Stearns And Foster Mattress - Making Sense Of What's On Offer

Stearns and Foster claim to make over 1,200 mattress sets. While this may sound impressive the difference between some sets can be extremely minimal and, rather than offering the consumer more choice, causes much confusion. Therefore the best way to be sure of knowing what exactly you'll be buying, is to ignore the fancy names of the collections and to understand the fundamentals of what makes a Stearns and Foster mattress.

Many consumer mattress ratings are very favorable towards Stearns and Foster mattresses. The problem however, is that the name of the mattress the consumer is referring to can't be found in a store, either because it's been discontinued or was a 'store exclusive mattress'. All mattress companies seem to obfuscate matters by constantly changing the names of their mattresses. Most do this simply to stop consumers being able to compare one mattress against another and to prevent mattress comparison and ratings between different brands.

Best advice is to completely ignore 'collection' names and concentrate instead on the actual mattress in the store and determine why it costs what it does and how it compares to another ones and finally, if it offers good value for money.

Stearns and Foster makes 2 types of mattress; the innerspring and latex. For such a large brand it's strange that it doesn't make the increasingly popular memory foam mattress. It's parent company, Sealy, makes a version, so perhaps it will inevitably make one sometime in the future. It should be noted though that the company does use memory foam in some of its mattresses, just not a complete, genuine memory foam mattress.

The company 'loves' to sell mattress sets. Mattress sets are comprised of 4 parts; Mattress Style, Comfort Layers, Core Support and Boxspring. The first 3 comprise the mattress and we'll discuss them first.

The Mattress Style denotes what fabric used to cover the mattress top. It can be anything from synthetic fiber, to Damask, Silk, Cashmere and so forth. The type of fabric used can dramatically increase the cost of the mattress; it doesn't make it any better or more durable but some do like a 'beautiful' mattress. The Mattress Style also refers to the finishing of the top. S and F offers 5 styles; Tight Top, Pillow Top, Euro Pillow Top, Euro Top and Box Top.

The Tight Top is the basic mattress we all know. The Pillow Top is an additional layer of comfort materials that has been stitched on top and has gusseted corners, giving it the look of a flat, large pillow on top of the mattress. The Euro Pillow Top is exactly the same as a Pillow Top but contains even more comfort materials. The Euro Top is a layer of comfort materials but this time, it is attached directly - it looks like two mattresses that have been sewn together; a thick base one with a thin one on top. The Box Top is a thicker version of the Euro Top.

Again, the different types affect the cost. The cost going up in the order mentioned above. These Tops are becoming increasingly fashionable as many seem to like the soft feel of this top layer. However, it should be borne in mind that these Tops increase the cost and are always the first part of the mattress to wear out. There are numerous reports of them developing craters in only a few months of use and when this happens you have to replace the whole mattress to fix the problem. These reports are from all mattress brands.

The next component of the mattress is the Comfort layer. This is the part of the mattress that makes it feel comfortable, obviously. The materials used can range from wool, cotton, foam, latex and memory foam. Whichever is the better material is a personal matter, but obviously things like latex and memory foam are going to add significantly to the cost.

Now, the engine room of any mattress is its Core Support. With a Stearns and Foster mattress you can at least rest assured that you'll be getting the best. The coils of its innerspring models are 12 3/4" gauge made from high-carbon steel, making them very durable. Also, the coils are twice tempered which makes them keep their shape for longer.

The company stresses that when you purchase a mattress you should always purchase the boxspring that accompanies it. If you agree then fine but many are of the opinion - and I'm one of them - that boxsprings are a complete waste of money and the only reason mattress companies promote them so heavily is to maximize profits. If I were to buy a mattress that was over 12" thick and cost thousands of dollars I would sure want it to give me the support I needed without any additional boxspring.

In conclusion, don't be guided too much by the names of the collections; you'll get confused and by the time you understand what's what, the names will have all changed. Instead, concentrate more on how the Stearns and Foster mattress has been made and what materials were used. That way you can decide what you want and then be able to judge for yourself whether it represents value for money. And, if you've never thought about buying a memory foam mattress before, try one out and see how it compares.

by Robin OBrien

Top tips for avoiding a restless night's sleep

Many people who suffer from restless night's sleep often turn to a memory foam mattress is to try to ease their woes. It's important to remember, however, that there are many other factors when it comes to improving your all round sleep pattern.

