How to Clean a Mattress
How to clean a mattress - several techniques that work well, and can be used to remove stains and keep your mattress fresh.
Steps
General steps
- Vacuum the mattress. This helps to keep it clean by the sheer fact that when it does get wet, there is less matter in the dirt to cause it to stain.
- If the surface does get soiled or dirty, try using an upholstery cleaner. Since they are made for surfaces that touch your skin (e.g. your couch), then, unless you are extremely sensitive to cleaners in general, it should work. It also has the advantage of removing dust mites and their refuse.
- Use enzyme cleaners. Enzymes cleaners are effective in breaking down the 'structure' of the stains which helps to lessen them.
For unidentified mattress stains
- Spray it with a citrus type cleaner and let it set for about five minutes. Afterward, blot (don't rub) as much of the cleaner out as you can using a clean, white, absorbent cloth. A mild dish detergent can also be used.
Blood stains
- Try using hydrogen peroxide to help with the removal of blood stains. Blot it while it is bubbling. This may not remove all the stain, but will help to lessen it. Be sure to blot it with a clean, white, dry cloth.
Cigarette odor removal
- Using the same process as above, apply it to the entire mattress, one section at a time.
- Launder your linen even more often than you would on an ordinary basis. This will help keep the odor from being so pervasive.
Mold and mildew removal
- Give your mattresses a 'suntan'. These types of stains are caused by too much moisture. Try taking your mattress outside on a bright, sunny day and let the sun dry it out. Try to remove the excess mold and mildew by wiping it off or sweeping it off.
Urine stains and odor
- Blot the excess fluid as much as possible.
- Using the oxy-clean type cleaners, or those that say they remove the stains (of which there are many), spray the stain and methodically blot it.
- Once dry, shake baking soda over it, let it set over night and vacuum it the next day.
Removing stains caused by colored drinks.
- Although impossible to remove entirely, you can alleviate the degree of the stain by using citrus cleaner and/or vinegar to lessen it.
- Many drink stains are soluble in isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol). Alcohol will also carry the stain further, so blot with a clean absorbent cloth soaked in isopropyl alcohol, rather than pouring it on the stain.
- Mattress manufacturers and dry cleaners will also have information on removing stains, or provide a service for a fee.
Monday, 13 June 2016
Monday, 23 September 2013
Mattresses - the essential guide
You spend up to 16 years of your life in bed, so a good mattress is a serious investment. Before you head to the shop to start testing, get to know your options with our buyer's guide to mattresses.
- A bed should be 10cm longer than the tallest person who will be sleeping in it, so a king-size is the minimum for someone 6ft or more, and wide enough to allow both partners to lie side by side, hands behind heads, without elbows touching.
- To check if a mattress is supporting you properly, lie down and slide a hand beneath the small of your back. If your hand fits easily, it's too soft; not at all, and it's too firm.
- The base will affect how the mattress feels. A sprung divan will make a mattress seem softer than a solid divan or slatted base.
- Sprung and pocket mattresses are padded with fillings including cotton, lambswool and mohair. Luxurious options, such as cashmere and silk, will mean the finished product is more expensive.
- ‘Orthopaedic' is a term that describes mattresses with a firmer spring. While some swear by them, it's more important to choose a mattress that gives proper support as opposed to just being very hard.
Friday, 8 June 2012
Bed, Mattress and Sheeting Sizes 101
Learn the Dimensions of Standard Bed Sizes
We have the measurements of different bed sizes so that you can find the size that will fit your room or a mattress that will fit your bed.
