Mattress Myths Debunked – Part I

For many people shopping for a mattress is as much fun as doing taxes. With so many mattresses on the market and conflicting advice, it’s difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. Often we rely on information we hear from family and friends that later proves to be inaccurate. Here are some common mattress myths to keep in mind as you shop for a new mattress.

You may have seen TV advertisements or heard through the grapevine that a new mattress can eliminate tossing and turning. This is false. Moving in your sleep is a normal and essential part of sleeping and has nothing to do with your mattress. Pressure points play an important role in a restless night of sleep. Sometimes pain from pressure points can be alleviated by positioning the right type of pillow under your knees, head and neck for better body support. However, if you still can’t get comfortable due to pain and sore spots that keep you awake, your mattress is probably to blame and it’s time to replace it.

Another mattress myth you may have heard is firm mattresses are best for back health and support. Recent research has debunked this myth finding that medium to firm mattresses provide the greatest comfort and pain relief for most people. Ultimately, listening to your body will provide the best answer. For some folks a soft mattress supplies them with a good night’s rest and feeling refreshed in the morning while it takes a medium or firm mattress to accomplish the same quality night’s rest for others.

Many people are under the misconception that they should stop sleeping on their mattress once it begins to sag. The truth is a mattress can sag four inches and still provide ample support. The reason why consumer organizations recommend you replace your mattress after 5-8 years is because this is the amount of time the average innerspring mattress will begin to lose its ability to support the average sleeper as padding and foam materials become compressed. Another factor that comes into play is the physical changes of the sleeper. A person’s change in weight and increase in age may necessitate a different type of mattress than what sufficed five or eight years ago despite any visible wear on their existing mattress.

In these uncertain economic times your budget may be more constrained than it was the last time you bought a mattress. While some of your friends and family might have told you that premium silk damask and luxury covers are the ultimate mattress must have and make a huge difference in how you sleep, think again. Silk, cashmere and fancy upgrades won’t have an impact on how you sleep, especially when you cover them with cotton sheets. STLBeds has quality mattresses at every price point. When it comes to covers and getting a quality night’s sleep, the key is breathable fabrics like natural cotton, bamboo and wool.

Another mattress myth many consumers have is that the standard cover that comes with a mattress is enough to protect it from dust mites, pet dander or spills. Unfortunately, this just isn’t the case. One of the best investments you can make once you’ve purchased your new mattress is a waterproof mattress cover. This cover works like a giant pillow that zips at one end of your mattress and seals it from spills, night sweats, dust mites, pet dander, mold, pollen and other allergens. The standard cover that comes with most mattresses isn’t enough.