One of the biggest problems when it comes to sleep is that people just don't do it with enough regularity. Whilst our bodies can, and do, adapt to our lifestyles it is crucial that you keep your bed time as consistent as possible. By aiming to go to sleep at the same time every evening, you will soon find that you will be dead to the world as soon as your head hits that pillow, as opposed to tossing and turning for hours on end.

Your food and drink consumption can also affect your sleep. Many people believe that alcohol can aid sleep. Whilst this may be true for a short while, you will, more often than not, find that you awake during the hours of darkness following a night on the tiles. Equally, an evening meal should be eaten at least 4 hours prior to your scheduled bed-time. A large meal may well make you feel drowsy, but sleeping on a full stomach can have a negative effect on your sleep, let alone what it may do to your waist line!

As a final note, you may want to remove that TV from your bedroom. Or, failing that, you definitely need to learn to avoid using the 'sleep' function. By watching television as you attempt to go to sleep, your brain remains active for longer resulting in lighter sleep. Not only this, but it's important for your body and mind to learn that the bedroom is where you sleep. Watching TV can deter from this.

by Pete

Yoga for Drivers Neck and Shoulder Pain Part 1

Yoga for Drivers Neck and Shoulder Pain Part 1

Chronic neck and shoulder pain are common complaints. But the good news is that with good posture and exercise it's possible to undo the effects of years of slumping and neck tension.

Each and everyday, you are putting stress on your spine, which directly impacts the tension in your neck, shoulders and back. Even simple, everyday tasks like sitting at a desk, driving, and bending over can contribute to wear on these sensitive parts of your body giving back pain.

Your sleep time is supposed to be the time of day when these areas of your body are allowed to relax and regenerate. However, if your neck isn't properly supported while you're sleeping, your body doesn't have a chance to recover from the stress it endured throughout the day. Improper neck support while sleeping can cause increasingly severe neck, back and shoulder pain over the years, to a point where it becomes unbearable.

Neck, back and shoulder pain can actually begin a vicious cycle. You're in pain, so you can't sleep, but you need to sleep (and sleep right), to be able to get rid of the pain. A continuous lack of sleep can even lead to further problems like depression, chronic fatigue, and believe it or not, even weight gain has been linked to a severe lack of proper sleep. Fortunately, scientists and health professionals take the causes of neck, back and shoulder pain seriously, and have consistently worked towards finding methods and remedies that will alleviate the wretched symptoms.

The first step towards eliminating the discomfort of these symptoms is to correct your sleep habits, and the most important part of this step is to get a pillow that properly supports your neck. Try to find one that is made to be tailored to the position you sleep in, as not all pillows are created equal. Memory foam pillows have been increasing in popularity, and rightfully so. There have actually been quite beneficial in relieving neck, back and shoulder pain for a number of people who have been enduring it for years.

Massage, yoga, and proper exercise are also methods that have been found to reduce pain in these regions of the body. By incorporating small change like these into your lifestyle, you should have no problem overcoming your ailments.

by Glen Wood - The Yoga Teacher

How to Get Rid of Sleep Snoring

Snoring can be a lot more than an irritant to bed partners and other listeners. It’s often a symptom of progressive sleep apnea syndrome, a disorder that not only stymies the snorer’s slumber but also can have serious effects on blood pressure, risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and even mortality.

Snoring is the vibration of respiratory structures and the resulting sound, due to obstructed air movement during breathing while sleeping. The sound may be soft or loud and unpleasant. Snoring is known to cause sleep deprivation to both the snorer and those who hear him/her, as well as knock-on effects: daytime drowsiness, irritability, lack of focus, decreased libido. It has also been suggested that it can cause significant psychological and social damage to sufferers.

Snoring is the sound produced when the air cannot pass through your air passages easily during breathing while you sleep due to obstruction at the back of your mouth and nose. Snoring brings a lot of problems to you and your bedmate. Loud snoring is a constant nuisance to your bedmate and could rob your partner of a good sleep every night. There are also cases that you stop breathing in a few seconds while snoring and you have to wake up to catch your breath. Snoring is not only annoying to you and your partner it could also be an indication of a serious health problem and you need to cure and get rid of your snoring.

