Set or Mattress Only

People often come in looking for a mattress only. With the tough economic times this country is facing it is generally a couple hundred dollars less to buy a mattress without a matching box spring and to continue using an old box spring. It may seem fine but it is very important to keep in mind that even though you are not directly laying on the box spring it is the main framework that keeps your mattress supported and ensures a good nights rest. You would not buy a home if it was missing all of it's framework would you? Well think of the box spring in the same manner. It gives support, without it your mattress would fall through your frame. Your mattress would bend, dip and fall apart under even the slightest amount of pressure. A common complaint with mattresses is that over time foam will soften and dip. Quite often this dipping can be related to an old or broken box spring. So it is always worth the extra money to buy a new box spring when buying a new mattress. That box spring will help protect your investment.

Latex and Allergies

Just the other day a customer called one of our stores asking all sorts of questions about latex, how it was made, and about it's hypoallergenic properties. This customer seemed genuinely concerned about all of the different types of information she was receiving from different companies. In an effort to reduce the stress of hunting down answers regarding the process used to make latex mattresses I am going to illustrate it right here;
1. Natural Latex comes from the rubber tree.
2. The milky sap from the rubber tree is whipped into a foam.
3. The whip is poured into a mold.
4. A vacuum is used to remove air bubbles within the liquid foam.
5. The foam is frozen using CO2.
6. The foam is then heated.


Natural Latex is labeled as being hypoallergenic which is true but the true meaning of this statement is often misunderstood. The definition of hypoallergenic is; "something which has a decreased tendency to provoke an allergic reaction." Since latex is naturally antimicrobial and it does therefore have hypoallergenic properties. What is so confusing about this statement though is that if something is hypoallergenic you could not possibly have an allergic reaction to it, right? Wrong! People with latex allergies can still have an allergic reaction to natural rubber tree latex just as any other type of latex as the following studies have found.

Studies on latex and its provocation of allergic reactions have been conducted since the '80's. Predominantly due to an increase in latex allergies spurred by the use of latex gloves in hospital settings. Many thought that natural rubber tree latex became an allergen through the manufacturing process. This was found not to be true though, read on. The cornstarch on latex gloves absorbs allergens and releases them into the air which then results in aero-allergens which can attach to clothing and on hard surfaces. People with allergies and sensitivities to bananas, pears, kiwis, and avocados appear to more sensitive to natural rubber latex allergies as they share a similar polypeptide.This polypeptide is found naturally in latex straight from the rubber tree therefore making it possible to conclude that allergic response to latex is not a byproduct of the manufacturing process but instead in the natural make-up of the latex. Even though mattresses do not have cornstarch all over them to kick up allergens into the air, un-powdered latex gloves have also been found to cause allergic reactions, the percentage of the population with this type of allergy is very low and hypersensitivity is even lower. Not enough studies have been conducted on the general public outside the use of natural latex gloves, i.e. latex mattresses, to conclusively state that latex mattresses can or cannot cause latex allergic reactions. You can review the information presented above by googling the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology and simply typing in latex within the journals website. Some interesting information that I stumbled upon was an article posted at this website http://checkbiotech.org/node/27610 . Apparently Russian dandelions may be a possible source of natural latex that truly is 100% hypoallergenic to humans, this was a recent article so we can only hope that we will hear more of this in the time to come.
Needless to say by definition latex is hypoallergenic as it does reduce the likelihood of people with airborne allergies being affected by dust, mold, and mildew but latex mattresses can still cause anaphlaxis in people with hypersensitivity to latex or even just minor skin rashes in latex allergic individuals.
Another important factor to keep in mind when looking for a mattress and thinking about going with latex, mattresses have several barriers in between the foam and you. There is normally foam, not always, but generally a layer of polyurethane foam between 3/4" to 2", there is a fire barrier which is there to maintain federal fire regulations and then the quilted fabric that covers the mattress.

During the winter of 2006 a study was released following a 56 day analysis involving 59 men and women. These men and women were asked to sleep on their current mattresses for 28 consecutive days and record their perceived back pain, discomfort, stiffness, and sleep quality. After the intial 28 day analysis, subjects were asked to sleep on new beds and again record for the same information. Scientific analysis found that new medium-firm mattresses were beneficial across the board, regardless of the participant's age, weight, or sex. The study also found that sleep improvement increased as more time passed. Does this mean that medium-firm mattresses are the right choice for everyone? Of course not, but more customers choose medium-firm mattresses that any other type. "In a 3-month period, about one-fourth of U.S. adults experience at least 1 day of back pain. It is one of our society’s most common medical problems (NIAMS)." As we age, back pain increases as our abdominal and back muscles weaken, as weight is gained, and physical activity is reduced. For all of you out there sleeping on old mattresses, mattresses that have become too soft with wear and no longer have support, it may be time to look into getting a new mattress.

