The Mattress Expert

Sagging mattress

Deborah of Boston, writes:
I purchased a queen size mattress and boxspring on September 10, 2009, less than a month later I noticed that it was sagging in the upper middle section of the bed.  I contact the furnished store they sent a tech to look at it. He said that it was sagging because there was no middle leg support.  The bed that I have had for nine years is wooden and it has the three slats from rail to rail.  Even after he installed the leg on the middle slat, I am still not noticing any difference.  I wanted to know if it is really the frame/slats at issue of if it could be a defective mattress?  The mattress and boxspring was a close out sale. 

Hi Deborah,
Queen beds are required to have a center support, which keeps the boxspring from bowing. Without it, you could void your warranty...a moot point in your case, as clearance items don't come with a factory warranty.
As a close out, it's likely that the one you have was a customer return.
Rotate your mattress frequetly to maximize even wear.

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Latex toppers, pillows, mattress pads and linens

Latex topper on a latex mattress

Mike of Charlotte, writes:
If a latex mattress is a bit too firm, would a latex mattress topper make a difference, providing a plusher feel? Would you recommend a 2" or 3", and an ILD of 20? We are dealing with some fibromyalgia/chronic pain issues, so don't want to add to that.  Can we purchase a topper online from you, or is there an online site that you recommend? Thanks very much!
 
Hi Mike. A soft latex topper with an ILD of 20 or less would make a hugh difference. 2" would do nicely. The latex topper we have available has an ILD rating of 19.
 
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Topper on a Firm Sealy Springfree Weybridge Mattress

Dennis of Chicago, writes:
Hi Peter, thanks for your expertise, direct answers, and patience. I bought a closeout Stearns and Foster version of your Weybridge at Macy's for a great price, but "wow" is it firm! Really sore shoulders in the morning (but no back or hip pain). I first was really mad at myself for going for the bargain, but then I took your advice for others on trying a 2" 20 ILD latex foam topper. What a difference! I love this bed now. Next time it will be from you.
Contented now.

Hi Dennis. Thanks for taking the time to write and share your experience. I'm happy you're sleeping well.
One of the benefits of quality sleep is better performance during the day, which has a positive ripple effect.
Perhaps more so than is easily imagined.
Anyway, glad to hear it.

www.ccmattress.com

Relief with a Latex Topper

Cathy of Irvington NY, writes:
Thank you for your blog I found it to be extremely useful. I went to Sleepy's and bought a mattress (mistake) - mattress is harder than in store so they delivered another, same deal, harder. I am trying the latex topper from foambymail and am very excited to receive it - as this may save me!
Enjoy the rest of your summer.
Cathy

Hi Cathy. Happy to be of service. And a happy summer to you, as well.

www.ccmattress.com

Latex Topper for a Firm Mattress

Dan of Suffolk, VA, writes:
Hello Peter,
We have purchased a Sensa VL500 King size Latex mattress which is too firm for my wife. We are looking at adding a Latex topper and wanted to get advice on a 2 or 3 inch topper. Saw on some of your recommendations are for a 2 inch. Is that enough and will 3 inch topper be too soft. She liked the Sealy Springfree with the pillow top for softness but we didn't want to spend the extra money. Any advice on choosing between a 2 or 3 inch topper?
Thanks, Dan

Hi Dan. It comes down to degree. 2" of a 20 ILD will make a noticeable difference. Will it be enough for you, there's no way for

me to know.

www.ccmattress.com

A topper for a latex mattress

Carole of Pittsburgh Pa, writes:
Hi Peter-My husband and I have had 4 new mattresses in 4 years. It's been quite a nightmare. Our first King was purchased at Macy's and was a S&F Knightly pillow top. Comfortable initally but quickly developed body impressions greater than 1 3/4 inch. Macy's agreed to refund and we ordered a Sealy Signature ultraplush tight top (no more pillow top for us!) When the delivery guys were bringing it up the stairs, they bent it greater than the 30 degrees "allowed" and it damaged the coils...you could hear them popping and the sides actually bowed outward! Another exchange and this time we went with a Sealy latex. It can be bent with no ill effects. Our question for you is this: what kind of topper should we put on this mattress to soften it a wee bit? We went with the "pure embrace plush" and now wish to soften it. I think we prefer the softer feel but are afraid of body impressions so stayed away from pillow tops. Tried a memory foam topper but it is too hot. Does it make sence to add more latex to a latex mattress to soften it? Would a feather topper be a good choice? Thanks for all your good information.

