Mattress

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A mattress is a mat or pad, usually placed atop a bed, upon which to sleep or lie.

The word mattress is derived from Arabic words meaning "to throw" and "place where something is thrown" or "mat, cushion." During the Crusades, Europeans adopted the Arabic method of sleeping on cushions thrown on the floor, and the word materas eventually descended into Middle English through the Romance languages.^[1]

Though a mattress may be placed directly on the floor, it is usually placed atop a platform (such as a bed or a metal spring foundation) to be further from the ground. Historically, mattresses have been filled with a variety of natural materials, including straw and feathers. Modern mattresses usually contain either an innerspring core or materials such as latex, viscoelastic, or other polyurethane-type foams. Mattresses may also be filled with air or water.

Contents 1 History 2 Mattress dimensions 3 Components of an innerspring mattress 3.1 Spring mattress core 3.1.1 Types of coils 3.2 Air Mattresses 3.3 Foam Mattresses 3.4 Foundation 3.5 Upholstery layers 4 Mattress quality 5 Maintenance and care 6 Trivia 7 Notes 8 See also 9 External links

[edit] History

• Neolithic period: The mattress and bed are invented. Beds are raised off the ground to avoid drafts, dirt, and pests. The first mattress probably consists of a pile of leaves, grass, or possibly straw, with animal skins over it.
• 3600 B.C.E.: Beds made of goatskins filled with water are used in Persia.
• 3400 B.C.E.: Egyptians sleep on palm boughs heaped in the corners of their homes.
• 200 B.C.E.: Mattresses in Ancient Rome consist of bags of cloth stuffed with reeds, hay, or wool; the wealthy use feather stuffing.
• 15th century: During the Renaissance, mattresses are made of pea shucks, straw, or sometimes feathers, stuffed into coarse ticks, and covered with velvets, brocades, or silks.
• 16th and 17th centuries: Mattresses are stuffed with straw or down and placed atop a bed consisting of a timber frame with support latticeworks of rope or leather.
• Early 18th century: Mattresses are stuffed with cotton or wool.
• Mid 18th century: Mattress covers begin to be made of quality linen or cotton. The mattress cane box is shaped or bordered, and fillings include natural fibers such as coconut fibre, cotton, wool, and horsehair. The mattress is tufted or buttoned to attach the stuffing to the cover and the edges are stitched.
• 1857: The steel coil spring is invented and is first patented for use in chair seats.
• 1865: The first coil spring construction for bedding is patented.
• 1871: The German Heinrich Westphal invents the innerspring mattress. He later died in poverty, never having profited from his invention.
• 1873: Sir James Paget presents a waterbed designed by Neil Arnott to St. Bartholomew's Hospital as a treatment and prevention of pressure ulcers.
• 1895: A few waterbeds, which resemble large hot water bottles, are sold via mail order by the British store Harrod’s.
• Late 19th century: The box-spring is invented, making mattresses less lumpy.
• 1900: James Marshall invents the pocket coil mattress
• 1906: Sealy Mattress Company forms after buying all patents and knowledge from a local inventor.
• 1929: The most expensive mattresses are constructed of latex rubber and are produced by Dunlopillow.
• 1930s: Innerspring mattresses and upholstered foundations become widely used, and artificial fillers become common. Pocket spring mattresses, which consist of individual springs sewn into linked fabric bags, are introduced.
• 1940s: The futon is introduced in North America.
• 1950: Sealy introduced the Posturepedic mattress designed in conjunction with Orthopedic surgeons.
• 1950s: Foam rubber mattresses and pillows are available for purchase.
• 1960s: The modern waterbed is introduced and gains its first widespread use with the invention of vinyl. Adjustable beds gain popularity.
• 1980s: Air mattresses constructed of vinyl are introduced.
• 1987: Select Comfort introduces the Sleep Number bed with dual-adjustable firmness air chambers.
• 1992: The Swedish company Tempur-Pedic introduces a mattress of memory foam.

[edit] Mattress dimensions

Most mattresses have a thickness from 6 to 18 inches (15.24 to 45.72 cm).

