The waddings and fillings are the most under-rated components of your mattress and yet they are the most important. My biggest gripe and the obvious reason for your mattress buying frustration is that these absolutely fundamental details are seldom described in the detail they ought to be.
When you have chosen your support – The spring unit, either Bonnell (cage) springs or pocket springs, then the next aspect you should be deciding on is the materials that will give you the comfort you require.
On the cheapest possible budget mattress, the spring unit will be a very basic cage sprung unit. Surrounding this will be an insulator blanket and the wadding either side will be a low grade polyester (usually about 600gsm (grams per square metre) This polyester wadding will then be light quilted to the exterior stitchbond (cheap) fabric.
These kind of mattresses are churned out by various factories in their thousands each day. Amazing for the fact that it shows that they are actually being sold, and even more so that people are actually buying them. The lifespan of these are extremely limited and the comfort level they give, in my opinion, is at best minimal.
Understanding how each component wadding works with each other is paramount. Even though the descriptions below seem detailed – they are only scratching the surface, and of course it is in this area where you are unfortunately most likely to be misled.
What is an insulator Pad?
This is a sheet of material predominantly made from shredded recycled cloth, bonded together to make a durable surface that is clipped to and encases the spring unit. This kind of pad usually forms the basis of most mattresses and is necessary to prevent the springs poking through the subsequent waddings into your back and also to provide a flat surface ready to support the initial wadding layer. However, depending on the quality of mattress being produced the grade of these pads are either extremely basic or quite substantial.
The differences of the pad depends on the type of mattress it is being used on. For example on an orthopaedic cage sprung mattress the pad will be relatively firm (Saturn Pad) in order to dissipate your body weight across the springs. On a pocket sprung mattress the insulator pad will be pliable yet durable (poly pad) in order to gain maximum benefit from the independant springs beneath.
There is no need for you to be unduly concerned about this component. If a mattress manufacturer scrimps or cuts corners on this most basic component it just shows that pride in workmanship is not high on their list of priorities!
About Polyester Fibres.
Polyester wadding is the most widely used component in the manufacture of mattresses. It is cheap to produce and cheap to buy. It is available in many weights from 300gsm for use on economy mattresses to a more realistic 1000gsm on many midrange mattresses . Weights of polyester wadding can go as high as 1800gsm but rarely used as it is better to layer differing lower weights.
it can be used in duplicate layers such as 600gsm and 800gsm or in conjunction with another type of wadding such as Reflex foam or Cotton, Wool etc. Read more about Polyester wadding ..
What about latex as a comfort layer?
There is one important thing about ‘Latex’ to bear in mind when reading descriptions in that there are several types of latex when used in the manufacture of mattresses.
Firstly, there is 100% Natural Latex. This is the creamy white material that is the absolute best available and of course the most expensive.
More common is Graphite Latex (grey) a viable and acceptable alternative. (As shown in the video) This is not absolutely 100% natural but a high content blend that is ideally suited for use as a final comfort layer on mattresses.
Then there are latex substitutes having similar properties to natural latex but of course are chemically produced in much the same way as memory foam. There is absolutely nothing wrong with using latex substitutes, the quality of these products are extremely high but being synthetic may not be suitable for people prone to allergic skin reactions.
The main thing to bear in mind is that if the description does not say “100% Natural Latex” then it is unlikely it will be. Also, you really must know the depth of natural latex used in order to make an informed price comparison. Read more about latex..
Innergetic Latex?This is just a brand name of Latexco, one of Europe’s [many] manufacturers of latex foam mattress cores.
About Memory Foam.
Memory Foam on a Reflex Foam base:
I am not a fan of this combination. It really is a heat retentive mix and the current prices for what is essentially a foam mattress somewhat beggars belief. In my mind, if you can get memory foam on a pocket spring system for the same price (or less) than Memory Foam on a High Density Reflex foam base, then it would be a big mistake not to at least give it due consideration.
Memory Foam on a cage sprung system
This will be the cheapest of all options and mainly offered as a one sided (non turn) mattress. There are models with dual sided memory foam. Are they better? Absolutely. But only if the price asked is not close to twice the amount of a single sided version. There are occasions where it is better to replace quicker than paying double for it to last longer. Sometimes, a well constructed one sided memory foam can be more economical than a two sided mattress using polyester as primary comfort layers.
Memory Foam on Pocket Springs:
This is a perfect combination. Again, It will, more often than not be a one sided (non turn) mattress, but the combination of an excellent support system and durable comfort layer will ensure a superbly comfortable mattress.
What about claims about being good for your back?
If you totally disregard any and all beneficial claims and see Memory Foam as being exactly what it is – a really comfortable sleep surface – you will not be disappointed. Any additional benefits you may get will be a bonus.
