Best Mattress Of 2021 [Review] in 2021

How To Clean A Mattress:

Accidents are inevitable when it comes to your bed. Whether you have children or got a tad bit too drunk one night on the wine and it spilled on your bed, in these cases, you’re going to need to know how to clean your mattress and fast to prevent staining. 

I’m going to speak about it briefly now but be sure to check out my guide on how to clean a mattress for more in-depth details, like getting out a tough stain or toilet accidents throughout the night. 

How To Clean Your Mattress: General Clean:

As a general clean, you should clean your mattress every couple of months or so to keep your mattress in tip-top shape. The first thing you’ll want to do is strip your mattress of all the pillows, sheets, blankets and pop them in the washer.  A hot wash should get rid of all the dust mites. 

You’ll want to grab: a vacuum, enzyme cleaner, laundry detergent, baking soda, cleaning cloths, and cold water. 

Once your mattress has been stripped, you’ll want to vacuum the mattress to begin with to get rid of all of the dust, hair, skin particles that have built up on your mattress. 

Next up is spot cleaning; the cleaner you use will depend on the stain. For biological stains you’ll want to use an enzyme cleaner (for blood, sweat, vomit, urine, those kinds of stains). Spray the cleaner on a cloth and blot the area until the stain lifts. 

You want to use as little product as little moisture as possible for this step. 

Once you’ve lifted all the stains, you should sprinkle baking soda over the entirety of the mattress. This will help deodorize the mattress, leave it for 20 mins to an hour and then vacuum again. Flip the mattress and repeat the same steps with the baking soda, and your mattress should look as good as new. 

But what about tough stains?

For tougher stains, you might need something a little stronger (if the enzyme spray doesn’t work). A 50/50 vinegar and water solution does seem to work wonders for cleaning up tough stains. 

Just spot clean as you would with the enzyme cleaner, applying the solution to a cloth and not directly to the mattress, and then blot the mattress until the stain lifts. I’ve broken it all down in a full article on how to get out any stain under the sun out of your mattress.

So be sure to check out my how to clean a mattress guide. 

 What Is The Best Mattress For Me?

There are so many factors to consider when choosing a new mattress and it’s unique to you. We all have personal preferences of firmness levels, some of us prefer a softer mattress while others prefer a firm mattress that provides sturdy support. 

Your ideal firmness is not only down to personal preference but also your body type and sleeping position. Also whether you sleep with a partner that prefers a different firmness level then a dual-firm mattress may be ideal. 

Next up is the size, mattresses come in a range of sizes from twin, twin XL, full, queen, king, and then California king. The size that is most suitable for you is by indicating how much space you take up in the night, whether you sleep with your partner, pet even your child. 

You’ll want to buy a mattress which offers enough space for everyone to fit comfortably. 

You’ll also want to consider performance as well. If you want a mattress for a hot sleeper then you might want to consider getting a breathable mattress with cooling technology (if you’re buying memory foam) such as a cooling gel or copper infusion. 

If you tend to sleep near the edge of the bed then you might want to consider getting a bed with edge support to prevent sagging. 

For those that suffer from back pain, a memory foam or latex mattress might be a better fit as it will conform to your body and relieve pressure points as you sleep. While others want a bouncier mattress for sex, so you’ll want a more responsive mattress. 

You’ll also need to consider the mattress and how much you’re willing to invest in a mattress, the price often indicates the quality of the materials and components along with the lifespan so while you don’t need to spend thousands on a new mattress, keeping this in mind is key. Mattress companies that offer sleep trials are also ideal as it gives you the option to change your mind!

FAQs

When should you buy a new mattress?

Mattresses are often considered an investment, so we don’t often think about when we’ll need to replace them until they are falling apart. However, you should look out for signs of mattress wear and regular tear so that you can replace your mattress before it becomes completely unusable.

Mattresses can have a surprisingly big effect on our health, so it’s very important to make sure that yours is supporting your body comfortably at all times.

The biggest sign that you need to change your mattress is if you often wake up very tired, or you feel pain or muscle tension when you wake up. This means that your mattress is no longer supporting your body adequately.

If your mattress starts to sag or shows visible wear, that’s another good sign that you should start shopping.

If you’ve had your mattress for over seven years, that’s also an indicator that you should at least look into a new one, depending on the type of mattress you have and how your body has changed over time.

How does a new mattress help you sleep better?

We all know at least one person who claims they can sleep anywhere. These people may lead us to believe that mattress quality doesn’t affect our ability to sleep, but this is completely untrue.

When you buy a new mattress, you’ll likely notice an immediate difference in comfort, which will help you relax and fall asleep faster.

Your old mattress also may have become saggy or uncomfortable over time, making it hard for you to sleep soundly. Even if you didn’t notice yourself waking up throughout the night, constant tossing and turning could interrupt your sleep cycles, leaving you feeling groggy in the morning.

