Guide to Mattresses Basics

Know necessary information to purchase quality new mattresses

By Michelle Cramer

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Discern the size differences in bed mattresses

The size of mattress that you need depends on what you will use it for. Twin mattresses, also known as singles, measure 38 x 75 inches. Extra long twins, often found in dorm rooms, are 5 inches longer. Double or full size mattresses measure 53 x 75 inches. Queens are 60 x 80 inches. Kings, which are the size of choice for hotels and bed and breakfasts, measure 76 x 80 inches, while a California King is 72 x 84 inches. Take into consideration the location where the mattress will go and who will use it before making a size decision.

I recommend: 1800mattress.com provides the dimensions for these and alternative mattress sizes. Visit the Better Sleep Council for recommendations on uses for the most common mattress sizes.

Purchase a bed mattress that will provide maximum comfort and support

The support a regular spring mattress provides depends on the type of coils, number of coils and how the coils connect. For proper comfort the mattress needs sturdy upholstery and edge materials. There must be a balance between soft and firm in order to provide maximum support and comfort. Other specialty mattress options include memory foam mattresses that claim to provide strong support without sacrificing comfort. They are more expensive but are worth the purchase if your company's budget allows.

I recommend: Visit What’s The Best Mattress for a mattress buying guide. Tempur-Pedic, one of the leading memory foam mattress providers, claims that its Swedish Sleep System will relieve pain, reduce stress and provide for a restful nights sleep.

Care for your mattresses correctly

Manufacturers recommend that you install your mattresses properly and cover them with a mattress pad to protect from stains and odors. Avoid dry cleaning mattresses because the chemical agents used can damage them. They also recommend rotating mattresses every two weeks in the first three months of use and every two months so that the mattresses last longer, with an even distribution of weight applied.

I recommend: Visit Sleepy’s for a mattress rotation diagram and more details on proper mattress care. EcoChoices provides green mattress cleaning recommendations.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  While it's not illegal, you should not remove the tag from your mattress. These tags provide further care recommendations and contain information you may need if you ever have to file a warranty claim.

Guide to Mattresses for Hotels and Motels

How to choose quality, comfortable mattresses to welcome guests to your hotel or inn

By Kelly Shetsky, Anchor/Reporter

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Find wholesale mattress providers

If you're furnishing a hotel or motel, you need to find mattress wholesalers that have a history of supplying hotels and motels.

I recommend: 1800Mattress.com is where you'll find the popular hotel mattress from Simmons Beauty Rest. This is the bed found in Westin® Hotels and Resorts. Sears.com sells mattresses from all the major mattress suppliers. Pacific Coast is a leading feather bed wholesale supplier to hotels. On the high-end, The W Store offers the beds showcased in their exclusive hotels.

Find mattresses with the durability you need

Durability in a bed mattress is a must when it comes to hotel mattresses that will be used over and over again. Durability comes down to two things: the fabric and coils. If either of these is shoddy, the mattress will not last. Look for a mattress with a tough coil system and a soft, durable fabric for comfort.

I recommend: Use the US Mattresses durability chart. It lists the comfort levels and expected life of Sealy, Sterns & Foster, Serta, Simmons Beauty Rest, Spring Air and Bassett mattresses. Simmons Deep Sleep mattress is touted as a very durable mattress. It has high-performance coils and there's no need to ever flip it over.

Consider a pillow top or memory foam mattress

Pillow top mattresses give support and soft comfort. The pillow top mattresses relieve pressure points, too. Memory foam mattresses are known for their comfort, as they conform to individual body shapes.

I recommend: Verlo specializes in handcrafted pillow top mattresses. The company will also make you custom mattresses. Mattress.com lets you shop for a mattress with ease. Simply enter the size and your zip code. Buy a memory foam mattress straight from a leading manufacturer.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Make sure to check your mattresses often. It doesn't speak well for your hotel if the mattresses are sagging.

1. Discover features, benefits and stand-out traditional and foam mattresses through websites and publications that focus on product reviews.
2. Look for practical mattress advice through publications and articles written by physicians, researchers and other sleep experts.
3. Study reviews on mattresses and mattress providers written with first-hand knowledge on consumer review websites.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check product review websites for in-depth analysis of regular and custom mattresses

Before you buy mattress inventory, consult product review websites that provide objective advice and ratings of a variety of mattresses. Look for the best mattress models offered in the price range you wish to cover and make note of mattress features and safety tips that you can convey to your customers.

I recommend: Check ConsumerSearch for a comprehensive look at mattress reviews compiled from a variety of reputable sites. The information covers mattress features and the best mattresses of varied price points and categories. Find additional advice and information on mattresses through Consumer Reports. To access reviews online, you’ll need to sign up as a member of the website.

Read articles by doctors and sleep experts to discover effective regular and memory foam mattresses

Answer your customers' mattress questions with expertise by reading up on health-related and mattress-specific articles that discuss selection and sleep tips. In addition to keeping up with medical reports, recalls and advice, discover the mattress styles that sleep experts recommend and the criteria they use to arrive at those conclusions.

I recommend: Aimed at consumers, the website What’s the Best can give you insight into your clientele’s selection criteria and the factors they look for most when buying mattresses. The information covers traditional, foam mattresses and air mattresses. Read articles on mattress selection and other buying and usage advice through Health Central.

Read consumer review sites to discover how mattresses stand up to real world use

Discover what your customers might have to say about mattresses by checking out the ratings and comments at consumer review websites that allow buyers to praise great purchases or vent about problems they've had with specific mattress models or manufacturers.

I recommend: Viewpoints website allows buyers to rate and comment on mattresses from a variety of manufacturers. Find consumer reviews of old and new mattress models through Epinions. In addition of a star rating, information includes quick pros and cons, as well as more detailed comments.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Mattress size

The mattress size is important for fitting a mattress into a specific space and bed frame as well as finding the right mattress for a tall person. There are five standard sizes: twin, full, queen, king and California king.

I recommend: The Better Sleep Council provides advice on choosing the best mattress size and provides the standard dimensions.

Coil spring mattress

Coil spring mattresses provide a source of support with coiled springs inside two layers of comfortable material. These layers can be made from wool, latex, foam or cotton.

I recommend: The Best Bed Guide provides an overview of all the types of mattresses available.

Coil count

The coil count of a mattress refers to the number of coils located in the innerspring unity. Counts are based on the number of coils inside a full-size mattress.

I recommend: All About Home provides tips for buying a new mattress including considerations for the coil count to help determine the quality of a mattress.

Adjustable mattress

An adjustable mattress is a mattress specifically made for adjustable bed frames. Adjustable beds are provide additional health benefits for those suffering from arthritis, sleep apnea and other ailments.

I recommend: Absolute Comfort provides answers to frequently asked questions about the comfort and use of adjustable beds.

Memory foam

Memory foam is a material made from elastic urethane materials. This material used in a mattress helps to eliminate pressure points when sleeping.

I recommend: Advanced provides a description of memory foam. My Foam Mattress provides a comparison of coil spring mattresses and memory foam beds.

Pillow top mattress

A pillow top mattress is considered one of the softest types of mattresses on the market. Pillow top mattresses offer an additional feather-type padding sewn onto the top of the mattress.

I recommend: Mattress Direct Online provides information on the different levels of softness for mattress types.