- Mattress Sizes
- Twin--39 x 75 inches (or 99 x 190 cm)
- X-Long Twin--39 x 80 inches (99 x 203 cm)
- Full--54 x 75 inches (137 x 190 cm)
- Queen--60 x 80 inches (or 153 x 203 cm)
- King--76 x 80 inches (or 198 x 203 cm)
- California King--72 x 84 inches (or 182 x 213 cm)
- Fitted Sheet Sizes
- Twin--39 x 75 inches (or 99 x 190 cm)
- X-Long Twin--39 x 80 inches (99 x 203 cm)
- Full--54 x 75 inches (137 x 190 cm)
- Queen--60 x 80 inches (or 153 x 203 cm)
- King--76 x 80 inches (or 198 x 203 cm)
- California King--72 x 84 inches (or 182 x 213 cm)
- Flat Sheet Sizes
- Twin--66 x 96 inches (or 167 x 243 cm)
- X-Long Twin--66 x 102 inches (or 167 x 259 cm)
- Full--81 x 96 inches (or 205 x 243 cm)
- Queen--90 x 102 inches (or 228 x 259 cm)
- King/California King--108 x 102 inches (or 274 x 259 cm)
- Comforter Sizes
- Twin--68 x 86 inches (or 173 x 218 cm)
- Full/Queen--86 x 86 inches (or 218 x 218 cm)
- King/California King--100 x 90 inches (or 254 x 229 cm)
Tuesday, 8 May 2012
Friday, 13 January 2012
Latex Mattress
Natural Sense premium latex:
Not all latex mattress foams are equal. Some latex is not even natural! We offer several types of latex: our Natural Sense brand — a certified 100% Natural dunlop latex — or Talalay latex. When comparing these two, we have found that Dunlop latex (our Natural Sense brand) has much more integrity and longevity than Talalay. The Talalay process produces a more even latex cell structure at the cost of the integrity of the foam; more bubbles equals less foam and less longevity. All raw Talalay and Dunlop latex have naturally occurring flaws which include small tears, air pockets, patches, and changing surface textures. We have also created a unique sleeping solution for couples: see our Split Firmness queen and king size mattresses, below. Looking for bedding for your baby? Try our crib size organic mattresses!
Latex mattress Firmness:
"ILD" is the standard numbering system for rating foam firmness. ILD is the number of pounds it takes to compress a sample of latex one inch. We carry 5 different firmnesses: Soft (17-25 ILD), Medium (26-30 ILD), Firm (31-35 ILD), Extra Firm (36-42 ILD), and Hard (43-48 ILD).
Why buy your latex mattress from us?
We are one of the few companies that offer all 5 firmnesses. Utilizing layers with specific firmnesses we can produce a latex mattresses with perfect comfort for even a "princess and the pea" sleeper. We are very unique in that we warrant our latex against forming soft spots AND depressions. We offer a 90-day trial period without restocking fees, beginning once your mattress ships.
Saturday, 30 January 2010
King Size Pocket Sprung Mattresses Are Gaining Popularity
In the king size pocket sprung mattresses, each of the layers is made up of a different fabric. The greater will be the springs in the king size pocket sprung mattress, the more comfort and support it will provide. These mattresses have a proper circulation of air. Free flow of air maintains the freshness of the mattress and you derive pleasure sleeping on it.
King size pocket sprung mattresses are the most widely sold innerspring mattresses. They offer everything - such as the airiness of mattress, comfort, support to spine, elegant looks etc. It is due to these reasons that these mattresses are enjoying high demand among people. King size pocket sprung mattresses take the charge of your health and ensure you sound sleep during the night time.
To make these mattresses, pocketed springs are taken and pulled together so as to form the pattern of honeycomb, which gives it a great look. The springs of the mattress contract and expand depending on the pressure exerted by the person sitting on the mattress. Even the shape of the person leads to compression or expansion of the springs.
In making them, around 1500-2000 springs are used to create various layers of the mattress. It is a rejuvenating experience to sleep on king size procket sprung mattresses. They relax the body completely and soothe each and every muscle. These mattresses make a good choice especially in homes where the base of bed is not comfortable to provide you support.
When one of the layers of king size pocket sprung mattress is made of visco-elastic foam, it makes your sleeping experience more pleasurable as memory foam has the ability to adjust itself perfectly according to the shape of your body. To conclude with, pocket sprung mattresses are indeed worth investing money in.