Sleep apnea is different than social snoring. There may be periods when no oxygen gets to the body and the all-important brain. This can be measured by Sleep Study Analysis where the oxygen level and brain activity is recorded during sleep. With sleep apnea there are periods of low oxygen reaching the brain. The patient may actually stop breathing for a time! There is an index that tells the doctor how many of these periods without oxygen are occurring. If they are frequent and long, then brain damage can occur. With sleep apnea persons note tiredness on awakening, fatigue, and decrease in "pep."

Another excellent choice for supporting your head and neck is the Memory Foam Contour Pillow that is based on a revolutionary technology which gives you great support due to the pillows ability to shape to your head and neck while still being soft enough to feel great throughout the night. This special design eases tension as you rest providing superior pressure point relief, support, and alignment.

All you need to get rid of snoring is to wear CPAP mask. Wearing a mask while sleeping might appear funny and weird to some people, but trust us that this really works! Covering your nose and face, the CPAP mask is attached with a CPAP machine that blows air slowly into the mask as you breathe. Counted as a reliable Sleep apnea machine, a CPAP machine not only prevents snoring but also helps assuring you a soothing sleep.

by Peter Hutch

A List Of Cheap Mattresses Available In The Market

Sleep is vital for everyone's life. A lack of good sleep can be a cause to weakening health and amplified pain. The spinal chord, in particular, largely benefits from ample sleep. The spine bears hard load and pressure all day supporting the body and its roles. Proper rest is necessary to sustain such day-to-day activity. However, inadequate sleep mattress can make this unattainable. That is why we need good mattresses to support our body and relieve some pains.

Mattresses are very comfortable. They accompany you in various sleeping postures. Sleeping mattress is today's need. Today more than 60% of people in USA and Europe use different type of mattresses. Mattress without sufficient hold up for your spinal chord can lead to muscle exhaustion and a poor night's sleep, causing weakness.

There are various brands available in market. Some of the well known brands are Sealy, Simons, Jamison, Serta, Basset and others. Cheap mattresses are easily available in market. Sealy offers various cheap but standard mattresses. There are different types of mattress likes spring coil mattresses, air mattresses, foam mattresses, bed mattresses, futon mattresses, water mattresses, posturepedic and other mattresses. Various companies offers cheap mattresses, so that general public would be able to buy use it. Apart from this, various online selling sites are there which sells mattresses with discount prices. Some of consumer product web sites even offer mattresses in half prices. Brands like Sealy sell mattresses in large quantities, thus keeping lower market price of their products. Though cheap mattresses are easily available in market, its not like they are of poor quality or they are of low standard. Sealy's foam mattress is a good mattress and retains the same normal spinal chord placement you have when standing on your feet. When your body is allowed to rest in its usual pose, muscles are stress free and you get more sleep that is revitalizing.

Some of the cheap mattresses are Queen Sealy Posturepedic Alford Plush mattress with Pillow Top, Full Simmons Deep Sleep Torrey Peak Extra Firm mattress, Queen Sealy Vast Sky Plush mattress, King Sealy Posturepedic Linsing Plush mattress with Pillow Top, Queen Sealy Verda Cushion Firm mattress. Then there are low range mattresses like Cal King Sealy Tucson Teal Firm mattress, Daybed Twin Mattress with inner springs, Bean Products Floor Mattress, Paramount Quilted Innerspring Mattress, Full Size Folding Foam Mattress Floor Mattress. Then there are Water Mattress 6" Fiber water mattress, Skye micro quitted memory mattress, Sussex Twin back care spring mattress, Java Pocket springs mattress, Simmons Deep Sleep Torrey's Peak Extra Firm mattress, Serta Perfect Sleeper Special Value Firm mattress, then Sealy Verda Cushion Firm mattress are also favorite among the costumers. Well know auction web sites like Amazon, Yahoo and Ebay also offers cheap mattress in every category. The prices are varied.

Cheap mattresses are easy to find but which mattress is best suited for you, is also important. You must go through various reviews before rounding on one particular mattress. Moreover, you can check the selling price and market price for these mattresses.

by Muna wa Wanjiru

Do You Really Need To Buy A Tempur-Pedic Pillow?

