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Posted on February 21, 2024February 21, 2024 by Quercus Home — Leave a comment

What’s inside a good mattress, and how do you choose?

When it comes to choosing a mattress, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the plethora of options available in the market. From different types of springs to various fillings, each component plays a crucial role in determining the comfort, support, and overall quality of your sleep experience. In this blog, we’ll explore the different fillings commonly found in mattresses and understand their purposes.

Pocket Springs

Pocket springs, also known as pocketed coils, are individually wrapped coil springs that are stitched into fabric pockets. These springs move independently, which means they can contour to the shape of your body more effectively, providing targeted support and reducing motion transfer. This makes pocket spring mattresses ideal for couples or individuals who share a bed.

Bonnel Springs

Silk: Silk is a luxurious filling material known for its softness and hypoallergenic properties. Silk can help regulate body temperature by wicking away moisture, keeping you cool and comfortable throughout the night.

Wool: Wool is a natural filling material that offers excellent temperature regulation properties. It can help keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Additionally, wool is moisture-wicking and resistant to dust mites, making it a great option for allergy sufferers.

Cashmere: Cashmere is another premium filling material known for its softness and insulating properties. Cashmere can add a luxurious feel to a mattress while providing warmth and comfort.

Synthetic Fillings: Synthetic fillings, such as polyester or polyurethane foam, are often used as more affordable alternatives to natural materials. While synthetic fillings may lack the breathability and eco-friendliness of natural materials, they can still provide adequate comfort and support.

Gel Foam: Gel foam is a type of memory foam infused with gel particles to enhance breathability and cooling properties. Gel foam mattresses are designed to dissipate body heat more effectively than traditional memory foam, providing a cooler sleep surface.

Latex: Latex mattresses are made from natural or synthetic latex foam. Latex offers excellent support and pressure relief, contouring to the body’s curves while maintaining bounce and responsiveness. Natural latex is also hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites and mold.

Memory Foam: Memory foam mattresses are renowned for their ability to contour to the body’s shape, providing personalized support and pressure relief. Memory foam mattresses can help alleviate pain and discomfort by distributing weight evenly and reducing pressure points.

In conclusion, the various fillings used in mattresses serve different purposes, from providing support and comfort to enhancing breathability and temperature regulation. When choosing a mattress, consider your personal preferences, sleeping position, and any specific health concerns to find the right combination of fillings that will ensure a restful night’s sleep. Whether you prefer the plushness of silk and cashmere or the contouring, cooling support of gel foam and latex, Quercus Home Furniture has a mattress filling to suit your needs and preferences.

Still confused? Ask us. We have years of experience in recommending the best mattress for our customers. Gimmicky computer programmes in expensive chain stores are no substitute for experience and a personal touch. Have a look at a selection of our best selling mattresses here, or better still, pop in to our showroom at 3 Market Street, Heywood, to lie on a few and see what suits.

Posted on August 15, 2023December 28, 2023 by Lisa Gee — Leave a comment

Beyond Firmness: Choosing the Right Mattress for a Bad Back

Introduction

When it comes to finding relief for a bad back, many people instinctively opt for a firm mattress, believing it will provide the necessary support and alleviate discomfort. However, this common misconception oversimplifies the complex relationship between mattress firmness and back pain. While a firm mattress may indeed work for some individuals, it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. In this blog, we’ll delve into why a firm mattress isn’t necessarily the best option for a bad back and explore other crucial factors to consider when selecting a new mattress.

Understanding the Back-Pain-Mattress Connection:

Spinal Alignment: The spine’s natural S-curve plays a pivotal role in maintaining proper alignment and minimizing back pain. A mattress that is excessively firm can cause the spine to deviate from its natural shape, leading to discomfort and exacerbating existing issues.
Pressure Points: An overly firm mattress can create undue pressure on specific points of the body, such as the shoulders and hips. This pressure can hinder blood circulation and result in pain and numbness.
Muscle Relaxation: While support is vital, relaxation of muscles is equally important for alleviating back pain. A mattress that is too firm might prevent muscles from fully relaxing during sleep, potentially leading to stiffness and discomfort.

Factors Beyond Firmness to Consider:

Mattress Type: Memory foam, latex, innerspring, hybrid—each mattress type offers unique benefits for back pain sufferers. Memory foam contours to the body, providing even support and reducing pressure points. Latex combines support with a responsive feel, while innerspring mattresses offer bounce and airflow. Hybrids blend various materials for a balanced approach.
Supportive Comfort: Instead of focusing solely on firmness, prioritize a mattress that offers supportive comfort. Look for a mattress that maintains spinal alignment while cushioning pressure points. This balance can contribute to better sleep quality and reduced pain.
Personal Preference: Every individual has different preferences and needs when it comes to mattress comfort. Factors like weight, sleep position, and existing medical conditions should all influence your decision.
Edge Support: A mattress with proper edge support ensures you can sit or lie comfortably without feeling like you might roll off. This feature is especially important for those with back pain, as it can aid in getting in and out of bed easily.
Motion Isolation: If you share your bed with a partner, consider a mattress with good motion isolation. This feature can prevent disturbances from movement during the night, allowing for more uninterrupted rest.

