Five Tips That Will Help You When Shopping for Mattresses

Before you start visiting stores and getting bogged down in all of the possible choices for new mattresses, make the process less stressful by doing some research on the front end. The number of available options can seem overwhelming, so use these five tips to quickly narrow down exactly what you're looking for.

1. Research Different Types and Sizes

Personal comfort is a highly selective matter. Learn about the different types to figure out what works best for you. Look at firm, soft, foam, and coil options.

2. Perform a 15-Minute Test

If you spend approximately 15–20 minutes testing the mattresses you're interested in, you will probably be happier with your purchase. Make sure to take off your shoes and lay on each side, on your back, and on your stomach.

3. Talk to Your Doctor

If you have any type of back problem or health problem, talk to your doctor for a potential recommendation. When shopping for a new mattress, you should have any back or health problems at top of mind so that a mattress professional can discuss the mechanics of how a specific type of mattress can help.

4. Bring Your Own Pillow

When trying out different types, bring your own pillow along. The more closely you can replicate your typical sleep situation, the more likely you are to make the right selection.

5. Set a Realistic Budget

Considering how much of your life you spend in bed, a comfortable mattress makes a significant impact on your quality of life. Try to remember that less expensive is not always better and think about your purchase as an investment in your health.

If you are feeling stressed by the prospect of going shopping for mattresses, use these tips to help make the experience as relaxing as possible.

Mattress Recommendations for Various Sleeping Styles

People have different sleep position preferences. Before purchasing a new bed, savvy shoppers will explore mattresses to find the best one to fit their unique sleeping styles.

Side Sleeping

Side sleeping is the most common style for people to adopt. When individuals sleep this way, they usually need a surface that will not put undue pressure on the shoulders and hips. A softer mattress usually fits because it allows these pressure points to sink into the surface.

Stomach Sleeping

A firmer bed generally serves people who prefer to sleep on their stomachs more adequately because it helps keep their spines aligned.

Back Sleeping

Back sleepers also need a surface that will support their lower backs. These people will be happiest with mattresses of a medium firmness to ensure the correct amount of support.

Because there are many options available in mattresses with various firmness levels, it's helpful to visit showrooms to try the different mattress styles.

How to Clean a Mattress

If you've visited a number of mattress stores in the past to replace dirty, discolored, or worn mattresses, it may be time to learn how to remove dust mites, sweat, and skin cells for a fresh, clean bed. Most people are good about changing sheets, but we often forget to clean the bed—which can lead to an accumulation of unwanted dirt and dust. Be proactive with these cleaning tips in order to get your mattress looking good as new.

Vacuuming

Remove linens, and wash and dry them on hot settings to rid them of dust mites and bacteria. Vacuum the mattress using an upholstery attachment to remove dirt, hair, mites, and pet dander.

Spot Treatments

Spills should always be washed immediately to prevent staining, but sometimes, stains can't be avoided. After vacuuming, treat any stains, especially those from bodily fluids such as blood or urine.

- Bloodstains may be removed using a tablespoon of salt and dish detergent, as well as 1/4 cup of hydrogen peroxide. Rub the solution into the area, let it dry, and vacuum again.

- Urine stains are best treated with natural enzyme cleaners that are chemically designed to break down odors and stains.

Deodorizing

Sprinkle the mattress with a small amount of baking soda. Leave it for a few hours to absorb odors. Remove the soda with a vacuum.

Keep the bed clean and fresh by vacuuming, treating spots, and deodorizing yearly. As one of the top mattress stores in the area, Buis Mattress knows the ins and outs of every mattress we make. Visit our store for more information on mattress care.

Do You Sleep Like A Baby? Learn How Sleep Changes As We Age

Sleeping patterns change with age. Research shows that young children between one and four years old tend to sleep 11 to 12 hours each day. Most people experience their best sleep during adolescence. However, once a child reaches pre-teen years, different sleep disturbances begin to occur.

Adults operate best when they receive 8 hours of sleep a night. However, researchers say that almost seven out of ten adults experience issues that affect their sleep. These include insomnia, sleep apnea, restless leg syndrome, and “hot flashes” for women.

As people age and health problems increase for some, sleep is often disrupted. Older adults tend to drag themselves from the warmth of their mattress three or four times a night, usually to use the restroom or because of discomfort from chronic health problems.

No matter what else is keeping you up a night, we know that investing in a quality mattress can help anyone achieve a good night's rest. 

