Online Mattress Discounters



             


Saturday, January 31, 2009

What You Need To Know About Finding The Right Mattress And The Best Deals Online

The daunting task of buying a mattress made easy with the use of the Internet.

Buying a mattress is one of the most important purchases you'll make this year. The Internet will be a major tool to help you locate the product and the price that is right for you, but this shopping spree will demand a combination of both Internet and store shopping. So be prepared. Before you order and pay for any mattress online you really should visit a store and try it out. You know, sit on it, bounce on it, lie on it, roll over on it. There's no other way. The Internet will help you research everything you need to know about buying a mattress that is right for you, it will help you understand what you should be looking for in a mattress and, most importantly, it will help you pin point the exact bargain price you are willing to pay, but before you buy, you simply must try. It's just too important.

A good mattress is vital for healthy living. The perfect mattress will do wonders for the pain you are experiencing in your back. A well designed mattress with improve your disruptive sleep patterns. A well chosen mattress with simply do wonders for your stress levels.

But mattress buying (as with everything, really) is a daunting task. There is just so much choice. That's why you need to start by browsing the Internet and collating the information you find. Use a web search to locate and gather manufacturing and pricing details on these mattress types: air mattress, (or airbed mattress) memory foam mattress, foam mattress, tempurpedic mattress, futon mattress, sealy mattress and adjustable mattress.

Compare the cost of each type of mattress with the benefits. Also note warranty information, as you would with anything you'd buy. The ultimate choice will be made once you've test-driven, so to speak, the mattresses of you choice. But first, let your fingers do the walking and stay in front of the computer. There's a lot to learn.

Each mattress is manufactured according to detailed specifications which are then promoted to the potential consumer. There is a mattress out there for everyone. If you like the idea of being able to adjust the amount of support you get and the level of firmness of the mattress then look for an adjustable air mattress. Memory foam mattresses, like the Temperpedic and Viscopedic ones, conform to your body shape when you sleep, but return to their original shape when you get out of bed. These are very popular mattresses. Some mattresses have removable covers so that they can be washed. Latex mattresses are a good choice if durability and a long-life is high on your priority list.

Remember, keep a pencil and paper by your keyboard. Make notes. Record questions you may want to seek clarification for when you make your way into the store. Be informed.


Dean Erickson. Journalist, and web site builder Dean Erickson lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of www.mattress-finder.info on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Grandma's Mattress

In this story, I witnessed my grandmother's matterss being elevated in mid air by an unseen force.
When I was growing up in the 1960s, my place of residence was Bronx, New York. Freezing winters, broiling summers, tall buildings, sirens, cement, bumper-to-bumper traffic, and over crowded sidewalks was common for the boroughs - Bronx, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, and Staten Island. However, relief came for me each summer after June 30th because when school closed my mom sent me to Piney Woods, North Carolina. In Piney Woods, I spent my entire three, month, long summer vacation with my maternal grandparents Joe and Caroline Boston Jefferson and I had the time of my life because I loved my grandmother with my whole heart. The proper name for Piney Woods is Freeunion. Freeunion means free people united! Piney Woods is Freeunions nickname complements of the tall, lavish, fragrant pine trees that surround the community.

Once my feet touched Piney Woods soil, thank God, I was free! Free! Free! To me, the name Freeunion had a brand new meaning far more eloquent than free people united. Extensively, I had liberty to play in huge yards and wide-open fields, which were free of the cement that skinned my knees and free of noise. Free, to play in mud holes and walk down dirt roads without getting hit by cars because everyone was friendly and waved as they passed with caution. Free, to play outside until dark without being abducted or assaulted. Free, to hear morning doves greet each new day. Free, to see the sunrise, sunset, and the beautiful stars at night, which resembled billions of sparkling diamonds in the raw. Free, to hear the crickets chirp. Free, to hear the frogs sing for rain. Free, to hear the June bugs buzz in the grass. Unfortunately, my only fear was grandmas big, red, rooster who once attached me, needless to say, for that reason; he was soon served with pastry and baked sweet potatoes. Pay back is awesome!

