What's the difference between Memory Foam and Latex Foam?
Visco Elastic Memory foam is a temperature sensitive form of polyurethane foam that has special additives that create a self-adhesion property for a few seconds after being exposed to a heat source (your body). Over time, the adhesive slowly releases, allowing the foam to return to its original shape. This conforming property is very popular to thousands of sleepers worldwide, due in most part to Tempurpedic's marketing efforts. Latex foam is a natural product that is derived from the latex rubber extracted from rubber trees. It is not temperature sensitive, as memory foam is. It is available in numerous different densities (rated by ILD from 14 to 44), is extremely comfortable and supportive, and is considered the premimum sleep surface by most European sleepers. While not as well known in the United States as Memroy Foam, Latex Foam Beds are becoming more and more popular.
Why don't you offer pillowtops with your latex and foam beds?
Pillowtops (an extra layer of cushioning covering the entire mattress) have become very popular over the last few years, largely due to mattress manufacturer's needs to market new designs. While beneficial to many, pillowtops would be counter productive for a Latex Bed or a Memory Foam bed. In order to get the most from the unique properties of these sleep surfaces, the sleeper should not have extra layers of unnecessary material between him or her and the supporting foam. Therefore pillowtops are not only an unnecessary expense for these types of mattresses, but would in fact be disadvantageous.
Isn't a thicker mattress a better mattress?
Not necessarily. Mattresses have become thicker and thicker lately, again more because the mattress manufacturers needed something new to sell rather than because "thicker is better". Of course, you wouldn't want to sleep on a 2 inch thick mattress, so obviously thickness is a consideration, but most people can also see that a 24 inch mattress is pretty ridiculous as well. So then, what is the proper thickness for a mattress? The answer: whatever profile is most appropriate for the materials used in the mattress. In the case of Latex mattresses, this is somewhere between 8 and 11 inches. Thinner than this, and you will not get the full potential from the materials used. Thicker than this, and you are just wasting money on unnecessary materials. Also, some manufacturers play the "thickness game" in a sort of ridiculous way, by simply adding inexpensive material within the mattress to build up the profile, giving the impression of a better mattress because it is thicker. Despite the very high total profile, these manufaturers will use less Latex or Memory foam than is optimium, or use cheaper, lower quality memory foam or latex foam. Not all foams are created equal.
What's the difference between good and poor Memory Foam?
Memory Foam is made by many different manufacturers in different grades and densities. A low quality memory foam will break down more quickly than high quality memory foam, resuliting in an uncomfortable sleep surface. At Sleep Pros we use only the highest quality memory foam available. The density of the foam will also make a difference in how the memory foam feels and how supportive it is. Generally, the higher the density of the foam, the more comfortable and supportive it will be (not to mention more expensive).
What's the difference between good and poor Latex Foam?
Like with Memory Foam, there are many different manufactures of Latex Foam throughout the world, but only a few manufacturers of the highest quality Latex Foam, Talalay Latex. But even among manufacturers of Talalay Latex, there is a difference. Some manufacturers use fillers in their Talalay that will give the Latex a harder feel, and a less supportive feel, then the Talalay we use.
What is Natural Latex Foam?
Natural Latex is latex that comes right out of the tree and is put into the mold. Some manufacturers claim that natural is better, because its natural. Really its just cheaper. The problem with natural latex is that it contains oils that dry out within about a year. Once these oils dry, the latex begins to degrade rapidly, losing its resiliency. It actually becomes chalky and begins to flake away.
What is Dunlop Latex?
Dunlop latex is similar to Talalay Latex in that it uses both natural and synthetic latex in the compound. In fact, Dunlop process latex is the same as Talalay process latex, except that is simply pored into the mold the same way natural latex is and does not go through the vacuum or the freezing process that Talalay latex does. Because of this, Dunlop latex is not as consistent in feel and support as Talalay latex, nor can it be made to exacting firmness levels as Talalay can.
Sound Sleep
Sleep Problems
Shopping for Mattresses
Children and Sleep
Q. Why is sleep important?
A. Sleep is a key part of a healthy lifestyle.
Like eating right and exercising, sleeping well is essential
to feeling your best during the day. It affects how you feel,
your relationships, your productivity and your quality of
life. While you sleep, your brain goes to work, consolidating
the day's learning into memory and reenergizing the body.
back to top
Q. Is it true that napping can be bad for you?
A. There's nothing wrong with taking a short
nap to help refresh you during the day. But if you find you're
napping all the time, it could be a sign that you aren't getting
as much sleep as you should. Or that you're not getting the
deep, restful sleep you need at night.
