Most people replace mattress and box spring sets
approximately every 10 years.It is
important to replace the box spring and purchase a box spring that is designed
to work with the new mattress for fit reasons and strength reasons.New mattresses that are padded with memory
foam, and memory foam mattresses that feature the material throughout, are much
heavier than older mattresses that only featured light weight convoluted foam
and cotton and polyester quilt fillings. Because of the additional weight, old style wooden framed box springs
cannot properly support most new mattresses, so new mattresses and box springs
are often sold as sets.
Once the new mattress is delivered, the owner is often left
with an old mattress and box spring that need removal.Many mattress companies will remove the old
mattress and box spring set, often for free, though sometimes for a nominal
fee.Some companies donate gently used
mattresses to charities with which they have built relationships.Others simply dispose of the old mattresses
via landfills or special mattress recycling companies.
It used to be quite easy for an owner to sell gently used
old mattresses to resell shops and thrift shops.Barring that, many charitable organizations
used to not only accept donations of gently used mattress sets, but would even
schedule complimentary pick up of the items. Most of the time, a receipt for a charitable donation was given,
allowing the owner to write the old mattress off on taxes.In recent years, thrift shops have stopped
accepting used mattresses and box springs, many charities have done the same,
and many newspapers and Internet sites do not allow listings that seek to sell
used mattresses.It used to be so easy;
why is it now so hard to be rid of an old mattress?
The answer is bed bugs. Bed bugs are tiny parasites that feast on human and animal blood in the
middle of the night when all are asleep. The worst part is that they are wonderfully skilled at hiding, and their
minute size allows them to hide in the tiniest of crevices (including the seams
on a mattress).They are nearly
impossible to be totally rid of, professional pest control is usually necessary
once bed bugs entire a domicile.Once
nearly eradicated from most industrialized countries, the last decade has seen
a major resurgence in bed bug infestations.
All it takes is one infested item to enter a building.Within a few weeks, nearly every apartment in
a building will have them.Bed bugs are
most common in places where there are lots of people, such as apartments and
large cities.Hotels are particularly
susceptible because of the number of travelers that go through.
In order to help combat bed bugs from spreading, and thus
possibly spreading disease, state legislations have enacted laws that limit the
transfer of used mattresses and box springs. In most states, charities and businesses that reuse old mattresses must
follow strict guidelines on sanitizing them first.For many, the cost just isn't worth the donation.
Because it is difficult to find a way to be rid of a used
mattress, consumers should plan in advance how they will remove the old
set.Scheduling a pick up time with a
local charity is a great option if the used set is in good condition.However, the path of least resistance is
often to have the company that delivers the new mattress remove the old one.
When considering the purchase of a new mattress, many consumers wonder about
some of the newer options that are available. Though for years the industry standard was the traditional innerspring
mattress, a memory
foam mattress or an adjustable air bed mattress is now a possibility for
most purchasers.As adjustable air beds
can be costly, a desirable option can be memory foam.It is helpful in this consideration to be
familiar of the properties of a memory foam mattress to help decide which is
right for an individual’s bed needs.The
most typical properties used as factors in determining which mattress will be
right for a person’s needs are comfort and durability.As mattresses are manufactured to be thicker
than they once were, height is also an important consideration.
The comfort of a mattress is often directly related to its firmness.As memory foam is denser than other foam, it
can be heavier than other options, but this density can provide a great deal of
support.In memory foam
mattresses, many prefer a softer, less dense upper layer, with firmer, more
dense layers lower in the bed to provide the comfort of a soft mattress with
the solid support of a firm one.Though
the density of a mattress is determined in pounds per cubic foot, the firmness
is measured with a system called “indentation force deflection” or IFD.This term refers to the pounds of force
necessary to compress the foam.Some do
not like this rating system, as some high IFD foams that are made of materials
with a lower density can still feel soft. Because of this, memory foam mattresses will often be classified by
density, with densities around five pounds per cubic foot being considered the
most firm mattresses typically available.
Another important factor is durability. Higher density mattresses will have a slightly longer lifetime than
mattresses of lower densities, but this difference is small in comparison to
the importance of comfort for the individual sleeper.The thickness of the layers of the foam can
also play a role in this durability, as thinner layers will have fewer cells to
hold up the compression ratings of regular use. This directly leads to the importance of height in a mattress.Different products use different thicknesses
in the layers of foam in a mattress.The
bottom-most levels are the most rigid, to provide support for the softer layers
on top.Ideally, the layer of
compressible foam should be more than two inches, but less than six.Six inches of foam would allow the sleeper to
sink uncomfortably far into the mattress, while less than two will not be
noticeable.Of course, no matter the
thickness of the foam layer, the memory foam mattress will have more height than this to account for the base layers in the product,
so speaking with a knowledgeable salesperson or doing independent research on
individual products will be helpful in determining which is right for the
individual sleeper.
Whatever type of mattress a buyer ultimately chooses, knowing more about the
properties of the options available can be helpful in making these decisions.
When furnishing a new bedroom or in updating an existing one, a common bed
style that is used by a homeowner or home decorator to create a new look is a
platform bed.Platform beds come in a
wide range of sizes, materials, and styles, but the most important part of any
bed is that a comfortable bed mattress that sits on it.A platform bed mattress
that suits an individual’s needs will make for a great sleeping
experience.As the platform surface on
which the mattress will sit is harder than the surface of a traditional box
spring, it is important to consider what sort will be most comfortable to the
individual sleeper.
In determining what sort of mattress to get, it helps to evaluate what has
been comfortable to that sleeper before. If the purchaser has previously enjoyed a soft mattress, it is important
to realize that the harder surface of the platform will require a softer one
than was previously used.Similarly, a
preference for a firmer mattress will still necessitate getting one that is
slightly less firm than before, as the platform itself will add some measure of
firmness.If a prospective buyer has the
ability to go to a local Los Angeles mattress
store, lieing on a few of the options can be very helpful.If possible, it is best to try out a mattress
on a harder surface than a box spring, because, as mentioned, this will affect
the comfort level.Also, it is ideal to
try out a mattress that is softer or firmer than typically used, because sleep
preferences can change over time.
The material used in making the bed mattress can be very important as
well.When getting a new mattress,
purchasers should consider the availability in innerspring, ortho, and foam
mattress options.Certain brands require
the purchase of the appropriate base or box spring to maintain a warranty, so
this will also be a factor in determining what suits a person’s needs.Platform beds can change what material a
sleeper will find most comfortable, so being open to new options can be
helpful.One of the other important
factors to consider is sizing, but as these beds come in a wide range of
standard sizes, a bed mattress to
suit those needs is readily available.
The bedroom is an incredibly important space in any home.As the average person will spend roughly one
third of their lives asleep, it is important that the space be comfortable and
inviting.If that person chooses to go
with a platform bed, it is a good idea to keep the above suggestions in mind in
the search for a platform bed mattress that will make the space best for their
long term needs.Whatever the decision,
be it based on style, comfort, space, or price range, there is an option out
there for those preferences.
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