Monday, 25 January 2010
Divatex Home Fashions Royal Opulence Satin Queen Sheet Set, Black
- Complete set of sheets for Queen beds in solid black; includes one flat sheet, one fitted sheet, and two standard-sized pillowcases
- 100-percent woven polyester satin is smooth and silky, with lustrous sheen for added style
- Fitted sheet includes all-around elastic and 14-inch pocket for mattresses up to 17 inches deep
- 4-inch hem on pillowcases and flat sheet
- Machine wash and tumble dry for easy care
Product Description
Give in to an enchanted night's sleep with this luxurious set of satin sheets for Queen beds in high-fashion black. This set includes a flat sheet, fitted sheet, and two standard pillowcases. Smooth and silky with a lustrous sheen, these satin sheets are made of 100 percent woven polyester satin. The fitted sheets feature elastic corners for a secure fit and 14-inch pockets that can fit mattresses up to 17 inches deep. They're machine washable for easy care.
$29.95
Sunday, 17 January 2010
The Ancient World
Early beds were little more than piles of straw or some other natural material. An important change was raising them off the ground, to avoid draughts, dirt, and pests. The Egyptians had high bedsteads which were ascended by steps, with bolsters or pillows, and curtains to hang round. The elite of Egyptian society such as its pharaohs and queens even had beds made of wood, sometimes gilded. Often there was a head-rest as well, semi-cylindrical and made of stone, wood or metal. Ancient Assyrians, Medes and Persians had beds of a similar kind, and frequently decorated their furniture with inlays or appliqués of metal, mother-of-pearl and ivory.
The oldest account of a bed is probably that of Odysseus: a charpoy[1] woven of rope, plays a role in the Odyssey. A similar bed can be seen at the St Fagans National History Museum in Wales. Odysseus also gives an account of how he crafted the nuptial bed for himself and Penelope, out of an ancient, huge olive tree trunk that used to grow on the spot before the bridal chamber was built. His detailed description finally persuades the doubting Penelope that the shipwrecked, aged man is indeed her long-lost husband. Homer also mentions the inlaying of the woodwork of beds with gold, silver and ivory. The Greek bed had a wooden frame, with a board at the head and bands of hide laced across, upon which skins were placed. At a later period the bedstead was often veneered with expensive woods; sometimes it was of solid ivory veneered with tortoise-shell and with silver feet; often it was of bronze. The pillows and coverings also became more costly and beautiful; the most celebrated places for their manufacture were Miletus, Corinth and Carthage. Folding beds, too, appear in the vase paintings.
The Roman mattresses were stuffed with reeds, hay, wool or feathers; the last was used towards the end of the Republic, when custom demanded luxury. Small cushions were placed at the head and sometimes at the back. The bedsteads were high and could only be ascended by the help of steps. They were often arranged for two persons, and had a board or railing at the back as well as the raised portion at the head. The counterpanes were sometimes very costly, generally purple embroidered with figures in gold; and rich hangings fell to the ground masking the front. The bedsteads themselves were often of bronze inlaid with silver, and Elagabalus had one of solid silver. In the walls of some of the houses at Pompeii bed niches are found which were probably closed by curtains or sliding partitions. Ancient Romans had various kinds of beds for repose. These included:
- lectus cubicularis, or chamber bed, for normal sleeping;
- lectus genialis, the marriage bed, it was much decorated, and was placed in the atrium opposite the door.
- lectus discubitorius, or table bed, on which they ate—for they ate while lying on their left side—there being usually three people to one bed, with the middle place accounted the most honorable position;
- lectus lucubratorius, for studying;
- and a lectus funebris, or emortualis, on which the dead were carried to the pyre.[2]
[edit]Medieval Europe
The ancient Germans lay on the floor on beds of leaves covered with skins, or in a kind of shallow chest filled with leaves and moss. In the early Middle Ages they laid carpets on the floor or on a bench against the wall, placed upon them mattresses stuffed with feathers, wool or hair, and used skins as a covering. They appear to have generally lain naked in bed, wrapping themselves in the large linen sheets which were stretched over the cushions. In the 13th century luxury increased, and bedsteads were made of wood much decorated with inlaid, carved and painted ornament. They also used folding beds, which served as couches by day and had cushions covered with silk laid upon leather. At night a linen sheet was spread and pillows placed, while silk-covered skins served as coverlets. Curtains were hung from the ceiling or from an iron arm projecting from the wall. The Carolingian manuscripts show metal bedsteads much higher at the head than at the feet, and this shape continued in use until the 13th century in France, many cushions being added to raise the body to a sloping position. In the 12th-century manuscripts the bedsteads appear much richer, with inlays, carving and painting, and with embroidered coverlets and mattresses in harmony. Curtains were hung above the bed, and a small hanging lamp is often shown. In the 14th century the woodwork became of less importance, being generally entirely covered by hangings of rich materials. Silk, velvet and even cloth of gold were much used. Inventories from the beginning of the 14th century give details of these hangings lined with fur and richly embroidered. Then it was that the tester bed made its first appearance, the tester being slung from the ceiling or fastened to the walls, a form which developed later into a room within a room, shut in by double curtains, sometimes even so as to exclude all drafts. The space between bed and wall was called the ruelle, and very intimate friends were received there.
