Next to marriage and underwear the mattress you sleep on is the next personal thing in your life. It has been my experience that what on individual sleeps well on is another individuals restless nights sleep. So when asked to help buy as mattress, I had to start with the basics.

The number of different types of mattresses far exceeds the three Goldilocks came across in the three bears cottage. I below is a basic overview of the different types of mattresses.  Shopping for a mattress, should not be done in a hurry.

Innerspring Mattress – The innerspring mattresses is the most common of mattresses. I is contains coils of wire as the support structure. Around the edges is a border stiffer wire. The border wire supports the coils, helping to retain shape and reduce sagging. Fabric that covers the mattress separates the springs with a tough padding. Each spring is interlinked to prevent sagging.

Memory Foam – Visco elastic memory mattresses are constructed of billions of open cells, designed to respond to the body’s pressure points and temperature.

Water Bed – Water bed mattresses became popular in the 1960′s. Many people find that sleeping on them is a wonderful experience. The main complaint was wave like action one would get when turning over. Modern manufacturers came up with a solutions to the problem. They built in different connecting water chambers.

Air Mattress – Air mattresses are made from either plastic or rubber. They are ofter referred to as the inflatable mattresses. These mattresses are often used as extra beds and temporary sleeping places for guests.

Futon – A futon mattress doubles a the cushion on a couch or chair. This requires it to be easily folded. A futon mattress is usually filled with foam as well as synthetic or cotton batting. The covering fabric is made of a wide range of  materials. Many people have found the futon mattress so comfortable, it is their mattress of choice.

Latex Mattress – Latex mattresses is relatively new. I have only found they at trade shows. The latex mattress is made up of a thick core of latex. A core is usually about six inches thick with holes running through out. The allows the latex to be even more comfortable.

Organic Mattress – The organic mattress is made from organic materials like wool.  The wool is processed  with no harsh chemicals or anything that will cause you to have an allergic reaction. Other materials used in organic mattresses is natural latex rubber, and organic cotton.

Bottom-line: The average person will keep their mattress 3 to 4 times longer than their car. It is best to first list what you want in a mattress, then check out websites like ChooseaMattress.com. Then you can begin walking through different mattress stores for the best deal that meets your needs.

Tags: Air Mattress, futon, Goldilocks, Innerspring Mattress, Latex Mattress, Mattress, Memory Foam, Organic Mattress, Water Bed