A mattress is a structure designed to provide the body with adequate support in a lying position. A well-chosen one ensures comfortable, healthy and safe sleep. Even the best sofa, corner sofa or sofa bed will not provide this, because these pieces of furniture are usually hard, designed for use in a sitting position or for occasional sleep.

Why is choosing the right mattress so important?

Choosing the right mattress is extremely important for healthy sleep. Considering the fact that we spend about 1/3 of our lives in bed, the choice becomes even more important. A mattress is an element of our home to which we often attach the least importance, and it should be key. The furniture or equipment that we buy affects our aesthetic impressions, and our health and well-being depend on the mattress.

Hard or soft mattress?

 

The most important task that a mattress must fulfill is to properly support the spine, which is why it should be adapted primarily to the height and weight of the body. It is quite a common opinion that a mattress should be as hard as possible. This view comes from the times when simple bonnell springs, sea grass and coconut fiber were used, and hardness was synonymous with durability and quality.

 

The truth is that a person's weight is a determinant of load-bearing capacity and if we choose a model that is too hard, we will tire on it. A well-chosen mattress is neither too hard nor too soft, but ideally adapts to the natural curves of the spine. We must remember that the selected model should be at least 20 cm longer than the person who will sleep on it. Each person has a different build, so if they are heavier, the mattress should be harder, and in the case of a light person - softer. It is common to see hardness levels of up to 80 kg and above (H2 and H3), assuming a height of 150–170 cm. Therefore, it may turn out that a short person with a thicker build weighing less than 80 kg should sleep on an H3 mattress and vice versa, a tall, slim person weighing 90 kg on an H2 mattress. To sum up, the mattress should be individually selected for the body type so that it is properly supported and the spine takes on natural curves in every position.

 

The second, very important aspect is the most common sleeping position. Right next to the body type, it is the most important factor determining the selection of the right hardness. People sleeping on their side should choose more flexible mattresses, in which the most protruding parts of the body, i.e. shoulders and hips, can sink. People sleeping on their stomach or on their back should choose slightly harder models.

 

The third important aspect, when choosing the hardness of the mattress, are various types of spine diseases. If such occur, it is necessary to consult the purchase with an orthopedist, who will determine how hard the mattress should be. Allergy sufferers should also take into account the properties of their skin and the health of the respiratory tract and choose mattresses that are appropriate for their specific needs.

 

The fourth aspect is preferences and habits. They often have a significant impact on the type of preferred hardness, but it is always worth remembering that a properly selected mattress provides better rest for the spine and the whole body.

 

Hardness zones

Very often when buying a mattress we face the dilemma of whether it should have one or several hardness zones. As with choosing hardness, you need to be guided by common sense. Hardness zones allow the mattress to adapt even better to the shape of the body, but you have to remember that they are designed for average height and assuming that we sleep in one position. During sleep, a person changes their position many times, which is why hardness zones often do not fulfill their task perfectly and are rather of secondary importance.

 

Latex, spring, or maybe foam?

People who are in the process of buying a mattress often do not realize how vast the choice is. The first criterion in this decision should be the filling of the mattress. The filling is what is inside, and its type affects the comfort of sleep, rest, and health. The filling should provide the spine with appropriate support and positioning.

 

Each type of mattress has different properties:

 

• BONELL mattresses

 

The name Bonnell spring mattress comes from the name of the spring on which this type of mattress is built. The Bonnell spring has an hourglass shape, and therefore tapers towards the middle on both sides. It is wide at both ends and narrower in the middle. This shape has its consequences: mattresses built on the basis of Bonnell springs are characterized by so-called progressive elasticity. The harder you press, the greater the resistance of the pressed surface of the springs. If you press lightly, the Bonnell spring offers relatively little resistance. Thanks to this, one and the same mattress can serve people with significantly different body weights. You will most often come across Bonnell models in hotels, guesthouses and other facilities, where different people use the same bed: sometimes lighter, sometimes heavier. But what works in a hotel will not necessarily be the best at home, where everyone has their own bed. There is a good reason not to choose this type of mattress for your bedroom. In the Bonnell core, individual springs are arranged in a spring system, and a spiral wire holds it all together. This type of rigid connection means that the Bonnell mattress will be characterized by surface elasticity, which means that the forces acting on the mattress during use will be distributed over its entire surface. Such a full-surface reaction of the mattress to point pressure has a negative impact on the mattress's fit to the body. In addition, when two people sleep together in one bed, when one of them changes position during sleep, the other will feel the change in the mattress surface under them. Bonnell mattresses should be recommended more for hotels, guesthouses, etc. At home, they will rather work as occasional mattresses for guests, used on special occasions, when the purchase of a more technologically advanced - and therefore more expensive - model would be economically unjustified. The greatest advantages of Bonnell models are their long life (durability), resistance to high physical weight, versatility, price-quality ratio (due to the low price). The biggest disadvantage is surface elasticity with all its consequences for sleep ergonomics.