I'm amazed that someone will spend thousands of dollars on a Tempur-Pedic mattress but baulk at the 'expense' of buying the Tempur-Pedic pillow; it just seems to defeat the whole purpose of buying a memory foam mattress. So, yes, you should buy one and here's a review on the different pillows on offer.

The whole point of buying a memory foam mattress is to get the best support possible for your spine, shoulders and neck. This viscoelastic material distributes weight evenly and eliminates pressure points more than any other type of mattress today. But, if you don't buy the memory foam pillow you're not getting this benefit for your neck. The cost of the pillow is tiny when compared to the mattress, so you owe it to yourself to buy one along with the mattress.

I remember when the Tempurpedic mattress first came on the market; there was only one type you could buy and it was the same deal with the pillow. But as sales grew and customer feedback increased, the company realized that not everyone liked the feel of its mattress - the general feeing was that it was too firm - and that the company was loosing sales to other brands that offered a greater selection of support types though perhaps not as good a product.

Now, the company offers several different types of mattress to appeal to everyone. As well as different firmness levels, it also offers more expensive finishes such as damask and silk mattress covers. There's also a good selection of pillows to choose from. Here a quick guide to what each offers.

The Classic pillow looks like a regular pillow and fits a regular pillow case. I like the look and feel of a traditionally shaped pillow so I would buy this one - I also like it because it’s the cheapest.

The ComfortPillow is available in three sizes and has a slightly more 'luxurious appearance'. It costs a lot more than the Classic and, personally, I think it's over-priced; buy the Classic and save your self a lot of money.

The SidePillow and NeckPillow have been specially shaped to cradle and support the neck and shoulders for those that sleep on their side. It has a forward-tilting front edge, which is lower in the middle and higher on each side and is available in two sizes; Medium and Queen Medium. Note: these pillows don't really fit into a regular pillow case.

The SupremePillow comes with a 'superconforming' inner sleeve lined with TEMPUR-HD. The outer cover can be removed and is washable. It's dual sided with TEMPUR-Tex on top and micro suede on the bottom, which matches the top and sides of its mattress namesake. Why anyone would pay more for a 'matching' pillow, I don't know. You'll be putting a pillow case on it and won't be able to 'appreciate' the dual sided cover.

The SymphonyPillow provides a softer feel than the ones mentioned above. It's not quite a regular shaped pillow as it has slightly raised arched sides. There are two sizes available: Standard and Queen.

You should buy a memory foam pillow when you buy a memory foam mattress - even if it isn't a Tempur-Pedic mattress. But if you do buy Tempur I would recommend either the Classic or the NeckPillow.

by Robin OBrien

Buying Guide for Bedding

The average person spends more than 33% of their life asleep so choosing the right bedding is very important. There are many different types of bed linen so we've put this guide together to help you find the perfect bedding for you.

Index
* Bed Linen Items
* Quilt Cover & Sheet Sizes
* Pillowcase Sizes
* Bed Linen Types
* What is Thread Count and why is it important?
* Egyptian Cotton & Percale Bed Linen
* Flannelette Bed Linen
* Plain Dye Bed Linen
* Kids Bed Linen
* Mattress Toppers
* Blankets & Throws
* Bed Linen Care

Bed Linen Items
* Quilt Cover
* Fitted Sheet (Standard fit)
* Fitted Sheet (Deep fit)
* Flat Sheet
* Divan Trim
* Pillowcase

Quilt Cover & Sheet Sizes
* Standard fitted sheets will fit a mattress which is 25cm (10") deep
* Deep fitted sheets will fit a mattress which is 28cm (11") deep

Pillow Sizes

* Housewife pillowcase - measures 50x75cm (18x30")
* Oxford pillowcase - measures 50x75cm (18x30") but in addition to these dimensions they have a 5cm (2") fabric border around the outside which can be frilled or flat
* Square pillowcase - measures 65x65cm (26x26")
* Kingsize pillowcase - measures 50x90cm (20x35")
* Box pillowcase - this pillowcase has a gusset and it measures 48x74x10cm (19x29x4")
* V shaped pillowcase - 92x41cm (36x16")

Bed Linen Types
* Embellished bed linen is embroidered or brocaded with appliquéd fabrics, the embellishments give the fabric a luxurious quality.
* Printed bed linen is constructed from pre-printed fabric; there are tyles and colours to suit both modern and traditional décor.
* Dorma is a famous and well respected brand of bedding.

