How to Choose Your Perfect Mattress

We get to spend a third of our lives sleeping, and the mattress we choose gets to play a very important role upon our health. How we deal with each day can depend a lot on the quality of sleep we get at night. To provide the support I told you above, any mattress should be at least 20 cm of height. If you have back problems, the most suitable mattress model is the one with orthopedic features.

RO: Ajungem sa ne petrecem o treime din viata dormind, iar salteaua pe care o alegem ajunge sa aibe un rol foarte important asupra sanatatii. Modul in care facem fata fiecarei zile poate sa depinda destul de mult de calitatea somnului din timpul noptii. Pentru a oferi sustinerea despre care va povesteam mai sus, orice saltea ar trebui sa aiba o inaltime de minimum 20 cm. In cazul in care exista afectiuni ale spatelui, cel mai indicat model de saltea este cel cu caracteristici ortopedice.

When should you replace your current mattress and why

The expected lifespan of a mattress should be from around  10 years up, but you may need to replace it before this term. The signs that will show you if it is time for a refresh are: you do not have a restful sleep, you suffer from pain in the back, neck and shoulders (especially in the morning, after waking up), the mattress is deformed or deepened in the area where you sleep, usually there are broken or deformed springs, the resistance is weak or the edges are soft.

I was forced to replace my mattress (a memory foam one) because it was beginning to show deformities and lately I was getting up ever so often with some slight back pain.

RO: Durata de viata a unei saltele ar trebui sa fie de la aproximativ 10 ani in sus insa este posibil sa fie nevoie sa o inlocuiesti inaintea acestui termen. Semnele care iti arata daca ar fi momentul pentru o schimbare sunt: nu ai parte de un somn odihnitor, suferi de dureri la nivelul spatelui, gatului si umerilor (in special dimineata, dupa trezire), salteaua prezinta deformari sau adancituri in zona in care dormi de obicei, exista arcuri rupte sau deformate,  rezistenta este slabita sau marginile sunt moi.

Eu am fost nevoita sa inlocuiesc salteaua (din spuma) deoarece incepea sa prezinte deformari si in ultimul timp ajungeam sa ma trezesc destul de frecvent cu dureri de spate.

Types of mattresses

In search for the ideal mattress I discovered that there are three main types of mattresses, those with springs, polyurethane foam and latex ones. The choice is dictated by one’s own preferences and the sleeping style of each individual, but it must also be taken into account the advantages and disadvantages of the type of mattress for an appropriate choice.

RO: In cautarea saltelei ideale am descoperit ca exista trei tipuri principale de saltele, cele cu arcuri, din spuma poliuretanica si cele din latex. Alegerea este dictata de preferintele proprii si de stilul de dormit al fiecaruia, insa trebuie sa tina cont si de avantajele si dezavantajele tipului de saltea pentru o alegere cat mai potrivita si asumata.

Spring mattresses

The advantages of spring mattresses are that they ensure good air circulation and those of superior quality can be very long lasting. Mattresses can be either a classic spring type or a pocket spring type. The classic spring ones offer resistance and good support but they will not take on the body shape and can transfer the movement. Pocket spring mattresses provide extra comfort, adapting to body shape without transferring movement.

This mattress is usually of medium to high hardness level, which provides good support to the spine and shoulders.  It is a suitable solution for overweight people, whose body exerts a greater pressure on the mattress. 

Prices are slightly lower than for other types of mattresses. As a disadvantage we mention that it does not offer independence for the partner, which can make it slightly uncomfortable.

RO: Avantajele saltelelor cu arcuri sunt acelea ca asigura o buna circulatie a aerului iar cele de calitate superioara pot sa fie deosebit de durabile. Saltelele pot fi fie cu arcuri clasice fie împachetate. Arcurile clasice ofera rezistenta si o buna sustinere dar, nu se modeleaza pe forma corpului si pot trasfera miscarea. Saltelele cu arcuri împachetate asigura un plus de confort, adaptandu-se formei corpului fara a transfera miscarea.

Aceasta saltea este de obicei de un nivel de duritate mediu spre ridicat, care ofera o buna sustinere coloanei vertebrale si umerilor.  Este o solutie potrivita si pentru persoanele supraponderale, al caror corp exercita o presiune mai mare asupra saltelei. 

