Mattress advice?

There_Goes_Trouble

I think I need a new mattress and/or pillows as I'm getting a lot of neck pain, which goes away after a few nights in the spare bedroom. Trouble is, I don't have any spare cash so I can't really afford anything expensive. I don't think I have a major neck problem as I sleep in beds in other peoples houses and hotels etc, and go camping with no problems. I think it's just that my mattress is about ten years old, it wasn't an expensive one to start with and a few springs 'went' a few years ago which I covered with a cheap topper!!

So, does anyone have any experiences with the cheaper end of the mattress range? I've looked at Ikea but their sizes don't match up with my bed frame. I also looked at Argos, they have a futon mattress half price until Tuesday, I have slept on a futon sofa bed at a friends house for a few nights years ago and found it ok, are they suitable for every day use?
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/6369659/Trail/searchtext%3EFUTON.htm

donmaico

There_Goes_Trouble wrote: »

I think I need a new mattress and/or pillows as I'm getting a lot of neck pain, which goes away after a few nights in the spare bedroom. Trouble is, I don't have any spare cash so I can't really afford anything expensive. I don't think I have a major neck problem as I sleep in beds in other peoples houses and hotels etc, and go camping with no problems. I think it's just that my mattress is about ten years old, it wasn't an expensive one to start with and a few springs 'went' a few years ago which I covered with a cheap topper!!

So, does anyone have any experiences with the cheaper end of the mattress range? I've looked at Ikea but their sizes don't match up with my bed frame. I also looked at Argos, they have a futon mattress half price until Tuesday, I have slept on a futon sofa bed at a friends house for a few nights years ago and found it ok, are they suitable for every day use?
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/6369659/Trail/searchtext%3EFUTON.htm

Have you thought of a memory mattress? - http://www.snugmattress.co.uk/departments/memory-foam-mattresses-27.aspx#super-coolmax-memory-foam-mattress
some people with back problems I know swear by them

Tim_Deegan

There_Goes_Trouble wrote: »

I think I need a new mattress and/or pillows as I'm getting a lot of neck pain, which goes away after a few nights in the spare bedroom. Trouble is, I don't have any spare cash so I can't really afford anything expensive. I don't think I have a major neck problem as I sleep in beds in other peoples houses and hotels etc, and go camping with no problems. I think it's just that my mattress is about ten years old, it wasn't an expensive one to start with and a few springs 'went' a few years ago which I covered with a cheap topper!!

If some of the springs failed a few years ago, then it is almost deffinately your mattress that is causing your problem. You should never try to revive an old worn out or broken mattress by using a topper, as the support from the springs underneath is more important than any quilting on top.

Once a few springs start to fail, then there is more pressure on the surrounding springs, so they tend to also fail, and so on in a domino effect.

What was the make and model of your mattress, and do you know what type of springs it contains.

There_Goes_Trouble wrote: »

So, does anyone have any experiences with the cheaper end of the mattress range? I've looked at Ikea but their sizes don't match up with my bed frame. I also looked at Argos, they have a futon mattress half price until Tuesday, I have slept on a futon sofa bed at a friends house for a few nights years ago and found it ok, are they suitable for every day use?
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/6369659/Trail/searchtext%3EFUTON.htm

The trouble is that you are looking in the wrong place. If I were you I would stay away from big brand names and big chain stores if you want good quality at a low price, and shop on line from a seller who gives a proper satisfaction guarantee that allows you to actually unpack and sleep on the mattress. This way it is in their interest to make sure that you make the right choice the first time.

Futon mattresses don't really give good enough support for every day use, unless you go for a very expensive on. And even then I don't think they come up to the standard of support you get from a sprung mattress.

Tim_Deegan

donmaico wrote: »

Have you thought of a memory mattress? - http://www.snugmattress.co.uk/departments/memory-foam-mattresses-27.aspx#super-coolmax-memory-foam-mattress
some people with back problems I know swear by them

You can't get a good quality memory foam mattress for a low price (as the OP needs).

donmaico

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

You can't get a good quality memory foam mattress for a low price (as the OP needs).

i just put the idea of that kind of mattress in her mind .i have no idea what good quality ones fetch or where to get one , but they seem good idea and my wife wants one too now

Mayflower10cat

Our first two mattresses were the cheapest we could find, both lasted around 8 & 9 years each. Both from MFI......! We also struggled along on a family hand-me-down for a few years. It was only when we bought a decent pocket sprung mattress that we realised how incredibly uncomfortable we'd been for so many years. I do still have stiffness in my neck from time to time; I find changing pillows every six months or so really helps. I bought a strange looking posture pillow recently, with a trough in the middle, was supposed to really support your head/neck. Quite firm and I struggled to get used to it. Then started waking with the dreaded sore neck again, so I ditched it and used a new, soft, (cheapo!) hollowfibre pillow from the guest bedroom and three nights later, my neck is much improved!