High or Low? The Perfect Bed Height For You

The best place to buy a proper mattress is from a mattress store. Grand Rapids, MI residents know that when they go to purchase their mattress, it's important to keep in mind their desired bed height. Bed height not only makes beds more comfortable for their owners, but also offers storage options and easy access.

Figuring Out The Height

The total height of a bed is determined by the depth of the box springs, the mattress, and the supporting bed frame. Most beds have an average height of 22 inches to about 25 inches.

The most important thing to consider when deciding on bed height is that people need to be able to get in and out easily. A person should be able to sit on any bed and have their feet resting on the floor with bent knees. This height enables a person to stand up easily and not strain the back or the knees.

Pets and children are another thought to consider when purchasing a bed. High beds could be dangerous to young children, and they can also prevent pets from getting on beds.

Storage Options

Different bed heights can also come with some extra features. Platform beds can be a nice option for bedrooms with minimal storage. They come with built-in storage and do not require box springs. This always works great for smaller rooms, with the storage allowing you to clear up some space in the room.

The best way to choose a great bed is to go shopping and test them out. Make sure you note which styles are too high or too low as you browse through your local mattress stores. Grand Rapids, MI stores should have the styles their residents desire.

How to Buy the Right Mattress

According to the National Sleep Foundation, a good mattress lasts for nine to ten years. Fitful sleepers, however, may consider changing their mattress every five to seven in order to sleep on the right amount of firmness. Avoid sleepless nights and back pain by using these helpful tips for buying beds.

Re-assessing Firmness Requirements

Re-assess what level of firmness will bring you the best night’s sleep. Experiment and try soft, medium, and firm products at the mattress store. Holland, MI shoppers may discover they have been sleeping on the wrong bed for years. Choosing a mattress that is too soft or too firm can lead to years of joint stress, back pain, and unsatisfying sleep, so it is essential to test your chosen mattress before purchase.

Testing

To properly test the firmness of a mattress, people should bring their own pillow and stretch out on the bed as though they were sleeping. Duplicate sleeping habits by lying on the side, back, or belly. Try this on each mattress type for about 20 minutes. The right bed should provide comfortable support and conform to the natural curve of the spine.

Replacing a worn out mattress might be all that is needed to enjoy blissful sleep. Buying the correct firmness makes all the difference for proper support.maintaining a time pattern for sleeping helps people to adjust.

Adjusting Your Sleep Patterns After Daylight Savings Time

Everyone deals with Daylight Savings Time (DST) differently. Most people take a day or so to adjust, but for those who struggle with the changing clocks can use these tips to get their sleep back on track.

Setting Clocks Ahead

Losing one hour of sleep each spring is the extremely difficult for some people. To make this adjustment a little easier, people can reset their clocks a few days before the change occurs to ease into it. With the right preparation, you may not even notice the transition from DST at all!

Sleep-friendly Environment

Prepare your bedroom so you can fall faster into a deep sleep. If you are unsure where to start, head over to the mattress stores in Holland, MI. Sleeping on a quality mattress is the first step to creating a sleep-friendly environment. In addition, consider blackout drapes or an eye mask to deal with the changes in light.

Maintain a Sleep Pattern

The quickest way to get over the change in time is to keep an established routine for bedtime and getting up. Get ready for bed and wake up around the same time after the time change to get back into the groove of your sleep schedule. However, some people may benefit from a short 20-minute nap throughout the day.

Easing into the change of DST, creating a comfortable place to sleep, and maintaining a time pattern for sleeping helps people to adjust.

Mattresses that Match Sleeping Preferences

Not all Grand Rapids mattresses are made equal. Whether you sleep on your side, your back, or your stomach, each type of mattress serves different sleeping habits. Discover the best beds for side, back, and belly sleepers below.

Side Sleepers

Sleeping on your side is the best way to preserve the natural curve of your spine. People who sleep on their sides, however, experience stress on their shoulders and hips due to restricted blood flow and pressure to the nerves. Side sleepers reduce stress to these areas by sleeping on a soft bed.

Back Sleepers

All back sleepers know when they are in a bed that does not provide proper support. If you feel any back pain after sleeping, it is time to invest in new bedding. A medium-firm bed provides the best support to back sleepers.

Belly Sleepers

Belly sleepers should also look for a medium-firm bed. This moderate amount of firmness supports the midsection and provides vital neck support, which is important since belly sleepers must tilt their heads to one side.

While these are general rules of thumb to follow when finding the perfect mattress, everyone sleeps differently. When shopping at your Grand Rapids mattress provider, always test out the bed to make sure it provides support specific to your needs.