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Several years ago I switched from the standard mattress and box springs to a futon mattress and have never slept better. Just replaced the classic cotton and foam model with an innersping futon mattress and it has been wonderful. Firm but not hard; I sleep deeply and soundly, which I never did on a conventional mattress set up.

Not everyone's choice, but one you might consider. Also a lot less expensive than a standard mattress and box springs.

I think you have to try them out, and spend as much as you can afford - it's worth the investment.

I have an Aireloom Serenity pillow top (I just had to flip it to find that out, which is part of keeping a mattress in good shape) It was guaranteed for an unusually long time (20 yrs...maybe 25. Hand-tied blah blah blah) Mine is wonderful after eight or so years.

The whole set with box springs made an Alice In Wonderland scenario at my house . . . an antique high bedframe with four or five feet of bed, it was hilarious. And would have required a ladder to get into. So watch out for that . . .

I don't have a box spring now, just a stable base.
It was a nightmare getting the company (think it was Sleepy's in Chelsea) to honor their 'money back guarantee' to take it back even though it was immediately obvious that the box spring had to go back. I had to get a tv consumer reporter to call them (good thing I knew one.)

The fact that EVERYONE should really get a new mattress after a certain number of years, means that really, if everyone did, where do those mattresses go?

I think that some there is, or ought to be, a place where old mattresses go, so they can be recycled in one way, or another. Where they can be torn apart, and all the guts of them disinfected and then have all the stuff sent back to a factory.

OR ... where they open up a hole in one end, and pour some Kwikrete concrete powder stuff, and then soak the whole thing in water, creating big pre-cast concrete blocks that they could ship to developing nations, to build sturdy affordable housing. Or create cool-enough-looking ones that people HERE would actually WANT to live in them!

At a certain point, it occurred to me that I, too, had had a mattress that was 12 years old, so I can understand time sneaking up on you.

We got one of those 3-inch "memory foam" mattres toppers ($110 from Overstock.com) for a cheap and old mattress this year. It works great. I totally forget how crappy the mattress is.

Memory foam from Room & Board (http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/coll.do?coll=RB1410&dept=RB122)

It took one night to get used to it but now it is unbelievable. You won't toss and turn at all. There are other places that sell similar ones that have less % foam so they are slightly softer. We had friends get theirs which is softer than the Room & Board ones from an on-line place in Georgia I believe.

We also opted for memory foam, but went with a brand from Sleep's. Posturetemp, I think. Anyway, liked it better than the memory foam topper we used to have, and have had really good nights sleep on it. The dog also loves it.

My mattress is also 12 years old. It was a really great "green" mattress with replaceable foam (zips open to flip the foam or to replace it), which I did replace but I know I now need a new one. Everytime I think about it, I am horrified at how much mattresses cost and say, "I'll just think about that tomorrow."

Ugh, double post. Sorry.

I have a Room & Board memory foam mattress, too. It takes a few nights to get used to, but now that I am used to it, I hardly ever toss and turn. I'll often wake up in the same position I went to bed in (which can be bad cause that can give me headaches). They're kinda like sleeping on a really flat, wide, chubby girl ... lol.

Does anyone have a Tempurpedic?

I purchased a tempurpedic about 4 months ago. It is the best matress I have ever slept on period. Before this mattress I had the usual poor sleep for weeks on end; waking up with a sore back and being groggy all day long.

Funny story: Last night there was a car crash directly outside of my bedroom window, which was wide open. Neither me or my girlfriend heard the crash. We did wake up at some point to flashing lights from the cop cars.

Tempurpedic is worth every penny.

I've heard Temperpedic can get really warm. Is that true?

My husband and I need a new mattress, because ours is not working for us and we also want to get a king-sized bed. However, he needs a firmer bed because of a bad back, and I actually get a bad back from sleeping on the hard mattresses he likes. So, we may have to investigate those dial-a-number mattresses. Any feedback on those?

Long's Bedding on West 72nd is the place to go.

My wife and I bought a Tempurpedic mattress (to go with our Modernica Case Study bed) a few months ago and absolutely love it. The first few nights I thought it was a little warm, but not any more. That may be part of getting used to it. We both had trouble sleeping on our old, worn out mattress, and even a four inch memory foam topper didn't help that much. My wife was still getting backaches even with the topper. All gone since we got the Tempurpedic. Best purchase we ever made.

