More Bed info
It can be a real headache with all the options now available to the consumer. Do you want normal springs, continuous springs or pocket springs? A quilted or tufted mattress? Memory foam or latex? The list just goes on.
Everyone is different, it is a personal preference to what bed feels “right” to you. Archers encourage you to lie on the bed in the store for 5-10 minutes to get a good feel of the bed. Don’t be embarrassed, the salesperson is there to help and answer any questions you may have. Don’t just feel it with your hand or sit on the edge, this will not tell you what it is like to sleep on.
When a bed is no longer providing proper support and comfort it affects the quality of our sleep. Often people are unaware that their bed may be one of the reasons why they are not sleeping well.
Beds don’t last forever. The life-span of a bed is affected by factors such as its quality, care given to it, sleeping patterns of the user, and amount of use (e.g. reading, watching TV & sleeping each night versus the only occasional use of a spare bed). Changes in lifestyle (e.g marriage, new home) and in our bodies (losing or gaining weight, ageing, etc) can also necessitate a change of bed.
It may be time for a new mattress if:
• You wake up with aches and pains which wear off as the day progresses
• You are not sleeping as well as you did a year ago
• You enjoy better sleep somewhere other than your own bed
• Your mattress shows signs of visible wear and tear
A new bed may not be a wonder cure to all life’s stresses and strains, however it certainly should help you get a better night’s sleep, leaving you refreshed and ready to face the world.
Archers have a huge range of beds to choose from. This guide is designed to arm you with lots of information to make the process as easy as possible. Only you can make the final, important, decision on which bed is right for you. Take your time and make it wisely.
Did you know?
Buying a new bed may give a better nights sleep than taking a sleeping pill! A two-year research project by sleep expert Dr Chris Idzikowski of the Sleep Assessment and Advisory Service (SAAS) found that those with uncomfortable beds slept on average one hour less each night than those with comfortable beds.
Here are a few general points to think about before you go shopping for your new bed.
Type
What sort of style do you prefer? What do you like or dislike about your current bed? Do you prefer a firmer or softer feel?
Price
We suggest that you spend as much as you can on your new bed as, on average, you will spend around 3,000 hours (125 full days or 18 weeks) of every year in bed!
Size
Being disturbed by a sleeping partner is one of the most common complaints. With a larger bed you are less likely to disturb one another. You should be able to lie side by side, with your arms behind your head and your elbows out, without touching. Your bed should also be 10-15cm (4-6in) longer than the tallest partner – anyone over 6ft (1.8m) tall should consider a bed longer than standard. Mattresses and bases are available up to 6’0” (180cm) width x 6’6” (200cm) long.
Access
You may be worried about getting the bed upstairs, however, all of our double, king and superking size divans have split bases which makes the delivery process much more simple. You should tell your retailer about any potential access problems before you buy to avoid problems with delivery.
There is no substitute for lying on mattresses when selecting the right one for you. You wouldn’t buy a new car without taking it for a test drive first. Your new bed is a long term investment so it’s very important to get it right first time.
If the bed is for two, you need to shop together to avoid the possibility that only one of you will be comfortable with your choice.
Set aside enough time to do the job properly. You should try out several beds without time pressure. You need to be fresh or it will be difficult to appreciate the differences – if you are tired they will all feel wonderful!
Wear comfortable clothes, remove your coat and shoes and lie on the bed for quite a long time – at least 10 minutes, but don’t be embarrassed if you want to make that half an hour! Relax. Adopt your normal sleeping position and lie on your side as well as your back.
A comfortable bed is a bed offering the right support. You will need to make your own assessment, guided by factors such as weight, height, build and even preferred sleeping position. As a general rule, the heavier you are, the firmer the tension you will need. You don’t necessarily need a hard bed if you have a bad back
Your aim is to achieve good “posture” in bed. Too soft and your body will slouch, leading to back pain; too firm and you may experience discomfort at pressure points such as hips and shoulders.
Ideally the mattress should mould to the shape of your body while remaining supportive. When you lie on your side your spine should be horizontal. You should be able to turn easily.