Far too much nonsense has been concocted by advertisers of what is essentially ‘foam’ and because of this consumers are expecting something what it cannot posibly deliver. Read more about Memory Foam..
How good is Reflex Foam or Foam as a mattress component?
In the UK there are plenty of foam converters, for example – British Vita®, Recticel®, Carpenters, Foam Techniques Ltd , each providing foam sheeting in various grades and depths to nearly all mattress manufacturers. The grade of foam used will be determined by its final usage. For example, economy foam sheeting of about 1″ depth is sometimes used as a buffer on top of the insulator pad to provide a good foundation for a polyester wadding comfort layer. Reflex® is a trade name of one of British Vita’s foam products, and used [wrongly] in many cases to describe a high density foam in much the same way as Hoover® is used for a ‘vacuum cleaner’. There are many other foam products with a similar make up as Reflex but with other trade names.
A premium soft foam is often used as a viable alternative to memory foam as an affordable and comfortable sleep surface.
In fact the combinations and grades that can be used are so varied it is quite impossible to list them all. Suffice to say, foam in general is not a bad component to have in a mattress. It can enhance the comfort and durability of other waddings used and provide additional structural support without necessarily costing too much more.
Cotton, Cashmere, Lambswool, Silk.
These are termed ‘Natural Fibres’ and used mainly as the final comfort layers more often than not in conjunction with premium grade polyester wadding. Natural fibres are exceptionally expensive. In many cases they are used sparingly and the fact that they can be listed as part of a manufacturer’s specification or retailer’s description counts for more than the actual benefit you will gain from them.
Although they sound luxurious and glamorous, the depths and weights have to be realisticly beneficial . The reason being is that these components are only added to an already well constructed mattress and can be considered as the icing on the cake. A mattress at a high price but without this neccessary information should instantly set your inner alarm bells ringing.
When choosing your mattress always make a little note of how much extra you are being asked to pay for the inclusion of a natural fibre pad – against one without – this will help in making your final decision.
If the description actually gives you a depth and/or weight -say, “contains a 2″ layer of the finest Indian Cashmere as the sleeping surface” then that is entirely different to say, “Contains luxurious Cashmere” this could mean a few milimeters or a couple of inches, and I, and you can only hazzard a guess at which one it will be.
Natural fibres are usually blended. So a mattress described as containing silk, cotton and Cashmere is not neccessarily three different layers of the components but, one layer containing all three. There is absolutely nothing wrong in these formulations but it is wrong if you are given the impression your mattress contains more than it actually does.
Finally.
No matter what comfort layers you choose or however much you pay, you really should be aware of the benefits of looking after your mattress.
You do lose quite a considerable amount of moisture each night and this has an additional detrimental effect on your mattress. I always preach that the more barriers you have between yourself and your mattress will ensure you get the most out of it. Body sweat permeating the mattress night after night rots the fabric and quickly compromises the waddings and fillings contained.
Hello John and Ryan how are you
My response to your advise is not going to be interesting because I am still very confused and there is no easy way to find out if bedmakers are deceiving toward their customers and cheating. I was hoping you can tell me, on your website you have put the hypnos Sandringham one of the best beds in the world would hypnos cut corners with the filling for their top beds?
Every bed maker nowadays that build these mattresses won’t supply this information whether it’s hypnos savoir or dreams or vi spring I live in London I tried and asked all the big department stores and internet retailers yet all of these people just say we can’t tell you because either they don’t know or it’s a trade secret your right it’s scandalous.
It’s like going to an off licence and buying a bottle of whiskey and when you ask how much whiskey in the bottle ooh we can’t tell you because you might be a competitor trying to steal our ingredients. Like you said if someone was going to steal the secrets of making beds surely it would be better to buy the bed and open it up and see exactly how it’s made and put together.
So this bed I have put a deposit on the only ever way I could find out if hypnos has been stingy and cheating on amounts of fabric is by opening the mattress up which would be a waste of money and I will feel hurt and depressed. You mentioned a bed which you opened up and there was hardly any natural fibres inside something like 50gsm please tell us which brand this was please. There should be a regulating body which should be telling bed makers to tell the customer exactly how much natural fibres inside and what percentage is mixed up something like a garment care label…
Thanks for your ultra speedy response look forward to hearing from you it’s getting messy with this mattress minefield out here, one last question would the royal warrant holder hypnos be cutting corners on their Top mattress range yes or no because I really don’t wasn’t to be opening a mattress I buy to see what’s really inside.
Hi Kenny, First of all I want to make it clear that the models mentioned on the post you refer to are NOT models that I recommend. It was done with the intention to show you that the retail prices commanded for such models are in the realms of fantasy, but it does give you an indication of the quality of build you can expect for such silly prices.
