The Mattress Expert

Mattress problems

Pat of Splendora, writes:
We need help quickly. Our 90 Day Comfort Guarantee is about to expire! I have never had so much trouble,in 40 years, buying a mattress until now. We bought a Serta Serenity plush queen mattress last August & don't like it. Right off we noticed we slept hot. Then, it seems like you are in a hole. We thought we would get used to it, but can't. My husband & I both have lower back problems & feel stiff in the mornings. I am getting so confused at all the different kinds of mattresses (coil, memory foam, latex, etc) We have to make a decision this week. I think we might go back to coil type but without memory foam, if possible, Can you give us some input. I wish I had found this site sooner. Thanks.

Hi Pat,
40 years ago, there were only 2 types of innerspring...and latex...and they were all firm. About 27 years ago, a study showed that "firm" wasn't necessarily a good thing...that having some cushioning would optimize the quality of sleep.
Since then, year by year, mattresses have gotten thicker and softer. You see, the thicker and softer beds don't last as long. You have to buy them more frequently. And it was also discovered, while moving in that direction, that real money could be made by turning a utilitarian commodity into a luxury item. Salesmen started referring to certain mattresses as being like driving a Mercedes or a Lexus. "The Cadillac of the Line" was the first catch phrase I recall.
It was great....for the industry. When everyone saw how easily the American consumer was buying into all that nonsense, that's when it really got bad. Huge mattress chain stores sprung up and the factories stopped caring so much about their smaller family owned retailers and began cartering to the large chains. This started a downward trend for the consumer that none of you were aware of. As the factories came to rely on the increasingly large volume of business from the mega chains, the owners of those chains began to demand special treatment. Greed took over, much as it did on Wall St. The mega chains demanded special specifications for their mattresses, (and usually not for the better...as the point was to increase profits). The point being that they are impossible to shop and they could then artificially inflate the prices. They spend a ton of money on advertising and rely on that to drive their businesses. This would be in lieu of the "word of mouth" advertising that the family businesses had relyed on for decades.
And just when you thought things couldn't get any worse, memory foam hit the maket with its flood of TV and radio ads. They tell you over an over, what a great product it is....and you believe it. Despite the continual stream of negative reviews, you believe it.
At some point, all the factories jumped on the memory foam bandwagon. It feels good in the store and the luxury sells. It's the worst product ever produced for use in a mattress.
 
Well Pat, I'm gratified to see you are wise to it. I'm sorry that you had to learn it the hard way...as many before you have...and as many after you will.
Let me break it down for you. There foam mattresses and there are innersprings. Of the foams, memory foam is the worst, latex is the best and has been since the 1920s. Simmons has a new foam called NxG. The NxG is referred to as memory foam, but that isn't quite right. Memory foam is temperature sensitive...the single feature that makes it feel so good in the store and perform so poorly with use. The NxG is pressure sensitive, as latex is, and behaves much as latex does.
Of the innersprings, the continuous wire, used in the higher end Sertas, is the least durable. The other two main types are: the individually pocketed coils as in the Simmons and Stearns & Foster, and the interlocked coils used in the Sealy Posturepedic.
Sealy/Stearns & Foster (the same company) has drastically reduced their use of memory foam. The Posturepedics use only 1/2", which is of no consequence. Some of the S&F models have 1", which is used as a support layer just above the coils. There is no memory foam anywhere near the surface. Some other S&F models have no memory foam and have substituded the far superior latex in its place. Simmons Beautyrests are available with memory foam or latex...and some of the lesser expensive models with neither. Simmons has, at each level, a choice of wire guage. Insist upon the 13.75 gauge wire at all times.
Of the latex mattresses, the best value is in the Sealy SpringFree line...specifically the starting model, The Beachside.
40 years ago, the choices were simpler. The industry made it complicated. But you have the choice to not buy into the hype. There are plenty of good basic mattresses out there. 

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923
Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster
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Stearns & Foster H grade mattress

michael of Portland, writes:
Help!! I'm learning way too much about mattresses!!
We went today and laid on a Macy's English Meadows Luxury Firm. We really like it but would like to price shop.
What other names does this H grade mattress go under in our area.
Thanks for the help Mattress Expert

Hi Michael,
The model names are different at every store. Log onto www.stearnsandfoster.com and enter your zip code into the store locator section on the home page. All of the S&F dealers in your area will come up on the screen. Simply call around to see who has the "H" grade and how much it is. "H" grade is how the factory identifies it on the paperwork. Everyone will know what you're talking about, whether they seem to or not. They probably won't be happy that you know, but that's just tough nuggies. (Hope I spelled that right.)
We have it as the Blisswood and we'd be happy to send it to you. 