I thoroughly enjoyed spending time with my grandmother although she was paralyzed and bed ridden because grandma was extremely insightful and she taught me the meaning of tokens, plus, moon phases and she shared various stories on subjects beginning with the constellations, while concluding with the Boogieman. Grandma was well versed on the subject of nature; she definitely practiced personification. In other words, she believed that each entity on earth has a living spirit. Look around and discover for yourself that grandma was right because the earth is indeed a living, breathing, and reproductive creature! Everything on earth is composed of atoms including water. The formula for water is H2O, which equals two atoms of hydrogen and one atom of oxygen; therefore, this vital aspect is an example of how we are all connected and why I use the term Mother Earth. Sit down on the ground in a quiet, remote, location and place both of your hands with the palms down on the ground, while concentrating. Doing so, you will feel the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Try it for yourself and see that Im correct!

Furthermore, grandma taught me that the moons gravitational energy is what enforces natures growth. She said, If you go outside at night and watch carefully, you will see the moon beams make baby seedlings sprout and grow. She also said, If for some reason the moon stops working, the entire earth will become covered with water. This statement is true because in the beginning the earth was in darkness, void, and covered with water, needless to say, all of her statements are true. God is so marvelous and I am strictly a nature person, therefore, I get excited When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained. (Psalm 8:3)

Along with grandmas other God given talents, she was an excellent medicine person. One summer, while running through the yard barefoot with my sister, I stepped on a broken mason jar and the glass went deep inside my foot almost cutting my toe off. In between my screams, grandma cleaned the wound with soap and water; then she liberally applied turpentine, alcohol, and ground herbs, thereafter, she wrapped gauze around my foot. Within hours, I was back outside running, playing, and stepping in chicken poop. Periodically, grandma checked the wound and she kept it dressed with her healing remedy as well as clean gauze. Needless to say, I was fine and I have never had any problems with my wound because it healed very fast and complete without leaving a scar. It is truly amazing that my sister never stepped in chicken poop but my foot never missed a pile, of course, my sister grew up in Piney Woods. Regardless, boy, did I hate to step in chicken poop, especially when I was barefoot. Yukie! Nevertheless, grandma did not prepare me for the paranormal activity, which I was about to witness.

It happened one summer when mommy, my sister, and I were outside working in grandmas yard. Suddenly, without warning, we heard grandma screaming. Out of instinct, all three of us dropped whatever we were doing and ran inside the house to her rescue. What we saw was unreal and unforgettable! By total surprise, we witnessed grandmas mattress being elevated by an unseen force. For several minutes, the mattress remained motionless in mid air with nothing underneath because we could look right through the springs at the bare floor. During that time, no one owned box springs; in fact, everyone had plain metal springs underneath their mattress. Meanwhile, grandmas head was pressed up against her headboard. Ineffectively, all three of us pulled on her mattress as hard as we could. Stubbornly, it would not move! For that reason, we climbed on top of her mattress and repeatedly pressed down with all of our strength. Still, it would not budge! Suddenly, without warning, the mattress dropped with dynamic pressure, which made all three of us fall to the floor. Luckily, grandma did not fall off the bed. Later on that same day, I can remember seeing a white horse run around and around grandmas house and everyone got really quiet, grandma said that it was the token of someones death. However, I cant remember the person who passed away.

Honestly, I can testify that the paranormal activity in Piney Woods is well known by many folks. In fact, I have a very close and dear friend that I call Gypsy who lives over one hundred miles away. Recently, during a telephone conversation Gypsy said, Piney Woods is filled with the spirits of your Indian ancestors and some of them are not very friendly because they were murdered by white settlers; for the land Additionally, one of my cousins visited me a few nights ago and we engaged in conversation. She said, Let me tell you, whenever I visit Piney Woods, I dont let dark catch me outside. She also said, Whenever, Im at mamas and daddys alone, I make sure all the curtains are tightly closed in the front and back of the house because the spirits in Piney Woods are angry.

I have visited many homes that do not have blinds to the windows plus the owners usually leave the curtains open at night but when I was growing up it was customary to tightly close the curtains at night. When I spent my summers in Piney Woods everyone tried to be inside before dark with the curtains tightly closed. Often, I wondered why but I soon discovered the answer to my own question. Paranormal activity is alive and well whether it is believed or not! Additionally, Piney Woods is not the only place active with the supernatural. Many of the old buildings in New York are inhabited by the supernatural as well. While the sirens are blaring outside and the traffic is backed up for a block or two, you never know who or what is observing from a window far across the avenue. Look closely at the windows of an abandon building and you just might see a pair of glowing eyes looking back at you!