I'm also in the market for a new mattress, and after trying out a few at a store yesterday I did a little research online and found this site: http://www.chem-tox.com/guest/guestbook.html (Sorry--not sure how to make it a link.) I can't vouch for the validity of the information, but it emphasized the need to fully understand the ins and outs of the return/exchange policy on whatever mattress I end up buying. And it freaked me out to think about all the human and environmental effects these chemicals are surely having...

Fiona--The little experience I had with Temper, was that they were super soft. Do they even have the usual outter covering? Don't know about heat.
I'd check out the Room & Board, or DWR mattresses. I normally like a firm bed, but the memory foam is almost a mix of super soft, and yet still firm. I _think_ you can also get those mattresses mix 'n' match. Half 'n' half, like 'za. Get half firm, and half soft. Or maybe I'm going crazy and remembering wrong.

The sonno mattresses a DWR are very good memory foam mattresses. I have been sleeping on one for the last 4 months and I have never slept so good.

My mother had a tempurpedic. She slept on it for a week and could not handle the heat of the mattress.

She returned it and got a Sealy Posturpedic. She now sleeps in peace, minus the times I call her late at night to chat. *smile*

thanks AT - I just slept on a cuddle ewe this weekend at a rustic resort we were at - it was very nice, especially with french linens.

what does everyone think of the duxiana mattresses? are they worth the price?

i just replaced my 28-year-old mattress. yeah, i know.

this place has a good selection of all-natural (non-toxic) mattresses. since you spend so much time on it, you might want to consider what the stuff inside is made of. an added advantage is that most are biodegradable when you're done. they have a showroom just past the PA border.

http://www.theorganicmattressstore.com/

I bought a sonno foam mattress from DWR last year. It is the BEST mattress so far. I NEVER wake up with my neck hurting or any body aches.

It is truly amazing. It comes rolled up, very handy if one is moving!

-donna

I was poisoned by a Tempurpedic mattress! The fumes from the chemicals in the mattress made my husband and I ill and polluted our apartment. Please be careful when buying your mattress. These new age mattresses can be toxic and ruin your health.

I am trying to find out if anyoe thinks the duxiana bed 7100 or any other model is worth the money?

Can anyone help me out here?: How does one know if indeed it is the fault of ones mattress that causes a bad nights sleep? I would hate to spend the money on a new one and still have bad nights. Thanks for any responses.

Tried special foam mattresses from different manufacturers. They are not for everyone. I found them too hot generally, unpleasant to get into bed when the room temperature is low (like laying on the sidewalk), and didn't like the feel overall--. Ended up with a Stearns & Foster euro-pillow top queen-sized for about $1200 that is like sleeping in a fancy hotel every night. Firm generally but all cushy on top to conform to the body. I've never felt anything so comfortable in my life. The mattress is so thick (maybe 16" or 17") you can't possibly use it with a box-spring, though.

I've been using a Natura Latex mattress for the last 6 or 7 years. Couln't be happier. Scott Jordan Furniture has the most knowledgable sales staff around when it comes to explaining the benefits of Latex bedding. It is a leap of faith to switch from a traditional spring mattress, but well worth it. The problem with off gassing is not from the latex itself , but with the binders that are used to transform the latex ( sap from the rubber tree- liquid at room temperatures) to a solid. Most of the memory foam, tempurpedic...mattresses are primarily synthetic, hence off gassing. I don't know if SJF still carries the Natura , a Canadian based natural bedding company , but worth checking out. And yes, the synthetics can be hot. That's why all of them have pinhole ventilation systems which provide some relief. And as for latex allergies, it is a non-issue. Latex allergies are caused by contact with protein in rubber that is removed during manufacturing with the Talalay process. It is not an "ambient" allergy. Sorry for the long post but hope this helps,,,,

I really love your website. The graphics are outstanding.

I'm thinking of getting a platform bed from Room and Board and their memory foam mattress. They say the box spring is obsolete but I have a hard time believing it. Does anyone have any comments on their memory foam mattress compared with a mattress and box spring?

