Sleep is the best meditation.
– Dalai Lama
In today’s hectic world, sleep is a luxury that most of us crave at the end of a very busy day. How comfortable those precious hours of sleep are depends largely on the mattress you sleep on. Buying a mattress is one of the most major purchases you make for your home, so you need to make sure that you buy the best mattress suited for your requirement.Buying a mattress is not simple. There are different varieties, brands, sizes and finally, your budget to be taken into consideration. Before purchasing, you need to follow the to-do list we have created for easy purchase of mattresses.
To-do List
1.Identify the right mattress for your needs
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Understand different types of mattresses
There are many varieties of mattresses available in today’s market. Spring, Foam and Rubberised coir are some that can be considered.
Spring
If you prefer a little bounce in your mattress, Spring mattresses are ideal. When layers of foam are combined with spring mattresses, they provide additional support and that cushy feel.
For those who want something extra durable, Bonnell Spring mattresses should be your choice.
Individual “pocketed” coils, each covered with fabric, called Pocket Springs, reduce the ripple effect that happens when someone on one side of the bed moves.
Some mattress have one long continuous wire looped to form springs which are arranged in rows through the length and breadth of the mattress (called Continuous Spring).
There are some negatives to be considered before deciding on a Spring mattress. Spring mattress usually start sagging after a year or two. They provide poor back support. Spring mattresses also do not distribute body weight evenly.
Foam
If you are looking for a cushy feel to your mattress, then Foam mattresses should be your choice. They are often firm and become supple when you lie down on them. Good foam mattresses also provide a touch of firmness beneath. There are different types of foam available in the market. One type of foam is combined with other types of foam to provide a good support system.
Memory foam mattresses (which have a polyurethane core) have much less spring but they provide good pressure relief and comfort.
PU foam mattresses / Polyurethane foam mattresses are completely synthetic.
Rubber/Latex foam mattresses are generally, completely natural, healthy and durable.
Bonded foam has a hard surface and is good for back support.
Rubberised Coir
Rubberised Coir mattresses provide that extra firm base and help you remain cool in summer and warm in winter. They can be combined with foam to provide softness. There are also completely natural products for those who prefer organic mattresses.
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Decide on a level of firmness
Spring mattresses have that nice bouncy feel. If you prefer a firm base with a touch of softness, you can go for memory foam mattresses, (which have a polyurethane core) and have much less spring. If you like a little buoyancy, Latex mattresses are similar to memory foam models in terms of firmness, but have a bit more spring-back. If you prefer an extra-firm base, go in for Rubberised Coir mattress varieties.
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Sleeping Position
Ultimately, your sleeping position should dictate your choice of mattress.
Back sleepers require support and good spine alignment. Any mattress type will suit.
Side sleepers require a lot of pressure-relief. You can choose soft or medium soft mattresses.
Stomach sleepers require firm support. Look for firm or very firm mattresses.
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Measure the size
Mattress & Bed sizes have standard sizes which vary from country to country. Also, two mattresses with the same size may have slightly different dimensions due to manufacturing, amount of padding and support type.
Before you start shopping, ask yourself if you are satisfied with the amount of sleep space in your current bed. The size of a mattress should be slightly less than the bed size, to fit inside the bed’s frame.
Check your space availability in your bedroom, and then decide on a size of mattress to fit.
Diwan (30″) and Single (35″, 36″)sizes are generally made to accommodate one child or one teenager sleeper.
Super Single (42″, 44″) & Double (48″) will accomodate a single adult, child or teenager. Can be used for smaller guest rooms. It will be a tight fit for two adults.
The Queen (60″) & Super Queen (66″) are the most popular sizes sold. It is ideal for two adults who don’t want a king size in order to save living space or just like to spread out. It is a good choice guest rooms or couples who like to sleep closer together.
King (70″, 72″, 75″) size mattresses are best for couples that want the maximum amount of sleeping space. For couples requiring even more space, Big King (78″, 80″) and Super King (84″) sizes too are available.
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Decide a budget
The first thing you should do before you even start to shop for mattresses is know how much you’re willing to spend. Going into any major purchase with a budget and spending limit in mind will help you to avoid spending too much. It will also help you buy the best mattress you can afford while at the same time avoiding unnecessary accessories like mattress covers, extended warranties, bedframes and other accessories.
2.Visit different mattress stores online
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Research, research & more research
If you have not purchased a mattress in a while, it may be a good idea to do some research online to see what options are available. Check prices as mattress brands keep coming out with new additions and styles to their existing range. Look up the special features of different mattress brands including trial periods and money-back guarantees. The more research you do, the better your chances for getting the right mattress.
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Return policies
Mattresses are commodities that need regular use to understand how good or bad they are. Hence, trying out a mattress for a few days is required before you can truly understand its qualities, or the lack of it. This is where return policies of online shopping portals come into play.
Whenever buying mattresses online, please go through the website’s return policies thoroughly and understand their terms & conditions. Most mattress retailers online provide easy return policies in order to put consumers at ease about buying mattresses online.
Check the number of days of trial time the retailer is providing in the return policy. You need to use the mattresses for at least 7-10 days before you can understand its true nature or comfort level.
Compare various websites and go for the one that has the best return policy.
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Compare prices to get the best bargain
There are numerous retailers selling mattresses online on the World Wide Web. Different portals give you different prices, deals or offers. Once you have finalised the type or model of mattress you want to buy, check out the various websites selling it. Make a comparison chart of the prices and deals offered.
You can even get compared price charts online and find out the best deals through those. But, you need to be careful while choosing the retailer. If someone is giving a lower price than others, don’t buy blindly. Check the website’s credibility and policies first. Make sure the item is authentic. Check out the website’s return policies. In case you are not satisfied with your purchase, you should be able to return it without too much hassle.
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Read reviews
Whenever buying a mattress, or anything else actually, online, it’s always advisable to read the customer reviews with care. You might find mixed reviews of the same product – some good, some bad. In such a case, you need to find out another website selling the item and read the reviews there.
Customer feedback is genuine in most cases, and helps you understand how the product will be after use. You can also find out reviews about the retailers and find out their authenticity and the quality of products they sell. Reviews can also help you narrow down your choices as you can realise which types of mattresses are more popular with the consumers.
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Check warranty terms
Make sure you read and understand the warranty conditions thoroughly and safeguard against violating any of them as this may render the warranty void. Generally, a warranty covers manufacturing defects which will likely reveal itself within a year. Make sure a good warranty is offered before deciding your choice.
3.Decide what to do with your old mattress
You might be looking to buy a new mattress to make your nights more comfortable and your sleep more peaceful, but have you thought what to do with your old one? If you are buying a mattress online, then there’s a high chance that the website won’t take your old mattress on exchange.
You can sell off your old mattress online, provided it is in a usable condition. There are always a large number of students or other people looking out to buy used items. There are also a whole lot of websites that let you buy or sell used products. You can even also arrange to donate it to a nearby orphanage, old-age home or any NGO and sleep a little more peaceful at night.