Archive for August, 2011

Using a Mattress Pad Can Save Your Life

A mattress pad vs a conventional mattress, how do they compare? On an average day, every American over the age of 15 spends nearly one-third of the day in bed. That is roughly 8.6 hours every single day. What most people do not realize is their mattress is a breeding ground for all kinds of problems.

Allergies, dust mites, bed bugs and bacteria from urine and other organics substances create an unhealthy environment for sleeping. A mattress pad is essential to having a beneficial and healthy night’s sleep, and they offer an added layer of cushioning than the conventional mattress has to offer.

Mattress pads are made from a variety of substances. Cotton, memory foam, wool or natural latex mattress pads will have varying benefits. For purposes of health, hygiene and even comfort, a mattress pad is a huge improvement over sleeping on an unprotected conventional mattress.

Allergy Protection

Conventional mattresses are notorious for being a breeding ground for dust mites. Some research suggests that as many as two million dust mites live in an unprotected mattress. It is estimated 10% of the public have dust mite allergies. Other potential allergy triggers lurk in unprotected mattresses. Pollen and pet dander are often trapped within the mattress fibers.

With the use of a pad, allergy sufferers can create a protective barrier between themselves and the allergens. Washing the mattress pad frequently will offer further protection. This creates an allergy-free zone for sleep. Cotton mattress pads are naturally hypoallergenic. In addition to the allergy protection offered by a cotton mattress pad, it also allows the sleeper a breathable surface and is easy to wash. Using a wool mattress pad can also give anti-allergen protection as well as being mold resistant. Latex mattress pads have the benefit of being hypoallergenic. They are also very durable and cushion the body. These pads are amazingly comfortable, long-lasting and do not harbor dust mites or mold.

Bacteria Protection

People of all ages have problems with incontinence and wetting the bed. Research suggests as many as 1 out of 13 adults are incontinent and 1 out of 5 children wet the bed. Incontinence can be caused by various factors. No matter what the cause, incontinence can ruin a mattress and void a manufacturer’s warranty.

Typically, the mattress pads of the past were heavy sheets of plastic that were uncomfortable and noisy. Today, however, mattress pads are both waterproof and breathable. They give a sanitary protective shield, but stay cool and comfortable to sleep on. No one has to feel embarrassed about sleeping on a mattress pad for incontinence. Mattress pads can give that extra sense of security.

Bed Bug Protection

Up over 71% in the past ten years, bed bug infestation in the United States has become an epidemic. Bed bugs have even been found in some of the most expensive hotel chains. All across the country, from small rural communities to large urban developments, bed bugs are a real problem. In this case, a mattress pad that encases completely can protect the consumer and offer allergy and incontinence benefits.

Encasements, to be effective against bedbugs, must be able to keep the bug from feeding or biting through the material. It must also be entry and escape-proof, the bugs cannot get in or out once installed. Getting bed bugs is one of the fastest ways to ruin a mattress.

Luxury and Comfort

Aside from the health benefits, one of the best benefits from a mattress pad is its ability to revive a well-worn conventional mattress. Even a mattress just a few years old can be made more comfortable by selecting the right pad. A mattress pad is relatively inexpensive compared to purchasing a new mattress, potentially saving hundreds of dollars.

Lamb’s wool mattress pads can add a sense of luxury and comfort, as well as, all the other advantages of wool. In particular, alpaca, extremely soft wool from the llama, is mixed with regularly wool for durability. Wool, which dries out quickly, prohibits the growth of allergens, like dust mites and mold. In addition, wool acts as an insulator. The fibers create a vacuum that allows you to sleep cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Back Support

Mattress pads made from memory foam have become very popular because they distribute body weight evenly throughout the mattress pad. This provides less pressure on joints and reduces the amount of movement necessary to stay comfortable.

With all the benefits of a mattress pad, it could easily be the most cost-effective and health promoting addition to anyone’s bedroom. Obtaining quality sleep, regularly, can lead to a long and healthy life. Since most people spend one-third of their life on their bed, it is essential to protect health and have a relaxing night’s sleep. Having a soft cushion layer of material underneath the bed sheet can add a wonderful sense of luxury, improving every aspect of sleep quality and healthy living.