International Mattress Sizes Dimensions are in inches (centimeters).
Denomination	USA & Canada	Europe (UK)	Asia (Thailand)
Twin/Single	39 × 75 (99.1 × 190.5)	36 × 75 (91.4 × 190.5)	42 × 78 × 22 (106.7 × 198.1 × 55.9)
Twin/Single XL	39 × 80 (99.1 × 203.2)
Double/Full	54 × 75 (137.2 × 190.5)	54 × 75 (137.2 × 190.5)	48 × 78 × 22 (121.9 × 198.1 × 55.9)
Double/Full XL	54 × 80 (137.2 × 203.2)
Queen	60 × 80 (152.4 × 203.2)
Olympic/Expanded Queen	66 × 80 (167.4 × 203.2)
California Queen	60 × 84 (152.4 × 213.4)
King	76 × 80 (193 × 203.2)	60 × 78 (152.4 × 198.1)	72 × 78 × 22 (182.9 × 198.1 × 55.9)
California King	72 × 84 (182.9 × 213.4)
Super King		70.87 × 78.74 (180 × 200)
Grand King	80 × 98 (203.2 × 248.9)

[edit] Components of an innerspring mattress

A common innerspring mattress consists of three components: the spring core, the foundation, and the upholstery layers.

[edit] Spring mattress core

The core of the mattress supports the sleeper’s body. Modern spring mattress cores, often called "innersprings," are made up of steel coil springs, or "coils."

The quotation below, borrowed from The Mattress & Sleep Company - Myths & Concerns talks about how coil count maybe isn't as important as most people are led to believe.

Although coil count is a consideration one might have when choosing a new mattress, it certainly should not be the deciding factor. Keep in mind that there are a number of different factors that contribute to the comfort, durability and support offered by a particular innerspring.

Innerspring (coil) design, gauge (thickness) of wire, number of turns, metal composition, tempering, and so on, all contribute to the potential of a particular innerspring.

Also keep in mind that as the coil count increases, the diameter of each individual coil will decrease. You still have to fit all of those springs in the same amount of space!

An interesting fact: Vera Wang by Serta, a highly regarded brand, feature queen size beds with “only” 532 coils. Stearns & Foster, another highly regarded brand, feature queen size beds with “only” 504 coils. ^[2]

The gauge of the coils is another factor which determines firmness and support. Coils are measured in quarter increments. The lower the number, the thicker the spring. In general, higher-quality mattress coils have a 14-gauge (1.63 mm) diameter. Coils of 14 to 15.5-gauge (1.63 to 1.37 mm) give more easily under pressure, while a 12.5-gauge (1.94 mm) coil, the thickest typically available, feels quite firm.

Connections between the coils help the mattress retain its shape. Most coils are connected by interconnecting wires; pocketed coils are not connected, but the pockets preserve the mattress shape.

[edit] Types of coils

There are four different types of mattress coils:

• Bonnell coils are the oldest and most common. First adapted from buggy seat springs of the 19th century, they are still prevalent in less expensive mattresses. Bonnell coils are hourglass-shaped, and the ends of the wire are knotted or wrapped around the top and bottom circular portion of the coil and self-tied.
• Marshall coils, also called "pocketed coils," are each wrapped in a fabric encasement and usually are tempered, or in the case of the Simmons Beautyrest carbon magnesium is added. Some manufacturers pre-compress these coils, which makes the mattress firmer and allows for motion separation between the sides of the bed.
• Offset coils are designed to hinge, thus conforming to body shape. They are very sturdy, stable innersprings that provide great support.
• Continuous coils Work by a hinging effect, similar to that of offset coils. They are excellent at distributing body weight, and limiting motion transfer, as well as roll together.

[edit] Air Mattresses

Air mattresses use an air chamber instead of springs to provide support. Quality and price can range from very cheap ones that are used for camping and temporary places to sleep all the way up to high-end luxury beds. When compared to inner-spring mattresses, the price is generally comparable.

Recent innovations to air beds include the ability to adjust the firmness of the mattress, and the ability to maintain different settings for each side of a larger mattress. One such company is Select Comfort. They were established in 1987 and sell a patented adjustable, air-chamber designed sleep system.

[edit] Foam Mattresses

Foam mattresses use latex foam or viscoelastic memory foam instead of springs to provide support. Since foam varies in quality, prices can vary widely. Tempur-Pedic is the leader in the foam bed industry, due to highly-recognized TV commercials and direct mail pieces advertising its Swedish Foam Sleep System. Initially developed at NASA Ames Research Center in the early 1970s, the original material was designed to relieve the pressure experienced by astronauts during lift-off. Fagerdala World Foams of Sweden spent a decade and millions of dollars in research before perfecting a new advance formula, Tempur. Today, more and more people are turning to healthy alternatives such as latex foam in addition to memory foam, both providing a hypo-allergenic sleeping surface that is also mold/mildew resistant, while also instantly responding to touch and temperature. Most other mattress manufacturers offer a line of memory foam mattresses.

[edit] Foundation

There are three main types of foundations.

• Box-springs consist of a rigid frame which contains extra-heavy-duty springs. This type of foundation contributes to softer support and a bouncier mattress. Because box-springs can cause mattresses to sag, many manufacturers add high-density block foam underneath the coils or provide a rigid foundation instead.