What is Thread Count and why is it important?
* The 'Thread Count' means the number of threads in a square inch of fabric.
* The higher the thread count, the finer and smoother the fabric will be.
* The higher the thread count, the better the quality of the fabric and the longer it will last.

Egyptian Cotton & Percale Bed Linen

What is Egyptian Cotton?

* 100% Cotton
* Extremely soft and luxurious
* Grown on the banks of the River Nile
* Spun, woven, finished and packed in Alexandria

Which Egyptian Cotton to choose?


Hotel Collection 300 Thread Count

* Superior quality at 300 thread count
* Soft, fine, sophisticated and elegant Egyptian Cotton sateen (sateen is a fabric with a gentle lustre)
* Available in Flat Sheets, Fitted Sheets, Pillowcases and Quilt Covers

What is Percale?
* Fabrics must have a thread count of at least 180 threads per square inch in order to be classed as percale.
* Percale can refer to cotton or polyester or a mix of the two together.
* The higher the thread count, the better quality the fabric and the longer it will last.

Flannelette Bed Linen
Why choose Flannelette?
* Made of 100% cotton but with a slightly 'fluffier' appearance and texture.
* Soft against the skin.
* Insulating to keep you warm in Winter yet cool in Summer.

Plain Dye Bed Linen

Why choose Plain Dye?
* Completely plain with no pattern or texture.
* Available in 9 different colours including white.
* Available in Non Iron Plain Dye to save on the ironing.

Kids Bed Linen

* There are over 25 different ranges of bed linen, bedding accessories and blankets for kids, both boys and girls including cot and pram bedding for babies.
* Most kids and babies bed linen is machine washable.

Mattress Protectors & Toppers

There are over 14 different types of mattress protector / mattress topper. Mattress toppers add volume to your mattress and therefore increase the comfort. Mattress protectors can also add comfort but are mainly used to protect your mattress from stains and spillages.
* Dry Nights mattress protectors: specially designed to be super absorbent with an inner core which draws moisture away from the body whilst also preventing damage to your mattress.<
> * Anti Allergy mattress protector: with 'Everfresh' protection against allergy, bacteria and dust mites.
* Double Fill mattress protector : luxury polycotton with thick polyester filling.
* Triple Fill mattress protector : 50% cotton / 50% polyester filling with 30 cm (12") extra deep skirt to fit all mattresses.
* Slumberland mattress protector: 100% cotton filled with soft feather and down.
* Memory Foam mattress topper: mouldable for complete neck and spine support.
* Waterproof mattress protector: guaranteed to be 100% waterproof with 'Everfresh' antibacterial protection
* Pillow Protector: with 'Everfresh' protection against allergy, bacteria and dust mites.
* Sleep System: a full bed protection set including mattress protector, quilt protector and pillow protector

Everfresh bedding stays fresh and clean for longer helping to protect you from dust mites and all kinds of bacteria and fungi that like to share your bed with you. Everfresh has a non allergenic filling and all items in the range are machine washable.

Blankets & Throws

* Thermosoft blankets are made from microfibre which means they're as warm as wool but without the weight.
* Many other blankets and throws are available.

Bed Linen Care
* We recommend you wash your bedding once a week following the manufacturers' instructions on washing, drying and ironing.
* These instructions may be found on the packaging or on labels sewn into the inside seam of each individual item.

by Louise Barlow

The Healing Power of a Great Night's Sleep

What's the most time-consuming thing you do, day in and day out, every day of your life? Eating? I hope not. Sitting in traffic? Ditto. Watching TV? Nope. It's sleeping.

You spend between six and 10 hours a night in bed. That's one-third of your life. And when it comes to back pain, those are some of the most important hours in your day.

Sleep helps your body heal. It's really the only time your muscles can completely rest and recover. There are a ton of studies linking sleep with healing. They show that, among other things, human growth hormone and melatonin, both of which play a big role in tissue recovery and immunity, are produced during sleep.

So if you're not getting good sleep-whether it's due to pain, anxiety, fear or whatever-you're not giving your muscles, especially your back muscles, time to rejuvenate themselves for the next day's activities.

Believe me, I know. In my struggles with all kinds of pain over the years, I've come to understand first-hand the importance of restful sleep. In this article, I'd like to share with you what I've learned.