In the 15th century beds became very large, reaching to 7 or 8 feet by 6 or 7 feet. The mattresses were often filled with pea-shucks, straw or feathers. At this time great personages were in the habit of carrying most of their property about with them, including beds and bed-hangings, and for this reason the bedsteads were for the most part mere frameworks to be covered up; but about the beginning of the 16th century bedsteads were made lighter and more decorative, since the lords remained in the same place for longer periods.
[edit]Renaissance and Modern Europe
In the 17th century, which has been called "the century of magnificent beds," the style a la duchesse, with tester and curtains only at the head, replaced the more enclosed beds in France, though they lasted much longer in England. Louis XIV had an enormous number of sumptuous beds, as many as 413 being described in the inventories of his palaces. Some of them had embroideries enriched with pearls, and figures on a silver or golden ground. The great bed at Versailles had crimson velvet curtains on which "The Triumph of Venus" was embroidered. So much gold was used that the velvet scarcely showed.
In the 18th century feather pillows were first used as coverings in Germany, which in the fashions of the bed and the curious etiquette connected with the bedchamber followed France for the most part. The beds were a la duchesse, but in France itself there was great variety both of name and shape. The custom of the "bed of justice" upon which the king of France reclined when he was present in parliament, the princes being seated, the great officials standing, and the lesser officials kneeling, was held to denote the royal power even more than the throne. Louis XI is credited with its first use, and the custom lasted till the end of the monarchy. In the chambre de parade, where the ceremonial bed was placed, certain persons, such asambassadors or great lords, whom it was desired to honour, were received in a more intimate fashion than the crowd of courtiers. At Versailles women received their friends in their beds, both before and after childbirth, during periods of mourning, and even directly after marriage - in fact in any circumstances which were thought deserving of congratulation or condolence. During the 17th century this curious custom became general, perhaps to avoid the tiresome details of etiquette. Portable beds were used in high society in France till the end of the Ancien Régime. The earliest of which mention has been found belonged to Charles the Bold. They had curtains over a light framework, and were in their way as fine as the stationary beds.
Iron beds appear in the 18th century; the advertisements recommend them as free from the insects which sometimes infested wooden bedsteads. Elsewhere, there was also the closed bed with sliding or folding shutters, and in England - where beds were commonly quite simple in form - the four poster was the usual citizen's bed until the middle of the 19th century.
[edit]Bed sizes
Bed sizes vary considerably around the world, with most countries having their own standards and terminology.
While the double size appears to be standard among English speaking countries, based on the imperial measurement of 4 ft 6 in by 6 ft 3 in (137,16 cm x 190,5 cm), the sizes for other bed types tend to vary. The European sizes differ, not merely because of difference based on use of the metric system.
A king-sized bed differs from the other sizes in implementation, as it is not common to have a king-sized box spring; rather, two smaller box-springs are used under a king-sized mattress. It is a common misconception that on a U.S. standard or eastern king, the box springs are identical in size to a twin extra-long, however twin extra-long mattresses next to each other add up to 78 inches wide instead of the 76 inch width that is standard for an eastern king.
U.S. terminology refers to a twin bed to mean what is known as a single bed in other countries, whereas other countries understand twin beds to be two single beds in the same room.
