyle. A couple whose children have grown up and moved out may want to downsize from a king to a California king or even a queen-sized mattress. This may also mean buying a new bed frame or head and footboard. Even with this, downsizing still saves money. An added tip is to try to make sure that the mattress is at least six inches longer than the tallest sleeper.
2. Lie on the Mattress First
A savvy mattress salesperson lets a would-be buyer lie down on the mattress before they buy it. The person might wish to take off their footwear then lie on the mattress in their most comfortable sleeping position. They should note if the mattress supports all parts of their body while keeping their spine in alignment. If it does, that’s a good sign. Another tip is for the buyer to purchase a mattress that’s just a bit more firm than they’re used to, for it will soften and adjust to them over time. Avoid mattresses that feel like planks of wood, because they don’t support the body well and can lead to aches and pains.
3. Know the Type of Mattress
There are three common types of mattress. They are the innerspring mattress, which is the most traditional and most popular, the memory foam mattress and a combination of both. The innerspring mattress has coils or springs beneath its padding. The memory foam mattress is pricier than the innerspring mattress and is just the thing for people with painful joints or muscles, but it holds on to heat and so can be a bit uncomfortable.
The mattress that’s a hybrid of innerspring and memory foam has an arrangement of coils or springs beneath the foam. A good hybrid gives the support of an innerspring mattress with the comfort of a memory foam mattress.
Other mattresses to consider are air mattresses, whose firmness is adjustable, and mattresses made out of latex foam. They’re cooler than memory foam mattrsses and more supple.
4. Ask About the Warranty
Most mattresses come automatically with a warranty, and usually the buyer only needs to produce their receipt and the mattress’ law label to get a refund. Also, most mattresses have a 30 day trial period. However, the buyer should talk to the retailer to make sure that this is the policy when it comes to returns.
5. Shopping Online vs. Shopping in the Store
Because of the pandemic, more and more people are choosing to shop for a mattress online. But even without the pandemic, shopping online is an excellent option, even though there tend to be fewer mattresses to choose from. The benefit of shopping in the store is not only the variety, but the store often takes the old mattress away. When shopping online, disposing of the old mattress is up to the buyer.
