The "Do"s and "Don't"s of Mattress Care

Mattress DON'Ts

• DON’T fold your mattress. - The spring unit inside your mattress will be damaged and the tufts may be pulled through the cover if it is bent or rolled. As well as invalidation of your guarantee it will badly affect the comfort of the mattress.

• DON’T use as a trampoline. - Jumping on the bed will cause irreparable damage to the cover, springs and divan.

• DON’T use your mattress on old worn divans. - Using an old worn divan, will affect or even damage the longevity of your new mattress.

• DON’T sit on the edge of your mattress. - If you sit on the edge of your mattress for prolonged periods, this causes compression of the mattress fillings and causes damage to the mattress walls.

Mattress DO’s

• DO turn or rotate your mattress. - To keep your mattress in pristine condition and allow for even filling settlement and comfort, turn or rotate in keeping with details in the care instructions.

• DO let your mattress breathe. - After unwrapping your bed from its packaging, leave it uncovered for a few hours to allow any condensation and odour to escape. Carefully dispose of the protective polythene covers as they can pose a danger to small children.

• DO use a mattress protector. - For health and hygiene and in order to avoid discolouration and marking of your mattress, We recommend the use of a washable mattress protector. Any staining will void your guarantee.

• DO clean your mattress regularly. - Your new bed should be brushed or vacuumed (using the upholstery attachment) every month to keep it fresh. You should pay particular attention to the tuft buttons, as dust tends to settle there.

• DO check the castors. - Periodically check the castors on the divan to ensure they are secure.

Memory Foam - What is this?

Memory foam is polyurethane with additional chemicals increasing its viscosity and density. It is often referred to as "visco-elastic" polyurethane foam.

• Perfect for everyone - Whether you sleep on your back, stomach or side, memory foam mattresses are perfect for you. Memory foam moulds, contours and cradles every part of your body allowing you to get into your most comfortable position naturally.

• Won't disturb your partner - Memory foam mattresses contour to your body's exact contours, and your partners. If you get up at night your partners portion of the bed remains undisturbed. 

• Chiropractic support - Memory foam mattresses support every part of your body, evenly and individually. This allows the spine to stay in a natural position. A memory foam mattress reduces pressure points on your spine and assists in reducing tossing and turning at night.

• Hypoallergenic - Foam mattresses are great for allergy sufferers. Memory foam is hypoallergenic. 

• No Flip Styling - Foam mattresses don't sag like conventional mattresses. You will never need to flip or turn a memory foam mattress.

• NASA Developed - Memory foam was developed by NASA to reduce G-Forces on astronauts during take off and to improve the safety of aircraft cushions. Memory foam mattresses prove to be the best sleep systems modern technology can offer. 

• Comfort and luxury - Memory foam mattresses create a sleeping experience where you are cradled in comfort and luxury, while providing you the best nights sleep. Just ask anyone who has one!

• No more dust mites - Most beds and mattresses are great environments for dust mites. A memory foam mattress is naturally resistant to dust mites and is naturally anti microbial. 

• Recommended by thousands of health professionals - Thousands of doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists recommend memory foam mattresses for their patients. Many patients report deeper sleep, less tossing and turning and diminished pain.

• Memory Foam moulds to your body - Memory foam mattresses mould perfectly to your body shape reducing pressure on your neck spine and all other joints. You will experience greater comfort helping you to sleep for longer and promotes a straighter spinal position whilst sleeping. 

Open Spring Mattresses - What are these?

• The most economical type of mattress
• One of the most well established spring styles
• Extremely variable choices in size, depth and aesthetics

What is Open Coil?

Open coil mattresses use one of the most long-standing methods of construction.
Most people have slept on an open coil mattress at some point in their lives, and they are still some of the most widely-available mattresses on the market. Their construction means that they provide the support you need, whilst leaving plenty of room for a variety of fillings that help to provide you with comfort as well as support.



The fairly simple construction of the open coil mattress means that it is one of the most cost-effective mattresses on the market. If you are looking for a budget mattress, you will find a range of open coil mattresses that are both comfortable and affordable.

Open coil springs are usually about 5-6 coils high. A standard double bed has 325 of these coils, although some manufacturers may use more and, of course, the coil count increases as the mattress size rises to king and super king. The coils are all assembled into a single construction with helical wire. This is a thinner, spiral wire that joins the coils at top and bottom to form several rows. An outer rod is then fitted around the top and bottom of the finished construction to provide additional strength. Once the basic construction is completed, the mattress can be filled and the ticking applied.

Pocket Springs - What are these?

The name "Pocket Spring" is referring to the type of coils used in a Pocket Sprung mattress.

The biggest clue to what these are is in the name, they are pocketed springs, the coil is placed inside it's own little pocket of fabric. This allows each spring to react independently, stopping movement from disturbing anyone else you may be sharing your bed with. It also prolongs the life of the coils which in turn prolongs the life of your mattress.

Pocket springs are generally more expensive than regular open coil mattresses but this price difference is reflected in the quality and life span of the mattress.

Pocket spring mattresses range from soft to ultra firm depending on the number of springs and the other fillings within the mattress.

Generally the number of springs reflects the firmness of the mattress, 3500 being a firm mattress, and 600 being a soft mattress. Although there are other fillings which can cause a mattress to feel softer, for example when topped with memory foam a 3500 would probably feel more like a medium yet still give the spinal support that a firm mattress would offer.

Pocket spring mattresses with memory foam are amongst the most popular mattresses at the moment, as pocket springs offer the greatest life span and excellent support with the addition of the memory foam to help relieve pressure points and comfort to the mattress.

Simple way to choose your mattress

Choosing the correct mattress is an extremely difficult task, especially when you are bombarded by terminology, eg, reflex foam, pocket springs, bonnel springs, visco foam, etc. Trying to choose the one best for your needs is especially hard when you don't understand what these words mean.
I am going to try to help you make sense of these terms and also explain to you a simple way to test whether a mattress is offering you the support you need for a peaceful nights sleep.

Choosing the correct mattress firmness rating

The only proper way to test a mattress is to lie on it - preferably on both your back and side. To test how well the mattress supports the spine when lying on your back, place your hand in the small of your back.

hover over the images to see the spinal alignment:


If when you lay on your back on the mattress with your hand under the small of your back there it is not enough room for your hand, it's squished and tight to remove, this mattress is too soft for you. Also check your spinal alignment, maybe best you ask someone else who can see you better. (Best take a friend or partner with you!)


If when you lay on your back on the mattress and you put your hand under the small of your back and there's lots of room to move your hand around, this mattress is too firm for you.


If when you do the test on a mattress and it is a snug fit but easy to remove your hand then this mattress is offering you the correct support, you are getting the best benefit from the springs, but don't forget to check from your side also to make sure it is keeping your spine nice and straight.

How To Clean Your Mattress, The Natural Way!

I stumbled across this and thought I would share it!

How to do it:
STEP 1: Remove all bedding and throw it in the wash.
STEP 2: Lift up your mattress and vacuum in between the mattress and box spring.
STEP 3: Add 1 cup baking soda, and about 5-6 drops of essential lavender oil to a Tupperware container. Pop the lid on, and shake well.
STEP 4: Empty Tupperware into your strainer and sprinkle it all over your mattress. Let sit for up to an hour.
STEP 5: Using your vacuum's hose, suck up all the baking soda. While you're at it, say "adios" to all of those nasty bed bugs and dust mites — yep, they're in there! Baking soda is great because it draws up any deep dirt and ick that has been lying there in your mattress, along with any moisture. Also, the smell of lavender is amazing, and will make you sleep like a baby!