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Picking the Best Foundation for a Latex Mattress

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A mattress is a long-term investment that gets used every day, so people should do some research before making a purchase. For a latex mattress, the foundation is just as important as the mattress itself. Adequate support provides additional comfort and stability while extending the mattress’s lifespan. These four foundations are all solid choices for latex mattresses.

Box Spring

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Latex mattresses require the additional support of a solid foundation, and box springs are a popular, affordable choice. Breathability is also critical for latex. The box spring should have slats between two and three inches apart to promote air flow. However, if the distance between the slats exceeds three inches, the mattress can stretch, weaken, and sag.

Wood Platform Bed

Platform beds combine the bed frame and mattress support into one piece. No box spring or other additional support is necessary. Solid wood is a popular choice for platform beds because of its quality, durability, and style. The support should have slats for breathability if used with a latex mattress. However, options are available with and without slats to support a variety of mattresses, from traditional innerspring mattresses to mattress toppers.

Metal Platform Bed

Another type of bed that delivers adequate support for latex and other types of mattresses is the metal platform bed. Much like wood, metal platform beds are both frames and supports. Their horizontal or vertical steel support bars can often support more weight than other frames. In general, metal platform beds are affordable and built to last.

Adjustable Bases

Adjustable bases have bed frames can be customized to provide the ideal position for sleeping, reading, or watching TV. The flexibility of latex mattresses makes them perfect for adjustable beds because they contour with ease to meet individual preferences. Depending on the brand and functionality, adjustable beds may be more expensive than other options, but a good night’s sleep is worth it.

Start Shopping Today

Latex mattresses offer numerous benefits, including improved comfort and support, that contribute to deep, restful sleep. At Buis Mattress, we offer bench-made latex mattresses and a variety of frames to go with them, as well as high-quality furniture for your home. To check out our unique products, stop by our showroom in Holland, MI.

The Talalay Difference: Dunlop With a Twist

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Due to its softness, breathability, and durability, latex makes a luxurious mattress. A popular choice in today’s market, latex mattresses provide both comfort and support. Currently, two processes are used to make them: Dunlop and Talalay. Both use synthetic latex or natural latex derived from the sap of rubber trees, which is placed in a centrifuge to create a froth, similar to whipping egg whites to produce a fluffy meringue. However, the Talalay process involves a few additional steps. While both provide exceptional results, there are slight differences in the feel of the finished products. 

The Dunlop Process The Talalay Difference: Dunlop With a Twist

At almost a century old, the Dunlop process is the original method for producing latex mattresses. Created in 1929, it begins with the foundational step of creating latex froth in a centrifuge. Then, it’s poured into a mold in layers and steam-baked, followed by a second heating process to evaporate all remaining moisture. Natural sediment collects in the bottom of the mattress, making it firmer on the underside than on the top.

The Talalay Process

Similar to the Dunlop process in that the first few steps are the same, the Talalay process is a bit more extensive. The latex froth is poured into the mold, but it’s only partially filled. Then it’s sealed and the air is removed, allowing the latex to expand. The filled mold is flash frozen so that carbon dioxide creates airways in the mattress, making it breathable. It is then baked, washed, and dried, and the production of a Talalay latex mattress is complete.

Is Dunlop or Talalay Better?

While the answer to this question truly depends on the preferences of the consumer, the short answer is that Talalay is often considered the better option of the two. It typically has a higher price point than a Dunlop mattress, as it takes more energy to produce. In addition, Talalay mattresses have more of a plush, bouncy feeling than Dunlop mattresses.

That said, Dunlop certainly has advantages of its own. Dunlop mattress foam is denser than Talalay, so they’re an ideal option for those who prefer a firm mattress. The Dunlop process is also less energy-intensive and, therefore, more ecologically friendly.

Whether you’re looking for a luxurious new Talalay mattress or prefer the solid, firm dependability of a Dunlop mattress, Buis Mattress is happy to help you choose the best for your rest. We only use blended or natural latex in our mattresses, never poly foam base material, free from any filler materials. Contact us at 616-396-6257 if you have any questions about our unique, bench-made products.

How to Find the Optimal Temperature for a Good Night’s Sleep

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A bedroom is kind of like a cave; it provides a dark, quiet place to sleep and recharge at the end of a long day. Caves also stay cool, the way a bedroom should at night. While there’s no exact temperature that guarantees a good night’s sleep for everyone, keeping the thermostat somewhere between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit provides the ideal temperature to initiate and maintain sleep.

Understanding Thermoregulation How to Find the Optimal Temperature for a Good Night's Sleep - Buis Mattress

The sleep-wake cycle depends on a process called thermoregulation, which for most people begins in the late afternoon. This is when the body starts cooling down for sleep. The goal of thermoregulation is to adjust the body’s core temperature to aid in falling asleep and staying asleep. A higher body temperature helps with the waking process, so body temperature rises near the waking hours to resume alertness.

Thermoregulation and Sleep Temperature

Based on the process of thermoregulation, a room temperature that is too hot can cause restlessness and disrupt the deep REM stage of sleep. However, being too cold can also become a problem. A bad night’s sleep makes for a miserable next day, so sleeping with the thermostat set to an extreme is not doing anyone any favors. It’s important to find a temperature that not only helps the body reach deep sleep at night, but also supports the body in transitioning to a state of alertness in the morning. For anyone who has ever struggled to get out of a warm, cozy bed in the morning (who hasn’t?), thermoregulation is part of the reason.