NIAMS. "Handout on Health: Back Pain." National Institute if Arthritis and Musculoskeletal an Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Back_Pain/default.asp#2

Jacobson, Bert. H., Wallace, T., Gemmell, H. Subjective Rating of Perceived Back Pain, Stiffness, and Sleep Quality Following Introduction of Medium-Firm Bedding Systems. Journal of Chriopractic Medicine. 2006 (Winter), 5(4): 128-134.

Risks of Not Getting Enough Sleep

Recently conducted studies focusing on the effects of small amounts of sleep have found direct correlations to cardiovascular disease, hypertension, high blood pressure, compromised immunity, and can also contribute to obesity. The University of Chicago recently found that increasing ones sleep from 6-7 hours reduced the likelihood of having clogged arteries by at least 33%. So remember folks, get at least 7-8 hours of sleep on a new Brothers Bedding mattress, it could save your life.

Sleep Savvy. “Lack of Sleep Could be Clogging your Arteries.” April 2010.

(This was originally posted at http://martybass.wordpress.com/

The Truth As I See It

Let me first say that I own Brothers Bedding, a small manufacturer of mattresses and box springs here in Knoxville, TN. For the most part of my adult life, I have made and sold bedding for a living. There's not a week that goes by that one of our customers or someone I know or meet in a restaurant or someone in my family will ask me the question....."what's the best mattress for me?" To be perfectly frank, I usually prefer not to discuss it outside of my work, but I do want to help them. My answer to them is usually "come on by one of our stores and I will help you pick one out that suits you." The truth of the matter is, I can't help that person pick out their comfort level unless they are willing to spend 15-30 minutes lying down on a mattress that feels good to them after a reasonable amount of time (usually 15-30 minutes) because the whole mattress shopping experience has become so confusing due to the fact that every mattress store has become an "expert". Now this is not to say that I don't care what they pick out because I really do. My point is that I know that if they go out in the market place and try to shop for a mattress like the ones they see in my store, it will be nearly impossible for them to compare the quality and the craftsmanship that goes into making OUR mattresses because we make our mattresses exclusive just for our customers. So getting back to the truth.....

The truth of the matter is, what I'm about to tell you will not be favorably received by the rest of the bedding industry. It would be easy to assume that I have a bone to pick or have sour grapes with the rest of the mattress and bedding industry, but I don't. I'm also willing to say that if there is anyone out there who reads this article and finds what I am saying to be untrue, then I will humbly apologize in a form similar to this. The problem that I see with the mattress industry is that there are so many sales people out there who are selling mattresses but they do not know anything about how a mattress is put together, what specifically goes into it, gauges of wire, foam compression (ILD), and so on as far as the nomenclature of our product.

Let me first say that I believe most people who are in the mattress industry making a good living are probably decent people. All I am trying to accomplish with this blog is to make you, the consumer, become educated about this mattress product and believe nothing you hear and only half of what you see and that includes everybody. One of my pet peeves is the so-called mattress experts who opens up the stores which are basically financed by the Simmons, Sealy, Serta, and the like of the world (those who rule the majority of the mattress industry). I will not name names, in order to keep from being persecuted or sued, but I know for a fact that there is no such thing as a $4,000 nor $8,000 mattress that can justify the cost. Unfortunately, we in the bedding industry, take advantage of the uninformed consumer and operate off of their emotions while they are in our stores. I'm not saying that we need to hold everybody's hand, I'm just saying that we need to level the playing field by being totally honest to the consumer about what's really in a mattress and what benefit they can receive from buying that mattress plus what justifies the cost of that mattress. Most innerspring mattresses, once they get past $800-$900, for the most part, are just "fluff". The warranties are bogus, for the most part. The two-sided vs. one-sided no-flip mattress: they will lead you to believe that the one-sided mattress does not need to be flipped. I beg your pardon, but YES IT DOES! What they're telling you is, we don't have a two-sided mattress to offer you and if we did, we would charge you double. The one-sided no-flip phenomenon happened years ago by some smart accountant that said "hey, we can make more money if we tell everyone that they don't have to flip their mattresses anymore because no one likes to flip their mattresses but we can still charge the same amount as we do for the two-sided and we can put a pretty cover on it and sell the sheen". The other thing that I can't believe that has gotten so far out of hand is the thickness of the mattresses. Just because a mattress is 24" thick instead of 13" thick does not make one sleep better. In fact, we have seen so many "brand name" mattresses that were supposed to be the "where all, end all" have huge body impressions after only 6 months to 1 year's use and they can't flip it over so it can "recover". I hope that you don't think that I'm picking on any one particular brand, because I'm not. The reason I mentioned Serta, Sealy, Simmons, etc, is because they rule the industry with about 60% or more market share (give or take among the 3). As the guy said years ago in a movie, "I'm mad as Hell and I'm not going to take this anymore!" I am willing to discuss this with anyone at length by phone, email, comments, etc.

