Natural Mattress

Inner-spring mattresses may be the most common type of mattress used, but that doesn't mean that they are the best for you. We have put together 5 simple reasons why you should choose a Natural Mattress over an Inner-spring:

1. SAGGING

Inner-spring mattresses need to be flipped or rotated approximately once every three months in order for the mattress to wear out evenly. They can start to show signs of sagging within 1 to 2 years after your purchase which minimises the support you need and means that your bodyweight is not spread uniformly across the springs. This stops the spine from becoming properly aligned. Grand Soleil natural mattresses have undergone an independent test by CATAS to test sagging. The mattresses were subject to a 60,000 rolls from a roller that placed 100kg pressure on the mattress (simulating 10 years of use), the total displacement at the end of the test was less than 2mm.

2. HEAT

Most spring mattresses have closed structure with the outside padding; it doesn't promote good air circulation. Combining a traditional spring mattress with a pillow-top can make you feel hotter. The more padding you have beneath your body, the less able your skin is to breathe. This may lead to an uncomfortable, sweating, disrupted sleep. Natural mattresses have an open cell structure which is created in the manufacturing process; the production through the foaming machines is slow enough to enable the cells to be forced open. The foam is then crushed and stabilised to further open the cells in order to promote the breathability of the material to provide a cool, fresh sleeping environment.

3. SUPPORT

Innerspring mattresses can create pressure points because the uniform springs can not give way to your body curve with different support. Particular parts like shoulder, hip will sink into a mattress more than other parts. Rather than responding to your body, an innerspring mattress pushes back against your body at those points. A pressure point can hinder blood flow to that area, resulting in a night of tossing and turning. The Grand Soleil sleep system (mattress plus slats) provide anatomic support. They are designed to hold your body in the same posture as when you stand to allow your cervical column to fully relax, for a deeper, more beneficial sleep.

4. DUSTMITES

The structure of inner-spring mattresses make for the perfect living and breeding environment for dust mites which are recognized to be the main cause for Asthma, Hay Fever and other allergies. Over the course of a few years, inner springs mattresses can harbour mould and mildew that are hard and expensive to remove. The Dorsal sleep system is designed to encourage air to flow through it, ensuring the mattress remains dry and moisture free and an inhospitable environment for dust mites and allergens. The cover is also removable and washable; it is a more hygienic system than traditional spring mattresses.

5. NOISE AND MAGNETIC FIELD

As the springs age, innerspring mattresses can begin to make noise when in use as the springs can not move uniformly. Grand Soleil natural mattresses are metal-free and their structure means minimal partner disturbance and no squeaking! Spring structure with electrical wires in your home can also create magnetic field, these chaotic magnetic field is not a healthy environment for sleeping, natural mattress doesn't have this kind effect, and because the mattress foam is made from natural oils, it is very healthy for our body.

For more information please check out our natural foam mattress or bedroom furniture links.

Choosing the right mattress is a very personal matter, especially if you suffer from back pain. Your mattress of choice holds the potential to help, hinder or create back aches and pains and this means a decision on the correct mattress for you is not one to be taken lightly.

Back aches and pains can be linked to a number of different causes, with the most common arising from everyday stresses on the muscles and ligaments that support the spine. Our activities during the day, the way we sit, stand, move and bend, impact our body and spine significantly. As a supportive element itself the spine holds up your head, keeps your body upright, allows you the flexibility to bend, and protects your spinal cord. The potential 8 hours of sleep that we are advised to have each night is intended to allow your body and spine to rejuvenate and relax, soothing tension and allowing our muscles and joints to recover from these daily activities. If during these essential 8 hours your spine is not properly supported, your muscles will be working overtime in order to adapt to the mattress instead of being restored by the correct support of your mattress.

It has been a common misconception that a firm mattress is best if you suffer from any form of back pain with some people going to extraordinary lengths to achieve a firm mattress, even utilising the floor in the hope that it will help in their circumstance. Unless you only sleep on your back, in most cases a firm mattress doesn’t help to relieve your back pain; mixing mattress support with mattress firmness has been a long held misconception.