What's the Best Mattress
Is firm better than soft? From a physiological standpoint, a more supportive mattress is better regardless of what sleep position you prefer.

But having said that, the real answer is this: The best mattress is the one that helps you sleep well and wake up without any added pain and stiffness. It's really about personal preference and what you are used to.

In my experience, I have tried them all. I tried a memory foam mattress but it was too soft. (I gave to my parents, and they love it.) I now use a firm box spring and mattress plus a towel under the sheets to give added support to my hips and pelvis.

Special Secret Tip:
You read that right-I put a towel under my fitted sheet. A small blanket works well too. Here's what you do: Fold the towel or blanket in half (and in half again if it's thin). Place it under the fitted sheet-so it doesn't move around during the night-under the small of your back and spreading down toward your knees. This extra support helps prevent your pelvis from sagging into the mattress. It might only make a difference of a few millimeters. But that is a huge difference when it comes to preventing the added stress that comes with remaining in any sleeping position all night long.

What's the Best Position to Sleep In?
As with the mattress you chose, the position you sleep in is based on your personal preference or physical limitations based on pain or restrictions from your doctor because of surgery. In general, back sleeping is the most stable position for your spine and the least irritating to your muscles. Side sleeping is the next best. Stomach sleep is the least desirable if your back is not adequately supported.

I personally like a modified side-lying position, using full-length body pillow. I sleep "hugging" the pillow with my arms and legs, which is really comfortable and takes pressure off my lower back. You should try it. Body pillows can be found at most retail bedding stores. They are not expensive and may give you an alternative sleeping position that will make a big difference in your comfort level, thus improving the quality and duration of sleep.

Why am I Sore When I Wake Up?
Typically, those with back pain don't roll over as much as those without pain. You may even find your self with limited movement. And because the hips are the heaviest part of the body, they sag into the mattress over time. That puts undue pressure on the ligaments, joints and muscles of the lower spine. This is why I recommend the added support under the fitted sheet.

Think of it as like stretching the same muscles for six to eight hours straight. Would that feel good? Of course not. So it's no wonder you wake up sore. Find a way to support your body and you will minimize the irritation.

I hope these tips help, and I encourage you to think of your own comfort-enhancing positions and/or techniques.

A Few More Tips
* Don't drink any fluids 60 minutes before bedtime. This is so you don't have to go to the bathroom and then have trouble falling back asleep.

* No physical activity for at least 45 minutes before bed. Exercising will rev your body up, making it hard to calm yourself and fall into a restful sleep.

* Take 10 deep breaths as you tell yourself you are going to sleep. When you awake you will be feeling great and ready for the new day.

* As you lay in bed ready to go to sleep, reflect on your day. Express gratitude and give thanks for all you have. It helps you look forward to waking up with renewed enthusiasm and the belief that tomorrow will bring you one day closer to your goals.

* Dress in warm bedclothes if you are cold and cool clothes if you are hot. I have taken this to the extreme and love the results. I wear wool socks, flannel pants, a sweatshirt and a knit hat. It sounds strange, but if you can minimize the stress on the body in this case trying to keep warm your body will be more relaxed. Healing is always better when the body is relaxed.

* Do some reading. In my work on back pain, I scour the latest resources and reference guides. So let me recommend and urge you to read the best book ever written on sleep. It's called "Power Sleep: The Revolutionary Program That Prepares Your Mind for Peak Performance," by Dr. James B. Mass. It's available on Amazon.com for about $10. That would be money well spent.
by Steven Hefferon

Memory Foam Mattresses An Essential For A Good Night Sleep

Our bedrooms have been our body’s sanctuary. This might be the best corner of the house to really unwind and let these tired systems of ours get their rest. However, there are studies and concerns being raised up as regards to some health problems resulting from wrong body position during sleep or body pains due to mismatch of beds or mattress forms with that of the body’s needs. Little do we know that there is a great importance on the choice of the material we lay on, the quality and not just the mere look or feel of the substance.

If you frequently feel some backaches, pains on the neck and even disturbed to the extent of waking up several times at night, your body may have not felt comfort from the material you sleep on. Usually, foams with springs or plain foam mattresses do not give the needed support to the body, especially to our backs. That is why an emerging material is becoming popular among health-conscious and active people. This is the now known and wide spreading memory foam.

