My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please hel

[confusedbedbuyer]

Hi guys,
I signed-up for this site because I conducted some research of the various types of beds out there. Based on my research uncovering huge problems with each option, I have no idea what to buy.
I need to buy a new bed soon..
When I researched spring mattresses I found the following problems:
- They usually sag after a while and the sag is most often not covered under warranty because the warranty states that some level of sag is acceptable to them, the manufacturer, whilst the buyer remains stuck with a sagging mattress.

- they allow for dust mites etc. to accumulate
- it is impossible to comparison shop due to shady collusion between manufacturers and retailers obfuscating the features/specs of the products
- from my own personal experience with other spring mattresses, I don't like how they have thousands of tiny balls form on them, kind of like pilling in clothing...I presume that all spring mattresses do that? I really hate that.
When I researched memory foam mattresses, I found the following problems:
- they tend to crap out after a few years
- they get infested with mold if they get wet and then they are health hazards and nothing can be done about that
- some of them emit toxins due to the glue used in their manufacturing or something
Ok, so now that I know about these problems, I will feel like a sucker for buying any kind of bed. Yet, I still need a bed so I will have to buy something.

Is there any kind of bed that doesn't have these problems?
I hope you guys can help give me some clarity as to how I should wade through these problems and determine what I should buy. What kind of bed can I buy that will give me the peace of mind of knowing such defects won't mess with me in the future?
I live in Toronto, Canada and my price range is about $1500-2000 CAD but I might be willing to go higher (maybe up to $3500 CAD max) if I can find a bed that doesn't have any of the aforementioned type of problems. I do not have a lot of money, so it is very important for me to buy a bed that will last for around 10 years at least.

 

[budgy]

should I just take the initiative to say you should really consider a latex mattress as many people here have done?

They typically have very minimal sagging even after long periods of time, (20 years is a realistic expectation on the life span). If you are buying a NATURAL latex mattress dust mites are really not much of a concern, most of the better ones will covered with wool and cotton to be breathable and protect the foam cores from moisture damage over time. And again if you are buying natural latex they would be basically free from petro chemicals and be much healthier to sleep on. They tend to conform well to body shape, but they are not heat sensitive like memory foam products so they feel more like traditional mattresses, just without the issues.

Being that you are in Canada the price range for a top of the line latex mattress in a queen size will be starting around $2000 and easily go up to $3500. Do a search on natural latex mattress in Canada on google, or organic mattresses in Canada if you want to see the best of the best.

 

[popo]

hi,

it was very helpful for me to read the various postings on this site re: 100% latex which addressed most of your concerns. however, don't know if you can get deals like some of us did at costco. try not to rush . good luck.

 

[confusedbedbuyer]

Thanks for the advice, guys.
Wow, I feel like I should be given a bunch of academic credit or something for all the research I have to do just to be able to make an informed choice about what mattress to buy!
After reading your guys' posts I did some preliminary reading about latex. I realized that the world of latex mattresses in and of itself contains a ton of knowledge that I must familiarize myself with.
I also really appreciate your informed perspective, budgy. I really like how you can diffuse all the marketing hype of mattress makers/sellers and post the straight-goods for the benefit of consumers like myself.
budgy, is it possible for you to give me a break down of the key points I should insist on that any latex mattress I look at has, before purchasing one?
I noticed that a person at this link reported problems with sagging in his latex mattress:
http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/10087923-post136/
...but I'm presuming that is because there are issues with that brand/model that someone like yourself, budgy, would have been able to discern before buying, but a layperson consumer like us cannot.
In other words, I'd love it if you can give me the info I need so that I don't make a similar mistake to that guy by ending up buying a latex mattress that sags or has any other issues.
Although, that specific brand and model does seem to be relatively popular among marginally-or-better informed consumers in my city, based on their posts endorsing it in that same thread.
Is there something that they are missing that makes that particular brand and/or model a bad choice?

 

[eagle2]

After 20 years of sleeping on waterbeds, my last one wore out, so I decided to try something different.

