Jane KFurniture Care Education, Mattresses, sleep, Sleep Technology

Do you have questions about mattresses? The experts at Star Furniture & Mattress can help! Follow along as we answer your most frequently asked questions about mattresses, including everything from what’s the best mattress for back pain to how much is an adjustable base bed?

General Mattress Questions

When is the Best Time to Buy a Mattress?

Experts say that the best time to buy a mattress is during the month of May. That’s because the mattress industry usually rolls out new products in June, so they often have good sales on older mattresses as an incentive to make room for the newer models. At Star Furniture & Mattress, we have great mattress sales all year. Plus, we offer free delivery on any mattress over $999.

What to Know When Buying a Mattress?

When buying a mattress, you’ll want to make sure to understand all of your options, including mattress type, mattress size, mattress firmness, motion isolation, durability, temperature neutrality, and what type of foundation you’ll need. Check out our complete mattress buying guide for an in-depth look at everything you need to know before purchasing a new mattress.

What is the Best Mattress to Buy?

It depends on your unique preferences. Because people are looking for different things in their mattress, it’s impossible to name the overall “best” mattress. That said, the mattress experts at Star Furniture & Mattress can help you find the best mattress for your preference, sleeping style, and budget.

What is the Best Mattress for Back Pain?

For many, choosing the right mattress can help manage lower back pain. If you’re looking for the best mattresses for back pain, you’ll first need to consider your personal sleeping style. Back sleepers, for example, tend to be most comfortable with a medium firm memory foam mattress. Side sleepers often exacerbate back problems by sleeping on their side, and they can also develop hip and shoulder pain because side sleeping introduces additional curves and pressure points. That’s why they often experience the least amount of back pain when they find a mattress firm enough to prevent back pain but soft enough to accommodate contouring. Stomach sleepers often have the best experience with mattresses that exists somewhere between medium and extra firm, as the extra support can help increase comfort.

Mattress Size Questions

What are the Dimensions of a California King Bed?

72 inches wide by 84 inches long

What are the Dimensions of a King Bed?

76 inches wide by 80 inches long

What are the Dimensions of a Queen Bed?

60 inches wide by 80 inches long

What are the Dimensions of a Double Bed?

54 inches wide by 75 inches long

What are the Dimensions of a Twin Bed?

39 inches wide by 75 inches long

How Long is a Twin Extra Long Bed?

A twin extra-long bed is 80 inches long, which is five inches longer than a regular twin bed. Twin extra-long beds have the same width as regular twin beds, i.e. 39 inches.

Are Full and Double Mattresses the Same Size?

Yes. These terms can be used interchangeably, as both full and double size mattresses are 54 inches wide by 75 inches long.

Is a Full Size Bed Big Enough for Two?

It depends. Many couples are most comfortable in a queen, king, or California king bed. Think about it this way: full size beds are only 15-inches wider than a twin-sized bed, which means each person only has 27-inches of sleep space a piece. Plus, double beds are 5 inches shorter than queen beds, which means that adults over 6-foot might find their legs extending out over the edge of the bed.

Memory Foam Mattress Questions

What is a Memory Foam Mattress?

A memory foam mattress is a mattress that combines a layer of memory foam with support foam to create a supportive, comfortable mattress. Unlike innerspring mattresses, traditional memory foam mattresses do not have springs, though there are hybrid mattresses, which pair a layer of memory foam with mattress springs.

In general, memory foam mattresses tend to promote motion isolation, eliminate pressure points, and offer support. They can also be helpful for people with allergies, as the thick foam actually repels dust mites, mold, and pet dander.

How Long do Tempur-Pedic Mattresses Last?

It depends on the type of mattress, as well as a number of other factors, including how often it’s used, the size of its occupants, etc. The average lifespan of a memory foam mattress is 7 years, while the average lifespan of a hybrid mattress is 6 years. Because proper mattress care can help extend the lifespan of your mattress, the better care you take of your mattress, the longer it will likely last.

How to Fix a Sagging Tempur-Pedic Mattress?

In general, once a memory foam mattress starts sagging, the damage is already done, and it is likely time for a new mattress. If a new mattress isn’t in the budget, you might consider a mattress topper as a short-term, temporary solution.

How Often to Replace Memory Foam Pillow?

Memory foam pillows tend to have a shorter lifespan than down or feather pillows—usually somewhere between two and three years. The biggest indicator that it might be time to replace your pillow is if the memory foam takes a long time to return to its original shape after use or if you’re experiencing unusual neck pain.

Does a Memory Foam Mattress Need a Box Spring?

No. If you have a memory foam mattress, you do not necessarily need a traditional box spring, though many people do end up using some sort of box spring or foundation for added height. Your memory foam mattress would also be fine on a solid or closely slatted platform frame.

