We spend a lot of time in our beds sleeping, so choosing the right mattress is very important. A new mattress is a significant investment and with a vast array of mattresses on the market it can be hard to know where to start. We’ve put together this handy guide to help point you in the right direction.
Is it time to replace your old mattress?
The industry standard suggests that you should look to replace your mattress every 7-10 years depending on wear and tear, but a good quality mattress could last you many more.
Ultimately, you should replace your mattress if you notice it is affecting your sleep.
Mattress Size
The first thing to consider when choosing your new mattress is the size.
Whether you’re buying a new bed frame or using an existing one you’ll need to make sure it fits. With retailers selling frames built for the European market sizes can vary where terminology remains the same as that of the UK. We would always recommend measuring your frame before making your mattress purchase.
We’ve put together a mattress size guide which includes all the standard sizes, to help you understand what you need.
Mattress Tension (or Firmness)
Deciding how firm you want your mattress to be is another important decision.
Most mattresses are available in soft, medium or firm.
We tend to find that most customers who visit our showroom opt for a medium tension mattress, our Sidmouth Non-Turn Mattress or Vegan Luxury Non-Turn Mattress with a medium spring unit are both popular choices for a true medium feel.
The fillings in a mattress can vary the feel and firmness isn’t only reliant on the spring or fibre core unit, so it is worth doing some research, particularly as the feel of a mattress can be subjective to the individual.
At Cottonsafe® Natural Mattress we have options to suit everyone, you can find out more about the tension of the Cottonsafe® mattresses in our mattress firmness guide.
Body Type and Sleep Position
Whilst we would always recommend buying the mattress you find comfortable, sleep position is another factor to consider when choosing your new mattress. If you can’t try a mattress before you purchase then here are some general rules to follow:
If you are a side sleeper or change position regularly then you will most likely benefit from a soft or medium mattress, this is because you already relieve the pressure from your spine so you will want a mattress that moulds to your body’s natural sleep positions. Most people are side sleepers and at Cottonsafe® Natural Mattress we have a variety of mattresses that will cradle your body, our Exeter Cashmere Mattress and Topsham Pillow Top Mattress are excellent choices for side sleepers.
If you are a back sleeper, it is generally recommended you opt for a medium to firm mattress, this is because sleeping on your back puts more pressure on your lower back so you will need to ensure your spine is well supported, our Appledore Mattress with a firm spring offers an excellent level of support if you sleep on your back.
If you are a front sleeper then a firm mattress will best support your spine, you don’t want to sink into the mattress too much because it could cause lower back pain. Our Widecombe Mattress is a great option to consider if you’re a front sleeper.
Another thing to consider is your body type. If you are heavier in build, you should consider a firmer mattress regardless of your sleep position, as this will ensure you are properly supported. Finally, if you are tall, make sure the dimensions of the mattress will fit you.
Mattress types
Once you have decided on size and tension there are still multiple mattress types to choose from.
Sprung mattresses
A sprung mattress has a coil-based support system, with fibres layered on top of the spring to create a soft comfort layer. There are two types of sprung mattress, pocket sprung or open coil. An open coil consists of one long piece of metal wire coiled into multiple springs, considered a good value for money option it is a light spring but tends to be less supportive than other sprung mattresses.
A pocket sprung mattress is considered a more luxurious option, with the springs housed in their own individual pockets which means the springs move independently offering excellent support and a restful night even if you have a fidgety partner. Available in soft, medium or firm they tend to be more breathable that memory foam or latex mattresses.
Foam
These mattresses are made entirely with foam and tend to not have a spring unit. Foam is a mouldable material and contours to the body which can be good for pressure relief and motion isolation.
However, foam tends not to be as breathable as a sprung mattress which can make them a bad choice for a hot sleeper.
Foam by law has to be treated with flame retardants, so if a mattress has foam it will have flame retardants in it, sometimes 18-20% by volume. Which means in a 30 kg foam mattress you will have 5-6 kilos of flame retardant.
If you’d like more information on fire retardant chemicals in mattresses and the risks associated with them, you can find out more here.
Latex
Latex mattresses can be made entirely from latex or they can be layered with other materials including foams, springs or natural fibres. Latex is a popular fibre to use in place of a pocket spring, a durable fibre it is best suited to those who prefer a firmer bed. Latex can be heavy making it difficult to turn and care for.
Latex is classed as a foam and is highly flammable which is why it must be treated with fire retardant chemicals or contain graphite (which is also referred to as natural carbon) to meet safety standards.
Natural fibre
Natural fibre mattresses can be made using layers of natural materials including wool, bamboo, cashmere and cotton amongst others, they will either have a latex core or spring unit to provide the support needed for a good nights sleep.
Natural fibre mattresses are exceptionally comfortable and breathable, if you want to avoid sweaty foams and chemical fire retardants, or you are environmentally-minded, then a natural mattress is an excellent option.
Vegan Mattresses
Veganism is on the rise and as consumers become more environmentally minded we have seen a rise in requests for vegan mattresses. A vegan mattress is 100% free from any animal by product, but most vegan mattresses are made from synthetic foams which are filled with fire retardant chemicals.
It is currently impossible to create an entirely plant based mattress that will pass the stringent UK fire regulations without the use of fire retardants, which is why at Cottonsafe® Natural Mattress we have opted to use polyester.
An exceptionally breathable fibre, polyester evaporates moisture quickly, it’s non-allergenic which makes it the perfect sleeping solution for those suffering with multiple chemical sensitives and other allergies.
Polyester sometimes has a bad press because it is a man-made fibre – but polyester is incredibly strong and gives great longevity! Furthermore it has a carbon footprint of about 3.8 Kg CO2e/Kg. This is about 40% less than that of cotton, so it has a lower environmental impact and is great for the circular economy.
Interestingly polyester can also be used in organic mattresses under the GOTS regulations due to its very low off-gassing properties.
Sleep concerns
There are many things that can affect your sleep, joint or back pain and overheating are among some of the common sleep concerns that affect people.
Sleep concerns need to be taken into consideration when choosing a mattress to ensure that you have a comfortable sleep experience.
It is advisable to seek medical advice if you suffer from back pain, you may require an orthopaedic mattress that will best support you.
We hope you’ve found this guide on how to choose a mattress helpful. If you’re still unsure, then visit us at our showroom or speak with us to book a video consultation.
It is important to us that you find the right mattress for you, we take the upmost pride in every one of the mattresses we make but we have our 40 night sleep guarantee for those occasions when it’s just not right