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Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster
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Spring Mattresses for an Adjustable Bed

Chor of Avon, Ohio, writes:
I am planning on buying an adjustable bed (made by Leggett and Pratt). I have tried memory foam mattresses on a flat bed before and had back aches from them. I would like to get a spring coil bed with the adjustable bed. The salesman at Mattress Warehouse recommends a Simmons Beautyrest which cost $416 (Queen size). He says that the springs in the Simmons Beautyrest are independent springs which can adjust to an adjustable bed. Your Blogs appear to discourage use of Spring mattresses for adjustable beds. I am confused! Help!

Hi Chor,
A Beautyrest will work on an adjustable bed. Make sure you get the 13.75 gauge wire in the coils. Memory foam is lousy stuff and shouldn't be thought of as your only foam choice. Latex is far superior and with none of the ill side effects of memory foam. It's your best choice for an adjustable bed. But then again, you won't get a latex mattress for anywhere near $416.
 
www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923
Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster
Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads and linens

Sealy Springfree Scarlet Oak mattress

Victoria of Clermont, writes:
I purchased a Springfree Sealy Mattress called Scarlet Oak But cannot find anything on the web about this particular mattress. It did not come with a Law tag? Have I been scammed...it was very dirty on the sides and one end.

Hi Victoria,
When a mattress is returned to the factory for credit, due to some sort of defect, those mattresses are loaded on a truck and sold to clearance centers as "salvage" bedding. Before sending them, the law tag is removed.
The scam comes at the clearance center level. They are required by law to sell them in as-is condition and are prohibited from selling them as new. However, that doesn't stop them from doing it.
Scarlet Oak is not a model name I've heard before. There are some non-latex foam mattresses that have recently been added to the Sealy SpringFree line. That could very well be one of them.
Your first call should be to the store that sold it to you. Further action is available, but may not be required.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923
Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster
Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads and linens

New queen mattress

Jackie M of Jersey, writes:
I am looking for a new Queen and I'm debating between the S&F Monet's Garden and the NxG 400. I am a side sleeper and looking for durability and comfort without being hot from memory foam. I like the feel of the NxG 400 but I'm concerned about the durability of the pillow top and it's about $1000 more then the S&F. Is the NxG really worth the money?

Hi Jackie,
According to my wife, Yes! Even though we have a perfectly good mattress, she's been bugging me for an NxG. But, I believe she had settled on the 250. Pillowtops are one of the two biggest sources of complaints. The 250 plush is really quite comfy. The Monet's Garden is the "N" grade Estate model. We have it as the Kimberley. The queen Kimberley runs $1349 for the plush and $1439 for the pillowtop. The NxG 250 is $2069.
The S&F model has a layer of memory foam and some poly foam. The NxG has latex and the NxG foam. That why the difference in cost....and comfort. Is it worth it to you? Only you can decide that.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923
Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster
Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads and linens

Sealy Pillowtop Mattress

Megan of Denver, CO, writes:
Hi, I am a 27 year old female and have been sharing a Sealy pillow top mattress with my husband for the past year and a half. We went out in search of a mattress that would help both of our backs. I tend to sleep on my stomach and am extremely restless. My husband sleeps on his side or stomach. It has been difficult for me to find something that will remain in good shape. There are incredible indents in our bed, even with rotatiting a quarter every month. The current mattress felt comfortable for the first few months and then it started to hurt like crazy. My lower back is killing me! It is to the point where I think we need to switch mattresses but it has only been a year and a half. I don't want to have to spend an arm and a leg for something that is comfortable. But my husband and I cannot continue to take turns sleeping on the floor because our backs hurt. ANY suggestions would be extremely helpful!