Mattress technology also changes over time, so if you’ve had the same mattress since the ’90s, the support systems are likely to be pretty outdated. New mattresses are made with well-researched technology to support your back and neck, helping you feel more comfortable as you sleep.

Many modern mattresses also have ventilation and cooling systems, which help regulate your temperature as you sleep. Heat and humidity can be another big problem when it comes to getting enough sleep.

How long will the ‘new mattress’ odor be present?

In the past, many new mattresses took weeks or even months to get rid of that strong, slightly chemical-ish smell that you’re likely familiar with. However, nowadays, most mattress companies are aware of this issue and have come up with ways to mitigate the problem.

For traditional memory foam mattresses, you’ll likely need to give them a few days to a week before the smell goes away, but many other mattresses will rid themselves of the smell far more quickly.

If you feel like you just can’t get the smell to go away, try stripping your bed, opening your windows, and turning on a fan for a few days to air it out. Be sure to wash your sheets and pillowcases regularly as well to keep your mattress smelling fresh afterward.

What’s the ideal mattress thickness?

There isn’t really one perfect mattress thickness that works for everyone. It’s very dependent on your body shape and structure, as well as your own personal preference.

Someone who needs a lot of support and comfort while they sleep will likely feel best on a  mattress that’s over a foot thick, with plenty of layers of memory foam or coil support.

Other sleepers are totally fine on a thinner, denser mattress, which feels light and firm. If you’re heavier, you are going to need a thicker mattress to give you the same feel as a smaller person would feel on a relatively thin mattress.

You’ll also need to consider density when choosing a mattress, as a low-density mattress that is very thick could feel similar to a high-density one that is thinner.

How long will my mattress last?

This is another factor that depends on the type of mattress, but generally, mattresses last about ten years at the most. Inexpensive mattresses will likely last for less than five, just because they aren’t made with the same durable materials that higher-end models are.

It also depends on the mattress type.

Some extremely expensive models may be able to last longer than ten years, but you should still re-evaluate your mattress well before you’ve reached that point to ensure that it is still giving you the support you need. Don’t take the warranty as an indicator of how long the mattress will last, either – most mattresses fall apart or lose their shape well before the warranty kicks in.

Are mattresses easy to clean?

It’s very important to keep your mattress clean so that it doesn’t harbor dust, mites, and bacteria that can make you sick and wear down your immune system.

Some of the mattresses that we’ve mentioned in this guide come with covers that are removable and easy to clean, which makes the surface that you sleep on much more sanitary.

You also may want to consider vacuuming your mattress to remove pesky dust mites, as well as using dry baking soda to get rid of odors.

You can also use wet baking soda to remove stains. Although mattresses are not always the easiest to clean, these strategies can help you maintain a mattress that is at least sanitary.

But don’t worry, I’ve compiled together a guide on how to clean a mattress easily at home and how to get rid of almost every stain under the sun in a full article.

How do I dispose of an old mattress?

There are several different ways of how to dispose of your mattress. If your mattress is still usable and clean, you may want to consider selling it on Craigslist or to a friend who needs one.

This way, you can get a little money back from your investment. However, if your mattress is on the older side, there are some other options you can consider.

Many retailers, such as Amazon, actually offer mattress pickups that will get rid of them for you without you having to do any work.

You may also want to consider donating your old mattress to charity, where it could help those who are in desperate need of a place to sleep. Finally, if your mattress is past the point of being used by anyone, you can always take it to the nearest landfill.

Why should I use a mattress protector?

Many people are skeptical of mattress protectors, but they actually have many benefits for your health and comfort. They absorb many of the fluids that our body gets rid of while we sleep, such as sweat, and prevent other bodily fluids from seeping into the mattress as well.

This keeps them sanitary and healthy. They also keep the mattress in good condition by absorbing moisture.

Even small stains can be very damaging to mattresses, as they wear down the structure of the foam and make them feel less supportive. Although a mattress protector adds a little bit of money to the cost of your mattress, it is definitely a worthwhile investment.

What is the best mattress for a side sleeper?

Side sleepers face unique challenges when choosing a mattress because they are more likely to feel uncomfortable during the night or develop soreness or aching from pressure points in the mattress.

In general, foam mattresses tend to be a better solution for side sleepers because they conform to your body as you sleep, reducing the pressure points that you might feel with another type of mattress and minimizing pain.

Knowing how to sleep on your side comes with magnificent benefits for both you and your health!

However, everyone has different preferences about how they sleep, so it’s important, especially for side sleepers, to test out the mattress beforehand if possible to determine if it will work for them.

Some hybrid and even innerspring mattresses may work well for side sleepers who prefer a firmer feel, so it’s really a matter of choice and preference.

How much does a good mattress cost?