Preturile sunt usor mai scazute decat in cazul altor tipuri de saltele. Ca si dezavantaj amintim faptul ca nu ofera independenta fata de partener, ceea ce o poate face usor inconfortabila.

Memory foam mattresses

Very comfortable, these memory mattresses are synonymous with comfort because they take the pressure exerted by the body and distribute it evenly. Thus, memory foam mattresses adapt to the body shape regardless of sleeping position and reduce pressure points, representing a tough and durable choice. 

Disadvantages can be mentioned: the durability depending on the degree of density of the material (having a shorter life span in some cases) and the fact that prices are slightly higher than in the case of spring mattresses.

RO: Deosebit de confortabile, aceste saltele cu memorie sunt un sinonim al confortului deoarece preiau presiunea exercitata de corp si o distribuie uniform. Astfel, saltelele din spuma cu memorie se adapteaza formei corpului indiferent de pozitia de dormit si reduc punctele de presiune, reprezentand o alegere durabila si rezistenta. 

Ca si dezavantaje se pot mentiona: durabilitatea care depinde de gradul de densitate a materialului (avand o durata de viata mai mica in unele cazuri) si faptul ca preturile sunt usor mai ridicate decat in cazul saltelelor cu arcuri.

Latex mattresses

They are recommended for people prone to allergies and skin disorders, being made of natural materials and have an increased durability.

Ensures good air circulation and keeps the environment dry. Also, the structure of the material reacts efficiently to the pressure exerted by the body, offering maximum comfort. The latex mattress is an ideal choice if you prefer softer mattresses. 

Other disadvantages: they have a greater weight than the aforementioned models, Prices are slightly higher than for spring mattresses.

RO: Sunt recomandate persoanelor predispuse la alergii si afectiuni ale pielii, fiind realizate din materiale naturale si au o durabilitate crescuta.

Asigura o buna circulatie a aerului si pastreaza mediul uscat. De asemenea, structura materialului reactioneaza eficient la presiunea exercitata de corp, oferind maximum de confort. Salteaua din latex este o alegere ideala daca preferi saltele ceva mai moi. 

Dezavantaje: au o greutate mai mare decat modelele mentionate anterior, preturile sunt usor mai ridicate decat in cazul saltelelor cu arcuri.

Firmness level

Usually, a mattress is divided into three large categories, depending on the firmess: firm, medium and soft. As a general rule, it is important to know that heavier people need a firm mattress in order to balance their body weight, while average people can lean towards flexible, soft mattresses. Closely related to the ideal firmness of the mattresses is the sleeping position, which we will talk about below.

RO: De obicei, o saltea este incadrata in trei mari categorii, in functie de duritate: ferma, medie si moale. Ca regula generala, este important sa stii faptul ca persoanele mai grele au nevoie de o saltea ferma, pentru a echilibra greutatea corporala, in timp ce persoanele cu o greutate medie se pot orienta catre saltele moi, flexibile. Legata strans de fermitatea ideala a saltele este si pozitia de dormit, despre care urmeaza sa vorbim mai jos.

The sleeping position

We are all different, (fortunately) and our sleeping habit is just as unique. When researching to choose the right mattress, you must also consider the predominant position in which you sleep. For example, if you sleep on your back, you need a firmer mattress, which will provide you with proper support.

If you sleep on your belly, you need an even support as in this position your body exerts a great pressure in the chest area. If you sleep on one side, like me, the ideal level of firmness is the average. The position comes with some mobility during sleep, changing the sides on which you sleep on. It is very important that the mattress is soft enough to fit the body shape and eliminate pressure points. 

RO: Suntem cu totii diferiti, (din fericire) iar la fel de unic este si modul nostru de a dormi. În momentul in care faci research in vederea alegerii unei saltele potrivite, trebuie sa iei in calcul si pozitia predominanta în care dormi. De exemplu, daca dormi pe spate, ai nevoie de o saltea mai ferma, care sa iti asigure o sustinere potrivita.

