When searching for the perfect mattress, remember this one tip – lie down on the job.
Because this is a decision only your body can make.
“People still go in (to mattress stores) and put their knee in the bed or press down on it with their hands,” says Nancy Butler, spokeswoman for the Better Sleep Council. “You can’t tell anything from that.”
We spend more time on our beds than on any other piece of furniture. That’s why the Better Sleep Council developed a four-step method to help consumers know when and how to buy a new mattress.
The first step: Evaluate your bed to figure out if it’s time for a new one.
A mattress is like a broken-in pair of running shoes. It tends to wear out gradually and still can feel comfortable long after it has lost its ability to provide proper support and comfort.
If a mattress is between 5 and 7 years old, it’s time for a new one. People may think visible signs of wear and tear on the bed are key indicators. But beds are so well constructed today that many easily outlive their defect warranties by years, allowing relatives to hand them down like family heirlooms throughout the ages, Butler warns.
“More likely your clues will be something more subtle such as waking up achy and stiff with some numbness in your shoulder or your hip,” she says.
Definitely buy a new mattress if sleeping was easier during a night spent at the Hilton, Grandma’s house or any other bed besides your own.
The next step: Use the Internet to arm yourself with product information, particularly if it has been years since the last mattress was purchased. Technological advances have produced an assortment of models from cushy pillowtops to space age, body hugging foam. More knowledge means less intimidation during the selection process.
Next, shop for your new mattress at a trusted store. Look for educated salespeople who will answer questions without being pushy, offer a pillow and encourage customers to lie down. Butler says women are especially embarrassed by this part of the process but should shrug it off and don comfortable clothes for their trip to the bed stores.
Also, forget the old wives’ tale that says a bed should be as hard as a board. Studies show that medium firmness instead of extra firm is best for tackling lower back pain.
Inside the store, roll over into a favorite sleep position, which for most people is on their side. Once you are curled up, any pressure on the hips, shoulders or back is a sign of a bad match.
The last step: This is no time to be a cheapskate. Go to multiple stores and compare value and comfort, but don’t pinch pennies because you cannot put a price on the years of good sleep that the right mattress will bring.
Once the new bed arrives, care for it properly to ensure lasting quality. Rotate it periodically from end-to-end and from top-to-bottom. Use a protective pad and vacuum the mattress regularly. If it’s a queen- or king-size set, make sure the bed frame has strong center support to prevent sagging down the road.
Staff writer Sheba R. Wheeler can be reached at 303-954-1283 or swheeler@denverpost.com.