back to top
Q. Does the mattress affect how a person sleeps?
A. Yes. The mattress has the potential either
to encourage sleep or rob you of sleep. Whether your mattress
is a sleep friend or a sleep foe can determine how refreshed
you feel in the morning. If you're tossing and turning more
at night or if you're waking up feeling stiff or sore after
a night's sleep, it could be a sign that your current mattress
is no longer the best for you. Your body appreciates a comfortable,
supportive mattress and will let you know if it's not up to
the task.
back to top
Q. How much sleep does the average person need?
A. The average person needs 7-8 hours a night,
but it differs for every person. Some people may need as much
as 10 hours a night and others need much less. If you sleep
longer on the weekends than during the week, you probably
aren't getting the sleep you need every night.
back to top
Q. What are some ways to get a better night's sleep?
A. A few key things should help. Try going
to bed and getting up at the same time every day – even
on the weekends. This will help keep your biological clock
in sync. Develop a sleep ritual by doing the same things each
night just before bed. Parents often establish a routine for
their kids, but it can help adults, too. A routine cues the
body to settle down for the night. Another hint: Unwind early
in the evening so that worries and distractions don't keep
you from getting a good night's sleep. Finally, create a restful
sleep environment – sleep in a cool, quiet, dark room
on a comfortable, supportive mattress and foundation –
to get your best night's rest. If you're sleeping as much
as you need, but still find that you're sleepy during the
day, you should consult your doctor to see if you might have
a medical condition interfering with your sleep.
back to top
Q. What's the right amount of sleep?
A. It differs for every person. Some people
may need as much as 10 hours a night and others need much
less. The average person needs 7-8 hours a night. If you find
yourself sleepy during the day, you probably need more sleep
at night. Or if you sleep longer on the weekends than during
the week, you probably need more sleep during the week.
back to top
Q. What can shiftworkers or people who work at night
do to sleep better?
A. Anyone who sleeps during the day needs
to make sure their room is dark – use heavy window coverings
to block out the light. This is important for everyone, but
particularly for people who sleep when it's bright outside.
Also, make sure your room is cool, between 60 to 65 degrees
Fahrenheit (16 to 18 degrees Celsius). Sleep on a comfortable,
supportive mattress and foundation that offers you enough
space to move around comfortably. And sleep in a room that's
quiet. The sleep environment is a very controllable part of
good sleep – whether you're sleeping during the day
or at night. You can adjust the temperature, replace an uncomfortable
or worn-out mattress, block out noise with earplugs or a white
noise machine and keep light from your bedroom with dark blinds
or eye shades.
back to top
Q. Is there a problem with falling asleep on the
sofa watching television, not falling asleep in bed?
A. If you regularly fall asleep on your sofa,
you may not be getting as much sleep as you need at night
in your bed. Or maybe your sofa is more comfortable than your
bed! In either case, you should make sure to practice good
sleep habits – from sleeping on a comfortable, supportive
mattress to not drinking alcohol too close to bedtime. And
try to get more sleep – it may change how you feel during
the day.
back to top
Q. What if there's no time for sleep? What can people
do to sleep better?
A. Sleep needs to be a health priority. It
affects every aspect of your day-to-day living. If you can't
say "yes" to sleep, make sure to make the most out
of the sleep you get. Exercise regularly – people who
exercise a few times a week sleep better than people who don't.
Also, avoid caffeine, alcohol and tobacco products late in
the day. All can interfere with sleep. You need to create
a restful
sleep environment so the sleep you get is restorative
and uninterrupted. Sleep in a dark room, on a comfortable,
supportive mattress. Keep the room cool and quiet. And if
you find yourself too stressed to sleep, make a list of all
the things you need to do. Once you've made your to-do list,
give yourself permission to relax and sleep. You'll need the
energy to tackle your tasks in the morning.
back to top
Q. Can people make up for lost sleep during the week
by sleeping in on weekends?
A. No. If you sleep more on the weekends
than during the week – and many of us do – this
indicates that you have a "sleep debt." A sleep
debt accumulates when you don't get enough sleep. The only
way to reduce the debt is to sleep as much as your body needs
every night. Make sure you're getting the right quality of
sleep as well. Sleep in a cool, dark, quiet room on a comfortable,
supportive mattress to get your best night's sleep.
back to top
Q. How can someone tell if they have a sleep disorder?
A. If you've looked at your sleep environment
and your everyday routine to make sure you're not sabotaging
your sleep and you still feel sleepy after getting a full
night's sleep, you should see your doctor. You may have a
medical condition that interferes with getting a good night's
sleep.
back to top
Q. How can you tell when a mattress is "used
up?"
