# Is it the mattress? The almost-new really expensive mattress? \*sob\* **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 14, 2007, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936 "2007-03-14T20:24:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/1 "2007-03-14T20:24:54Z")
We bought a new, fluffy-yet-firm, expensive-as-all-hell (at least to my cheapskate self) mattress set less than a year ago. I’m steadily waking up sorer and sorer. Suddenly, my little stuffed numbered sheep that came as a gift fills me with rage! Do the mattress topper thingies work? Do I have to start sleeping on the floor? Since my husband picked out the set, is this valid grounds for divorce? Am I allowed to bite someone? Aiiieee! ---
**Author:** ![Caridwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c89c15/32.png) [@Caridwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Caridwen)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/2 "2007-03-14T20:27:59Z")
That really stinks, especially if it’s fairly new. I guess there isn’t any sort of warranty? I have a feather bed on top of my mattress that I’m crazy about. It’s like sleeping on a giant pillow. Kohls has them on sale pretty frequently. Here’s one at Overstock [http://www.overstock.com/?page=proframe&prod\_id=1464042](http://www.overstock.com/?page=proframe&prod_id=1464042) ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/3 "2007-03-14T20:44:04Z")
I bought a topper at Overstock (or the other one…SmartBargains) and it’s comfy, but doesn’t make up for the shitty mattress I have been suffering with for all these years. I need a new freekin’ mattress!! ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 8:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/4 "2007-03-14T20:44:25Z")
There’s a 10 year warranty, but I don’t know if a warranty covers “I used to like it but now I hate it and hate you and hate everyone.” I don’t think there’s necessarily anything wrong with the mattress, just me on the mattress. Or maybe it’s not the mattress at all–just me on the planet. ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/5 "2007-03-14T20:57:26Z")
Have you tried rotating it? We have a similar one that we bought about 5 years ago. You don’t want the fluffy part to get compressed in the same areas. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [March 14, 2007, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/6 "2007-03-14T22:48:19Z")
[QUOTE=Batsinma Belfry] Have you tried rotating it? We have a similar one that we bought about 5 years ago. You don’t want the fluffy part to get compressed in the same areas. [/QUOTE] Yeah, it’s been rotated. Though now that I think about it, I think only once, and I think perhaps all my problems started when it got rotated. He _broke_ his side! That’s the only explanation! ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/7 "2007-03-15T00:24:37Z")
**Nashiitashii** and I are considering purchasing an aerobed for our regular use. The ability to set the firmness from day to day seems like a great option, as does the thought of being able to keep the linens clean by storing them rolled up for the day. ---
**Author:** ![Adversary](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/919ad9/32.png) [@Adversary](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Adversary)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/8 "2007-03-15T01:19:36Z")
[QUOTE=Acid Lamp] **Nashiitashii** and I are considering purchasing an aerobed for our regular use. The ability to set the firmness from day to day seems like a great option, as does the thought of being able to keep the linens clean by storing them rolled up for the day. [/QUOTE] An Aerobed is a sweat factory. Even with good sheets it makes you sweat like crazy. I had to sleep on one for a month or so and it was horrible. My 2 cents. ---
**Author:** ![Acid\_Lamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Acid\_Lamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Acid_Lamp)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/9 "2007-03-15T01:21:40Z")
Good to know! Do you think that adding a mattress topper to it would improve that? As a side note, how did you find it in other respects? comfort and so forth? ---
**Author:** ![nashiitashii](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/7c8e57/32.png) [@nashiitashii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nashiitashii)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/10 "2007-03-15T01:28:08Z")
[QUOTE=mchapman] An Aerobed is a sweat factory. Even with good sheets it makes you sweat like crazy. I had to sleep on one for a month or so and it was horrible. My 2 cents. [/QUOTE] This may be a bad thing, considering that **Acid Lamp** is a heat projector of great proportions. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/11 "2007-03-15T01:41:21Z")
You might try a memory foam mattress topper. Same stuff that a Tempurpedic is made from. We bought a 2" one for our RV mattress, which was like sleeping on concrete, and it’s helped a lot. ---
**Author:** ![Campion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@Campion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Campion)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/12 "2007-03-15T06:14:41Z")
[QUOTE=jsgoddess] I don’t think there’s necessarily anything wrong with the mattress, just me on the mattress. Or maybe it’s not the mattress at all–just me on the planet. [/QUOTE] I had something like the same problem when I got a new mattress. After some experimentation, I discovered that the problem was not the mattress, it was my pillow. So got better pillows and all was well! My pillows were too thick (because I firmly believe I’m a side sleeper, and side sleepers need thick pillows). Turns out I’m actually a stomach sleeper, so I needed a much thinner pillow. Getting the right pillow worked wonders – no more pain. But given that you’ve slept on the mattress for a while, that may not help you. Good luck – there’s nothing worse than waking up full of hate for the bed. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Barchetta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/da6949/32.png) [@Red\_Barchetta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Barchetta)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/13 "2007-03-15T07:28:24Z")
