Mattressology 101
Our friendly Mattressologists (Sleep Experts) want you to have a great night’s sleep. And they’re passionate about helping you find the perfect mattress – and pillow – for you.
That’s why they’ve been up late at night, putting together the information on this site that will help simplify the whole shopping experience.
Choosing the right mattress
Mattresses have come a long way, with many recent innovations that provide more choices for you to choose the mattress type that fits your personal sleep needs best. Mattress types include:
- Innerspring Mattress
This is the most recognized and still the most widely purchased type of bedding. Support is provided from tempered steel coils arranged in a variety of configurations. Then layers of upholstery, foam, latex, gel and other materials are often added to the construction to provide insulation and cushioning between your body and the spring unit. The design of both the innerspring coils and the combination of cushioning materials, coupled with state-of-the-art technology, offers a full range of comfort choices from which you can choose.
A note about innerspring mattresses:
Mattress quality and support cannot be judged solely on the number of coils it contains. Your Mattressologist will explain the differences in design, quantity, and quality of any innerspring system, combined with superior upholstery and comfort materials that may make it the best type of mattress for you.
- Pillowtop Mattress
The Pillowtop mattress is among the most popular designs in sleeping luxury today. The Pillowtop layer offers an extra layer of soft cushioning that looks much like a comforter attached to the mattress surface. This comfort layer can be made up from a wide selection of luxury materials, including everything from natural fibers like cotton and wool to 21st century technologies such as foams and gels that mold to the body.
- Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam is usually made from a combination of polyurethane with additional compositions or materials that affect the beds’ viscosity and density. This material is often referred to as "visco-elastic" polyurethane foam, or low-resilience polyurethane foam, and is designed to “conform” to the shape of your body, for better pressure relief. Memory foam mattresses can offer a wide choice of comfort levels and “feels”.
The speed with which memory foam returns to its original shape after a weight is removed is often part of the marketing message among memory foam mattress producers, many of whom tout "newer generation" foams with "faster recovery."
A lower-density memory foam is pressure-sensitive and molds quickly to the shape of a body pressing against it, returning to its original shape once the pressure is removed.
A higher-density memory foam softens in reaction to body heat, allowing it to mold to a warm body in a few minutes.
- Latex Mattress
Latex mattresses are made using the milk or sap from the rubber tree. Latex is hypoallergenic, and “breathes” to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Plus, it is naturally resistant to bacteria, mildew, mold, and dust mites. Latex mattresses also offer a wide choice of "feels."
- Gel Mattress
Gel mattresses are one of the newest technologies offered by a number of manufacturers of sleep solutions and is often referred to as a type of memory foam. The material used in this type of mattress is not actually a gel liquid, but is a molded and highly-flexible material that is typically produced in a box-like construction (in the shape of your mattress) and is usually laid on top of another mattress material. As in Memory Foam and Latex mattress, a Gel mattress can also be offer a variety of “feels.”
- Adjustable Mattress
Many mattress types can “adjust” the head or foot of the bed into various positions that you may find improves both your comfort and your sleep quality. Some innerspring mattresses, as well as memory foam, latex, and gel mattresses may be able to be adjusted. Since the flexing can cause extra wear on the mattress, quality construction is very important. Mattresses not built for this purpose should not be used with an adjustable bed frame. Ask you Mattressologist if the mattress you are considering is also adjustable.
Choosing the right mattress foundation
A good foundation can be as important as a good mattress. Many manufacturers require the purchase of a matching foundation to properly support their mattress and maintain their warranty of the product.
- Standard Boxspring Foundation
The most common type of foundation sold with a mattress, the matching boxspring can contribute to the bed's overall comfort and support, taking the majority of the nightly wear and tear. You should never put a new mattress on an old foundation. In fact, when you select your new mattress, you should buy its companion foundation at the same time as the two are designed to work best together. As we stated above, buying the mattress without its matching foundation may affect the terms of the warranty.
- Adjustable Foundation
An adjustable bed base will allow you to customize your adjustable mattress into a variety of ergonomically-comfortable positions by using a remote control to independently adjust the head and foot of the bed for maximum comfort. Adjustable bed bases are compatible with many innerspring, and most foam mattresses. Since flexing can cause extra wear on the mattress, choosing a quality mattress is very important. When you are shopping, be sure to ask your Mattressologist whether the mattress you are considering is adjustable-friendly.
- Mattress Frame
Just as the boxspring supports the mattress, a proper mattress frame is essential in supporting the entire sleep system. Depending on the size mattress you purchase, and the type of furniture in your bedroom, you may need to consider a new frame for your new sleep system. Your Mattressologist will discuss your options with you at the time of purchase.
Choosing the right mattress extras
Enrich your sleep with a comfy, new pillow: enhance your sleep experience with high-quality, long-lasting sheets: and protect your investment, as well as your health, with mattress and pillow protectors.
- Choosing the Right Pillow
As you can imagine, shopping for the right pillow is an essential part of building your perfect sleep system.
The right pillow can do wonders for your sleep and just like your mattress, should provide proper support and cushioning to position your head and neck properly. It should hold your head in the same relation to your shoulders and spine as if you were standing with correct upright posture.
The position you normally sleep in – on your side, back, or stomach (many physicians caution against this position) – should be taken into consideration when choosing a pillow.
The overall quality of the pillow you choose should determine how often you should replace it. Once purchased with your new mattress, most pillows should be replaced at least every year.
But some pillows may wear faster than others. Here’s a simple test to determine if your pillow needs to be replaced: fold your pillow in half (into thirds for larger pillows) squeezing out the air. In general, when you release the pillow it should spring back into its original shape and fullness. If it doesn’t, then it’s likely time for a new one.
Your Mattressologist can show you numerous choices in pillow materials (foam, gel, down, feather) and shapes (standard, contour or “neck” pillows), as well as “side” pillows and even travel pillows from which to build your perfect sleep system. When you visit Z’s Please Sleep Center, you will be offered a pillow with which you can test your choice of mattresses.
- Protecting Your Mattress
Once you choose your prefect sleep system, you’ll want to protect that new investment with a mattress protector.
A mattress protector can prolong the life of your mattress, offer additional protection for chronic allergy sufferers, and help protect the mattress against spills, stains, dirt, dust, allergens, dust mites, and more.
People all over the world are concerned over the growing outbreak of bedbugs. A mattress encasement with a locking zipper will effectively lock bedbugs out of your sleep system.
- Considering New Sheets
Slipping into bed, between a new set of sheets, can be pure enjoyment and really enhance your whole sleep experience. And like all other aspects of your new bed, there are several options in sheets that can really provide a comfy, restful night’s sleep.
Z’s Please offers the DreamFit® line of luxury sheets that are Guaranteed to Fit™ and Guaranteed to Stay On™.
DreamFit® sheets are constructed from a variety of materials that include cotton, rayon, and even bamboo … in a variety of levels designed to meet your needs and budget. The patented DreamFit® construction ensures that your sleep is never disturbed by a fitted sheet that won’t stay put. Ask about new sheets when you visit any of our stores.