How to buy a Mattress like a Beast.
As matriarch of a growing family, big purchases are something that many mothers are tasked with. Big purchases like houses, cars, and mattresses don't become a necessity very often so when they do surface one can find themselves lost and overwhelmed in the details and the sales pitches of the sometimes pushy salesmen.
I have been blessed to have grown up in a family whose living was made from selling mattresses. (Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any mattress company and stand to make no gains from this post. My goal here is purely informational)
Step 1. Who is sleeping on it?
Your child's body does not have the same needs as yours. So does not need as much support as, say an adult with a creaky back or sore neck and shoulders. If the bed is for a teenager or an adult the mattress will need to be more supportive than something for a small child. Consider this when preparing yourself for the final bill.
In addition, consider how many people are sleeping in the one bed. As most married couples know, when two people attempt to share a home and a life, things can get treacherous. Especially when one or both of those people are not sleeping well at night. A two person bed should have the right support for each person's body and sleeping style.
Step 2. Measure the room.
Mattresses come in 5 standard sizes: Twin(also referred to as "single"), Full (also referred to as "double"), Queen, King (Eastern), and California King.
Twins measure at 38"x74" and are most commonly used by small children and shorter individuals. Fulls measure at 54"x74" and are great for older teenagers and college students. They fit one person comfortably and, if room space allows, some parents choose this size for their small child to grow into. Queens measure at 60"x80" and is a small scale 2 person bed. Eastern Kings measure at 76"x80" and, if room space permits, is a much more comfortable night's rest for each person. California Kings measure at 72"x84" and, while the longest of the sizes, is not the biggest of all the sizes. People who are taller than 6'2" will benefit from this longer size. Consider however, with this size, that furniture and sheets may be more difficult to find and some retailers will charge extra as some factories consider it a "custom size". Along with these standard sizes come a few more lesser known sizes: the Twin Extra Long that measures at 38"x80" and the Full Extra Long that measures at 54"x80". Keep in mind that "custom" or "special" sizes often come with an extra ordering fee and a different return/exchange policy as well as an almost certain restocking fee. Be sure you've considered all your options before purchasing one of these special sizes.
Step 3. Learn the lingo.
Mattress salesmen have taken to calling themselves "sleep consultants" and will often use words such as "comfort layers", "encased" or "pocketed" coils, "foam encasement", "power base" "Memory foam" etc. Here is the meaning of some of these terms and why they are important. Comfort Layers are the different materials that are layed above the springs of the mattress. They often make up the pillow top of the mattress and are a big part of the comfort of the mattress. Encased or pocketed coils are important when two people are sleeping in one bed. The springs are essentially wrapped in a thin material that absorbs the vibrations from one person's movement in bed and prevents it from transferring to the other person. Foam encasement is typically a sofa grade foam that runs around the edges of the mates and not only prevents roll off danger but also helps with the overall sturdiness of the mattress. Last is the power base. This is the base of the bed that can move up and down, massage, has USB ports, and now possibly a disco ball. (That was a joke. Pretty sure there will be no disco ball.) These are great if you have the funds and don't ever plan on moving. Other benefits to the power base include aid in acid reflux, sleep apnea, and poor circulation that are all relieved by sleeping in an elevated position.
One term that was important 20 years that is not so important anymore is the gauge of the coils. Back then coils came in 12 to 15 gauge wires, 12 being the thickest and firmest and 15 being the thinest and softest. Nowadays, the majority of the wires are 13 or 14 and instead of the thickness of wire, it is the shape of the coil or the count of the coil that determines the feel.
Step 4. Go lay on some.
All the knowledge in the world means nothing if the mattress does not feel good. Most mattresses are made the same way and with similar materials and, thanks to the capitalist market, supply and demand make it so that there are several options for every budget. Also, remember the way you fall asleep at night. Are you on your side? Stomach? Flat on your back? Lay this exact same way at the store; don't be polite or shy. Trust me, as someone who has had almost 25 years of mattress sales experience, one of the most tiresome things is when a customer dangles their feet off the side of the bed when invited to lie down. This is a big purchase and a big decision, spend some time on each mattress lay the way you fall asleep and pay attention to your body. Allow time for all the materials to adjust as some of them are temperature reactive and take time to settle and contour to your body.
If something doesn't feel good, tell the salesman and they will show you something different.
Step 5. Don't forget about the pillow.
Your neck holds 30% of your spinal bones so pillows are 30% of the support needed for a good night's rest. Our bodies need to be aligned in order to fully relax and perform all the repairs and healing that are dependent on sleep. If we are not properly aligned then our bodies cannot do the necessary repairs it needs to for us to stay healthy. Remember to always sleep with a quality and supportive pillow.
Step 6. Consider the non name brands
The main manufacturers of mattresses are now Sealy, Simmons, Serta, and Tempurpedic. There are, however, several smaller names that make great mattresses. As previously mentioned, mattresses are made mostly the same. They are all white rectangles with springs and foams and gels and fabrics that are made to support a variety of humans while they sleep. With the exception of a few differing signature materials, factories use comparable processes to make the mattresses and very similar materials. Often times you can get a great quality mattress for half the price when you consider a non name brand.
Step 7. Support the little guy.
There are so many mattress retailers that it can be overwhelming to pick one to do business with. So I must input my economic plug. When you purchase from locally owned companies, that money goes to help an owner put food on their dinner table and pay for their children's piano lessons or math tutors that are also most likely doing business right in the area. Also, owner operated retailers commonly carry some non name brand product that they will have more wiggle room on the sale price. Bigger retailers that carry the big names in mattresses have their hands tied when it comes to sale price. Many of them are also under contract to push a specific brand rather than provide customers with what they need. Search for companies that specialize in mattresses only and the ones that are locally owned with fewer than 5 locations.
Step 8. Tip your delivery team.
These guys work all day long lifting those big heavy mattresses, setting up power bases, building furniture, and hauling away those old, floppy, twice as heavy, stained mattresses that have been slept on for 10 years plus. Most of them are on an hourly wage that requires a paycheck to paycheck lifestyle. Be friendly. Ask nicely. Tip them. Send them off with some bottled water or a snack and for goodness sakes clean up your bedroom before they get there.
As stressful as it may seem don't sweat it. Enjoy trying out lots of beds. If it's for you and your spouse make a date out of it. Ask questions of your consultant and don't feel pressured to choose too quickly. Explore all your options and dream a little. Know that your peaceful and blissful night's sleep is coming soon.
Have any of you purchased a mattress in the last year or two? Any advise you would add? Looking to buy a mattress soon? What questions do you have that I can answer?