Determining the Ideal Temperature

So how can the ideal sleep temperature be determined? It’s mostly trial and error. Folks who keep their home at extreme temperatures should start somewhere near the warmer or cooler end of the 60 to 67 degree Fahrenheit range, respectively, and adjust accordingly. However, this is only in regard to the ambient air, and all those blankets increase body heat. Even if the surrounding air temperature is ideal, it’s only touching exposed body parts. Additionally, heat builds through the body just from contact with the mattress.

Because there is more at play than just air temperature, finding the ideal temperature can be tricky. Thankfully, there are now solutions on the market that help control body heat through the night. Popular options include latex mattresses that provide a cooler sleep surface and certain types of mattress toppers that help lower body temperature in the evening and raise it as morning approaches.

Start Sleeping Better Tonight

As you see, the right type of mattress and bedding can play a big role in keeping you cool at night. Buis Mattress offers bedding products including latex mattresses and mattress toppers designed to help your body reach an optimal temperature for sleep. Check out our unique products at our store locations, or call us at 616-396-6257 to learn more. And don’t forget to adjust the thermostat tonight!

Over the Counter & Prescription Sleep Aids to Avoid for a Good Night’s Rest

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After a long bout of insomnia, it may be tempting to reach for over-the-counter medicines to help with drifting off. However, some of these easily-accessible sleep aids and other drugs may actually do more harm than good when it comes to restful sleep. 

The Dependency Dilemma

 Even the best mattress topper can’t always beat insomnia, and there comes a time to use sleep aids. However, when this becomes a daily routine, it has its significant drawbacks. Because the body forms a tolerance to several drugs over time, it can require more and more of the substance to have the desired reaction. Furthermore, sleepers may find that they can no longer fall asleep without the medication, leading to dependency. This may result in insomnia and even withdrawal symptoms when the medication is stopped.

Benzodiazepine Sedative-hypnotic Sleeping Pills

Benzodiazepine prescription medications, such as Xanax, Valium, and Ativan, are used to treat anxiety, but they also can be used to treat insomnia. According to the CDC, nearly 9 million Americans use prescription medications for a sleep aid, but they should be used very safely and wisely. For example, according to WebMD, the sedative-hypnotic Halcion is potentially addictive and can present problems with memory and attention. WebMD also reports that some patients report problems with sleepwalking when taking these sleeping pills. When used on a nightly basis, they can also lose their effectiveness and lead to cognitive slowing and drowsiness.

Cough Syrup

When sleep aids aren’t available, many reach instead to cough syrup. Even over-the-counter antihistamines, such as liquid Benadryl, may result in drowsiness and more ease falling asleep. However, cough syrups can also contain alcohol in a range from 1.5 percent to a whopping 40 percent. Alcohol is a known sleep disruptor and can reduce the quality of one’s sleep, so it’s important to find alcohol-free cough syrup formulations.

Herbal Supplements

Herbal supplements used as sleep aids, such as St. John’s wort and melatonin, are largely unregulated. This means that these supplements are often not tested for purity or concentration, so consumers have little way of knowing what they’re ingesting. This may result in consuming much higher levels of sleep aids than necessary, resulting in sluggishness and a change to one’s sleeping schedule. However, since melatonin is produced naturally in the body, this is one of the safest products to take for a sleep aid when used in moderation and in accordance with the dosage directions. 

When it comes to getting a good night’s sleep, it’s also important to know you’re sleeping on the best mattress available. For more information about preparing for a better night’s sleep with a new mattress, you can check out our previous blog post. At Buis Mattress, our bench-made mattresses can be custom-fit to ensure you receive a good night’s rest. Reach out to us today to learn more about our line of mattresses.

Why You Should Definitely Be Using a Mattress Protector

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Since most people spend around a third of their life asleep, consumers shouldn’t overlook the safety, comfort, and cleanliness of a mattress. Having a good mattress protector can help extend the life of a mattress.

It Keeps the Mattress Clean Why You Should Definitely Be Using a Mattress Protector - Buis Mattress

During the night, human bodies naturally perspire, produce oil, and shed dead skin cells. Without a mattress protector, all of this can soak through the sheets and build up in the mattress. Once these fluids sink into the mattress, it’s hard—or impossible—to fully clean it. A mattress protector provides a barrier to help prevent this buildup from seeping in.

It Keeps the Mattress in Better Condition

Even the best mattress won’t last forever, but perspiration and other fluids building up in the mattress will make the quality decrease much faster, whether the mattress is innerspring or foam. This is because they can wear down the materials in the mattress over time, resulting in a less comfortable night’s rest and requiring more frequent mattress replacements.

It Helps Prevent Allergies

Dust mites can be found in any home, but those who have dust mite allergies should reduce their presence whenever possible. Since dust mites feed on dead skin cells, they will be less attracted to a covered mattress, as skin cells won’t be able to build up over time. This can prevent the sneezing, wheezing, runny nose, and coughing associated with dust mite allergies. In addition to deterring dust mites, mattress protectors can prevent other allergens, like pet dander, from building up.

Even the most comfortable and high-end mattress will lose quality after contact with fluids, dust mites, and other types of unwanted buildup. To ensure a comfortable night’s sleep, choose the right mattress and mattress topper, and don’t forget a mattress protector. The high-quality, bench-made mattresses from Buis Mattress provide the comfort needed for a good night’s sleep, so they deserve to be protected from the elements. For more information about our custom mattresses and their upkeep, call Buis Mattress at 616-396-6257 today.