A mattress must give the greatest support at the heaviest parts of your body where your natural curves are located: head (a good pillow is also very important), shoulders and hips, while being able to distribute the pressure points through the surface, the surface should also be able to contour to your body shape, providing enough support to the areas which connect the curves. If support is not available to maintain these curves you increase the stress on the bones and muscles of your back.

Lack of support from your mattress also emphasises poor sleeping posture and does not allow the spine to align to its correct position, all of which can contribute to back aches and pains, ideally the spine should be kept in its natural alignment, which means when you are sleeping the spine should maintain the same curve as if you are standing.

The ideal amount of support will vary between each person and certain factors will determine how much support you will need. Weight and height is a key dynamic in the support issue, with heavier, taller people requiring more support as they will sink in to the mattress surface further than say a medium sized person of a medium height.

As a general guide (not taking into consideration personal preference or pre-existing conditions) people 90kg or heavier will need more support by a firmer mattress; a smaller person or children (less than 55kg) will be properly supported on a softer mattress, and a medium mattress is generally suitable for people 55-90kg.

Having this general guide in mind when considering a new mattress will help to get you started on the right track, the idea is to find the firmness of the mattress to match your body weight and comfort preferences. Firstly make sure you take the time to test each mattress to determine, most importantly, if it is supportive enough for you and then see if it matches your desired comfort level. It is suggested that you try a firm mattress followed by a soft mattress to give an indication of the support range, and then begin trying the mattresses in between.

This article was contributed by Christopher Fitch, the Site Editor for www.qmattresses.com, a leading mattress review and ratings and sleep-information website.

Poor quality sleep can generally be characterized by several measurable symptoms. The three most obvious -  not getting the recommended 8 hours of sleep per night, waking periodically throughout the night and waking the next morning and still feeling tired – often result from a poor mattress. Since so much time is (or should be) spent on a mattress, exploring the best options to improve sleep quality should be a priority for most people. But for those who are prone to poor sleep for reasons not associated with the mattress itself, there are some things they should consider that can make the eight-hour stretch from dusk until dawn less of a strain.

According to leading mattress reviews and ratings website, qmattresses.com, there are twelve key considerations to make before purchasing a new mattress. What these considerations fail to take into account, however, is that not everyone is a regular sleeper. If you are a poor sleeper, the list needs to underline several key areas. The following considerations are an absolute must when it comes to choosing the right mattress product for poor sleepers.

Comfort Above All Else: Many people will opt for a mattress that is not comfortable if they feel the health benefits outweigh their comfort needs. In fact, more and more people are choosing firm mattresses thanks to the reams of literature that point to the chiropractic benefits of firmer sleep surfaces. This seems particularly true for back sleepers. However, a poor sleeper may never get to enjoy those benefits because they are unable to fall asleep. This makes a strong argument in favour of a comfortable mattress above all else; support, for poor sleepers, should be a secondary consideration.

Proper Temperature Control: A mattress that retains heat is bad news for someone who hates to be too warm during the night. Although memory foams, latex, gel beds and luxury coil mattresses that come loaded with foams and gels may feel comfortable, many of these products alter the mattress’s sleep surface temperature as your body temperatures rises during the various sleeping stages. If you are a poor sleeper to begin with, temperature control takes a higher priority for you than for anyone else, so choose a mattress with temperature attributes that will not add fuel to the fire, so to speak.

Motion Isolation: Poor sleepers often toss and turn throughout the night. If they do not sleep alone, their restlessness undoubtedly interrupts their partner’s sleep, which is problematic. Beds with superior motion isolation also provide benefits for poor sleeper because these highly engineered mattresses are less likely to squeak or cause the bed frame and entire mattress to move disruptively. This decreases the chances that a poor sleeper who has finally fallen asleep is not wakened by a sudden leg jerk or a partner who shifts position throughout the night.

Many mattresses known for their motion isolation qualities also offer specialized zoning, which reduces pressure point aggravation. Unfortunately, the mattresses that offer the best motion isolation often come loaded with foams and other materials that can alter the surface temperature of the mattress. Therefore it is important to understand the product, your needs and how the two will interact during the night.

For many chronic poor sleepers, the sleep problems will not get fixed with a new, high-tech and “perfect” mattress. In severe cases, even medical assistance may not help. However, even poor sleepers can enjoy improved night-time rest with a mattress that is not only comfortable, but also conducive to good sleep. The added criteria above will help poor sleepers find that perfect mattress and with some luck, these people may eventually enjoy the sleep they deserve.