I started looking in the brick-and-mortar stores at latex beds. I was seriously considering a Stearns and Foster latex mattress and box springs. This was principally because I found a young salesman who was quite good and very appealing. But as I always like to do I began to do research on the Internet. It soon became quite clear to me that it was very difficult to find out what you're actually purchasing when you purchase from the big S. brand companies.

So to make a long story short I wound up purchasing from FlowBeds, and all 100% natural latex California King mattress. I have been very pleased with it. To keep this post limited I will just point you towards a very long thread that I started entitled, "Just bought a new FlowBeds." it is up to at least 150 posts by now, and if you want to read all of it, you'll have to go to the very bottom and click on the "All" button.

Don't get discouraged as most manufacturers don't really want you to understand much of anything, except what they tell you is the truth. But this website, if properly utilized ( read that extensively researched) will help you muddle through.

Good luck with your purchase.

 

[budgy]

the Sleep Country latex mattresses made by Restwell are all small amounts of latex on top of "soy based" polyurethane foam. They are not in a true sense of the word an all latex mattress. I can see some people being happy with them but at the same time not surprised the odd one would get returned. I recently checked these mattresses out locally and the guy couldn't tell me anything. Luckily I know what latex 'feels' like and a quick push on the edge of the mattress revealed the polyfoam core. I was told that the core is all soy (no such thing, its soy-based poly), and is organic. Lots of misinformation from the big box stores on this type of product. I was also told the latex was all natural and I am quite sure it is a synthetic blend (70% synthetic).

In keeping with the health benefits of being a natural product it doesn't make any sense to use poly-foams or polyester covers and or fibres. A top quality latex mattress worthy of commanding the higher sticker prices will be quilted with all natural materials in addition to only using natural latex in the core.

 

[KimberlyH]

I wonder whether that mattress the guy reported on in the link you gave was really 100% latex. I suspect it may have been a few inches of latex on top of a PU foam base, which is what a lot of the major mattress manufacturers do. I have not heard many, if any, reported issues with sagging in latex mattresses, and I have had my new 100% latex mattress for about 3 months now, with absolutely no sag.

I highly recommend a latex mattress. Budgy can help you track down a reputable dealer, as he is a dealer in Canada himself.

 

[budgy]

unfortunately in the GVA there have been a couple of independent stores that have recently shut down. Which would explain why we have sold quite a few mattresses into the area the last year. Sleep Country Canada is huge in that region I believe that is where they started.

 

[confusedbedbuyer]

KimberlyH wrote:
I wonder whether that mattress the guy reported on in the link you gave was really 100% latex. I suspect it may have been a few inches of latex on top of a PU foam base, which is what a lot of the major mattress manufacturers do.
I'm sure you and budgy are right about that. I feel bad that bed sellers aren't legally required to adhere to full disclosure standards and not have any misleading or omitted wording.
No doubt the reason why consumers like me and who posted in that other thread are confused is because of misleading information stated & omitted by bed sellers (they certainly don't advertise that sagging will occur, although their warranties and consumer complaints make it obvious).
I am thankful that I learned for sure not to buy a pillowtop/eurotop. Yet all the spring mattresses I've seen advertised online by local sellers have been pillowtop/eurotop and no doubt with PU foam that will break down.
What I don't get is, why do consumers keep buying those PU-loaded spring mattresses that will inevitably sag after a little while? I can certainly see how they could get scammed by that the first time, as I very well might have been myself had I not performed extensive research before buying. But I would think that eventually the word would spread and no one would willingly buy mattresses that are pre-destined to fail.

So what's up with why those types of bad mattresses are so ludicrously prevalent?

 

[eagle2]

"But I would think that eventually the word would spread and no one would willingly buy mattresses that are pre-destined to fail."

Because there are a woefully large number of ignorant people, who seem to almost revel in their ignorance, and are therefore doomed to remain ignorant. They will continue to get fleeced by the manufacturers who understand this.

 

[jimsocal]

Here's another vote for flobeds, because if you don't like it you can return it, no problem, and you can experiment with the configuration until you get it right or send it back.

