This is how you ensure ultimate comfort
Your mattress is very important for a good night’s sleep, but how do you know whether your mattress is the right one for you? And how can you best maintain your mattress? We asked Chris Nederhorst; in the industry for thirty years.
1. How often should you buy a new mattress?
“On average once every 8 to 10 years. A good mattress has lost a lot of resilience and has also become unsanitary.”
2. What should you pay attention to when buying a mattress?
“If you want to buy a mattress, determine whether it suits you well in terms of temperature and hardness/softness. In addition, your mattress must of course be comfortable. Also pay attention to the delivery conditions, warranty and – perhaps most importantly – whether you can test the mattress at home. (preferably with a money-back guarantee).
Estimating which temperature suits you may be difficult, but there are things to keep in mind. Each mattress type has its own characteristics. For example, a latex mattress is by far the warmest and does not ventilate very well. That is not recommended if you get hot quickly or a lot perspires. A memory foam mattress works well for physical complaints and puts less pressure on shoulders and hips. A cold foam mattress ventilates particularly well and offers a lot of resilience and therefore support. Polyether is the old-fashioned foam rubber with moderate ventilation and moderate resilience. A pocket mattress ventilates very well but is quite wobbly.
It is therefore best to try a mattress at home. This way you can really sleep on it in your own familiar environment and experience how you wake up on it. However, you need at least four weeks for this. The probationary period must therefore last at least four weeks, otherwise any complaints could come to light once the probationary period has expired. You mainly notice whether you know whether a mattress is good for you when you wake up. Ask yourself two questions: Do you feel rested? And how does your back feel?”
3. Is there a difference between a mattress for adults and children?
“Yes, a children’s mattress should not have zones. Zones are places, for example in the shoulder or hip area, where the mattress is softer. An average child is usually too small and will be placed completely wrong in the zones. Other points to consider when buying of a children’s mattress, safety (certifications), the cover (textile of the mattress) can be zipped off and washed at at least 60 degrees (60 degrees kills dust mites) and the mattress can ventilate well.”
4. In what situations do you need a special mattress?
“The right hardness/softness is essential for a nice and good lying comfort. Someone who is heavy needs a firmer mattress than a lightweight one. It is also the case that with physical complaints it is usually desirable to feel as little pressure as possible. Memory foam has a pressure-reducing effect and therefore offers more comfort and protects the painful areas.
With a weight difference between partners of more than 25 kilograms, it is usually better to purchase two separate mattresses. It is also better to choose two separate mattresses if there are physical complaints, because the correct adjustment usually has to be much more accurate.”
5. How should you maintain your mattress?
“Wash the cover (the textile of the mattress) at least twice a year. A mattress cover becomes particularly unhygienic over time. Wash it at a minimum of 60 degrees; only then will you kill the dust mites that are in the mattress cover. In addition, it is wise to turn the mattress once every three months, because this way you considerably extend the life of the mattress.
It is also smart to air the mattress daily and therefore leave the duvet open during the day. The use of a thick cotton flannel is particularly recommended because you can easily wash it and thus keep the mattress much cleaner.”