A. Your body should tell you when it's time
for a new one – but are you paying attention? If you
regularly wake up feeling stiff and sore or if you aren't
sleeping as well as you did a year ago, it may be time to
replace what you're sleeping on. At least twice a year, check
for visible signs of wear and tear and ask yourself if you're
sleeping better or worse than you did a year ago and if a
new mattress might improve your sleep. This regular sleep
check-up will help ensure your mattress is still doing its
job.
back to top
Q. What should people look for in a new mattress?
A. Four keys to keep in mind are support,
comfort, space and matching sets. The mattress that's right
for you will keep your spine in proper alignment – how
your spine is when it's in good standing posture – supporting
your body and cradling it along its curves. The right mattress
will also be comfortable for your body. Keep in mind that
your comfort preferences are likely to change as you age.
Make sure the mattress provides enough space for easy, free
movement. Couples should sleep on a queen or king-size mattress.
And keep in mind that a mattress and foundation are designed
to work together. Buy them as a set and get the most out of
your investment in yourself.
back to top
Q. What should people do to prepare for buying a
new mattress?
A. Assess your needs before you start shopping.
Think about your lifestyle. How has it changed since you last
bought a mattress and how might these changes affect your
purchase? And what about your body? Has it changed and how
has this affected your need for support or your comfort preferences?
Finally, think about space needs and take your partner with
you (if you have one) when you shop for your mattress. You
need to find something to meet both your support needs and
comfort preferences.
back to top
Q. How often should mattresses be replaced? How long
do they last?
A. Mattresses wear out on different timetables.
This is due to numerous factors such as how the mattress was
used (guest room, master bedroom, doubled as a trampoline
for the kids), whether it was cared for properly and/or the
quality of the mattress itself. Other important considerations
are how personal comfort levels or a person's lifestyle and
body may have changed over the years. We encourage you to
think about these things and ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you sleeping better or worse than you did a year
ago?
- Are you waking up feeling stiff and sore?
- Does your mattress have visible signs of wear and
tear?
- Would a new mattress improve your sleep?
If the answer is "yes" to any of these questions,
then it's time to consider purchasing a new mattress. And
because people tend to overlook their mattresses and don't
think about them, we recommend that you "check"
your mattress using these four questions on a regular basis
– at least twice a year – to make sure mattress
wear and tear isn't sneaking up on you and disrupting your
sleep.
back to top
Q. How much money should be spent
on a mattress?
A. Your rest – the amount and quality
of your sleep – is a critical factor in your overall
well-being. It can affect how you feel physically and mentally
as well as your productivity. Accordingly, we urge you to
invest in your rest, and spend enough on a mattress to ensure
that your individual comfort and support needs are being met.
Be sure not to shortchange yourself out of a good, quality
night's sleep and buy the best mattress you can afford. The
average person spends one-third of his or her life in bed.
This equals 220,000 hours over the course of a lifetime! And
the mattress is the most used piece of furniture in the home.
back to top
Q. What size mattress does a couple need?
A. Couples should sleep in a queen or king-size
mattress for free, easy movement. Couples who sleep on a full
mattress are only allowing themselves the same room to move
around as a baby has in a crib. And make sure to take your
partner with you when you shop for a mattress. It's important
that you find one that meets both your support need and comfort
preferences.
back to top
Q. What can new parents do to sleep better?
A. There's nothing more challenging than
taking care of a new baby. The good news is, as babies grow
older, they sleep for far longer periods at a time and soon
will sleep through the night. In the meantime, know that erratic
sleep schedules and getting up in the middle of the night
will be part of your lives for the next few months. So make
the most of the sleep you can get – provide yourself
and your husband with a restful sleep environment. Sleep in
a cool, dark room on a comfortable, supportive mattress. That
way, you'll get the best sleep you can, even if it's for shorter
periods of time. And learn to sleep when your baby does. It
may be tempting to tackle chores while your baby sleeps, but
a quick nap will help boost your energy. Sleep is as important
to you as it is to your child.
back to top
Q. How much sleep do children need?
A. Kids need at least nine hours of sleep
each night to be star students. To help make sure your kids
get the sleep they need, make sure your child's bedroom is
conducive to a good night's sleep – your child's room
should be cool, quiet and dark and he or she should be sleeping
on a comfortable, supportive mattress.
back to top
Q. Should a parent pass down an
old mattress to a child?
A. If a mattress is no longer comfortable
for you, it's not good enough for someone else – especially
your child. As kids grow, they need supportive and comfortable
bedding as well. Be sure your children have enough space to
move around comfortably as they grow. In addition, your child's
first "big girl" or "big boy" bed may
not provide enough space or comfort for your adolescent.
back to top