Coker advises consumers to determine their price range and then visit stores where they can try out the different mattresses available.
"Don't just lay for a minute or two, but lay for a good ten minutes. You don't want to rush it," she says.
Buying a mattress is a very important purchase and one that you will live with for up to 10 years, so choose a relaxing environment where you feel comfortable trying out the variety of mattresses on today's market. You may need to visit several stores to find the right one. If someone will be sharing your bed with you it is advisable to take this person along when trying out mattresses. The weight of two bodies can make a lot of difference in the way a mattress supports your body. It is also recommended that you consider at least a queen size mattress if two people will be sharing the bed.
Some people prefer a firm bed and some prefer a softer support system such as built-in pillow tops. There is no hard and fast rule about which type of mattress is better. Again it comes down to personal preference to determine which type of mattress you will sleep best on. Coker does advise that if you experience frequent back pain or problems then you will probably benefit from a firmer mattress.
The quality of the materials used to make a mattress is one factor that you should pay close attention to as it can make the difference between a bed that will last only a few years or one that will provide up to 10 years of comfort. You should expect a quality mattress to come with a 10-year warranty in most cases.
Coker says coil count is also extremely important for spring based mattresses.
"You want to have at least 600 coils for a good full size mattress. If you're looking for a queen size mattress, you want to have about 800 coils. Coil count is based on a full size mattress, so when you are asking how many coils are in the bed, the sales person will tell you, 'In this bed there are 650 coils in the full size.' Then you will have to calculate for yourself that the queen size mattress would hold about 200 more, so you are looking at about 850 coils in the queen size mattress."
Once you have determined which mattress is the best fit for your needs, it's time to ask a salesperson about free delivery and disposal of your existing mattress. Mattresses manufactured before 1973 should not be donated or given away since they pose a possible fire hazard. You will also want to ask about how to properly care for your new mattress. Many new mattresses are no-flip, meaning that only one side is suitable for sleeping and do not benefit from the routine flipping that was advised for older mattresses.
