Mattress Matters

How often should you replace your mattress? When your old mattress leaves you feeling tired or achy, it’s time to replace it. The Better Sleep Council recommends trading in your mattress every five to seven years. While it’s not surprising to see this suggestion coming from a trade group, others support this theory, both for comfort and for health reasons. (Mattresses accumulate dead skin cells and perspiration over time, which can attract dust mites and pose health risks.)

If you get a quality mattress with a high coil count, you can  expect  10 or 15 years. To prolong the life of any mattress,  buy a waterproof, breathable mattress cover, which will help shield the surface from moisture and skin cells. (They start at less than $25.)

Mattress types. The innerspring mattress is no longer the only game in town. Now you have a bewildering array of mattress options to choose from, including memory foam, gel, latex, inflatables and all natural — just to name a few. 

Innerspring is the most popular choice and the least expensive; it features tempered steel coils wrapped in layers of cushioning.

Memory foam conforms to the shape of your body, so when you move, the rest of the bed doesn’t shake (good for those bothered by a restless partner).

Gel mattresses combine memory foam with a cooling gel, so the body doesn't get so warm during sleep.

Latex mattresses blend characteristics of the innerspring and memory foam to deliver great comfort.

Inflatable air mattresses have an air-filled core that you can adjust to the desired firmness. 

All-natural beds trade engineered materials for organic alternatives like wool, cotton and latex.

Firmness. Experts no longer subscribe to the theory that a firm mattress is better for you, so go with what feels comfortable. 

If you’re over age 40, that might be a softer mattress than you've used before, since skin becomes more sensitive to pressure as we age. Firmness designations vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so judge a mattress by how it feels, not by what it’s called.

When researching mattresses, check for brand ratings and compare mattress types. Keep in mind when dealing with innerspring mattresses that a mattress will have a different name and cover from one store to the next, even though the product may be identical. This is a longstanding tradition in the mattress world, and it makes it very difficult for consumers to compare products and prices from store to store.

Instead, try to settle on a retailer you like, and compare the merchandise in that showroom. Or narrow the field down to your two or three favorite mattresses, and choose the model with the best price. 

Testing the mattress. Do not buy a mattress without testing it in the store. Dress in comfortable clothes (pants) and wear shoes that are easy to slip off. If you sleep with someone else, bring your partner with you. You’re going to spend a third of your life on this mattress, it is worth spending as much time as needed on the mattress to assure you of its comfort. 

Gauge your initial reaction to each mattress. If you like it, spend time lying on each side, your stomach and your back, giving extra time to the position you generally sleep in. It is not unreasonable to spend 10 or 15 minutes on a mattress you’re seriously interested in. Don’t be afraid to ask the salesperson to leave you alone while you’re testing out a mattress, so you can focus on the comfort. 

Coil count. A good way to compare one mattress with another is by checking the coil count. Generally, the higher the coil count, the better the support. (That’s not the same thing as firmness.) 

There are three basic types of coils: pocketed, hourglass and continuous. Pocketed coils are individually wrapped in a little bag, hourglass have a rounded top and bottom, and continuous are made from sinuous interconnected wire ringlets. The average mattress contains anywhere from 250 to 1,000 coils. Naturally, larger mattresses will have more coils than smaller ones. If you’re shopping for a queen-size mattress, look for a minimum of 600 sinuous coils or 900 pocketed coils.  

Mattress makers may compensate for a low coil count by using a thicker wire. Wire thickness is measured in gauge, with a lower number signifying a thicker coil. 

Mattresses today most often combine coil springs with memory foam or latex with luxurious toppers of wool or silk,which naturally wickes moisture, providing a good nights sleep. Afterall, isn't that what were all looking for?