How to Remove Odor from Memory Foam?

The best way to prevent odors from infiltrating your memory foam mattress is to make sure you’re using (and regularly washing) a mattress protector. If the smell has already infiltrated your mattress, there are a few things you can do to try to remove the smell. The first solution involves airing out your memory foam. Take it outside for a few hours on a dry, non-humid day so it can properly ventilate. You can also sprinkle baking soda all over the memory foam, let it set for an hour, and then vacuum up the baking soda from the mattress. For best results, apply the baking soda directly to the foam mattress or pillow, rather than applying over sheets or a pillow case.

How Much Does a Memory Foam Mattress Cost?

As memory foam mattresses continue to grow in popularity, there are more and more affordable memory foam mattresses for sale. At Star Furniture & Mattress, our regularly priced queen-sized memory foam mattresses range from $699 to $4,499. If you’re looking to purchase a base with your mattress, the price will increase based on the type of base you’re purchasing.

Pillow Top Mattress Questions

What is a Pillow Top Mattress?

A pillow top mattress is a mattress with additional padding on top for increased comfort. Pillow top mattresses tend to extend noticeably at the top, appearing as if someone has sewn a pillow to the surface of the bed. Generally, the soft “pillow top” is added to a traditional innerspring mattress. This extra padding is often made from polyurethane foam, memory foam, latex, or batting. Because pillow top mattresses can be thicker than the average mattress, they sometimes require extra deep sheets.

Can You Flip Over a Pillow Top Mattress?

No. Most pillow top mattresses are designed to be used with the pillow top section facing up. Rather than flipping the mattress like you might do with a traditional innerspring or memory foam mattress, pillow top mattresses need to be regularly rotated 180 degrees to avoid wear at pressure points.

How Long Do Pillow Top Mattresses Last?

Pillow top mattresses tend to last between 5 and 7 years, but this will be greatly impacted by a number of factors, including how well you take care of your mattress. To prevent wear, tear, and sagging, be sure to rotate your pillow top mattress 180 degrees once a month and avoid sitting on the edge of the bed or letting children jump on the bed. Generally, heavier people tend to put more strain on pillow top mattresses, so that is something you’ll want to account for when trying to determine how long your pillow top mattress will last.

Innerspring Mattress Questions

What is an Innerspring Mattress?

Also known as a spring mattress, innerspring mattresses are the metal spring mattresses many of us grew up with. They’re made with a steel coil innerspring support system with various foams and fibers on top to provide comfort at the surface.

What is a Good Coil Count for a Queen Mattress?

Contrary to popular belief, the coil count of an innerspring mattress is not nearly as important as the coil construction. Heavier-gauge (thicker) coils provide a stiffer suspension and lighter-gauge coils feel springier. When purchasing an innerspring mattress, you’ll want to consider your personal preference. Be sure to test out any positions you regularly sleep in, and if you sleep with a partner, you should both try out the same bed at the same time. Doing so will give you a good feel for how the bed moves and sounds when your partner moves. In general, we recommend spending at least ten minutes with any mattress you’re seriously considering purchasing.

Which is Better? Coil Spring or Hybrid Mattress?

For many people, this is a matter of personal preference. Innerspring (or coil spring) mattresses have been around for decades, and the coil technology has greatly improved during this time. While old innerspring mattresses could cause back pain and or/ irritate pressure points, newer designs often prevent this from happening. That said, for many people, hybrid mattresses combine the best of both worlds. You still get the stable support from the innerspring system, with an additional layer of foam for added comfort and pressure point relief.

Adjustable Bed Questions

Can Any Mattress Be Used on Adjustable Beds?

While not every mattress can be used on an adjustable base bed, there is no single type of mattress that is incompatible across the board. That said, you’ll want to make sure your specific mattress is compatible with an adjustable base before buying. While memory foam mattresses are almost always compatible, some innerspring mattresses, for example, have interlocking coils which can get tangled when adjusted to certain settings.

Are All Adjustable Bed Bases the Same?

No. In fact, adjustable bed bases have a large range of possible features, including everything from wireless remotes, special lighting, massage capabilities, charging pads, Bluetooth capabilities, and more.

How Much is an Adjustable Bed Frame?

It depends on the brand, style, and features. At Star Furniture & Mattress, we have queen-sized adjustable bed frames for sale ranging from $799 to $2,199.

Thinking about buying a mattress? The experts at Star Furniture & Mattress can help you at every step along the way. Visit a Star Furniture & Mattress store in Houston, Austin, San Antonio or Bryan, Texas to browse our extensive mattress collection today!