So, I’m getting old (late 30’s), spending too much time in the car, and waking up everyday with a stiff back.
I’m ready to blame the mattress, to accept that it’s old, too, and to buy a new one to see if that helps. Except that I’m a tightwad and hate the thought of spending a couple hundred dollars on a mattress without knowing that that will solve the problem.
Is there some objective test for determining that the mattress needs to be replaced?
(Don’t tell me how many years, because I’d have to admit that I don’t know exactly how old this one is—let’s see, my wife bought it (used) while Reagan was in office. . . .)
And do I have to buy new box springs, too? How can I tell if those are worn out as well? Can’t I just slide a 1/2" sheet of plywood between the two?
Last question: anybody have any good ideas about where I can get a good deal on a good mattress?
Here’s the test, Princess…
Put your pee inbetween the mattresses you currently own.
If you can tell overnight that your pee is there,
it’s time to get a new mattress.
According to a friend of mine who works at a furniture store. The company is not allowed to resale used mattresses. Unless they have been through a VERY expensive refurbishing. They (the store) when in possession of a returned or repossessed mattress usually just disposes of it/them.
I once got a two week old Sealy king size for free. It was a hell of of a nice mattress and a sweet deal. Granted, your imagination might present scenario’s that could turn you off to a used mattress.
I didn’t say you had to pick the worst one that comes along. Plus, there are ways to clean a mattress too.
BTW-if you ever stayed at a hotel/motel…
don’t even think about it
"Here’s the test, Princess…
Put your pee inbetween the mattresses you currently own.
If you can tell overnight that your pee is there,
it’s time to get a new mattress. "
damn Lieu…the bed’s bad enough already and you’re telling 'em to pee in the bed too!
(or maybe you meant PEA)
Up until a couple of years ago I had been sleeping on a mattress that was over forty years old. My back was so bad that I had trouble getting out of bed in the mornings. I got so fed up with it that I splurged big time and bought one of the Swedish mattresses developed for NASA. (Tempurpedic) Best investment that I ever made! How much is your back worth?
Although feather beds are wonderfully comfie, they don’t provide the support that is needed long term. The Tempurpedic does. It molds itself to your body.
Don’t spend a couple hundred dollars on a new mattress. Spend more. Last year I purchased a pillow top mattress. It is a firm mattress with a fluffy pillow on top of it. It was more like $1000 for the mattress and the box spring and it was the best $1000 I ever spent.
I was having trouble with my back hurting and my arms falling asleep at night. I would wake up in the middle of the night with no feeling in my arms…until the pain started.
I haven’t had one problem since I got my new mattress - except that I hate sleeping away from home now.
There are ways to “maintain” a mattress, including rotating it and flipping it over occasionally (I think you’re supposed to flip 'em every six months or so).
I bought a new one from Mattress Discounters (which isn’t as “cheap” as its name implies). A year later, it was sagging, so they replaced it.
You can’t afford to skimp on these things. You do spend a lot of time in bed, even if you lead an active life. A bad mattress can definitely lead to back problems, or at least worsen existing conditions.
I agree with In Conceivable. You should spend a LOT on your mattress. Spend intelligently, though - don’t buy something just because it’s expensive, and always be on the lookout for deals. I got a $1500 mattress for $800 because I wanted for a sale to hit.
Shop around a lot; don’t buy from the first place you go. Test every mattress - actually lie down and it and roll on your sides, and if you’re sleeping with a partner, go shopping with them and lie on it together. (Do not test it for sex suitability in the store. They get so ANGRY when you do that.) Don’t forget to SIT on the edge of the mattress - some have extra side support, and some don’t, and the difference is huge. Prices, even for the same brand and model, will vary enormously from one store to another, even more so if you buy a whole bed. I found mattresses that varied from $750 to $1300 depending where I went. Plus, stores have wildly varying policies on delivery charges and whatnot. And warranties can differ quite substantially.
Anyway, a new mattress was the best investment I ever made. Mrs. RickJay and I sleep better than ever. It’s a better investment in your own health than almost anything else you can do; when you’re sleeping well, your health improves in many ways.
It’s time. Get the firmest mattress you can find, then slap a sheet of plywood between it and the box spring - heaven. I slept on the floor for eight years before getting married - no kidding. My wife - then gf - though it was fun to set up my “bed”: a comforter or two, sheet, sheet, blanket, comforter. But when we got married, the first thing we got was a bed. Her reasoning - “Grown-ups sleep on beds, Winston.” Humph. I look back on the floor-sleeping years with true fondness. My back never felt better, and it added a whole new dimension to… um… actually, that would be a new thread entirely.
I thoroughly agree. I don’t buy wonderful, expensive mattresses. I buy the hard as a rock ones, partly because they are less expensive and partly because that’s the way I like them. Then I toss my featherbed on top and I have an incredibly comfortable bed - it’s got the firmess I want underneath with the featherbed on top.
oooh…it’s heaven. I want to go back to my bed now.
Ok, I’m starting to feel convinced that it’s time. Firm, firm, firm, that’s what I want. Any brand name preferences? I think the posts I’ve read have swayed me to spend a bit more (but don’t imagine that I’m going to pay $750 for a mattress).
I suppose I’ll have to outlaw ‘jumping on daddy’s bed’ once I get a new one, too. [off-topic] And this is reminding me about something I read somewhere (great cite, I know ‘:)’ ) about how many pounds of dustmites exist in the average mattress. [/off-topic]
And, by the way, I WISH I spent a third of my life in bed! Lately, it’s more like a 1/4. ::grumble, grumble; whine, whine:: ‘:(’
Sealy has great matresses. Whatever one you get, make sure it does have a warranty (I’d imagine most would), just in case Something Happens to it. You could google “mattress + yourtown” and come up with some good places.
I worked for Sealy for over 5 years, and liked their stuff well enough that the whole family has Sealy products. The better Sealys’ come with a 10 year non pro rated warranty (a good thing). The upper end of Sealy is the Stearns and Foster line. Just make sure you keep your receipt, and don’t remove the warranty tag unless asked to by the company.
The manufacturing plants often have warehouse sales where you can pick up top-of-the-line sets for $200. Go to the Sealy.com site for a listing of the plants. I imagine that Simmons has a similar site. Within the industry, Sealy/Stearns & Foster and Simmons are considered the best. Stay away from Jamison and King Koil (worked for them too), as they are not very good at all.
It is usually recommended to buy a complete set, boxspring and mattress, and not doing so could in some cases, void the warranty. Check on that before you buy, as well.
Lola is absolutely correct in saying you get what you pay for.