Conclusion

While the allure of a firm mattress as a solution for back pain is widespread, it’s essential to recognize that mattress selection is a nuanced process. The optimal mattress for a bad back isn’t solely about firmness; it’s about finding the right balance between support, comfort, and individual preferences. By understanding the intricate interplay between spinal alignment, pressure points, and muscle relaxation, and by considering factors such as mattress type, supportive comfort, personal preference, edge support, and motion isolation, you can make a more informed decision to improve your sleep quality and alleviate back pain. Remember, there is no universal answer—what matters most is what works best for your body and your unique needs.

The best way to find the correct mattress choice for you is to ask the advice of expert. Richard and Lisa are always on hand to talk you through the options.

After all, a good mattress should last you around eight years. That’s a lot of broken nights’ sleep if you get it wrong.

Posted on August 4, 2023December 28, 2023 by Lisa Gee — Leave a comment

You want a memory foam mattress? Let Quercus tell you why you can do so much better.

The Battle of the Mattresses: Memory Foam vs. Cool Blue Gel Foam and Latex

A good night’s sleep is essential for our overall well-being, and choosing the right mattress plays a significant role in ensuring that. Among the plethora of mattress options available on the market, memory foam mattresses have gained popularity over the years. However, there’s a growing concern about their tendency to overheat, leading many to explore alternatives such as cool blue gel foam and latex mattresses.

At Quercus Home Furniture we typically see two types of customer when it comes to memory foam – those who want one because they’ve heard they’re the last word in comfort – and those who have had one and didn’t like it due to overheating and night sweats.

In this blog, we’ll dive into the reasons why memory foam mattresses might not be the best choice due to overheating, particularly for women of a certain age (like me), and explore why cool blue gel foam and latex mattresses could be superior options in terms of heat distribution, support, and durability.

The Overheating Issue with Memory Foam Mattresses

Memory foam mattresses have garnered attention for their ability to contour to the body, providing a comfortable and snug sleeping experience. However, this very trait that makes them comfortable also contributes to their overheating problem. Memory foam is known for trapping body heat, which can lead to an uncomfortably warm sleep environment, particularly during hot summer nights. The close conformity of memory foam to the body’s shape restricts airflow, creating a situation where heat becomes trapped and unable to dissipate effectively.

Cool Blue Gel Foam: The Cool Alternative

Enter the cool blue gel foam mattress, a modern innovation designed to combat the overheating issue. Cool blue gel foam incorporates gel beads into the memory foam, enhancing its ability to dissipate heat. The gel beads are infused throughout the foam and work by absorbing and dispersing body heat, thereby preventing the accumulation of warmth. This clever engineering ensures a more temperature-neutral sleeping experience, which can be especially appreciated by those who tend to sleep hot.

The cool blue memory foam has a 60kg density making it durable and long-lasting. Cool blue memory foam offers all of the comfort and orthopaedic qualities of standard memory foam but it dissipates heat up to 5 times quicker than standard memory foam, for a cooler, fresher sleep.

Latex Mattresses: Natural Comfort and Durability

Another contender in the battle against overheating is the latex mattress. Made from the sap of rubber trees, latex mattresses have gained popularity for their natural materials and impressive durability. Latex is inherently more breathable than memory foam, allowing for better airflow and heat dissipation. This breathability, combined with the unique bounce and support of latex, makes it an excellent choice for those seeking a cooler and more supportive sleep surface.

In short, opt for a latex mattress over memory foam if you prefer:

A lighter feel.
More bounce.
Faster response time.
Less hug.
Better cooling.
More generalized compression.

Support and Longevity

While memory foam mattresses offer initial comfort and contouring, they may lack the necessary support for some sleepers. Over time, the foam’s ability to provide adequate support can diminish, leading to sagging and discomfort. On the other hand, both cool blue gel foam and latex mattresses are praised for their superior support and longevity. The structure of these mattresses ensures consistent support for years, contributing to better spinal alignment and overall sleep quality.

Environmental Considerations

When it comes to sustainability, latex mattresses take the lead. Latex is a renewable resource harvested from rubber trees, making it an eco-friendly choice. Memory foam, while comfortable, is typically made from synthetic materials that can have a higher environmental impact. Cool blue gel foam mattresses often combine memory foam with gel beads, which may have varying degrees of sustainability based on the manufacturing process.

The Verdict

While memory foam mattresses offer undeniable comfort and contouring, the issue of overheating is a valid concern that cannot be ignored. For those who prioritize a temperature-neutral sleep environment, cool blue gel foam and latex mattresses present themselves as excellent alternatives. Their superior heat distribution, combined with enhanced support and durability, make them formidable contenders in the world of sleep innovation. As you embark on the quest for the perfect mattress, consider the advantages offered by cool blue gel foam and latex – a cooler, more comfortable, and sustainable choice for your sleep sanctuary.

PS. If you want to know which one we prefer, it’s the latex. That’s the one we sleep on.

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