[edit]Types of beds
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
King Size Beds Can Be Confusing
Sleep Like Royalty and Spread Out
From Coral Nafie, former About.com Guide
With two sizes of King beds and four names, it can get confusing when you go shopping for a King Size Bed.
A Standard King is also called an Eastern King and a California King is also called a Western King.
A Standard King is about 4" wider and a California King is 4" longer.
Two people sleeping in a King size bed will get the same amount of personal sleeping space as in a Twin bed. In fact, if you pushed two Extra-Long Twin beds together they'd be about the same size as an Eastern King. For great versatility in a guest room, if you have the floor space, use 2 extra long twin beds separately for singles or push them together to make a king bed for couples.
When buying sheets, you have to be careful to purchase the right size. Flat sheets will fit both sizes of King beds, but fitted sheets are cut to fit one or the other. Before you go shopping for sheets, be sure to measure your bed exactly to be sure to buy the linens that will fit exactly.
- Standard King or Eastern King beds are about 16" wider than a Queen bed and the same length. A King size bed is sold with two box springs or frames and one mattress. This makes it easier to move.
- Overall dimensions: 76" wide x 80" long
- Width per person: 38"
- Pros: As the widest bed commonly available in stores, the Standard King is the most comfortable for two adults. The 80" length is sufficient for most people. Sheets labeled "King Size" fit a Standard King bed.
- Cons: Because of its size, a King bed may not be practical for a single person who has to do the moving by himself. They're hard to get upstairs, through narrow, winding hallways, and small rooms. A King bed may not be long enough for very tall people. Bedding is most expensive in the King sizes. The wide bed requires at least 3 standard or 2 queen or king pillows, adding to the cost.
California King or Western King beds are 12" wider than a Queen and 4" longer. This is the longest bed commonly available in stores and is the best choice for tall people. Like the Eastern King, the California King bed set comes with one mattress and two half-width box springs to be more manageable when moving. Very tall single people can sleep from corner to corner and still be comfortable.
- Overall dimensions: 72" wide x 84" long
- Width per person: 36"
- Pros: A California King size mattress is wide enough for two to sleep comfortably and is the longest bed commonly available. Its extra length is good for tall people.
- Cons: This very large mattress may be cumbersome to move and may not fit up stairs, through narrow hallways, or in small bedrooms. Like the Eastern King, the California King bed set comes with one mattress and two half-width box springs to be more manageable when moving. Very tall single people can sleep from corner to corner and still be comfortable.
See our convenient Bed and Sheet Size Chart listing all bed sizes.
Tuesday, 22 December 2009
Old Forge bedding company expands
Published: December 22, 2009
OLD FORGE - A manufacturer of beds is doubling capacity and expects to increase staffing by about 30 percent in the coming months.
Recently signing agreements with Therapedic Sleep Products and Spring Air, Pennsylvania Bedding now has access to larger markets and plans to continue to expand, President William Spudis said.
"We went from a tiny King Koil operation to the larger Spring Air licensee," Mr. Spudis, 54, of Yatesville, added. "We just went though a major expansion in our factory; we just doubled our capacity."
An agreement with King Koil ends this year. Under agreements with Therapedic and Spring Air, Pennsylvania Bedding can sell mattresses in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia.
"This has given us great opportunity for the future," said Scott Wallis, Pennsylvania Bedding sales manager.
Pennsylvania Bedding has 52 employees, and it has operated at 301 First St. for 25 years in an 87,000-square-foot former garment plant.
The company, which also stores raw material in a 30,000-square-foot warehouse, put $700,000 toward the expansion, buying equipment made only in the United States.
"We're going to increase our employee count right now and actively recruit people to work in our factory and in sales," Mr. Spudis said.
Computer-driven machines at the plant can create a design based upon a digitally scanned image. In less than three days, Pennsylvania Bedding can get products to customer stores.
"It's an extremely competitive business," Mr. Spudis said. "You have to carve a niche. We try to make good quality products and associate it with a national brand."