• Traditional wood foundations are usually made of soft woods, such as pine, or hard woods, such as poplar. They usually consist of seven or eight support slats covered with cardboard or beaverboard. This type of foundation, called a zero deflection unit in the bed industry, increases the feeling of firmness and stability.

• Grid foundations are a combination of steel and wood.

[edit] Upholstery layers

Upholstery layers cover the mattress and provide cushioning and comfort. Some manufacturers call the mattress core the "support layer" and the upholstery layer the "comfort layer." The upholstery layer consists of three parts: the insulator, the middle upholstery, and the quilt.

The insulator separates the mattress core from the middle upholstery. It is usually made of fiber or mesh and is intended to keep the middle upholstery in place.

The middle upholstery comprises all the material between the insulator and the quilt. It is usually made from materials which are intended to provide comfort to the sleeper, including regular foam, viscoelastic foam, felt, polyester fibers, cotton fibers, convoluted (“egg-crate”) foam, and non-woven fiber pads.

The quilt is the top layer of the mattress. Made of light foam or fibers stitched to the underside of the ticking, it provides a soft surface texture to the mattress and can be found in varying degrees of firmness. The protective fabric cover which encases the mattress is called ticking. It is usually made to match the foundation and comes in a wide variety of colors and styles. Most ticking is made of synthetic fibers like polyester, or acrylic; or of natural materials such as latex, cotton, silk, and wool.

[edit] Mattress quality

Many parameters determine mattress quality. Laboratory test methods have been established for some of these parameters, such as pressure distribution, skin microclimate, hygiene, edge support, and long-term stability. Many of these have been developed by Dr. Duncan Bain, working on behalf of the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.^[3]

Other parameters, such as firmness, are more specific to the sleeper. In general, firm mattresses are recommended for stomach and some back sleepers, soft mattresses are recommended for side sleepers, and medium mattresses are recommended for the majority of back sleepers. Some brands offer mattresses with one softer side and one firmer side, or with adjustable firmness levels, to accommodate sleepers who share a bed.

[edit] Maintenance and care

The Better Sleep Council suggests that a quality mattress should provide 8 to 10 years of good support and comfort. This is an approximation, as many different things may factor into the lifespan one may expect to receive from their mattress.

Mattresses should be placed atop a firm base to prevent sagging. Mattresses should be rotated approximately once every three months to ensure even wear; in addition, two sided mattresses should be turned over (flipped) twice per year. Folding and bending of the mattress should be avoided if possible, as should heavy wear in one spot and excessive weight on the handles. Mattresses should not be soaked, lest mildew develop inside the upholstery; instead, they can be cleaned with a vacuum or with mild surface cleanser and a slightly damp cloth. Mattress Protectors help prevent stains and soiling of the ticking.

Once a mattress no longer feels supportive and instead seems to contribute to body pain or stiffness, it should be replaced. Some symptoms of a broken or worn out mattress include springs which can be felt poking through the upholstery layer, visible permanent sagging or deformity, lumpiness, and excessive squeaking.

[edit] Trivia

• United States law requires all new mattresses, pillows, upholstered chairs, and similar stuffed articles to be sold with a tag, the law label, describing the fabric and filling. The tag previously read, "Do not remove under penalty of law," which caused some consumers to believe that they could be arrested for cutting it off. The wording has since been changed to reflect that it is legal for the consumer to remove the tag from a mattress after purchase.^[4] Some states require tags on used bedding as well.^[5]

• In Douglas Adams' novel, Life, the Universe and Everything, most mattresses are described as previously living creatures who resided on the planet Squornshellous Zeta. They are often slaughtered, freeze-dried, and then slept on, and they seem to have no problem with this process.

[edit] Notes

[edit] See also

• Adjustable bed
• Bed frame
• Bedding
• Cushion
• Mattress Protectors
• Platform bed
• Sleep
• Standard sizes of commercial bedding
• TEMPUR

[edit] External links

• "Buying Guide: Mattresses," Choice.
• "Going to the Mattresses" by Seth Stevenson, Slate Magazine. – Advice about brands and terminology
• "Mattress Comparison Tool" – Online tool for comparing different mattress types using health, comfort, use, maintenance and buyer criteria.
• "Mattress Facts," The Better Sleep Council. – Advice about beds, mattresses, and bedding
• "Selecting an Innerspring Mattress" by Leona Hawks, Utah State University Extension.
• "Mattress." Balashon: Hebrew Language Detective. – Notes on the etymology of the word mattress
• "What's The Best Mattress," an excellent consumer discussion forum on mattresses.