The salesman at our local furniture store told me that he & his wife have a Temperpedic. He said that it works best if you sleep without pajamas. If that is true, does it also not require sheets? This seems very odd to me. Has anyone heard this?

I just purchased the most awesome bed ever from Sleepy: PostureTemp "Elite". This bed is a combination visco-elactic memory foam + tri-zone latex bed. ANY foam bed is best kept on a very flat solid base (not slats, they tend to bend). This wil provide you with the best support. I love this bed so much. It is SO much better than the Tempur-pedic bed, which left an indentation after I rolled over (annoying!) and the TP was more expensive. Go to Sleepy's and check out the PostureTemp series (only sold there) - especially the "Elite" model. For those who say it's a bit pricey: NO it's not!! It is worth every penny, you will see. (Besides, it is exactly the same as the more-expensive Dormia bed series (both made by Classic Sleep Products out of Jessup, MD). Thanks for reading, and happy sleeping everybody!!

Hi
My husband and I just bought a memory foam mattress. It feels really comfortable when you first lay down but no matter how frigid (yes I said frigid) we make it in the house we both wake up at night so hot we can hardly stand it. It wasn't a cheap mattress we spent 2000.00 for a queen set. I would say box spring and mattress but what it comes with is not really a box spring. Anyway does anyone know anything you can cover the mattress with that will cut down the heat it retains??

If you are bothered by the heat of your memory foam mattress there is something you can do. The store where I bought my bed sold a mattress cover made of gortex made especially for these foam mattresses. It helps them breath and wicks moisture which makes you sleep cooler on them. One of these will make you much more comfortable.

I recently purchased a memory foam bed. This is by far the worst bed i have ever slept in. The first feweeks were good and the all of a sudden its like sleeping in a hole every night. I am throwing it in the trash and buying a new pillow top matress today.

I have had a king size Aireloom Serenity pillow top for approx. 10 years and I absolutely love it. It's still in great shape and I only need to replace it because I'm moving cross country and can't bring it with me. My 5 kids have taken turns at sometime or another sleeping in it and also have commented on how comfortable my bed is to sleep in. My policeman son has a couple of times crashed in my bed while I was away to ensure a good night's sleep. I want to replace it and I hope to get the same if not comparable. I definitely will go with an Aireloom again.

I bought the Vanessa Airloom and it isn't even 30 days yet. The problem is the bed has two big indentations where I sleep and my husband sleeps. This is not going to last long like that it should spring back..Anyone know if it is a defect.
Thanks, Sharon

Hello,
I just bought the same mattress and felt like i was "pushed" into it. Sharon, what did you do with yours? Hows is it now?

Thanks
J
Vanessa Airloom

Used queen Duxiana ($300)with a new latex top from a california company (125.00). Save the enclosure.. throw out old topper. Crescent Moon alpaca topper pad and a Crescent Moon alpaca duvet. Crescent Moon alpaca pillows. (500 .)
Organic pure linen sheets. Rawganique. (300 )

New organic Natura, with a natura king size wool pillow. ($1800)Same Crescent Moon alpaca topper, duvet and same Rawganique organic French linen sheets.
Wool mattress from a man in the midwest.(Highpoint)

You will feel the difference.

Get a ThermoPlush mattress. They're a memory foam style mattress. I've had several clients put them in their homes, and they're the nicest mattresses I've ever seen. I've ha nothing but the highest reviews. All of them say they sleep better than ever. (and because they're high end memory foam, they're designed to help with back backs, and joint pain)
in the past month and a half, 4 of my clients have got them - 2 ThermoPlush Premium, 1 Select, and one of their big tall one (Which looks terrible on a low profile bed, but they insisted on it...and i must say, they let me lay on it and it is amazing) Hope that helps!

I am a big fan of 'Sleep Aid' products. They are less well-known, but much higher quality, than Tempurpedic (in my opinion). The two best retailers as far as I know are this memory foam mattress site and this memory foam site.

Don't go synthetic.

Check out Essentia We're the only ones with natural memory foam.

Going natural is not only healther because there's no chemical offgassing but the foam is far more breathable so you won't get hot....a major issue with synthetic foams.

Luxuriously comfortable. You'll sleep like a baby.