Contact the writer: jmrozinski@timesshamrock. com
Friday, 4 December 2009
Modern Bed – Choosing The Right One
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Tuesday, 17 November 2009
Sleep Experts Mattress Stores Rank 28th on The Dallas Morning News Top 100 Places to Work 2009 list
Dallas/Fort Worth mattress retailer Sleep Experts is the only company in the mattress industry to make the The Dallas Morning News' inaugural list of the Top 100 Places to Work 2009. Sleep Experts ranks 28th on the overall list and 11th among midsize companies with 100 to 499 employees.
Carrollton, Texas (PRWEB) November 13, 2009 -- Dallas/Fort Worth mattress retailer Sleep Experts has been recognized by The Dallas Morning News as one of D/FW’s Top 100 Places to Work 2009. In a special publication in the newspaper’s November 8th edition, the company ranks 28th on the overall list and 11th among midsize companies with 100 to 499 employees. Sleep Experts is the only company in the mattress industry to make the list.
The Top 100 Places to Work was determined through surveys of employees of approximately 1,000 companies, conducted by The Dallas Morning News and its research partner Workplace Dynamics. The companies that made the list excelled in areas including leadership, company direction, opportunities for career advancement, physical conditions of the workplace, and fair pay and benefits.
Cheryl Hall, business columnist for The Dallas Morning News, wrote about the survey results in the Top 100 Places to Work publication, saying: “These D-FW companies – large, medium and small – are as good as it gets when it comes to creating workplace environments that nurture and respect employees, and in the process, make those employees proud to be there.”
“We are honored to be included on the inaugural Top 100 Places to Work 2009 list,” said Chris Cook, CEO of Sleep Experts. “We believe that exceptional customer service comes from happy employees, so part of our corporate purpose is to create a positive work environment where our people can develop their skills and grow both professionally and personally.”
About Sleep Experts
Sleep Experts, a mattress retailer with 34 locations in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, offers a broad selection of innerspring mattresses, foam mattresses and air mattresses, with brands including Simmons, Beautyrest, Aireloom, Tempur-Pedic, ComforPedic, Laura Ashley, King Koil, Sleep Designs and Air Number. Sleep Experts has recently been honored with the 2009 Dallas Business Ethics Award and the Consumers' Choice Award® for business excellence, and has been voted a Dallas Business Journal Best Place to Work in D/FW. Through its Rest Assured community program, Sleep Experts recycles customers' old mattresses for donation to local shelters and also donates a portion of proceeds from every mattress sale to help families in crisis. For more information, visit www.sleepexperts.com or call (888) 55-SLEEP.
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Looking for a greener sleep solution? Latex mattresses last longer and can go in the compost bin at the end of their lives.
Last update: November 10, 2009 - 9:03 AM
Michael Murad of St. Louis Park is not your typical mattress buyer. If he were, he'd spend about 30 minutes selecting an $800 queen-size bed. But Murad is trying to create a greener home, including where we spend one-third of our lives -- in bed.
Murad, a software developer who tries to live green, buying at thrift shops and following reduce/re-use/recycle, is concerned about indoor air pollution and the environment. He researched mattresses on the Internet and went to Sears, Original Mattress Factory, Select Comfort and Twin Cities Green in search of a product that is compostable at the end its life -- no steel coils or oil-based polyester fabric or foam. By the time his new green mattress was delivered (by mail, in fact), he had spent $1,800 and nearly 15 hours of searching.
Shoppers might consider a green sleep for many reasons. The greenest mattress material is coil-free and 100 percent natural latex, which is resistant to dust mites, mold, mildew and fungus. But some latex mattresses are made of synthetic, oil-based materials that precipitate allergic reactions in some people with chemical sensitivities. (Unfortunately, bed bugs like all foam equally, real or fake.)
Other hybrid beds have a natural latex "core" mixed with oil-based foam. Buyers might recognize the difference on the price tag. All-natural latex is expensive. The sap is tapped from rubber trees in Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Africa, Indonesia and Brazil, then baked in forms. Although latex mattresses have been around for more than 50 years, they lost favor when cheaper oil-based synthetics came on the market. (The popular memory foam is also synthetic.)
Most queen-size mattresses made from 100 percent natural latex cost about $2,000. Making matters worse, the price is not expected to fall, said Mike Daum, general manager at Restwell Mattress Factory in St. Louis Park.