This is a partial glimpse of the mattress industry as I see it. Hopefully, this will start a positive dialog with the consumer and the retailer as equals. Make that mattress sales person, whomever they are with whatever company they work for, explain to you why one brand is better than the other, why a mattress has to be 24" thick, why they can't make a mattress that's two-sided and why can't they give you a comfort guarantee that actually means something, such as bringing it in and adjusting the comfort level to suit you. After all, comfort is what we're looking for in a mattress, so if they can't satisfy my craving for comfort, then what does all of this other crap mean?

For questions or comments, visit me at www.Brothersbedding.com or call me at (865) 689-2373.

How to Get a Perfect Night's Sleep

Have you ever wondered why you wake up several times during the night? Sure, there could be some medical condition causing the problem, but have you taken a close look at your mattress lately? Your mattress COULD be the cause of your restlessness! For instance, is there an impression in the mattress where you normally sleep? If so, this means that your mattress isn't working properly to keep your spine in alignment. Maybe your mattress is too soft for you and is allowing you to "sink in" too much. This can also be the cause of your restlessness.

Have you heard the old saying "The firmer the mattress, the better!" Well....that isn't always true either! If your mattress is too hard, it can cut off the circulation and cause you to toss and turn at night. The quality of the materials also plays a HUGE part in how well the mattress will hold up over a longer period of time. For instance, let's say you find a really firm queen mattress for $250. You have just found a bargain, right? Well, not necessarily! The materials that went in to make that firm mattress may have been very cheap quality, which would mean that if you plan on keeping that mattress for several years, the chances of it breaking down are quite large! You may find that after sleeping on it for only a few month, it begins to get softer over time. So, guess what? Now you're restless again because you're spine is out of alignment....again!

Memory foam mattresses have become extremely popular over the last few years. The reason for it is because memory foam forms a "mold" to your body. Memory foam isn't for everyone, but if you aren't sleeping well, it may be worth the trip to the local retail mattress store to try one out. Also, while you're there, try out a latex mattress, as well. The all foam line of mattresses tend to conform to your body's curves allowing you to get a better night's rest, while reducing pressure points that can cause the tossing and turning.

A good mattress is designed to keep you sleeping comfortably from the time you climb in to the time you wake up in the morning. When selecting a mattress, you should always try it out in the showroom. You should be able to put your hand underneath the arch in your back and feel the padding right underneath your hand. If you have a friend standing next to you, they should be able to notice the padding meeting your arches under your neck, your lower back, and underneath your knees.

Just remember, if you aren't sleeping well at night, then it also affects how much energy you will have throughout the day. Here is a statement from The Better Sleep Council: "Though your mattress may not show physical signs of wear, it loses comfort and support over the years. It’s important to evaluate your mattress every five to seven years to ensure it still provides optimal comfort and support. Research shows that the age of a mattress directly impacts the quality of sleep. You spend one-third of your life in bed. Be sure to invest in the best quality and most comfortable mattress you can afford to ensure a great night’s rest for a healthier, happier and more productive you."

If you have any questions on how to shop for that "perfect" mattress, let me know!

2 Sided Mattresses

Do not purchase a one-sided mattress if you can afford another couple of hundred dollars for a two-sided mattress. In my opinion, there are two reasons to buy a two-sided mattress. One is the obvious....you have two sides that you can rotate regularly. Number two, the mattress will last at least 50% longer than a one-sided mattress. I think the extra investment that you pay for a two-sided mattress will prove itself.
Be sure your mattress measures at least 15"-16" thick. Also, pick up one side of the mattress to test the weight. If it's as light as a feather and easy to pick up, it's best that you leave it alone. Look for the heaviest mattress and you will probably be pleased with that mattress for years to come. The reason for that is obvious. If there is very little padding inside the "fancy quilt" chances are it will not last very long. A heavier mattress will have 2-3 times the amount of padding inside and should last AT LEAST twice as long as the "feather-light" mattress.
When I was a young boy growing up, my father had a mattress factory and mattresses were made mostly with cotton. Then came along polyurethane foam in all sorts of "flavors". Years later, different versions of memory foam were used to make mattresses and of course, we can't forget about latex mattresses which were being used during World War II and is still being used all over the world.
I think shopping for a mattress has to be one of the most confusing purchases that we will ever make. Of course, being in the business for over 25 years, I have the advantage of knowing what works and what does not work. One is that I would never purchase a one-sided mattress if there was a two-sided mattress available, as I mentioned in the beginning of this blog.
My intentions here are honestly to help you make a good decision on your mattress purchase and I just want you to know that if you will follow these few simple guidelines, you will not be disappointed wherever you buy your mattress. Of course, if you want me to help you, I will be glad to pass on any other knowledge that I may have that will help you make a decision that you can feel confident about.