Like you say, short of cutting up the mattress, or for a manufacturer to actually state the quantities of fillings used in any particular mattress, it is impossible to say with any degree of certainty the weight of fillings used. It is so wrong that a response of ‘We can’t [we wont] tell you the quantities used’. Legally, a specification listing can be as vague as ‘Contains wool’ and as absurd as it seems this can quite rightly and legitimately refer to to a single woollen tuft.
Kenny, we thoroughly understand your frustration. Currently there is nothing we can do to allay the fears you have. This site was put together to encourage you to question the detail from all manufacturers. We know through experience that manufacturers will not disclose the weights because pure and simply it will be all too apparent that for years upon years consumers have been misled, mis informed and totally and utterly deceived.
The only way this situation can be resolved is by consumers phoning the manufacturers direct and specifically asking these particular pertinent questions – How Much ..? I must admit that Vi-Spring have always been quite open about their component weights and that makes them stand out from the rest. Hypnos, as the crux of your concern, details at length the qualities of their spring supports but fails at great length about the qualities of the component upholstery. My initial question would be ‘What are they trying to hide ?’.
Sorry we can’t be more forthright at this time, but we really do appreciate your comments. John and Ryan.
hello John how are you
I have found your site immensely helpful and informative and I do follow your advice vigorously well I try to my problem is…
The advice you give about natural fibres such as cashmere and any other hair and other luxury fibre is to always ask the depth and weight of the fibres which I do but I get the reply you might be a competitor trying to steal our details of how to build bed like ours which I find very very strange to say to a customer.
Hypnos bed makers are worst when it comes to this they are more secretive than MI6 they won’t tell me how much cashmere would be in Sandringham or whether it would be mixed with other fibres such as silk and cotton or the spring count on their new ultrasens pocket spring system. What do you think should I trust them because they have a royal warrant and they won’t cut corners, this bed would be of high quality and specification with generous amounts of natural fibres.
On you’re website you have also tipped the Sandringham as one of the best beds in the world. If the hypnos brand was more transparent it would be better it would also mean I can go for any bed in their collection because I think the st James is more reasonable for me and I have found one for 2090 pounds including the base with 4 draws so not bad price for a double but I dint know if hypnos would make my bed with enough of the natural fibres to make a difference or if it’s just a easy of getting more and giving less to customer help me mate please..
Many thanks
Ken
Hi Ken. That’s absolutely scandelous. What other product are you willing to hand over two thousand quid for without knowing what you are getting?
I recently answered a comment similar to yours [read here] where the customer was told that the contents are a trade secret !! Unbelievable. If a manufacturer wanted to copy a mattress all they would have to was to buy one, so their argument of a competitor trying to steal the details is baloney.
Ryan and I have recently come across ‘evidence’ of a blended pad being used by a major manufacturer with a specification that lists Cashmere, wool, mohair and fine horsehair. When listed in a specification [without GSM weights] you would think that that this was the finest mattress ever made. In reality, you would think twice about using it as shoe sole inserts. The percentage of horsehair used (as an example) was in the region of 5 and ten percent [equivalent to about 50grams] we will be expanding on this with photos when our new website is launched in a few weeks.
The point of this, and the reason why you really should ensure you know what you are buying, is that there is currently no legal requirement for manufacturers to tell you the quantities used. They can list all sorts of stuff on the specification, but the actual quantity in your mattress can be as little as one useless gram.
Knowing what I now know after five years or so delving into this completely secretive world, I personally would not take the word of any manufacturer to assure me that just because a component is listed, it would be in a quantity that makes a viable contribution to the actual build. Vi-Spring, as a direct competitor to Hypnos is only one of a handful of manufacturers who list their components by GSM. Although, of late this plattitude seems to be falling by the wayside.
Your comments on our reply would be very interesting. John and Ryan.
Dear John,
I have found your site immensely helpful and informative but have a couple of questions:
I have had a superking pocket sprung mattress for 20 years ( I know, scandalous for not having changed it earlier!!) but have loved it as it has given great support and does not ever get hot like some mattresses I have slept on. However it now needs replacing and due to space requirements in new house I have decided to go for a zip and link option. I found the comments advice regarding the JL mattress helpful but wonder if you could give advice on the ‘heat’ properties of the Origins 2000 as I note that the contents are primarily synthetic and foam is used.
Hi Sarah. All mattresses in this price range and a large percentage above this price range will contain a fair element of polyester as the primary wadding component. To enhance this layer further, additional wadding components are often added such as wool, cotton, memory foam, latex and so on and therefore the price increases. It really is not posible to find a mattress below £800 which uses 100% natural fibres.
The foam in the mattresses are used as a bridging layer above the insulator pad to prevent the polyester above compressing prematurely. Read more ..
There will be no undue heat element in this mattress as the foam layer is beneath the polyester and the wool layer. Hope this helps. John.