Hi Carole. A soft latex topper will do the job and be the most resilient. Feather toppers, like feather pillows, will require regular fluffing. For just a bit more softness, a 2" latex topper with an ILD of 20 or less, will make a noticeable difference. A feather topper will also give you what you want, but will be more work to maintain.

www.ccmattress.com

The mattress is too hard

Queen of Phoenix, writes:
Hi,I am reading these blogs and am so confused, no nothing about brand name beds. I am doing research for my husband, he has a severe herniated disc in his lower back. we have been reading hundreds of websites with no clarity of what to do. we just got a new king and the mattress seems to be too hard, he hasn't slept in weeks, literally. I hear lots about the innercore spring and lots about the latex. My husband is a bodybuilder, 5'10", 220. Starts out on his back but sleeps on his sides and stomach too. what type of bed? latex or spring? how hard? what brand? we don't want to buy another $1000 mistake again, please help.

Hi Queen. Your husband's back is going to require a firmer support, so I wouldn't exchange your mattress, but add a latex topper to it. A 3" latex topper with an ILD rating of 20 will do wonders to make that mattress comfortable enough for him to sleep. Also, make sure the pillow he has is thick enough to span the distance between his head and the bed. His neck needs to be aligned with his spine.

www.ccmattress.com

A latex topper on a firm mattress

Deb of Houston, writes:
I want a 3" Latex Topper to go on top of a really firm, supportive, non-depression forming mattress. Is the S & F Caravelle (king) firm enough? Please, please suggest a good latex topper for the top. Dunlop? Natural Tatalay? Blended Tatalay? Which lasts longest? How firm (ILD) should we go if we want to be cuddled but not sinking and bottoming out in the topper? What about a good poly foam under the topper instead of a traditional mattress? Wouldn't that be best for no motion transfer? Oh yeah...what latex topper do you use? What company and/or brand do you like best? (Wow, enough questions. Fantastic job you do!)

Hi Deb. The S&F Caravelle is a firm mattress, but with a layer of latex just under the quilt, so the feel isn't so hard as to be described as "really firm". If you want a "really firm" base mattress, I would suggest the Sealy Posturepedic. There are a few in the line that fit that description.
There are several latex topper sites. The cheaper ones are importing their latex from the far east. The more expensive ones are made in the states. Natural, synthetic, Talalay...for a topper, it doesn't much mattress. I would think an ILD of 20 would do it for you. (The higher the ILD rating, the firmer the latex).

www.ccmattress.com

Natural vs Synthetic vs Talalay latex mattress toppers

Jamie of Piscataway, writes:
Peter:
Any difference in natural vs synthetic Latex Toppers? Taladay material they say is all natural but do those come with strong odors and are synthetic materials just as good? Thanks for the blog.

Hi Jamie. All the different types of latex hold up extremely well. There is an odor of "rubber" with natural latex. But the topper would go under your mattress pad and sheets. Unless your sleeping on your stomach with your face on the mattress, I doubt you'd be able to smell it.

www.ccmattress.com

Latex mattress toppers

June of San Martin, writes:
Hello Peter, top of the mornin' to you!  I am looking for a latex mattress topper and discovered a very big difference in pricing ($100+) for same size/thickness toppers.  Both say they are made in the USA.  Do you believe the pricing difference to be in quality or just mark up?  Thank you for your input.   

...and the rest of the day to you. (finishing off an exchanged from "An Affair to Remember")
Hi June. At some places, the latex comes with a zipper on cotton cover. Some don't. Check to see if that is a factor. Some places have natural Dunlop, some use Talalay (natural/synthetic blend). It isn't likely that you'll find all synthetic. Whichever one they have, they'll claim that it's better than the other. While there are some technical differences, in terms of performance, they all do the same job. In some cases a 2" topper is 1" of latex and 1" filler. Just be satisfied that you're getting what you're paying for.

www.ccmattress.com