Ruby is a promising writer who lives along the Roanoke River in North Carolina. She loves nature and animals as well as exciting stories that include paranormal activity. Ruby also loves poetry, children, and indigenous history. Ruby's unique writing ability entails "writing like people talk."

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Natural Latex Foam Mattresses: A Healthy Alternative to Memory Foam

Did you know that natural latex foam mattresses, made from the latex sap of the rubber tree, are a much safer alternative to the popular memory foam mattresses? Memory foam mattresses, like most commercially available mattresses, are made from petroleum based polyurethane foam, an extremely flammable material. Known as "solid gasoline" by firefighters, the polyurethane foam in most commercially available mattresses burns so furiously that strict new fire resistance standards have been written into law, starting with California in 2005 and going nationwide in 2006. These strict new fire resistance standards are being met by tripling the amount of fire retardant chemicals, called PDBEs, that are added to manufacture memory foam mattresses and mattress toppers.

Most mattress purchasers are unaware of the fire danger posed by polyurethane mattresses. But the greater danger may be the higher concentrations of PDBEs used to help prevent combustion in memory foam mattresses. PDBEs build up in the body in ways similar to banned PCBs, and they have been linked to cancer and other illnesses. PDBEs have already been banned in Europe, but not in North America. Some medical researchers believe that the extra load of PDBEs in newly made mattresses will cause millions of cancer cases in the coming decades. Because you lie directly on your mattress for 8 hours every night, your body has its greatest contact with the dangerous PDBEs while you sleep, and they pass right through your skin.

The solution to the PDBE problem is to do what the Europeans already do, sleep on natural latex mattresses. Natural latex mattresses are made from the sap of the tropical rubber tree. Natural latex foam does not burn well, and most natural latex mattresses are also quilted with organic cotton and wool which makes them very fire resistant, complying with all current fire codes.

Latex foam comes a variety of densities for different firmness needs, and, unlike memory foam, it doesn't have to heat up to cradle the body--the effect is immediate. Most people find 100% natural latex foam mattresses to be incredibly comfortable, relieving pressure points and improving circulation. Another great characteristic of latex is its durability. Latex mattresses have been known to last up to 30 years. Because of their resilience, latex mattresses do not need to be turned like innerspring mattresses.

Because latex mattresses do not have innersprings, they require a firmer foundation than the traditional boxsprings. Latex mattresses can be used with a platform bed, a slat foundation which looks like traditional boxsprings, but has slats on the top, or a solid wood foundation, which also looks like boxsprings but has a plywood top usually covered by fabric.

Chemical-free natural latex mattresses are produced by a number of North American manufacturers, the largest of which are Vivetique - Crown City Mattress, located in South El Monte, California, and Obasan, located in Ottawa, Canada. There are also a number of European importers of natural latex foam mattresses, the biggest of which is Green Sleep from Belgium.

Retailers of natural latex mattresses include a variety of local mattress stores who carry products from these manufacturers. There are also nationwide web retailers, like Dax Stores, which usually have the best prices for these natural latex mattresses.

Mark Sweiger (msweiger@NOSPAMearthlink.net) is a freelance reporter on home and garden topics and ecological news. He recommends that you protect your health and safety by sleeping on chemical-free latex mattresses.