Sleeping on an unsupportive mattress can cause or worsen back aches and pains. Lack of support from a mattress encourages poor posture, strains muscles and does not help keep the spine in alignment, all of which contribute to back pain. But what does correct support look and feel like?

STRAIGHT SPINE

A good mattress is designed to enhance your sleep by providing correct anatomical support. Correct anatomical support means that your sleep system supports your body in the same posture as when you are standing, while cradling it along its curves. If this is achieved you will have a better sleep and the best results. For many years we were told that the best support is a firm mattress as it keeps your back straight, recently this has been proven incorrect as your muscles have to work to adapt to the mattress support. The perfect solution is your mattress support adapting to you, not vice versa, to allow your muscles to relax.

NOT TOO FIRM, NOT TOO SOFT

The mattress that provides the best support is not too firm and not too soft. It will be determined by the size of the person that is sleeping on it. People 90kg+ will feel more comfortable and be better supported by a firmer mattress; a smaller person (less than 55kg) will be properly supported on a softer mattress, and a medium mattress is generally suitable for people 55-90kg. Each individual will need to try the mattresses in order to determine which mattress provides the best support and preferred comfort.

SLEEP POSITION

Your sleep position will also determine which mattress choice is best for you. If you sleep on your side, go for something soft-medium to allow your shoulders and hips to sink into the mattress to keep your spine straight, and to ensure there is no excess compression at these pressure points. For those who sleep on their back, a firmer feel for their size is recommended, it will help distribute the weight of their hip region and ensure their waist and torso are supported, maintaining the spine's natural curve. There should also be minimal gaps between your shoulders and hips.

NO COMPROMISE

A common problem when choosing mattresses when you have a partner is that a lot of the time, one partner ends up compromising. If one partner weighs 55kg and the other is 90kg, they will inevitably require somewhat different support levels. A way around this is to look for a bed slat base that is adjustable; this allows you to adjust the tension of the slats to softer or firmer, depending on your needs. If you require two different mattresses as well, enquire about choosing two different firmness's housed in the same mattress cover like the Dorsal Natural Mattresses

This article was contributed by Christopher Fitch, the Site Editor for QMattresses, a leading Mattress Reviews, ratings and sleep-information website.

When people decide to purchase a new mattress, they often undervalue the importance of their decision and end up with a product that not only leaves them dissatisfied, but potentially in pain for several years. When you consider that most people spend more time on their mattress than they do at work, it makes sense that the mattress buying process should take time, even a lot of time.

This short piece outlines the ten mistakes to avoid when buying a mattress. Simply knowing about these mistakes can help when scouting your next mattress purchase, whether it ends up being one of the models here at Natural Mattress, or a cookie-cutter innerspring mattress on sale at one of the national chains. Pay attention to these mistakes when shopping for your next mattress and chances are good that you will not only make a better-informed buying decision, but your overall satisfaction level will be higher than someone who ignores these common mistakes altogether.

1. Not Knowing Your Sleep Type - We all sleep differently, and the odds are good that you sleep differently from your partner as well. This means you must speak your piece and not settle with the all-too-common “I’m happy with whatever you like, honey,” response. By letting your salesperson know what your individual sleep style is, he can better recommend a product that will keep both you and your partner happy. The most important part is that weight difference usually requires different mattress firmness to feel comfortable. The Dorsal mattress and Dynamic Slats systems recognize just how individualized your sleep style can be, and they can help provide different mattress core within a mattress for people who share their mattress with a partner.

2. Not Testing the Mattress… Properly - Too often in the retail world, we see people lean on the mattress with their hand, then lay down… on their back! Statistically, most people sleep on their side, so it is amazing to see so many people testing mattresses on their back. Regardless, you will not be one these sudden-back-sleepers in the showroom after reading this. Make sure to take the few minutes to test the mattress in the position you sleep in while on your mattress at home. (Need a pillow? Ask for one, even a semi-qualified salesperson will gladly offer one to help make your testing experience more realistic).

