When it comes to choosing a new mattress, there is a lot of misinformation floating around. Educating yourself with expert-backed truths can help you make an informed choice and ensure you get a good night’s sleep. For starters, 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night is recommended for adults, and acknowledging this guideline is crucial when selecting a new mattress to promote a healthy and restful night’s sleep.
From salespeople to friends, you may have heard a variety of myths about mattresses that can skew your decision-making process. This blog debunks some of the most common mattress myths.
Myth 1: Memory Foam Creates Heat
Memory foam, also known as viscoelastic polyurethane foam, is a material that softens upon contact with your weight and body heat. It conforms to your body’s unique contours, distributes your weight evenly, and reduces pressure on your joints. Memory foam is incredibly adaptive to the body and provides a feeling of sinking into your mattress, rather than sitting on top of it.
A memory foam mattress can feel hot because of the way it cradles your body and absorbs your body heat. However, this has been addressed with newer technologies like breathable open-cell memory foam, gel technology, and cooling memory foam mattress toppers.
Traditional memory foam mattresses tend to have a distinctive odor because of the chemicals that go into them. These chemicals, known as volatile organic compounds or VOCs, break down over time and release into the air. This odor is called off-gassing and can be reduced by choosing a mattress with fewer chemical ingredients. The best way to do this is by choosing a memory foam mattress that has been certified by CertiPUR-US, which independently tests and verifies the foams to ensure they’re made without harmful VOCs, phthalates, CFCs, formaldehyde, PBDEs, or heavy metals.
Another way to cut down on a memory foam mattress odor is to let it air out for a few days before use. Most memory foam mattresses have a strong smell right after they are opened because the chemicals in the memory foam have to evaporate into the air before you can lay down on it.
One of the biggest concerns that people have with a memory foam mattress is that it will create a lot of heat during sleep. This is because of the way it cradles the body and the dense nature of the foam. Some brands have addressed this by adding bigger perforations to the memory foam and using open-cell foam, but it’s difficult for a memory foam mattress to be completely cool because of the way it is constructed.
Fortunately, there are ways to help a memory foam mattress stay cool during sleep. The easiest way is to make sure the room is well-ventilated and keep the temperature around 68 degrees F. Other solutions include using a light and breathable sheet set, choosing a mattress that is rated to be breathable, and using a cooling memory foam mattress topper.
Myth 2: You Need a Box Spring
Many people believe that they must have a box spring for their mattress. This is not only untrue, but it can actually damage your mattress. This myth is likely created through a combination of factors, including marketing strategies and old wives’ tales. Some mattress companies make false claims about their products to entice consumers, and this can lead to misinformation that can be hard to dispel.
Box springs are designed to fit inside of a bed frame and give the mattress additional support. They come in a variety of heights to meet the needs of different sleepers. They also help to keep the mattress off of the floor, which minimizes wear and tear, decreases the risk of bugs and insects, and keeps the mattress elevated above cold drafts.
However, many modern mattresses are designed to be used on their own or with a slatted base without the need for a box spring. Some of these include natural latex and organic foam mattresses, as well as hybrid models. Box springs were originally developed for thinner mattresses, and they may still be needed if you have a very thin mattress that requires extra support.
If you choose to go without a box spring, you should ensure that your mattress is properly supported and that it is placed on a solid foundation. Otherwise, your mattress will sink and become uncomfortable. This can cause back pain and other health issues. If you have a latex or organic foam mattress, you may even damage it.
Finally, a mattress that is placed directly on the floor can be more susceptible to mold and other problems. This is especially true if you live in a humid or moist climate. In addition, placing your mattress on the ground can void your warranty, which can be expensive to repair or replace.
The bottom line is that you don’t need to spend a fortune to buy a comfortable and supportive mattress. The key is to shop wisely and focus on quality rather than price. Although some mattresses are priced higher based on unique materials or setups, they may not be necessary for most sleepers and could actually reduce your comfort levels.
Myth 3: All Mattresses Are the Same
Mattresses may look similar on the outside but aren’t in any way created equal. They are designed to support different posture needs, provide different levels of comfort and support people of different weights. Even the coils and foams inside a mattress are what makes it right for you or not. It’s easy to be fooled by marketing terms like “gel-infused” and “cooling” when shopping online but the best way to determine if something is right for you is to experience it for yourself.
The misunderstanding that all mattresses are the same can be traced back to when mattresses were either hard or saggy with not much in between. However, today’s mattresses are made with more nuanced materials that allow for a variety of softness options to suit various sleepers. The right mattress will help keep your spine in proper alignment while you snooze which will result in more restful and rejuvenating sleep.
Many people mistakenly believe that the higher the price tag on a mattress means it must be better quality. This could not be further from the truth. While it’s important to budget for your mattress purchase, the actual quality of the mattress will depend on several factors including your preferred sleeping position and any other specific sleep needs you have.
Lastly, it’s worth noting that you should never be swayed by the length of a mattress warranty. A warranty should only be used to protect against manufacturer defects but not for normal wear and tear or the gradual softening of the foams and springs that occurs with time.
Buying a new mattress can be an overwhelming experience. There is so much information out there meant to scare, dazzle or prompt you to make a quick decision that might not be the best for you. Sorting through the deafening noise of mattress marketing clutter and focusing on what matters most to you (a GREAT night’s sleep) will make it easier for you to find your ideal mattress.
Myth 4: All Mattresses Yield Identical Effects
Mattresses may look similar in a showroom, and many feel alike when you lie down on them. But the differences are in what is beneath that surface, in the foams and coils. These are the things that determine if a mattress will work for you or not. It’s important to do some homework and speak with an expert at a Miami Mattress before making a decision.
A good night’s sleep has been shown to do a wide variety of positive things for your health, from helping you lose weight to boosting your immune system. Unfortunately, not everyone gets enough sleep to reap these benefits. The reasons for this vary, but one common reason is a poor mattress. This is often due to myths that get spread around about mattresses, either by friends or from salespeople trying to entice you to buy their product.
Many of these myths are based on false information, or even just marketing tactics that people use to try and sell you a mattress. But the truth is that getting a quality mattress can help you sleep better and improve your overall well-being. Here are some of the most common mattress myths to avoid.
A lot of people rely on online reviews when buying a mattress, but this can be misleading. The fact is that the person who wrote the review probably has a very different body type and needs than you do. In addition, the reviews are often influenced by whether or not the seller has a financial interest in the mattress company.
Another myth that often gets perpetuated is that a pillow-top mattress is the best on the market. While a pillow-top mattress does have a more plush sleeping surface, the cushioning feeling that this describes can be achieved in other types of mattresses as well. The term “pillow-top” is simply a way to distinguish a mattress from competitors as part of a marketing technique.
Mattresses can be expensive, but if you do your research and choose wisely, you can get a high-quality mattress that will last for years. This is much better than settling for an inexpensive mattress that only lasts four years and requires you to purchase another.