The Mattress Expert

Looking to replace our Select Comfort mattress

Kay of Exeter, writes:
My husband and I could never get comfortable on our old Serta Perfect Sleeper pillow top cal king which had indentations that formed in the pillow top. He thought the bed was too firm as well. We both have arthritis. He has shoulder pain and my hips hurt. He rolls around a lot and I wake up all night with his bed motion and pulling the top sheet, etc. He's 5'10, 190lbs; I'm 5'8 135lbs. We liked the feel of the "Select Comfort" air bed in the showroom, but since we couldn't afford the king, we purchased a queen. We thought since we would be sleeping on separate air chambers, I wouldn't feel him move around so much. But for the 3 years we've owned it, we bump into each other all night, he rolls over and flops over onto my side constantly. One problem the SC system has with using separate firmnesses on the smaller bed, one side sinks and the person on the more firm side rolls down into the less firm side. SC sent us a foam liner which fits under my husband's side of the bed. It solved the dipping, but we just don't fit on the smaller bed.
We are both more comfortable and sleep much better when we visit a friend who has a split king adjustable bed in the guest room. Sleeping on the two separate twins is wonderful and we don't care about the adjustable part. We're thinking about looking for high quality twin beds and placing them on a king frame. We've read about latex and latex toppers and need advice on what would be the best quality and style for us, within a reasonable price range (under $2,000, if possible.)

Hi Kay,
If going with latex, you wouldn't need two twins. Latex transfers less motion and since it is better with pressure point relief, than anything else you've mentioned having, he won't toss and turn as much. It's the best you can do for that amount of money. We have a king Sealy SpringFree Beachside at home and don't feel one another get out or in.

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

Latex Mattress

Beau of New York, writes:
I am replacing my mattress which is sagging very badly in the middle and Im not really sure what to buy. I have a platform bed and do not require a boxspring. I like cushion firm or plush but nothing softer. I was looking at some of the springfree latex ones from Sealy and they seem great. I want to make sure I dont have the sagging problem again so I figured this would be good way to go. Any suggestions?

Hi Beau,
Latex is definately more resilient than any other material available. The Sealy SpringFree Beachside is the model used by me and two other family members....different beds.
However, there are other things to look at. The platform bed must have a brace beam going up the middle that supports all of the slats...and that beam should have, at least, 2 legs going to the floor. Otherwise, it could be your platform causing the sag.
Also, if you sleep alone, you'll have a tendency to sleep only in the middle. Your mattress will wear, wherever you exert pressure. If it's only in the middle, then it's in the middle where the wear will be. If you sleep alone, make an effort to sleep on either side, as wellas the middle...and don't forget to rotate your mattress. A new mattress should be rotated every month for the first year.

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

Vera Wang Latex Mattress

Michelle of Lyme, writes:
Hi,
We just went out and purchased a Vera Wang "Beyond Nature" by Serta Latex mattress. I am not sleeping as well as I thought. I even went out and bought a new latex pillow. Got any clues as to what may be going wrong? Did I get a sham for a mattress?
Thanks,

Hi Michelle,
The Serta Vera Wang Beyond Natural is one of those products that is sold as being a latex mattress. It has latex in it, but uses a poly foam core. It's very important to check the specs when buying any mattress, but especially a latex mattress....as so many do not have a latex core and are so flagrantly misrepresented.

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

Mattress for neck, shoulder, and back pain

kari of Antioch, writes:
Which mattress do you recommend for someone who has for the last eight months or more been suddenly waking up with neck, shoulder, and lower back pain?

Hi Kari,
Like people, a mattress can die a slow agonizing death, or, drop dead all of a sudden. However it happened, it sounds like yours died.
And you'd be surprised how much of a difference ANY new mattress can make.
In choosing one, guard against extremes....too firm and too soft. It's best to maintain the natural curves of your body. A latex mattress does the best job if this.

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

Mattress for chronic lower back pain

Kathy of Boston, writes:
Hi, I have chronic lower back pain (due to tight hips, not disc problems) and sleep with a memory foam pillow between my knees, which helps but doesn't totally get rid of the pain. My husband and I would like to replace our 10 yr old queen size mattress - for the past 2 months I've also begun to have shoulder and hip pain while sleeping, and sometimes numbness and tingling in my arms. I am a side sleeper. After reading your blog I am leaning toward the Sealy plush mattress(and possibly also getting a 2" latex topper) and wanted to know what you thought of that versus latex (which I'm a little leary of).
Thanks.

Hi Kathy,
Latex has been proven to be the best material avaialable. That proof is from 8 decades of track record. I can't imagine what you'd have to be leary about.
Many people confuse memory foam with latex, not knowing they are like apples and oranges. Memory foam has a lot to be leary of.
However, your thought of a standard mattress with a latex topper is a good one and something we often recommend for support, comfort and longevity.

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

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

Sealy or S&F latex mattress

lin of easton, writes:
quality wise which is best buy stearns & foster comfort resort garden groave plush mattress vs sealy posturepedic beachside plush. both are latex matresses

Hi Lin. Latex is the product that is so long lasting. Both, are not latex mattresses. The Garden Grove has almost no latex in it. Of the 13" of over-all thickness, only 1.57" is latex. The Beachside has 8.9" of latex. You need to shop at a different store, if the one you went to is trying to sell you a Garden Grove as a latex mattress.
But before you do, I want you to go back and call that salesman a "no good, lying, two bit, four flushing cheat".