Hi Megan. You made a mistake that you can't fix. The good news is that you don't need to spend much to get a good night's sleep and you don't need to replace the boxspring. But you certainly can't live with what you have. You do not, however, want to repeat your mistake.
As a stomach sleeper, you require a mattress that is not so soft as to sink at your mid-section. This exaggerates the arch in the small of your back and this is were your pain is coming from. 
Get yourself a Sealy Posturepedic Reserve in a cushion firm tight-top, (meaning: not a pillowtop). The cushion firm models may seem a little firm at first, but your back will thank you for it. You can always add some plushness with a topper if you need more comfort. Adding a topper doesn't detract from the firm support. It just softens the surface. Also, a topper can easily and cheaply be discarded and replaced....as opposed to buying a new mattress every year and a half. The Reserve models are in the middle of the line and are the best value of all the Posturepedics. A king set sells for under $1000...mattress only, about $700.
 
www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923
Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster
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Latex mattress

Joyce of Nebraska, writes:
We are currenly looking for a new latex mattress and from reading your site have been wondering if you would recommend the sealy mattresses over the simmons naturalcare ones. Also as far as the sealy mattress go is there one that is in between the beachside and the weybride as far as firmness goes. My husband is a side and back sleeper and I prefer to sleep on my stomach. Could you give us any suggestions as to what might work the best for us? The last mattress we got we've only had for 3 months and there is such a crater on both sides that they are exchanging it for another one. It was a restonic innerspring. The 2 models they suggested for us were the rivercrest and whistlewood of the sealy springfree but they don't have any of them to try. We did try lying on a simmons natural care at a different store and it seemed very comfortable. We're just looking for the best mattress that will hold up. Thanks

Hi Joyce,
The River Crest and the Whistlewood are too soft for a stomach sleeper. There is a model between the Weybridge and Beachside, but it has a lot of poly foam. The Beachside is your best bet and it's plenty firm for your sleeping position, as well as being soft enough for his. It has that medium you seem to be looking for.
The Simmons Natural Care has latex in it, but also has a 6" poly foam core....not a latex core, like the Sealy.
The Beachside is the one we all have at home. It's a great bed.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923
Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster
Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads and linens

Replacing Sealy Posturepedic Radiance mattress

Kelly C of greensboro, writes:
I need to replace my Sealy Posturpedic Radiance mattress.  I bought it 15 years ago and would like to replace it with the same model but can't find it.  What is the equivalent? Thank you!

Hi Kelly,
The lines change every couple of years. There wouldn't be an exact equivalent. Look for the Reserve Series in the Posturepedic line, and then choose the comfort model that suits you. Do not be tempted to go softer than you had.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923
Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster
Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads and linens

Pillowtop mattresses

N of , writes:
Which is better?  Simmons Beautyrest World Class, Stern and Foster or Sealy Spring Free Pillow tops?
also, I have a latex allergy....salesmen are telling me the covering protects me and should cause me no issues because I am not in contact with the latex....True?

None of them...if you're talking about a pillowtop. Pillowtops lose their shape much too quickly and are the source of many of the complaints on this blog.
The best of them, as a non-pillowtop, is the Sealy SpringFree. If you want a plusher feel, the River Crest provides that.
The cover is not why your aren't affected by the latex. The Sealy latex is 100% synthetic. The allergens that are associated with natural latex aren't there. Even with natural latex, the process involved in making it into foam includes removing the allergens.
As it turns out, the salesman was right about the end result. You might want to let him know why. I'm sure he'd be more comfortable with the truth over that line of the BS he made up. 

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923
Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster
Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads and linens

S&F Wethersfield and Robson Street mattresses

Mark of Jackson, writes:
Peter, thank you in advance for all your advice. What other names do the S&F Wethersfield Luxury Firm and Robson Street Luxury Firm go by? I'd like to try both out in the stores before making a purchase.
Also, just to be sure, I have neck and shoulder pain. Do you think either mattress will be a good fit for me? I already own the Caravelle and find it too hard. I'd rather just exchange it as opposed to adding a topper because the bed is already so tall. I considered getting a low profile box spring, but I'd like to get a new frame in a couple years and don't want to have to get a new box spring.

Hi Mark,
The model names are different at every store....so shop for them by level. The Weethersfield is the "H" grade, same as our Blisswood. The Robson St. is the next level up, the "J" grade and is the same as our Duval St. They are made the same, with the Duval having a layer of memory foam that the Blisswood doesn't have.
Either way, you'll still be a little taller than the Caravelle.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923
Sealy, Simmons, Stearns & Foster
Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads and linens