How to Buy a Mattress 

You know you need a new mattress when:

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• Your mattress is full of marks and stains, and you wouldn't want your neighbor to see it. 
• There is a permanent imprint of your body, indentation or sag in the middle of the mattress which doesn't dissapear when you get up. 
• Your mattress or base squeaks, moans and groans when you sit or lie down. 
• You are fighting for bed space because your bed is too small or you are rolling towards each other without planning to. 
• Your mattress is in excess of ten years old. 

What to look for in a mattress: 

• DURABILITY - make sure the materials used are high quality as this will influence how long your mattress will provide you with good comfort and support. 
• SOFT OR FIRM - which is the correct support for you individually. Remember each person has an unique shape and body structure, so mattresses are not "one size fits all". Also remember that one persons idea of firm differs to the next. Different manufacturers firmness levels are not the same. 
• WEIGHT - all mattresses are weight rated. This means that they are designed to carry a certain number of kilograms per person. If your weight exceeds the kilogram rating of the mattress, per person, the mattress will not last as long and the support the mattress offers will be lessened. 
• WARRANTY - a minimum of a 10 year warranty will ensure that the mattress is of a reasonable quality and will last. The warranty should ensure that the product be replaced or repaired in the case of a defective product. 
• SPACE - space partly equates to comfort. Keep in mind the space constraints of the room where you want to put the bed. Buy the biggest bed you can for the space you have available. Keep in mind an extra length bed if you are taller than usual, this way your feet wont hang of the end of the bed. 

Shopping for your bed: 

• Don't dial for your bed. Whoever will be sleeping on the bed should go shopping for the bed. Take your sleeping partner with. 
• Wear comfortable clothes when going shopping for your bed and remember you will need to lie down on the beds completely in order to guauge whether the support is too firm or too soft. This is subjective and personal, so be sure to lie on the bed yourself. 
• Read the label on the bed to discover about features the bed may have that will be of value to you. 
• Shop at a store you trust and where the salesperson is helpful and knowledgeable on all the products. 
• Try and establish your budget before going shopping, but remember it may have been 10 years or more since you last bought a bed, so prices could be higher than you think. 
• Familiarize yourself with bed styles and construction, ie. different technologies: bonnel springs, pocket springs, foam, memory foam, cotton, wool, latex. 
• The "base or foundation", does your current one need replacing or can you buy the mattress only. Buying the mattress only will save you a substantial amount of money. 
• Be aware of gimmicks such as: trade - ins, excessive discounts, free pillows, free beds etc. What you want is the best value for money. 
• Most important of all, personal preference, don't be swayed by sales talk. The bed that is comfortable for you is the one you should buy.