Tim_Deegan

donmaico wrote: »

i just put the idea of that kind of mattress in her mind .i have no idea what good quality ones fetch or where to get one , but they seem good idea and my wife wants one too now

They are a very good idea, but the trouble is that there is a lot of rubbish on the market, and there are a lot that are very very over priced. Here is some general advice (not sales hype) on memory foam mattresses:

The most common memory foam mattresses on the market are the reflex foam and memory foam type. However the reason they are the most common is because any idiot can make one, and therefore loads of companies have sprung up to jump on the memory foam band wagon. All they do is take a slab of reflex foam, then glue a layer of memory foam to it. Most of them then vacuum pack and roll them up to make them cheap to transport. there are also quite a few imports from China that don't meet European standards, and should be avoided.

Then there are the open coil sprung with memory foam type. This type give equal support to the reflex/memory foam type, but are much cooler due to the fact that air can circulate through the spring layer, and dissipate the heat from the memory foam.

The best type for support are the pocket sprung with memory foam type, as the pocket springs will contour to your body, and then the memory foam will actually mould to your shape giving even support without causing pressure points. With this type of mattress you have to be very careful, as there are quite a few on the market that contain the reflex foam encapsulated type of pocket springs. These springs are usually smaller than the full size steel pocket springs, and are inferior as far as support goes. I have even seen them with plastic or even foam springs. As long as you go for one with full size steel pocket springs, then air should be able to circulate through the spring layer.

Most memory foam mattresses on the market are non turn, and they will tell you that this is for your convenience. This is actually complete rubbish, and the real reason is because the memory foam is the most expensive part of the mattress. Non turn mattresses won't last as long as a two sided turnable mattress, especially if they contain pocket springs. But there are two sided pocket sprung/memory foam mattresses on the market.

The memory foam layer should be between 2" and 2.5" deep (2" if you don't like to be too warm in bed), and the optimum density should be between 60 and 70kg per m3.

Some memory foam mattresses come with an option of climate control fabrics like Climasmart or Outlast, that help to regulate the temperature.

Make sure you buy from a seller who gives a satisfaction guarantee, as it will be in their interest to make sure that you make the right purchase the first time.

Stay well away from the big brand names, and the big chain stores, then you will get far more for your money.

Tim_Deegan

Mayflower10cat wrote: »

Our first two mattresses were the cheapest we could find, both lasted around 8 & 9 years each. Both from MFI......! We also struggled along on a family hand-me-down for a few years. It was only when we bought a decent pocket sprung mattress that we realised how incredibly uncomfortable we'd been for so many years. I do still have stiffness in my neck from time to time; I find changing pillows every six months or so really helps. I bought a strange looking posture pillow recently, with a trough in the middle, was supposed to really support your head/neck. Quite firm and I struggled to get used to it. Then started waking with the dreaded sore neck again, so I ditched it and used a new, soft, (cheapo!) hollowfibre pillow from the guest bedroom and three nights later, my neck is much improved!

As strange as it may seem the cheapest mattresses often last a long time. This is because they are usually Bonnell open coil sprung, which are the most robust of spring types. We also tend not to notice when the quilting is wearing thin, because it is gradual, and we become used to the uncomfortable mattress, and being able to feel the springs.

As far as pillow go, the moulded type of memory foam pillows don't suit many people. This is because they are shaped, but we are all different shapes, and one size really doesn't fit all. The best type of memory foam pillow that I have found is the memory fill type. These are normal shaped pillows that are filled with memory foam granules. So they adjust to our individual shape and sleeping position. If you like extra height, then it is best to use a normal pillow under the memory fill one.

dizziblonde

Might be worth checking if your old mattress with the broken springs has some form of guarantee on it? We've just had one replaced under a guarantee arrangement where the pockets the springs were in had burst and I was sleeping on a collapsed section of springing for a good few months (delay only due to husband losing the reciept and needing to get a copy bank statement through to prove the transaction - nothing against the company who moved fast when we got things together at our end). Having had it replaced... it's bliss again now!

Tim_Deegan

dizziblonde wrote: »

Might be worth checking if your old mattress with the broken springs has some form of guarantee on it? We've just had one replaced under a guarantee arrangement where the pockets the springs were in had burst and I was sleeping on a collapsed section of springing for a good few months (delay only due to husband losing the reciept and needing to get a copy bank statement through to prove the transaction - nothing against the company who moved fast when we got things together at our end). Having had it replaced... it's bliss again now!

It's very unlikely to be covered, as it is 10 years old.

Mayflower10cat

Tim_Deegan wrote: »

The best type of memory foam pillow that I have found is the memory fill type. These are normal shaped pillows that are filled with memory foam granules. So they adjust to our individual shape and sleeping position. If you like extra height, then it is best to use a normal pillow under the memory fill one.

Ah, I've seen something like that recently and wondered if it'd be comfier. Must go and rest my head on a few and see!