Sweet sleep without back pain: which mattress to choose, spring or springless?

Good sleep, morning energy, a healthy back - all this comes from the right mattress. Many people believe that it should be solid, always on springs. In fact, it is impossible to say which mattress is better, spring or springless. Both come in different quality, hardness, and manufacturing technology. The best products are those marked “orthopedic”. But not all, but only those that keep the spine in the most natural position, and at the same time allow the muscles to relax and the body to rest.

Mattresses based on spring blocks

The first orthopedic mattresses were made from spring blocks.

The springs hold their shape well and, if used correctly, do not deform for many years.

At first, the steel spirals were connected to each other, that is, they were dependent. Today the technology is considered outdated. Of the first technologies, Bonnel remained. Its peculiarity is a gradual decrease in the radius of support of the spring coil.It turns out that at the initial load it lends itself well to compression, and with increasing pressure it retains the required rigidity.

In the manufacture of Bonnel spring blocks, steel wire with a diameter of 1.6 to 2.2 mm is used. Springs can consist of 4 or 5 turns, connected with wire or staples with nodes. There are from 100 to 150 double-cone springs per square meter of mattress. The diameter of one varies from 6 to 10 cm.

Dependent springs can create a “hammock” effect. The disadvantage is especially noticeable when the mattress is used by a married couple with different weights or an adult and a child.

Mattresses with independent spring block

An independent block is distinguished by the absence of connections between the springs. This is an improved version of a spring mattress.

According to statistics, 70% of people choose mattresses with an independent block. They are manufactured using the so-called “pocket” technology. Each spring is packed in an individual case. Due to the lack of interaction with each other, the springs completely follow the curves of the body. The number of springs per square meter of the product varies from 256 to 1000 units.

There are 6 types of independent blocks:

• MultiZone (DualZone). Designed for married couples with a large difference in weight. The spring block contains longitudinal and transverse stiffening strips with different spring elasticity.
• Dual Spring. Recommended for people with spinal problems, couples of different weight categories. The spring block is made of paired spirals - another spring, more rigid, is inserted into a large soft spiral.
• Pocket Spring. The classic version of an independent spring block. It consists of barrel-shaped springs with 6 turns. The number of springs is up to 300 units per 1 sq. meter.
• Mattress with increased rigidity. The block consists of small springs with 10-12 turns and a diameter of up to 4 cm. Per 1 sq. There are 500-1000 springs per meter.
• A rigid spring block consisting of a large number of small springs. Their diameter does not exceed 2.5 cm, and the number of turns is 12-14 pieces.
• Hour Glass. The springs are shaped like an hourglass. Thanks to this, the mattress retains high elasticity, making it incredibly comfortable to sleep on. The diameter of the springs is 6 cm, the number per 1 square. meter – up to 300 pcs.

Springless mattress models

In springless mattresses, the spring block is replaced by elastic materials: polyurethane, orthopedic foam, latex. Rigidity is provided by coconut coir. As a rule, they are made multilayer, combining elastic fillers with rigidity slabs. But there are also single-component mattresses - made of coconut coir, latex, orthopene.

There are:

• Soft mattresses. The softest is considered to be a polyurethane frameless mattress; of the older models, feather beds are down.
• Mattresses of medium hardness. Products made from orthopedic foam, latex, as well as multi-layered products made from coconut fiber with elastic layers have moderate rigidity.
• Hard mattresses. Made from thick sheets of coconut coir.

Who is suitable for a spring mattress, and who is suitable for a springless mattress?

It is best to choose a suitable mattress model personally. Before you buy a product, you need to sit on it, lie down, and touch it. Most consultants offer to conduct the test themselves. In addition to their own feelings, they usually rely on age, health and weight.

The spring mattress is recommended for people:

• with heavy weight - from 120 kg;
• healthy youth;
• teenagers;
• people with diseases of the musculoskeletal system (on an independent block).

Springless mattresses are selected according to their degree of hardness. They can suit anyone:

• Soft – for low weight people (up to 55 kg) and the elderly (over 50 years old).
• Medium hardness - for healthy people and children over 3 years old who do not have spinal problems.
• Hard - for children under 3 years of age, people with heavy weight, diseases of the musculoskeletal system (on the recommendation of an orthopedic doctor).

Tips for choosing a mattress:

Table of weight (height) mattress hardness:

Correct body position while sleeping:

Main differences and comparison table

The main difference between a spring mattress and a springless one is the content of the spring block. Many other features follow from this.