Memory foams come in great varieties. These are known to be pressure-relieving materials suitable in any bedrooms furniture. There are pillows, mattresses, toppers and even beds of this material. With wide array of choices, body types and their needed specifications will surely be catered.

For the memory foam mattresses, a lot of good things have been in stored. There is a visco-elastic memory foam top, the bloc foam is motion deadening, it also has motion reduction known as the Triton foundation and for some manufacturers, and limited warranty is as lengthy as ten years. The foam base gives support and offers resistance to any weight of the person who will lie on it; this feature absolutely reduces the chances of more occurrences of lower back pains. The only downside of this item is that you need a mattress base, since it’s commonly assumed that one has that item already at home and getting a new foam is just a replacement.

On the other hand, there are also specialized kinds of foams that are being used by health institutions or hospitals. These are made from European Visco Memory Foam and Polyfoam. This belongs to a high standard certified class. It is very sensitive and gentle, that even babies are fine to rest on it. The materials used are hypoallergenic and dust mite resistant, leaving sensitive skinned and asthmatic persons safer. Also, sanitized fabric and cover treatments are included in his product.

Getting to know more about this wonder item, we learn that thickness serves as one of the indicators of quality foam. The texture and the firmness correspond to body pressure points. You will know if it’s a higher density when it‘s harder and makes a strong base. The lower density makes it softer and comfortable. As against to ordinary mattresses, memory foams are more expensive, yet quality will never be an issue on this matter.

Same as with a memory pillow, it can be bought anywhere perhaps, but then helps the head and the neck area prevent frequent moving and help reduce sleepwalking and other body pains. This particular type of head support is designed to help minimize compression of the vertebrae. Mostly, the pillows have the shape of the head and neck softly molded on it so that the control on the movements will be aided, thus keeping the body relaxed.

For memory foam mattress toppers, it generally keeps the mattress and the body intact in such a way that the body is equally maintained with the surface. Since it is firm, there will be no gaps in between; pressure points will be avoided on parts of the body directly in contact with it. Also, the material helps control the upward pressure of the spring that pushes the body.

Taking into consideration the healthy benefits we can get from sleep, it is therefore worth spending on quality materials for our bodies’ lounging nook. It’s just as important as our daily vitamin!

by Tom Campbell

Buying Guide for Quilts & Pillows by Louise Barlow

There is a vast selection of different quilts and pillows to choose from so we've put this buying guide together to help you make the right choice for your home.

Index

* Quilt Sizes
* Tog Rating
* Pillow Sizes
* Natural Fibre
* Types of Natural Fibre
* A Few of the Natural Quilts in our Range
* A few of the Natural Pillows in our Range
* Synthetic Fibre
* Types of Synthetic Fibre
* Quilt / Pillow Construction
* Hotel Collection
* Memory Foam
* Children's Quilts
* Care Natural Fibre
* Care Synthetic Fibre
* Care Memory Foam

Quilt Sizes

* Quilts are sizes based on the beds they are designed to fit so you need to choose the right size of quilt to fit your bed
* Listed below are all UK bed sizes with the corresponding quilt size
* These are recommended sizes only and are designed to ensure that you are comfortably covered when you're in bed
* If you want to be extra cosy you can always choose an over sized quilt; for example a kingsize quilt on a double bed.

Tog Rating

* 'Tog' is the name of the unit used for measuring the warmth of a quilt
* The tog rating is NOT a measure of quality
* The higher the tog rating the warmer the quilt
* For cold nights you need a high tog rating and for warm nights you need a low tog rating
* All seasons quilts are also available, there're made up of a low tog quilt and a high tog quilt which can be used separately or together depending on the season

Pillow Sizes

Here is a list of the pillow sizes that are most commonly bought:

PILLOW TYPE METRIC SIZE IMPERIAL SIZE
Average Pillow 74cm x 48cm 29" x 19"
Kingsize Pillow 91cm x 48cm 36" x 19"
First Bed Pillow 35cm x 57cm 14" x 22"

