- How do I dispose of an old bed?
- Retailers may offer to dispose of an old bed when you purchase a new one from them but this is an extra service to their customers as they have no legal obligation to do so. Your Local Authority waste disposal/refuse collection service will usually take large items on request but some make a charge.
- Where can I buy non-standard sized bed linen?
- Your nearest department store should carry a range of sizes but there are one or two specialist firms, try Acton & Acton Ltd, 01706 642361 or Beevers of Whitby, 01947 604351
- How long should my bed last?
- It varies according to the type of bed and the amount of usage but, as a general rule, if you wake up with aches and pains which disappear over the course of the day, you are not sleeping as well as you did a year ago or the mattress shows signs of wear, it is probably time to change your bed.
- Will a more expensive bed be better to sleep on?
- Not necessarily as comfort is a matter of individual preference; a very firm expensive bed may be uncomfortable if you prefer a softer mattress but a better quality bed will be more expensive than a poor quality one because the thicker, more luxurious mattress fillings and covers are more costly.
- Where can I get an independent inspection of a bed I think is faulty?
- The Furniture Ombudsman is the independent arbitration, complaints and conciliation service for the industry. You can contact them on 0845 653 2064 or email info@thefurnitureombudsman.org
- What are standard bed sizes?
There are no uniform or universal standards of sizes or names for bed sizes that have to be used in law; the terms that are used are descriptive and there is no guarantee that the term King, for example, will be applied to exactly the same size product by different manufacturers. This scenario has become worse in recent years with the advent of metric sizing running in parallel with Imperial sizing and with more imported products, especially bedframes, coming onto the market.
The majority of NBF members work using the following sizes as standard:
- Single - 3ft x 6ft 3in
- Double - 4ft 6in x 6ft 3in
- King - 5ft x 6ft 6in
- Super King - 6ft x 6ft 6in
The metric equivalents of these sizes are just that - equivalents, not exact measurements
The metric sizes are:
- Single - 90 x 190cm
- Double - 135 x 190cm
- King - 150 x 200cm
- Super King - 180 x 200cm
- Do I have to buy a new base if I'm replacing my old mattress?
- We always recommend you buy base and mattress together because the two are designed and manufactured to complement one another in terms of support; for example a pocket sprung mattress will provide the optimum performance on a base designed for it. Your mattress may show visible signs of wear and tear but the base springs will have had equal pressure and strain - it just doesn't show quite so clearly. If you purchase from different manufacturers any warranty may be compromised if the manufacturer deems the base to be unsuitable to support the mattress or vice versa. Another point to consider is the sizing; mattresses are made to ±20mm tolerance so a mattress may be slightly too small or slightly too large for the base or frame which will mean the base can't do its job properly.
- Are "orthopaedic" beds good for bad backs?
- The word "orthopaedic" has no legal standing or criteria in the bed industry. It is used by many manufacturers to describe a very firm mattress BUT if you have a back or skeletal problem you should consult your GP or Specialist before buying.
- Why is my mattress indented where I lie on it?
- Body impressions are a normal characteristic of quality mattresses working as intended to conform to the shape of your body.
- Will any double mattress fit my existing frame?
- Check your sizes carefully when buying a new mattress for a bedstead to ensure that the dimensions of both are compatible. Use measurements, not words like "double" or "king" which may be misunderstood.
- Why does my mattress make me hot during the night?
- The thermal properties of some fillings (especially visco elastic or "memory foam") can make a mattress feel quite warm at times which is lovely on cold winter nights but may prove too warm in summer. If you are a "warm" sleeper you may not be quite so comfortable in hot weather but warmth is not a fault. Make sure you choose a well-ventilated mattress and base and use a lightweight quilt.
- Why does my new mattress smell?
- Like new cars, a new bed can have a strong odour. This smell is not toxic or harmful in the long term but can be irritating to people with sensitive respiratory tracts or conditions such as asthma. Air the mattress well before sleeping on it.
- Why is my mattress an odd shape?
- Many mattresses are now compressed and vacuum packed for convenience of transport and can take some time to recover their shape when unwrapped. Some mattresses may have been stored and transported vertically which can lead to compression. This is quite normal and should disappear after a couple of weeks, lay the mattress flat, turn frequently and air well before using.
- Why isn't my replacement mattress the same size as my old one?
- Mattresses are essentially a "squashy" product and precision measurement is not possible. Bed manufacturers work to a generally accepted industry tolerance of +/- 20mm in both length and width. If you are buying a mattress to fit inside a base you should measure very carefully and explain that measurement is critical to your purchase.
- Why isn't my new mattress comfortable?
- Comfort is a very personal perception and cannot be guaranteed - think of the Princess and the Pea story! Try out the mattress before you buy, lay on it properly for as long as you need, a good retailer will understand and want you to be happy with your final choice.
- Why doesn't my new "firm" mattress feel like my neighbour's?
- There is no test for firmness and each manufacturer describes his mattresses according to his range so "Firm" to one maker may be "Medium" or even "Soft" to another. The only way to tell if it is right for you is by laying on it.