Daca dormi pe burta, ai nevoie de o sustinere cat mai uniforma pentru ca in aceasta pozitie corpul tau exercita o presiune mare în zona toracelui. Daca dormi pe-o parte, ca si mine, nivelul de fermitate ideal este cel mediu. Pozitia vine la pachet cu o oarecare mobilitate în timpul somnului, schimband partile pe care dormi. Este foarte important ca salteaua sa fie suficient de moale pentru a se modela pe forma corpului si a elimina punctele de presiune. 

Hypoallergenic mattresses

There are models of hypoallergenic mattresses on the market, which prevent the development of bacteria, fungi and mites responsible for the occurrence of different types of allergies. This advantage is usually obtained by treating the mattress covers in the production phase.

RO: Pe piata exista modele de saltele hipoalergenice, care previn dezvoltarea bacteriilor, ciupercilor si acarienilor responsabili de aparitia diferitelor tipuri de alergii. Acest avantaj este obtinut de obicei prin tratarea huselor in faza de productie.

Mattresses with a removable cover

Such a mattress has many advantages: it allows cleaning the cover thus avoiding the development of mites and is easy to maintain. Be careful with the label – some covers can only be chemically cleaned.

RO: O astfel de saltea prezinta numeroase avantaje: permite curatarea husei evitand astfel dezvoltarea acarienilor si este usor de intretinut. Ai grija la eticheta- unele huse se pot curata doar chimic.

Choosing the thickness of the mattress

You can enjoy a high degree of freedom in choosing the dimensions, but it is good to follow one rule: always choose a height of at least 20 cm. This way you make sure that the mattress offers a good support for your spine.

The ideal mattress should properly support the spine, shoulders and the whole body; to have a medium level of hardness, but at the same time to be elastic and comfortable; to be easy to clean and maintain and not to cause allergies. 

I found the mattress that fits perfectly to this description from iSleep. The right choice, in my case was the Trinity model, it is a mattress with a soft to medium hardness level.

As mentioned above, the position in which I sleep is on one side and a generous layer of memory foam was needed to model the body shape and eliminate pressure points.  The elastic base layer of the foam has orthopedic features. Another plus of this mattress is the removable cover, which can be cleaned at home. I’m coming back with unboxing impressions and a review after a month of use.

I hope this article will also help you make the right and conscious decision when you’ll need to change your mattress. It is not that difficult if you take into account some key points that have been described above. I strongly recommend that you test the mattress before purchasing because the firmness level differs from one manufacturer to another. The ones from iSleep you can find in different locations across the country.

RO: Daca pentru alegerea dimensiunilor te poti bucura de un grad mare de libertate, la capitolul inaltime este bine sa respecti o singura regula: alege intotdeauna o inaltime de cel putin 20 cm. Astfel te asiguri ca salteaua ofera o buna sustinere a coloanei vertebrale.

Salteaua ideala ar trebui sa sustina in mod corect coloana vertebrala, umerii si intreg corpul; sa aibe un nivel mediu de duritate, dar in acelasi timp sa fie elastica si confortabila; sa fie usor de curatat si intretinut si sa nu provoace alergii. 

Eu am gasit salteaua care se incadreaza perfect in aceasta descriere la cei de la iSleep. Alegerea potrivita, in cazul meu a fost modelul Trinity, este o saltea cu fermitate moale spre mediu.

Precum mentionam si mai sus, pozitia in care dorm este pe o parte si a fost necesar un strat suficient de generos cu spuma cu memorie pentru a se modela pe forma corpului si a elimina punctele de presiune.  Stratul de bază al spumei elastice are caracteristici ortopedice. Un alt plus al acestei saltele este husa detasabila, care poate fi curatata la domiciliu. Urmeaza sa revin cu impresii legate de unboxing si de un review dupa o luna de utilizare.

Sper ca articolul de fata sa te ajute si pe tine sa iei o decizie potrivita si consienta in momentul in care vrei sa iti schimbi salteaua. Nu este asa de greu daca iei in calcul cateva puncte cheie care au fost descrise mai sus. Iti recomand cu caldura sa testezi salteaua înainte de achizitie deoarece nivelul de fermitate difera de la un producator la altul. Pe cei de la iSleep ii gasesti in diferite locatii in tara.

XO Stories of a Brunette