My only contribution to your decision process is to tell you this:

Be aware that not everyone likes the feel of pure foam without springs. If you are one of those, you have a dilemma because there are almost no reasonably priced GOOD spring mattresses out there - they all have too much foam in them.

So if you turn out to be a person who needs springs, you have to buy as inexpensive of a mattress as you can get, with good springs and open 'er up and replace the foam with latex, as I have done. There are threads on mattress surgery here.

Here's my take on "What's the Best Mattress":

AN ANSWER to What's the best mattress?

Which mattress should I buy? My "mattress resume'" is printed below following the bulk of this message. I feel pretty qualified to give this advice, but of course, take it with a grain of salt. This is just my opinion, in the end. But it is based on many other people's experiences as well as my...

www.whatsthebest-mattress.com

 

[confusedbedbuyer]

I definitely like the good consensus about FloBeds. I'm gonna call them tomorrow and see if they ship to Canada, and if so if they ship via U.S.P.S. I hate courier companies and refuse to do business with them because they always try to rip me off with bogus scam charges on cross-border shipments.
I never ordered anything as big as a bed via shipment with U.S.P.S. though. Maybe I'll call them tomorrow and see if they have limits for size or weight of parcels. That would be another dilemma of me getting a bad deal either way if I was forced to choose between a bad mattress or get scammed by bogus courier company charges. But I guess sometimes life is full is nonsense like that.

I really appreciate all the good advice from you guys, thanks!

Before I came to this site I was on the fence about maybe buying a PU spring mattress because they are the most readily available and cheapest and I figured maybe I'd get lucky and mine wouldn't get fubared over time, but after reading around on this site including in this thread, I am rightfully more disgusted than ever with PU spring mattresses and am resolved never to buy one, period. I'm sure I will be happy about that decision at least in the long run.

 

[KimberlyH]

you might check out whether there are similar, reputable companies to Flobeds, etc. in Canada. I can only imagine how expensive it would be to ship a latex bed and pay the taxes, duties, etc. Further, one of the greatest benefits of Flobeds is their very generous exchange policies, which allow you to trade latex layers until you get just the configuration you need. That would be an added expense if you found you needed to swap out a layer of latex.

 

[fantasticalice]

I know I'm not a favorite BUT I love the bed I "made"! I read a whole lot on this site as well as many of the foam sites. I am so very grateful for all the really excellent information. My futon-with-springs is working for me as a great, cheap base/box springs, with 3 sheets of latex from Overstock. Ya, everyone says it's a "mix" but I took my Costco bed apart, I called all the companies and it sure looks, feels and doesn't smell like a "mix". Whatever, it's working for me, I feel great! This is the 1st time in 20 years I have been off air and I just can't begin to tell you how happy I am!! How grateful, not a kink, pain or anything else. On top of that Costco had a super little air cleaner which licked the off gases problem. So reasonable I bought two.
The $1100.00 bed goes back to Costco this week, to be picked up by the same delivery man who dropped it off, ALL included in the price of the bed. Now how can you beat that? The bed I configured myself cost $500.
Thanks to all and budgy for giving me a heads-up on the off gases, nasty stuff. Funny, seems like all futons smell like hay, I called Cannon (it's made in the USA) and asked about it. They are suppose to call me back today. I want to hear why it smells like hay. It feels like I'm sleeping in a barn, the dogs love it! Of course!
Happy days to all and thanks for getting me off air!
Alice in Wonderland

 

[KimberlyH]

Shortly before Christmas Costco had a 100% latex bed for sale. They sold out pretty quickly, and i didn't get one, but several people on this board did and they have been enthusiastically endorsed by everybody. Supposedly Costco is going to have them back in stock in a few weeks, you might want to wait and check for it. The label is Sleep Science. The prices were fantastic, and the return guarantee was pretty good too.

I'm thinking of getting one for my daughter when they're back in stock.