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923

Much of what we offer is delivered FREE, nationally.
We also offer a selection of high quality accessories: Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads, sheets and comforters.

Latex Mattress

emilia of melbourne, writes:
Hi 5 years ago we had bought a latex bed from a factory direct we were tald that it is 100% neturall New Zeland latex but it has indentation so we had the top layer replaced but did not make a lot of difference even though we are turning it every nonth In the future we are planning to give it to our grandson I would still like to by latex.Please help us as to what brand is the best that would keep its shape Please respond Thankyou

Hi Emilia. There are lots of "latex" mattresses out there, that don't have a latex core. I don't know if yours is one of these, but salespeople aren't forthcoming with that type of information. Be sure that the latex mattress you buy has a latex core and very little poly foam on top...(some is needed for quilting, as latex doesn't quilt well).
Density of the foam and body weight are factors in how well a mattress wears.
We find the Sealy SpringFree to be the best value in latex. There are 6 models with a choice of comfort. The starting model, the Beachside, is the one we all have at home.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923

Much of what we offer is delivered FREE, nationally.
We also offer a selection of high quality accessories: Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads, sheets and comforters.

S&F latex vs. Miralux latex mattresses

Chris of Canyon Lake, writes:
Thanks so much for the previous response. You are so helpful! And I forgot to mention I had tried a memory foam topper on that S&F, but it sunk in too much. Maybe a latex topper would have worked, eh?
I visited the local store today looking for the Sealy Springfree and was told "They discontinued that line. The quality was inferior." Hmm... They seem to be all over the Internet, and I know you still sell them. Anyway, the two choices I have there that were not a pillow top or luxury plush are: Miralux Mira Olympus firm ($1,499) and S&F Comfort Resort Garden Grove PL ($2,299) . Both latex and both rated firm (red tag), to which I could add your latex topper if needed. The Miralux seemed a bit softer and not as "springy" when another person moved or rolled. I was told the Miralux has a 3" latex core and is 6 lb. density latex. The S&F has a 6" latex core and is 4 lb. density. Both, of course, have other latex and foam comfort layers. I know you recommend the greatest amount of latex possible to be a true "latex" mattress. I liked the Miralux feel better, but don't want to buy a mattress that has more inferior, non-latex foam and will break down quickly.
They also stated the Areloom mattress uses an 8 lb. density latex and that these were even better quality mattresses -- starting at $4,500!!! They stated the more dense the latex, the "higher quality." Question: Which mattress would be a better choice? And does any of that "density" talk have any truth to it? Thanks in advance for your help and advice :)

Hi Chris. As you already know, the Sealy SpringFree is not a discontinued line. The problem for that store is, that it isn't as profitable as their other brands. Neither, the Miralux nor the Garden Grove, are latex beds. The Miralux has 3" of latex and the Garden Grove has 1.57". The Beachside has an 8.9" latex core. There's no substitution for the real thing. Many stores over price their products. The Garden Grove, for instance, is the same mattress as the Sealy Tranquil Sea...what Sealy calls a latex hybrid....and it sells for hundreds less than you were quoted for the S&F.
Chris, you need to find someplace else to shop. The large mattress chains inflate their prices to cover their huge overhead. You find much better prices and service at an independent retailer. To find them, go to www.sealy.com and enter your zip code. All the Sealy dealers in your area will come up on the screen. Call around to see who has the SpringFree line. You may not find the "Beachside" model name, so ask for the plush tight top with the 8.9" latex core. There's only one of those in the line...the "Beachside".
BTW, I'd be happy to send you one. Delivery is free and there's no sales tax.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923

Much of what we offer is delivered FREE, nationally.
We also offer a selection of high quality accessories: Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads, sheets and comforters.

Latex foam mattress

tom of louisa:
What is your opinion on beds constructed of a polyfoam core topped with a layer of latex.  I have a form of arthritis that has left my lower back rigid and inflexible so sleeping on any hard or firm surface is quite painful.  Is there any advantage the above mentioned mattress type has over a solid latex mattress.  My female partner has large,as in boney hips, and prefers a firm mattress.  Is there a compromise mattress that would meet both our needs.  I did not like the feel of memory foam at all.  Also, what are the major complaints that latex mattress user have.  Thanks so much.

Hi Tom,
Foam provides a contouring support with a greater reduction of pressure points over a traditional innerspring.
The best of the foams, in terms of durability, is latex. This has been true since the 1920s. Latex is also the most expensive. The point of a poly foam core, is to reduce cost.
The worst of the available foams, is memory foam.
There are extraordinarily few complaints about latex. And most of those, are from having purchased a too soft pillowtop.
The greats number of complaints are about memory foam.
The latex, processed for mattresses, have had the allergens removed...for those of you who are allergic to latex.
Latex mattresses are hypo-allergenic.
They are also: mold, mite, and mildew resistant.
All of us, at home, sleep on a latex mattress.

www.themattressexpert.com for selection and pricing.
Call toll free to order: 1-888-732-5923

Much of what we offer is delivered FREE, nationally.
We also offer a selection of high quality accessories: Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads, sheets and comforters.