[QUOTE=mchapman] An Aerobed is a sweat factory. Even with good sheets it makes you sweat like crazy. I had to sleep on one for a month or so and it was horrible. My 2 cents. [/QUOTE] Are "Aerobed’s inflatable mattress? If so, does the “sweating” thing apply to all inflatable mattresses? If that is the case, then that might explain why [why my Air Mattress is turning into a Water bed.](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=404182) Does anyone know why this is the case? ---
**Author:** ![Mama\_Zappa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/71e660/32.png) [@Mama\_Zappa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mama_Zappa)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 10:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/14 "2007-03-15T10:52:10Z")
[QUOTE=Red Barchetta] Are "Aerobed’s inflatable mattress? If so, does the “sweating” thing apply to all inflatable mattresses? … Does anyone know why this is the case? [/QUOTE] We have a Select Comfort (“Sleep Number”) bed and the sweating thing is not a problem with that. I suspect it’s a factor of the amount of porous, breathable material between your hide and the nonporous air bladder. Our SC mattress has: - A thick eggcrate-foam layer - The thick fabric of the cloth cover - An attached pillowtop layer - A standard quilted mattress pad - A bottom sheet between us and the plastic of the bladder. Then again, it’s designed for daily long-term use whereas the Aerobed is targeted more at the occasional use. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/15 "2007-03-15T12:39:01Z")
Is it too firm or not firm enough? You can try a sheet of plywood under your top mattress to firm up your side. It is much cheeper than a mattress and worked for my parents that needed different firmnesses. Matresses were available only in less high tech configuration 40 years ago when they were doing this. Watch out the condition of the plywood, or you’ll have splinters all over the bottomside of the matress, and won’t be abe to turn it. Use a finish grade that has a smooth surface on both sides. A interior grade A-A or A-B and look at it before buying. [Grade Table.](http://tpub.com/content/construction/14043/css/14043_76.htm) You’re out of luck using this if it’s too firm. I’ve found that buying a couple different pillow firmnesses helped me sleep better, because I found the firmness I thought was right was wrong. Neck strain can feel like a bad mattress problem and be the pillow. I woould suggest cheeper pillows for the experiment, and leave the expensive ones for later if it helps to change. Just tell the husband that it’s not going to work and something will have to change. ---
**Author:** ![Fritz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c57346/32.png) [@Fritz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fritz)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/16 "2007-03-15T13:00:34Z")
[QUOTE=Chefguy] You might try a memory foam mattress topper. Same stuff that a Tempurpedic is made from. We bought a 2" one for our RV mattress, which was like sleeping on concrete, and it’s helped a lot. [/QUOTE] Same here. Mine’s a 3" one, and to me, it’s like sleeping on a cloud. [Here’s where I bought mine.](http://www.healthyfoundations.com/toppers.html) ---
**Author:** ![gotpasswords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c57346/32.png) [@gotpasswords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gotpasswords)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/17 "2007-03-15T16:07:44Z")
We made the mistake of buying a memory foam mattress a couple years ago. I sank into the thing like I was being cast in plaster and was waking up stiff and unable to move. Fortunately, the shop we bought it from has a 90-night guarantee, so we went back and picked a traditional mattress that has just a light dusting of memory foam on top - think it’s 1" over the usual springs, and it’s much better. The delivery guys confided that they take back at least half of the solid memory foam beds and swap them for regular types. ---
**Author:** ![StinkyBurrito](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b9e5f3/32.png) [@StinkyBurrito](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StinkyBurrito)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/18 "2007-03-15T16:23:21Z")
**jsgoddess** , I notice you are from Ohio. When I went to the mattress store, the guy there said that the absolute best mattresses are made by the Amish. They were also the cheapest! I wasn’t disappointed with the couple hundred I spent. Not that that advice will do you any good at this point… just for your future reference. ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2007, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/19 "2007-03-15T17:20:16Z")
[QUOTE=jsgoddess] Do the mattress topper thingies work? [/QUOTE] The those corrugated foam things? Worked for me, but also wore a hole in the mattress. I find putting a sheet of plywood under the mattress is better. ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2007, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936/20 "2007-03-16T02:24:00Z")
Strange. I’ve lived around Amish my entire life and never thought about them making a mattress. Right now, my bed looks like the Sta-Puff Marshmallow Man died on it. My sister donated a twin-size feather bed topper to the cause. We’ll see. My cat Ichabod just keeps pouncing on it, apparently delighted when she sinks into the fluff. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-the-mattress-the-almost-new-really-expensive-mattress-sob/395936.md?page=2)