The life cycle of a Bed Bug

This is what bed bug bites look like:

The Differences Between Dust Mites and Bed Bugs!

It seems like bed bugs and dust mites are crawling all over the news. Although these critters may seem like one in the same, they are very different. So, how does one tell the difference between the two? Check out this comparison guide for more information and tips on protecting your mattress investment.

Orthopaedic - What does this mean?

An orthopaedic mattress is a mattress designed to support the joints, back and overall body.
For many back pain sufferers, the orthopaedic mattress can offer a massive improvement in their quality of life. The appropriate support, and a reduction in pressure point pain can help sufferers to get a good night sleep and much needed pain relief.

With medical innovations in the 1950s, many manufacturers of mattresses made an effort to improve their products and give them an edge over their competitors. It was in the midst of this culture that the concept of a medically superior mattress was born. The Orthopaedic Mattress was the final product of many years of research and development from many different companies.
There is no government standard or official designation that will qualify one mattress orthopaedic and the other not. This reality has created much confusion in the bedding industry, to the point where the typical consumer is not able to determine if a mattress is orthopaedic or not.
Orthopaedic Mattresses aren't always super firm, it is possible to get an orthopaedic mattress in various firmness ratings. It is no longer common practice for orthopaedic mattresses to be the firmest mattress on the market. Rather, the best orthopaedic mattress is one which provides sufficient support for the individual in question.

Generally, Firmer mattresses suit people who sleep on their front or their back better than people who sleep on their sides, as the main purpose of the mattress is to keep the spine correctly aligned choosing a slightly softer mattress would be better for a side sleeper.

The modern orthopaedic mattress comes in a variety of designs and materials. Although the classic coil spring varieties are still common, Memory foam, a space age material, has become the current trend in support mattresses. Memory foam produced a revolution in support bedding, with mattress toppers becoming a way to revitalise an old, or overly firm mattress.

How Is a Latex Mattress Made?

I came across this fantastic little animation, explaining the manufacturing process of latex mattresses!

Enjoy!


 

Reflex Foam - What is this?

Reflex foam is name given to a type of medium-firm high density polyurethane foam. It is often used in orthopaedic mattresses and is considered by some to be a cheaper alternative to memory foam. Although it shares the same ‘spring back into shape’ characteristic of memory foam – hence the ‘reflex’ name - but essentially it’s important to distinguish the difference between the two materials as they are by no means the same product.

The average memory foam mattress has millions of tiny holes, and air escapes from these as the mattress foam moulds around the body. This action is activated by pressure and body heat, and results in a foam mattress that offers total independent support without pressure points.

Reflex foam, like memory foam, is also high density, but is constructed in a different way with larger bubbles. When pressure is applied to the bubbles, they act in a similar way to water in a balloon – the air does not escape, and is just displaced ‘sideways’. Once pressure is relieved, the bubbles spring back into shape and the mattress regains its shape.

It’s for this reason that the reflex foam mattress is popular as an orthopaedic mattress, as it offers a firm but comfortable mattress option.