FAQs
Is it time for a new mattress?
How do I choose a new mattress?
Shouldn't I have a good firm mattress?
What is the right level of comfort and support?
Does it make a difference what position I sleep in?
I like plush and he likes firm. What shall we order?
How often should I turn my Mattress?
How long should my Mattress last?
What is the difference between this mattress and the one that costs $$$$ less?
Can partner disturbance be minimized?
Can I buy just a mattress and not a base?
Choosing your Mattress: Tips for a wise buy
Is it time for a new mattress?
Has your sleep set been used nightly for more than 8-10 years?
Can you feel or see uneven or sagging areas?
Is the cover soiled or torn?
When you wake up, are your muscles sore?
Do you still feel tired?
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How do I choose a new mattress?
The best way to choose a new mattress is to lie on it as many times as possible.
Wear loose and comfortable clothes, with shoes that you can easily slip off.
Lie on any bed that feels initially comfortable for at least 10 minutes and try as many different sleeping positions as possible.
If the bed is for two people, you should both lie on the mattress together. Test whether you’ll have enough space to move freely without disturbing the other person, and make sure you don’t roll together.
If it is not possible to try out your new mattress before purchase, our experienced and knowledgeable consultants will be able to assist you in selecting a mattress that suits your requirements.
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Shouldn't I have a good firm mattress?
When people say they want a firm mattress, often what they mean is a supportive mattress. Firmness refers to the surface feel of a mattress. If you were looking for a bed that feels hard, then a firm mattress would be what you want. However, solid support can be found in many good mattresses with soft comfortable surface upholstery.
In the early days of producing mattresses, the emphasis was always on firmness. The best mattresses were the firmer models with the most “stuffing” in them. Many people still ask for a “good firm mattress” because they are not sure what else to say to articulate their desire.
Modern mattresses are engineered to provide both comfort and support, depending on their construction. It is important to understand that a good mattress can give you the support required without compromising on comfort
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What is the right level of comfort and support?
The Latex Mattress Factory makes a number of different models of mattress to meet the comfort and support needs of almost anyone. Our mattresses are created using latex in various degrees of density. People with a high body weight would generally need a rather firm (higher density latex) mattress. Lighter people, children and older people will tend to choose a somewhat softer system.
When deciding if a mattress is too hard, too soft or just right, you’re essentially looking at two factors - support and comfort.
The line of your spine should be straight when you lie on your side, and maintain its natural curve when you lie on your back. If your mattress is too hard or too soft, your spine won’t be straight.
If the bed is too hard, you’ll get pressure points at the heavier part of your body. This can reduce blood circulation and signals your body to turn over, while the muscles in your back and neck have to work harder to keep your spine straight. After a tossing around and working hard to keep your spine straight all night, you won’t feel as refreshed and relaxed when you wake.
If the bed’s too soft, you’ll need more effort to roll over, your spine won’t be properly aligned and it can also cause tension as your muscles work to compensate for lack of support.
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Does it make a difference what position I sleep in?
The position you sleep in determines what part of your body will interface with the sleeping surface as well as the amount of stress the body undergoes during sleep.
The three basic sleep positions are back, stomach and side.
Most people will use more than one position during a typical night’s sleep. How you contort your body places the muscles, ligaments and bones under stress, which plays a significant role in the quality of your sleep.
Since comfort is defined as “the absence of pain”, the position you sleep in is important.
Back sleepers need a mattress that offers support by filling in the gaps in the contour of the back, etc, while at the same time is comfortable as defined by the individual user preference.
Stomach sleepers need a firmer support surface to prevent spinal distortion that can result in back pain. The size and type of pillow used can also play a significant role in obtaining the right combination of comfort and support.
Side sleepers typically place the greatest amount of weight on the smallest areas of the body, thereby creating pressure points. Pressure points reduce circulation and can be a cause of the tossing and turning that occurs as we sleep. A side sleeper will probably want a plusher feel that minimises pressure points.
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I like plush and he likes firm. What shall we order?
Generally you will want to accommodate the support of the larger person over the comfort of the smaller person.