 

[london79]

Friends, 100% latex mattresses will last for years and won't sag. It's that polyurethane crap they stick in the mattress. That also keeps the cost down. I had to learn the hard way and blow a couple thousand. I kept replacing latex layers in my old latex/PU mattress but kept getting the same results. I never thought it would be that crumby core foam. 100% latex is the best sleep surface. I just wish it was more affordable and the new standard. I just sprang $1800 for a queen 100% Serta latex. I have a platform bed with slats so I don't need a boxspring. Will finally get to enjoy some quality sleep after all these years.

 

[jimsocal]

london79 wrote:
Friends, 100% latex mattresses will last for years and won't sag. It's that polyurethane crap they stick in the mattress. That also keeps the cost down. I had to learn the hard way and blow a couple thousand. I kept replacing latex layers in my old latex/PU mattress but kept getting the same results. I never thought it would be that crumby core foam. 100% latex is the best sleep surface. I just wish it was more affordable and the new standard. I just sprang $1800 for a queen 100% Serta latex. I have a platform bed with slats so I don't need a boxspring. Will finally get to enjoy some quality sleep after all these years.

london79 wrote: "100% latex is the best sleep surface. I just wish it was more affordable and the new standard."

Yes, that is the dream:
Can you imagine if the mattresses companies made at least one line of mattresses that included nothing but pure LI latex? and allowed you to choose the ILD?
Now THAT would be revolutionary! Eventually someone should get around to doing that. Even at $3000 I bet they'd get buyers. People are starting to wake up to PU foam being "Peee-YEW!" foam.

As to the Serta you just bought:
It is really 100% latex, no foam at all?
Is it on springs or just pure latex? Please give us a name and a link. I am - forgive me - uhhh.... skeptical.

 

[london79]

jimsocal wrote:
As to the Serta you just bought:
It is really 100% latex, no foam at all?
Is it on springs or just pure latex? Please give us a name and a link. I am - forgive me - uhhh.... skeptical.

That question was one of my concerns. According to the product's description, yes. It is all latex foam.

http://www.mattressfirm.com/Serta-Opulence-Plush-P43.aspx

Also, i spoke with the local Serta rep in my city. The core is an 8" 28ILD talalay layer that's 36ILD around the edges. The website doesn't give a depth so I had to find out on my own. The soft layer being the top. There is no other foam present in the innards. Well, except for the quilted cover.

 

[shelli2k]

Greetings fellow Torontonian! I've been researching mattresses for countless hours and I'm ready to buy. Problem is I can't find a Canadian retailer who sells Sleep Science or comparable brand. Did you make a decision? Care to share? Your input would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jimsocal]

london79 wrote:
That question was one of my concerns. According to the product's description, yes. It is all latex foam.

http://www.mattressfirm.com/Serta-Opulence-Plush-P43.aspx

Also, i spoke with the local Serta rep in my city. The core is an 8" 28ILD talalay layer that's 36ILD around the edges. The website doesn't give a depth so I had to find out on my own. The soft layer being the top. There is no other foam present in the innards. Well, except for the quilted cover.

I'm sorry but I ain't buying that this is 100% latex. If it was, why would they not state for example what kind of latex it is and what ILD's are involved?
If they told you the base was 8" of Talalay then why would they not have told you what the other 5 and 1/2" are on top of it?
It makes no sense to advertise a "100% latex" mattress and then not describe the entire contents.
Also, nowhere on the page you gave us, above, does it SAY "100% latex"!

No, I smell a fish.

Add to that, that Serta is known to be the bottom of the barrel of the Big S companies... Even Sealy's latex mattresses are not all latex... The whole thing makes no sense.

I will apologize and admit I am wrong if it is shown that I am.

You have to be VERY CAREFUL when asking questions of some mattress sales people. If you ask "Is it 100% latex" they will say "yes, it is" meaning that yes, the 2" piece that is included in the mattress is "100% latex". What you have to ask is, "Are there any other foams included in the mattress that are not 100% latex?" And "So what are the other layers besides the 8" of Talalay? There are 5½" more - what are they made of?

And I would also ask, "Who makes the Talalay processed latex? Is it Latex International or who? Is it U.S. made or ?