How to choose a mattress

Along with exercise and nutritious food, proper rest is a vital part of a healthy lifestyle. A good night sleep can make wonders for your wellbeing and a good mattress is fundamental to achieve this, but with so many options available, choosing the perfect mattress to suit all your needs can easily leave you feeling overwhelmed.

First you need to understand the type of mattresses available and what the performance difference between each one is. Many things come into play when deciding what works for you; sleep position, mattress tension, back support and allergies are all important factors to consider.

To make this easier for you we made a cheat sheet with everything you need to consider before buying a mattress.

The way a mattress is made internally varies greatly, from traditional bouncy spring coils to scientifically developed foam, these are the basics you need to know about each type.

Comfort grade refers to the tension, or firmness, of the mattress, while this aspect mostly comes down to personal preference, there are a few things to consider if you’re looking to put an end to back aches.

This depends on the space you have available at home and the bed frame of your choice. Standard sizes range from small single to super king.

Congratulations! You found the right mattress, it was a monumental task, but you did it. Now it’s time to look after it, to extend its lease on life and give you beautifully restful nights for years to come.

Check below for our top tips on how to care for a mattress.

In an ideal world you should be cleaning your mattress every six to ten months as this can help reduce the build-up of unwanted dust, mites, mould and bacteria.

The first thing to do – after carefully reading the manufacturers care guide – is remove the bedsheets and open the windows to let the fresh air in.

With the mattress bare give it a good vacuum, we recommend you use an upholstery attachment, but if you don’t have it any small brush-like one will do. Pay particular attention to seams, corners and crevices where dust can really build up.

Then finish by deodorising your mattress for a deliciously clean aroma. For this you’ll need to sprinkle a small amount of baking soda over your mattress, let it sit for at least an hour. When ready vacuum thoroughly to remove it.

Now it all it needs is some fresh-of-the-laundry bedsheets and voilà, your mattress feels and smells like new.

General rule of thumb is every seven years, but this mostly depends on the type of mattress you have with memory foams and hybrids lasting up to ten years when well maintained.

There are few things that will let you know when it’s time to change your mattress. If you start noticing holes and bumps on the surface, or if you feel like you’re sleeping in a hammock, then it most definitely time for an upgrade.

Less obvious signs like waking up feeling stiff, experiencing new pains in your neck, shoulders or back and waking up as tired, or even more tired than when you went to bed, might also mean that you should start shopping around for a new mattress. Of course, it can also mean you’re getting old, the good news is that a new mattress can help with that too!

If you have a good mattress protector the answer is very easy, simply remove it and wash it with an extra dose of stain remover, but if you don’t have one, here are a few things you can do to get stubborn stains out off your mattress.

If you have kids or pets that sleep in your bed, chances are you will have to deal with at least one pee accident in your lifetime. To clean urine stains, mix baking soda, a few drops of white vinegar and a small amount of dishwashing liquid in a bowl. Dab the mix onto the stain with an undyed rag or cloth, blotting the area thoroughly. When the stain is gone, wipe the area with a cloth dampened in cold water and let it air dry.

Another common stain you might come across is blood. To get blood out avoid using heat treatments that can set the stain permanently, instead prepare a mix with a few drops of light bleach diluted in water and dishwasher, after, dab the stain with a cloth soaked in this mixture. Let it sit for 10 minutes, then blot with a fresh, damp cloth. Allow the area to dry completely before making your bed.

It's important to first understand that it can be very difficult to get rid of bedbugs because they can be hard to find and may be resistant to some insecticides. In extreme cases is best to hire professional help to remove the problem in a safe and effective way.

There are however a few things you can do to prevent them from spreading. First wash your bedding in hot water, the hotter the better as bedbugs have no defence against heat and dry them on the highest dryer setting for as long as you can. Then use a stiff brush to scrub mattress seams to remove bedbugs and their eggs before giving the whole surface a thorough vacuuming.

A mattress protector is a cover that goes on top of your mattress like a fitted sheet, to help protect it against most accidental spills, bacteria and some allergens. The best ones are made of expertly crafted materials that are 100% waterproof, with hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial properties, but that still allow for plenty of airflow to help control temperature regulation.

On the other hand, a mattress topper is a cushioned layer designed to fit above your mattress and underneath your sheets and it’s made to provide an extra layer of plushness and support for the most luxurious sleep experience. A good mattress topper is a cost-effective, short-term solution to buying a new mattress if yours is starting to show signs of age and use.

Ready to have the best sleep of your life? Check our fantastic range of mattresses and bedding accessories and treat yourself to a well-deserved rest night after night.