Latex Mattress Factory are able to offer a number of alternatives to cater for different comfort preferences within the one mattress. We can manipulate the layers of latex using different densities, or we can offer different densities on either side of the mattress. A specific design can be tailored to suit your individual needs.
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How often should I turn my Mattress?
Mattresses are similar to tyres in that they develop wear patterns based on frequency of use and the weight of the user. While there is quite a bit of difference as to what various manufacturers recommend, a safe middle ground is to try and rotate the mattress every 3 months and to turn the mattress at least twice a year.
Some thicker mattresses are being marketed as “never rotate” beds. If they are inner spring, latex or foam, this is misinformation. They need to be rotated to reduce the inevitable wear patterns that develop on all mattresses.
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How long should my Mattress last?
How long a mattress and base set lasts depends on its original quality and how it is used. The performance of a poor quality set can deteriorate quickly, while you can expect top quality sets to perform well for many years. The average sleep set should generally last 7-10 years of nightly use.
Premium mattresses slept on nightly will provide reasonable levels of comfort and support for about 10-12 years. After that, gravity begins to takes its toll, and any mattress loses a significant amount of both comfort and support. However, due to the natural properties of latex rubber, if care is given to the mattress, it should last in excess of 20 years. The user’s size and weight does affect the longevity of the product just like the weight of the vehicle affects the mileage you will get from automobile tyres. It is important to select the correct density of latex in relation to the user’s size and weight.
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What is the difference between this mattress and the one that costs $$$$ less?
Mattresses increase in cost as the materials and workmanship increase. This can be very confusing to the consumers, and there is really no industry-wide guide to buy.
Generally mattresses under $499 (queen size) offer minimum levels of comfort and support for adults.
When you look at a mattress purchase, you should also consider the average cost price per night (CPN) analysis. A $500 starter mattress that looks good today may only last a couple of years before it starts to sag. The cheap mattress ends up costing you 68 cents per night (CPN) based on 2 years use. A $1500 premium model that easily lasts 10 years only costs you 40 cents (CPN). A $2000 premium latex mattress that will last at least 20 years, only costs you 27 cents per night (CPN). Using this analogy, it is easy to establish a relative value.
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Space is a critical component of a good night’s sleep. In mattresses, bigger is better. King size is better than Queen size, Queen size is better than double, etc. Go as big as you can afford, and the size of you bedroom. Big people demand big mattresses. You will not regret this, even if it means new bedroom furniture.
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Can partner disturbance be minimized?
A good mattress supports the body in every sleep position and doesn’t narrow freedom of movement. Due to the independent cell construction, latex mattresses have the added advantage of minimising partner disturbance with movement or rolling over.
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Can I buy just a mattress and not a base?
You can buy just a mattress, however, we recommend that if you are replacing one piece, you replace the whole set. The mattress and base work together as a single unit. The base acts as the shock absorber for the new mattress. You would not buy a new car and put old tyres on it, so why would you put a new mattress on an old base? For your new latex mattress, we recommend a slat type foundation, where the slats are not more than 60mm apart. The breathing activity of a latex mattress is important due to its natural formulation. Latex is warmer in winter and cooler in summer. Latex must be housed with good ventilation.
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Choosing your Mattress: Tips for a wise buy
Comfort: A mattress doesn’t have to be as hard as a board to be good for you. You’ll sleep best in a bed that offers you superior comfort as well as good support. Trust your body to tell you which bed feels best.
Support: Correct support is the essential ingredient for a healthy body. A good mattress and foundation will gently support your body at all points and keep your spine in the same shape as a person with good standing posture.
Durability: It’s the quality of the materials used and how they’re put together that determine how long a mattress and foundation will provide the comfort and support you bought them for.
Space: Select a mattress size that it gives you enough room for easy, free movement. Couples should have a queen or king size mattress to ensure both individuals have enough space to feel comfortable.
Set: Matching mattresses and foundations are designed to work together to enhance comfort and support. The foundation acts as a giant shock absorber, taking a great deal of wear and tear with nightly use.
Value: Shop for the best value, not the lowest price. “Bargain bedding” is no bargain when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. Buying the best you can afford is a healthy investment in yourself.
Thankyou for your interest and do give us a call if we can help.
Best regards,
The Team
Latex Mattress Factory
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