NB: pillow protectors can be used to extend the life span of your pillow

Natural Fibre

We sell many different natural fibre quilts and pillows all of which offer the following qualities:
* Most natural fibre pillows carry a guarantee, different pillows carry different guarantees
* Natural fibre generally means goose/duck feather, goose/duck down or a combination of feather and down
* Feather and Down is naturally breathable allowing any humidity created by the body to escape
* The quilt / pillow will mould around your body shutting out any draughts and keeping you warm and cosy
* Most natural fibre quilts try to be as lightweight as possible whilst still being really warm
* The life of natural fibre quilts / pillows is generally longer than synthetic

Types of Natural Fibre

Down comes from the breast of the bird and is very light and fluffy. While you are asleep the warmth generated by your body is trapped in the down and remains there to insulate you

Feathers are heavier than down but also less expensive. More feathers are needed to get the same warmth, so giving a slightly heavier weight

Feather & Down- to provide value for money many of our quilts are made up of a combination of feather and down together

Here is a list of the natural quilts that are most commonly bought:
* Premium Hungarian Goose Down Quilts - one of the highest quality quilts as it contains a minimum of 90% white goose down yet it can still be machine washed
* Combination Quilts are made up of a mix of feather and down; most are 85% feather and 15% down, for warmth without weight
* Healthguard Quilts are treated using a revolutionary technology which helps to protect the quilt against the causes of common allergies and repels dust mites
* Ultralight Quilts only have a 3 tog rating and therefore are extremely light and suitable for high summer use. They are also made up of a combination of feather and down

Here is a list of the natural pillows that are most commonly bought:
* Duck Feather Pillow, filled with 100% white duck feather
* Premium Duck Down Pillow, 100% duck down extra softness without the weight
* Premium Goose Feather & Down Pillow, 85% goose feather and 15% goose down. Soft to the touch but still quite supportive
* Duck Feather Surround Pillow, softness and support with an inner core of feathers surrounded by soft down
* Goose Down Surround Pillow, feather core for support and a down surround for comfort

Synthetic Fibre

There are many different synthetic fibrequilts and pillows, all of which offer the following qualities:
* Most synthetic quilts and pillowsare filled with polyester
* Hug the contours of the body to and keep in heat
* Easy to care for
* Can be washed more often which helps protect against allergies

Types of Synthetic Fibre

* Hollowfibre- each individual fibre is hollow and therefore it traps more warmth; it is also very lightweight
* Microfibre- an extra fine fibre designed to trap heat and replicate natural goose down
* Spiral Fibre- used for pillows as it is robust enough to keep bouncing back to keep your pillow plump

Quilt / Pillow Construction
* Cassette Construction- this applies to quilts only and it means that the filling is sectioned into individual pockets to stop it moving about. This ensures that the quilt keeps an even thickness
* Medium / Firm Support - this refers to pillows and describes the level of firmness of the pillow and how well it will support your neck, shoulders and head
* Piped Edges -this can apply to quilts or pillows and means that the edges have been finished off with piping for durability and to add a touch of luxury
* Cotton Twill Cover- many pillows have a cotton twill cover because twill is hardwearing yet soft in texture
* Fine Cotton Jacquard Cover- many pillows have a cotton jacquard cover which is textured, durable and hardwearing

Memory Foam

Memory Foam mattress toppers and pillows provide complete support for the neck and spine. They mould to the shape of your body and help you get the best nights sleep you've ever had.

Children's Quilts
* Cot Quilt- 100cm x 120cm (39" x 47"), machine washable and tumble dryable recommended for children under the age of 12 months
* First Bed Quilt- 120cm x 150cm (47" x 59"), machine washable and tumble dryable; ideal for a child's first bed

Care - Natural Fibre
* Use a cover over your quilt and pillow so you won't have to wash it so often
* You should NEVER have a natural fibre quilt or pillow dry cleaned as the chemicals will damage the filling
* We recommend that you use a professional cleaner simply because quilts and pillows are so bulky (not a dry cleaner)
* You can wash natural fibre quilts and pillows at the laundrette but you must make sure you dry and air them thoroughly before putting them back on your bed

Care - Synthetic Fibre
* Use a cover over your quilt and pillow so you won't have to wash it so often
* We recommend that you follow the care instructions on each quilt or pillow which can be found on a label sewn into the seam or on packaging
* Dry and air quilts and pillows thoroughly before putting them back on your bed

Care - Memory Foam
* We recommend that you follow the care instructions on the packaging of each item
* Memory foam pillows and mattress protectors have a removable cover that can be machine washed

by Louise Barlow

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