• POCKET mattresses

Pocket mattresses, like Bonnell springs, are built on the basis of an ordered system of individual springs. This is where their similarity ends, these are different springs, connected in a different way, thanks to which they provide higher quality sleep. First of all: pocket springs have the shape of a cylinder, they are relatively small: in a single mattress measuring 100/200 there are about 300 of them. In more sensitive versions of pocket models, there can be up to 1000 springs. However, the secret of the properties of a pocket mattress lies in the way the springs are connected. Namely, each spring is placed in a fabric bag of an appropriate size. The bags are sewn together in rows and these rows are connected halfway up. As a result, because it is not the springs that are connected to each other, but the bags that hide them that are connected, each spring works independently of the others. And thanks to this, the mattress can better adapt to the shape of the human body. The mattress responds to point pressure in a point manner. This effect is called the point elasticity of the mattress.

When two people sleep in one bed and one of them sleeps nervously, the other person is no longer exposed to the change of the mattress surface under them, as is the case with Bonnell models. Springs hidden in the pocket are very quiet and also very durable - a mattress made of them can serve us for many years. Pocket mattresses often have five, and most often seven, so-called hardness zones. They are obtained by using different diameters of springs in different parts of the mattress: depending on what hardness you want to achieve in a given zone. Thanks to this, the mattress absorbs stronger pressure from some parts of the human body (e.g. hips, shoulders when sleeping on the side), and remains softer in other zones. Pocket mattresses are very popular and eagerly purchased for home bedrooms. Individual models differ from each other in the number and size of springs, the number of hardness zones, the overall hardness of the mattress, spacers, the type of foam or latex layers applied to the springs and the type of covers, which are most often removable and can be washed. • LATEX mattresses

 
Latex mattresses are characterized by very high comfort ensuring peaceful, healthy sleep. They are equipped with a core made of synthetic latex and rubber milk, popularly known as natural latex (min. 20%). Latex is obtained from a combination of natural rubber milk and synthetic latex, in various proportions. The structure of the latex block is created by numerous micropores, i.e. open cells facilitating the free flow of air. Thanks to them, the mattress "breathes", thus preventing the reproduction of fungi and bacteria. A mattress with a latex core is flexible and resistant to deformation. It guarantees even support of the body, regardless of the position adopted during sleep. This is due to the so-called point elasticity, which means that it bends only at the point of pressure and its immediate vicinity.

 

All standard sizes of mattresses are made from a single block of latex. The lack of glues and joints results in high comfort of use. This also makes it quiet, as it does not contain any elements that make sounds, squeak, etc. The symbols H2 and H3 indicate the density of the latex. A latex mattress with the symbol H2 is intended for people weighing up to 80 kg, while for people weighing over 80 kg, latex mattresses marked H3 are recommended. For heavy people, it is necessary to use thicker latex inserts (14 cm). Latex foam is also a great solution for allergy sufferers, as it does not accumulate dust and mites thanks to its porous and breathable surface.

• FOAM mattresses

It is safe to say that foam models are the most popular group of mattresses. It includes the widest range of possible solutions, from mattresses with a simple structure to the latest technical achievements. The structure of the described group is based on the foam insert, depending on the type of insert, foam models differ in quality level and price.

Insert made of regular polyurethane foam

Made of N25 or T25 foam, standard medium quality foam, with limited resistance to embossing, with a density of 25kg/m3. In lower class mattresses, T22 foams with a density of 22kg/m3 or T18 - 18kg/m3 are used. Polyurethane foam has no orthopedic properties, is subject to rapid oxidation, therefore has a short life and does not ensure hygienic use. For this reason, such models are only suitable for occasional use, they are a good solution if we need a mattress, e.g. for guests, used occasionally, not every day.

Insert made of highly elastic foam

Another class of foam mattresses are those made of highly elastic foams. These are HR or R type foams, with a density of 25kg/m3 and more. This type of mattress is also made of polyurethane, but due to the different manufacturing technology, it is characterized by much higher quality and utility values. Their durability and resistance is about 40% higher than standard polyurethane foams. Additionally, they have orthopedic properties, very often they are also specially perforated, which causes a better adjustment of the mattress to the body and excellent air circulation.

Thermoelastic foam insert

The last class of foam mattresses are models made on the basis of or with the participation of thermoelastic foam, also called lazy foam or memory foam. Thanks to the slow return to its original state and brilliant pressure reduction properties, it does not create counter-pressure, thanks to which it does not allow bedsores to form and stabilizes the body in an optimal sleeping position. In this respect, there are no better mattresses. Thanks to the tight fit to the body, these models are perfect for people who suffer from spine or hip diseases, because thermoelastic foam significantly improves blood circulation, relieves the critical parts of the body and thus accelerates the regeneration process. These are the highest quality foam mattresses, with excellent orthopedic properties, ensuring comfort and health for our spines and muscles. This group of mattresses allows them to be used in adjustable frames, with the function of lifting the headrest and footrest.