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Tuesday, January 13, 2009

A Foam Mattress Not The Old Mattress From Years Ago

A foam mattress that is made today is a little different than what was made years ago. They still fit any bed frame, but I remember my sister buying foam mattresses that were completely synthetic foam through and through. They just dont make those anymore. They didnt hold up very well and didnt offer much support. Now the mattresses are high tech with only the best in slow recovery foam for your bed frames.
If you truly want the old fashioned foam mattresses feel, and not the memory foam mattresses, you may have to settle for a foam pad for the top of the beds frame. A simple waffle, egg carton style foam pad can be purchased for a low amount of money. The memory foam pads are much more expensive, but the quality and durability is much greater as well. I happen to think the memory foam is very comfortable and more breathable. I think the foam pad is hot to sleep on. They come in different thicknesses at a third of the price of memory foam. You could even go to a fabric store and purchase a big piece of foam for just your side of the bed. They also offer different thicknesses of upholstery foam.
Now, more people want a memory foam mattress made of high tech foam and technology. If this is the way you want to go for a new mattress; check out http://www.bedding-4u.com and ask a few questions first before you buy:
What is the quality of the foam? The density of different layers and the manufacturers will all be different. You can get this information if you ask.
Ask the manufacturer how long they have been making that particular type of mattress and what are their customer responses. How is the firmness, sleep issues, and what is their return rate and return policy.
What kind of warranty does the mattress have and what does it cover? Will they pay for shipping if that is needed?
Do you need a new foundation for the mattress?
Do they offer a money back trial period? A foam mattress may be quite different from what you are currently used to and this policy may be a fiscally responsible question to find out. You should give yourself at least a few weeks trial period before you make a negative decision. Dont get caught in any restocking fees either.
You might get more questions answered from the small retailers as opposed to a big bedding retailer. Most times the sales people arent very well versed on the properties of the mattress.
You may want to consider buying a new bed and mattress as a two part process. Purchase the mattress of your liking such as a latex mattress and then buy a topper that feels really good to you. If the topper loses some of the support and properties over the years, you only need to replace the topper so it isnt so expensive.
Purchasing a mattress is an expensive proposition and can be a little bit of trial and error. I have a typical mattress and now I am ready for a memory foam topper. That way I dont have to spend hundreds more in buying the whole thing. A good night sleep is important so it is worth a little time and money to experiment with the right mattress and pad or topper for your sleeping comfort.

Bev Marshall is a successful freelance writer Aromatherapist and Feng Shui consultant offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying bedding, mattresses, comforters, bedspreads, and baby bedding. Her many articles can be found at http://www.bedding-4u.comShe gives information and tips to help you save money and make informed buying decisions.

Latex Mattresses Comfortable, Renewable and Biodegradable Beverly MarshallA latex mattress is not exactly the same thing as a memory foam bed. Latex is a naturally biodegradable sap from the rubber trees of Indonesia and Malaysia. It is collected in a process not unlike getting maple syrup from a tree. This liquid latex is shipped in drums to different parts of Europe and the United States where it is then turned into mattresses, toppers, and pillows. Since it is 100% natural and renewable; it is hypoallergenic and breathable because of the open cell structure to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Latex does not have the detrimental effects on the environment as other materials do because of the renewable properties. Bacteria or mold and mildew cannot live in latex mattresses, making them great for kids rooms. Studies prove that latex is three times more resistant to dust mites than traditional mattresses. Most memory foam beds have some form of self recovery foam. It may or may not be latex. Some people are severely allergic to latex. Be sure you ask exactly what your mattress is made of before you purchase. You will find a full mattress selection at http://www.beddingt-4u.com
A form of latex used in mattresses is blended and called Talalay. This latex is springy and less like a marshmallow. This process blends synthetics, chemical or petroleum additives with natural latex for a long lasting effect. It is also a good form of memory foam pad bedding. You do not have to flip these mattresses because of superior quality. Most of the mattresses include a removable satin skin casing. You will feel supported while sitting or laying down. Air mattresses or other styles of adjustable mattresses do not have the benefits of latex as you are sleeping on a pocket of air. They offer less body support and less relief on the pressure points than a latex mattress. The adjustability of the air beds is their only advantage over a newer latex foam mattress. You may also need to replace your traditional mattresses more often than the latex bed. Viscoelastic foam has a life of only about 10 years while natural latex is much longer. The advantages of latex mattresses have been studied and tested for over twenty years in Europe and it has been proven that latex offers a distinct comfort and support advantage over other sleep systems. If you want to feel good in more ways than one about your mattress purchase; buy a mattress made of biodegradable and renewable latex. It is good for your health and good for the environment.

Bev Marshall is a successful freelance writer Aromatherapist and Feng Shui consultant offering guidance and suggestions for consumers buying bedding, mattresses, comforters, bedspreads, and baby bedding. Her many articles can be found at http://www.bedding-4u.comShe gives information and tips to help you save money and make informed buying decisions.

 

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