3. Not Learning More About The Mattress (detailed mattress materials, reviews, ratings, complaints, warranty) - Buying a mattress “blindly” is the leading cause of dissatisfaction among mattress owners. But too often consumers allow themselves to get “bullied” into the product of the day without getting a second opinion from others. Checking detailed mattress materials, reviews, ratings and complaints is a good idea before shelling out your money – you would be surprised at what you will learn. Also, ask for written details as some salespeople will tell you everything good you like to hear; some people may claim 100% natural latex mattress while it actually has synthetic latex in it. It’s best to know about this fickle piece of documentation before finding out the hard way that it is not what you thought it was.

4. Making Assumptions About Price and Comfort - Although the more you pay for a mattress, the higher the likelihood that you are getting better quality materials, it does not necessarily mean it will be a more-comfortable mattress for you. Some of the most expensive mattresses come with the highest dissatisfaction ratings among owners – memory foam and innerspring products alike. In many cases, price works along the same lines as expectations. That is to say, many consumers feel that if they pay more money for a mattress, they should get more comfort from a mattress. But spending a lot has nothing to do with whether that product is right for you. Don’t mistake price for comfort and take the time to get to know what the mattress is all about before you spend your money.

5. Believing that the Foundation Plays a Secondary Role To the Mattress. -A full mattress set consists of the mattress itself as well as the foundation (also known as box spring). While most consumers focus on what goes into the mattress, it is worth looking at the foundation as the invaluable second part of a full mattress set. No matter how comfortable a mattress may seem, if you do not use an appropriate, high quality foundation, the comfort characteristics could be lost on a poor foundation. In many ways, the foundation itself actually contributes more to the sleep experience.

6. Failure To Consider Alternatives - Many shoppers have a price point or product type in mind and refuse to consider alternative recommendations by the salesperson. If the salesperson fully understands your needs and preferences, chances are quite good that he or she can offer a couple of alternatives to let you see what other brands can offer. In some cases, they will cost a little more, but refusing to consider those alternatives could make for a big mistake down the road. Ask many questions, keeping your options open to suggestions and alternatives may result in improved sleep quality, so don’t rule out products or brands you never considered before.

7. Making Impulsive Decisions - It is easy to fall in love with a mattress based on price or how it feels in the showroom. Unless your mattress has burnt down and you have nowhere to sleep that night (or if a sale ends that specific day), there is no need to make a rushed decision about a mattress. Taking notes about what you liked about the mattress in question and going home to “sleep on it” before making the purchase is a good thing. You may realize the next morning that there are other deals or options you have not considered yet or that the mattress in question might not accommodate your sleep style the way your existing mattress does. Try to never buy a new mattress on the same day that you start your search.

8. Not Knowing Who You Are Buying From - The proliferation of mattress retailers has resulted in healthy competition in the industry. However, some retailers are not quite as reputable as others. Buying a bad mattress is one thing; buying it from a bad retailer is another. Before spending your money at a retailer you know little about, try researching the outfit to make sure they stand by their service promise and have been in business long enough to truly understand the industry. No matter how good a mattress might be dealing with a terrible retailer can ruin your entire mattress buying experience.

9. Not Thinking a Supportive Mattress is as Important as a Comfortable One – Too hard or too soft doesn’t provide a good night’s sleep, a good balance is that you feel comfortable and your spine is aligned straight while you sleep on side. Although the National Sleep Foundation underlines the importance of having a comfortable mattress if you want to get the right hours of sleep every night, sleeping on a supportive mattress is probably even more important. The reason is that an unsupportive mattress will not only have you tossing and turning throughout the night due to the bad sleeping posture, but it will leave you waking up with aches and pains, robbing you of the necessary deep-sleep your body needs to recover. While comfort is certainly important, a supportive mattress that allows your body to rest the way it needs is even more valuable.

10. Not Taking Care of The Mattress - While it is true that the salesperson encouraging you to add a mattress protector to your purchase is indeed an “upsell,” these protectors are essential gear for your mattress. Not only will they keep your mattress isolated from unwanted spills or body fluids (most people sweat while they sleep), it will avoid staining and thereby keep the mattress warranty valid should you ever need to make a claim. Just make sure your mattress protector will have a similar property as your mattress, such as good air circulation. Taking care of your mattress is as important as maintaining your vehicle – not only good for the warranty, but for the general performance as well. Keep that in mind.