Bedding – buying guide

Backache, stiffness, a stiff neck… it’s not uncommon to wake up feeling tired and aching. Yet we’re constantly being told that a good night’s sleep is the key to a good day! Because we spend a third of our lives in bed, choosing the right bedding shouldn’t be left to chance. Foam mattresses, latex mattresses, spring mattresses, slatted bed bases… With such a wide range on offer, it’s easy to get overwhelmed… There are many factors to consider when choosing the right mattress for your needs and body type, to ensure a restful night’s sleep. Firmness, size, support and the materials used in the mattress are all crucial, not to mention how well it fits with the bed base! It’s also important to know when to replace your bedding: in fact, to maintain optimal sleep quality, the French Bedding Association recommends changing both your mattress and bed base every 10 years. In this guide, you’ll find the golden rules for choosing the right bedding, as well as a wealth of advice and tips!

When should you replace your bedding?

Bedding lasts for 10 years; after that, all experts recommend replacing it. Subjected to pressure around 40 times every night – totalling approximately 150,000 times – mattresses and bed bases undergo mechanical wear and tear and natural deterioration of their components over this period. By the end of their lifespan, the performance of a good-quality mattress and bed base will have decreased by 25 per cent – and much more in the case of lower-quality bedding. Bedding plays a major role in the quality of sleep as well as in back problems. It is therefore essential to invest in a good-quality mattress and bed base to relieve and prevent pain, and thus safeguard your health. However, buying bedding should not be done on a whim. But first and foremost, how do you know if it’s time to replace your bedding? What are the tell-tale signs that your bedding is in poor condition? A quick assessment is in order...

Quickly assess your bedding

Do I need to replace my mattress?

To find out if you need to replace your mattress, take a look at it when you’re making your bed. If you notice any dips or lumps, this could be affecting your back or spine. It’s therefore a good idea to ask yourself a few questions: Are you sleeping poorly? Do you or your partner toss and turn too much at night? Do you often wake up feeling tired, stiff, achy or with back pain? If the answer is yes, bear in mind that these are the most obvious signs that your bedding is in poor condition. Now, place both your hands flat on your mattress and press down. If your hands sink in without any resistance, your spine is no longer being properly supported. Now, lie down. If you feel as though you’re sinking into the mattress as if into a tub, this means that the spring system is no longer working optimally and that, unfortunately, your mattress no longer provides the support needed for your muscles and back to rest. Finally, sit on the edge of your bed and then stand up. Normally, your mattress should spring back to its original shape instantly.

Do I need to replace my bed base?

To assess the condition of your bed base at a glance, all you need to do is look: its surface should be smooth, flat and even. If the springs are uneven, leave visible indentations, or worse still, are poking through the ticking, it’s clear that your bed base needs replacing as a matter of urgency. For slatted bed bases, check that the slats are secure, assess their condition and inspect the fixing points on the wooden frame.

Factors to consider before buying your bedding.

Choosing your bedding can sometimes feel like an obstacle course! With such a wide variety of models, brands and prices, it’s hard to know where to start. A quick overview of the selection criteria is essential. There are six key criteria to consider.

Sleeping independence:

The greater the independence, the less you’ll be disturbed by the movements of the person sleeping next to you. This is particularly important if your partner tends to move around a lot!

The type of support system: springs, foam or latex

To avoid any awkward adjustment period, we recommend sticking to your usual sleeping habits. So, if you currently sleep on a spring mattress, choose another spring mattress. The same applies to foam and latex mattresses.

The filling

This refers to the initial comfort you experience when you first lie down, known as ‘immediate comfort’. The filling can be made from various materials (silk, cotton, wool). More information ( => link to mattress composition).

Firmness

Firmness depends on your body type and/or the level of comfort you’re looking for. Height and weight are key factors in choosing the firmness of your mattress.