Comparison table:

Types of fillers

In the old days, mattresses were stuffed with wool, down, straw, and later with batting. Today they are made mainly from synthetic materials.

99% of spring and springless mattresses consist of several layers of fillers.

Mattresses with cotton wool and foam rubber, made using old technology, have practically disappeared from sales. They had significant disadvantages - absorption of moisture and dust, long drying, as a result of which pathogenic microorganisms multiplied inside, bedbugs and mites settled. In addition, the batting and foam quickly formed clumps and lost their elasticity.

Modern models are made from the following fillers:

• Polyurethane foam (PPU). Foam rubber of increased rigidity. Does not cause allergies, does not attract dust and retains its shape well. It is very popular. It is cheaper than latex, orthopedic foam and coconut fiber.
• Latex. Elastic filler that takes the shape of the body. Belongs to the medium-hard category, it can be natural (from the sap of a rubber tree) and artificial. Latex for mattresses is perforated, allowing the products to allow air to pass through.
• Orthopedic foam (“Memory Foam”, “Orto Foam”). A more advanced version of polyurethane foam filler.Orthopedic foam is more elastic and allows air to pass through better. It slowly recovers from compression, takes the shape of the body and completely follows its curves. Initially, the material was made for bedridden patients and astronauts.
• Coconut fiber. Natural, hard filler, not subject to rotting and deformation. It allows air to pass through well and has a bactericidal effect. There is no elasticity.
• Sisal. A natural material obtained from the leaves of the agave plant. Sisal filler is similar to coconut coir, but is inferior in rigidity and strength.
• Struttofiber. Synthetic filler consisting of vertically arranged fibers. It has good elasticity, does not burn, does not accumulate moisture, “breathes”, holds its shape, and does not cause allergies. Manufactured to any hardness. It is usually combined with other fillers.

Case

Not only the filling of the mattress, but also its shell is of great importance. It should be strong, well-tensioned, uniform, and not electrified. The best materials for covers are cotton, linen and wool. Most often they are combined with synthetics to increase wear resistance.

The cover should not be completely artificial. Otherwise, the mattress will become electrified, attract dust, and have poor air flow.

To improve the characteristics of the product, manufacturers add an antistatic layer inside and make covers with a “Winter-Summer” effect. The winter side is made of natural wool, and the summer side is made of cotton.

Children's mattresses - which one is better to choose?

For a child, choosing a mattress is especially scrupulous. The product must be:

• Hard or medium-hard. Rigidity is necessary for the correct formation of the curve of the spine.The back should not fall or bend in an arc. But at the same time, the child should be comfortable enough so that sleep is not disturbed.
• Hypoallergenic. When making children's mattresses, preference is given to natural materials and fabrics: coconut coir, felt, cotton and linen. High-quality polyurethane foam, orthopedic foam, latex do not cause allergies.
• Hygienic: do not accumulate dust and moisture, easy to clean, good air permeability. For children under 3 years of age, it is recommended to use a waterproof mattress cover.

Typically, children under 3-4 years old are bought hard springless mattresses, and after 4 years old - medium-hard spring or springless mattresses. It should be borne in mind that the presence of springs requires a more careful attitude. In particular, you should not jump on the mattress. It is difficult for small children under 8-9 years old to follow this rule.

Questions and answers

How to extend the life of a mattress with springs?

Springs should not be subjected to extremely high loads. When calculating weight, it is recommended to leave a reserve of 20 kg. To ensure that the wire remains rigid, you should not jump on the product or spill water on it. You should take care of the edges (frame), do not sit or lie on them. For long service life, you should put it in a box that is ideally sized. It is best if it is located on a hard, level and well-ventilated surface.

How to care for a springless mattress?

The product needs to be turned over from time to time. You cannot sit or lie in one place, knock out the mattress, get it wet, or store it rolled up. It should lie vertically. A vacuum cleaner should be used for cleaning. It is important to use a mattress protector and wash it from time to time.

It is impossible to single out one type or model of mattress that would suit every person.Some people like to sleep on a hard bed, while others have slept only in a soft bed all their lives. It will be difficult to get used to other conditions. Choosing the right, very hard product can turn into sheer agony.

It is enough that the mattress is not too soft and does not create a sagging effect. To do this, you need to take into account body weight. When choosing, you should also start from your own desires and capabilities, take into account the price, quality and functional features of the model. You need to study different types of mattresses and choose the one that is best suited for a particular person (married couple).