Comfort is very subjective. Some people like the sensation of sinking into a bed, others prefer to lie on its surface. Advances in spring technology and filling material mean that there is a huge range of support and “feels” on offer – you can choose what works best for you.
Top Tip
Try this test to check for correct support. While lying on your back, slide the flat of your hand into the hollow of your back.
If your hand slides in very easily, or there’s a gap, then the bed is too firm (leading to pressure on your hips and shoulders). If it’s really difficult to slide your hand in at all, and you feel as if you are sinking into the mattress, then the bed is probably too soft for you.
Did you know?
80% of bed shoppers spend less than two minutes trying out beds on which they are likely to be spending around 3,000 hours–over 120 full days – in just one year!
Your new bed may feel a little strange at first and it may take a while to get used to. The chances are that the springs and upholstery in your old bed were not what they used to be. Allow some time for your body to adjust to your new bed and for the fillings to settle.
Do Not Bend or Fold the Mattress
This is likely to damage the spring unit and may invalidate the guarantee.
Do Not Use Chemical or Detergent Cleaners
These may adversely affect, not only the covering material and stitching, but also some of the cushioning materials used. In the event of soiling, the mattress may be lightly sponged with a weak solution of soap and water. Excessive wetting can damage the fabric.
Do Not Overload the Compartments in Storage Models
The drawers in storage divans have been designed primarily to hold bed linen, clothing and lightweight items. Excessive weight can cause distortion or damage to the drawers. Over filling them may restrict free movement or cause them to jam.
Turn the Mattress Regularly
Most manufacturers use the finest upholstery materials in their mattresses. These materials may settle during the first few months of use, causing slight depressions. This is quite normal and should not concern you. Mattresses should be turned every two weeks for the first two to three months and at monthly intervals thereafter. Single sided mattresses need only turning from head to foot.
No Mattress is completely Colourfast
We recommend that you use a mattress protector to cover your new mattress. This will help to prevent the dyes used in some mattress covers from transferring onto the bed linen as a reaction to body moisture.
Air the Mattress Regularly
This prevents the possibility of body moisture reacting with fabric dyes. Approximatley every three months check the headboard and any fittings (where applicable). They stand considerable strain and may have worked loose. Make sure the castors/glides run freely and remember to protect the carpet or floor surfaces.
How can I tell that a bed will be comfortable for me?
Spend more time making the right choice of bed. Try them out properly in store, compare different models until you find one which feels right for you. It’s your decision – not the salesman’s!
Should I buy a hard bed to ease my aches and pains?
What you need is a new bed which offers the right support for your spine (not necessarily hard at all!) Remember that the term orthopedic and other derivations of the word only mean that the bed is a firmer specification from that manufacturer. There are no universal standards of firmness in common usage in the UK. BUT if you have a back or skeletal problem you should consult your GP or Specialist before buying.
How can I get the most from my mattress?
Most mattresses need regularly turning to ensure even wear and tear and today’s mattresses can be pretty heavy, so be careful! However, there are now plenty of non-turn options, which only need rotating around from time to time.
Do I have to buy a new base if I’m replacing my old mattress?
We always recommend you buy base and mattress together because the two are designed and manufactured to complement one another in terms of support. Your mattress may show visible signs of wear and tear but the base will have had equal pressure and strain – it just doesn’t show quite so clearly. If you purchase from different manufacturers any warranty may be compromised if the manufacturer deems the base to be unsuitable to support the mattress or vice versa. Another point to watch is making sure the dimensions of any base and mattress separately sourced are compatible.
There are so many bed sizes – how big should I go?
People don’t buy large enough beds. 75% of all double beds are still the standard 4ft 6in/135cm wide double – yet this is plainly not room enough for two adults to sleep comfortably together without disturbing each other. Even upgrading to the next size, a 5ft/150cm king size, whilst it takes up very little extra bedroom space, makes a considerable difference!
How long should my bed last?
It varies according to the type of bed and the amount of usage but, as a general rule, if you wake up with aches and pains which disappear over the course of the day, you are not sleeping as well as you did a year ago or the mattress shows signs of wear, it is probably time to change your bed.