There are four different types of mattresses you’ll find on the market; all come at slightly different prices, and all offer slightly different qualities. On average, you can spend as little as 300 bucks on a new mattress, but this may not be a good quality mattress. 

Mattresses are an investment, so I would recommend spending somewhat between 500 bucks and 1500 bucks for a good quality mattress that will last for years to come. If you’re looking for memory foam cooling technology or natural latex, then you may need to pay more. 

I personally love hybrid mattresses as they offer the comfort and conforming capabilities of memory foam and stability and bounce of the coils, but they do come at quite a steep price range, with some being as cheap as around 250 bucks to as much as 4000 bucks.

I’ve broken down how much a good mattress will cost you in a full article if you’re still unsure on which one to buy!

 What are the best mattresses for back pain?

The best type of mattress for back pain will either be memory foam, latex, or hybrid model, any mattress that encourages correct spinal alignment and alleviates pressure points to relieve aches and pains, and offers support for your body type.

You’ll also want to look for a mattress that best fits your sleeping position.

You’ll also want to look for features like lumbar padding, ergonomically zoned support systems, and sturdy edge support, as well as pressure-relieving qualities as it can help relieve pressure in these areas, which can help combat back, neck, and shoulder pain.

What is the best mattress for hot sleepers?

If you tend to sleep very hot, then this can really change what you need to look for when buying a mattress. Memory foam is known for sleeping hot, but when infused with cooling technology, it can really regulate temperature.

While latex and innerspring mattresses are known to sleep very cool, thanks to their superior airflow, latex is also naturally temperature neutral, so it keeps your body at a comfortable and neutral temperature while you rest.

Latex hybrids are even better as they can be even cooler as the pocketed coils promote airflow while the latex has similar conforming capabilities of memory foam but without the heat, offering better temperature regulation over foam alternatives.

So if you’re looking for the best mattresses for hot sleepers, be sure to check out my full guide.

Is it bad to sleep on your stomach?

When buying a new mattress, you may be one of three people, a side sleeper, a back sleeper, or a combination sleeper. But which sleep position is best? Most people would say probably back or side as it offers the most pressure relief.

Stomach sleeping is the least popular sleeping position of them all, but why is sleeping on your stomach so bad? Well, for starters, it puts your spine in a compromised position which puts strain on your neck and back.

This can lead to long-lasting damage, so be the best position to switch to your back or side. Ideally, on your side, it is much easier to switch, and you can use pillows to support you to make it feel like you’re sleeping on your stomach, but really you are sleeping on your side.

How do you improve your quality of sleep?

Sleep hygiene is something people often miss out on when going to sleep, but what is sleep hygiene, and why is it so important? Well, sleep hygiene is actually more important to our sleep health, as we realize. It is a sleep practice to help those with insomnia.

It is a matter of establishing a healthy sleep schedule to improve the quality of sleep, for example finding the right mattress, going to sleep, and waking up at the same time every day, including weekends. Things like having a hot bath before bed and relaxing the mind before going to sleep can help improve the quality of sleep and your health overall.

Our body goes through a 24-hour sleep-wake cycle which is also known as a circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythms help our internal body clock send cues throughout the day, and it is influenced by light. It explains why we feel alert during the day and sleepy at night.

But don’t worry I have broken down everything you need to know about sleep hygiene and circadian rhythms in a seperate article. Just click on the links above for more info!

How much sleep do you need?

This is a question I get asked a lot when people enquire about improving their quality of sleep; how much sleep you need differs from age group to other needs and health conditions. It is unique to each person, so while you may need 9 hours, your friend may only need 7. 

The quality of sleep plays more of an important role as we may rack up some serious sleep hours, but it may be extremely fragmented. If that is the case, then you are actually achieving poor quality sleep and will feel drowsy and restless during the day. 

In order to feel refreshed our body needs to spend 1-2 hours in the deep sleep stages for every 8 hours of sleep. Deep sleep is restorative and rejuvenating, it allows our body to make connections and relax muscles. When we drink alcohol our body cannot reach these deep sleep stages, so we wake up feeling exhausted and restless.

Going through the stages of sleep is key to sleep quality and achieving the most restorative night’s rest. So sleep quality and sleep quantity go hand in hand to getting the best night’s rest. 

Final Thoughts:

So there you have everything you need to know about buying a new mattress, including how to care for and clean it too. Looking after your mattress through regular cleaning and using a mattress topper can really prolong the life of your mattress.

Buying a mattress is an investment; after all, while they may seem to be at steep prices, don’t forget that higher-end mattresses offer higher quality components, more support, and a longer lifespan than any old cheap mattress you buy on the market.

So pay a little extra for a better quality mattress as it will last you 10-15 years with the right care, which beats any 200 buck mattress that lasts no longer than about a year or two. Trust me, you and your body won’t regret the investment. 

So go, get some seriously good Zzz’s; you deserve it!