Two mattresses or one?

 

When deciding on a mattress for a double bedroom, we face the dilemma of choosing one of two solutions. We can decide on two mattresses, each of which is adapted to individual needs, or one more universal. It should be remembered that when choosing the first option, a zone of lower hardness will appear at the connection of the mattresses, making it difficult to use, so if we want such a solution, let's pay attention to the fact that both mattresses have the same height and the way the cover is sewn. We recommend two mattresses for people with significantly different dimensions and definitely different preferences. Otherwise, it will be better to choose an elastic mattress, which will work even for people with different body types. When using one mattress, you should not worry about feeling the movements of the other person. Currently used technologies for the construction of elastic mattresses isolate them perfectly.

 

Expensive or cheap?

 

Undoubtedly, the price of a mattress is directly influenced by the raw materials and components from which it was made. There is no denying that with the increase in price, the quality of the mattress also increases and if we want to buy one that will serve us for a long time, it is worth investing in a more expensive model. Higher-end mattresses are made of better quality materials and therefore are more durable, resistant to pressure and guarantee more stable support for the spine. A cheaper mattress will deform faster under the influence of its use, and an improperly selected one burdens the spine and does not allow it to relax. In the bedroom, we tend to replace curtains, drapes, bedding, rarely paying attention to the condition of the mattress. And although this is bedroom equipment that is not visible, dents and deformations can result in various types of ailments. A high-class mattress allows us to protect ourselves from situations of this type, and a well-chosen one is an investment in our health. We pay for quality and durability, so mattresses made of durable natural materials (i.e. latex) are more expensive than mattresses made of synthetic and less durable materials (i.e. polyurethane foam). For these reasons, when planning your budget, it is worth buying the best model that we can afford at the time. It is better to save extra money and buy a mattress that will last for years than to save and wake up tired and sore every day.

 

Cover

 

Choosing a cover is a very important element of choosing the entire mattress. The cover not only protects the interior from mechanical damage, but can also enrich the mattress with additional properties. A good quality cover is durable and ensures good ventilation and hygiene of use. Covers with a summer and winter side are quilted with wool, which can cause shrinkage or stretching under the influence of temperature. For this reason, a cover with such content is not very hygienic and is especially unsuitable for allergy sufferers. For health and functional reasons, it is better to invest in covers that can be removed, cleaned and even replaced at any time. Top-class models have a "breathable" structure, made of strong synthetic and natural fibers.

 

Choosing a mattress is an individual matter and in your decision we should not be guided by the opinions of friends. First of all, you should take into account the structure of your body and your own expectations and preferences. A mattress that suits others will not necessarily provide a good night's sleep for us.

 

Which mattress to choose? A practical guide for buyers

 

Why is the right mattress so important?

 

We spend about 1/3 of our lives in bed, so choosing the right mattress is crucial for our health and well-being. A mattress, unlike a sofa or corner sofa, is designed to provide the spine with proper support during sleep.

 

Hard or soft mattress? How to choose?

 

1. Adjustment to weight and height:

o Lighter people (<80 kg) - softer mattresses (H2).

o Heavier people (>80 kg) - harder mattresses (H3).

o Mattress height: at least 20 cm longer than the user's height.

 

2. Sleeping position:

o On the side: choose a flexible mattress that adapts to the hips and shoulders.

o On the back and stomach: harder models are preferred.

 

3. Special health needs:

If you suffer from spinal problems, consult an orthopedist. Allergy sufferers should choose anti-allergic mattresses.

 

Types of mattresses – which one is best?

1. Bonnell spring mattresses:

o Durable and cheap.

o Suitable for occasional use.

         

2. Pocket mattresses:

o Perfect fit thanks to point elasticity.

o Perfect for home bedrooms.

         

3. Latex mattresses:

o Hypoallergenic, durable, resistant to deformation.

o Great for people with allergies.

4. Foam mattresses:

o Thermoelastic foam provides excellent support and regeneration.

o Ideal for adjustable frames.

Two mattresses or one?

If the preferences of spouses are different, it is worth considering two separate mattresses. Otherwise, modern elastic models will compensate for the differences in the movements of the other person.

Cover - why is it important?

Choose models with an easy-to-remove and washable cover, which will increase the hygiene of use. Avoid covers quilted with wool, especially if you are allergic.

Is it worth investing in a more expensive mattress?

A more expensive mattress means better materials, greater durability and comfort of use. Invest in a model that will serve you for years and provide healthy sleep.

Summary

Choosing a mattress is an individual decision. Pay attention to your weight, height, sleeping position and personal preferences. Check out maximaja.com and find the perfect mattress for you!