Bed2U

Simmons Bedding Company has been manufacturing mattresses for over 125 years. Zalmon G. Simmons opened his first factory in Kenosha, Wisconsin in 1870 with a total of nine employees. In the following years the company grew well beyond it’s humble beginnings and topped $250 million dollars in net sales in the second quarter of 2007…that’s a lot of mattresses.

Somewhere in that mountain is the Simmons BackCare Mattress. Following the established trend of thicker mattresses the Simmons BackCare Mattress set comes in at height of 21″ using the low profile foundation. This means that if you buy a bed frame that’s 4″ off the floor, you have a bed that’s 25″ off the floor. Consumers going from older narrower mattresses found that it took some time to get used to this height difference.

Simmons had some difficulties with their Beautyrest line a few years ago that resulted in many of those mattresses being returned to Simmons. Apparently the mattresses were prone to forming permanent body impressions. Simmons combatted this issue by making the Beautyrest line no-flip. ‘No-flip’ of course refers to not having to flip your mattress – a task we all loathe.

Simmons BackCare Mattresses are also no-flip and have good support due to the thicker springs used. Even with the firmer support however, movement isolation has been reported as effective.

For comfort, the BackCare Mattress can be ordered with a Plushtop or Pillowtop surface. Pillowtop surfaces have had a history of packing and losing their softness. Although this problem hasn’t been reported regarding the BackCare Mattress, it may be prudent to get the Plushtop.

Consumers have found, however, that the edge support on these mattresses is less than satisfactory and could contribute to a shorter wear-life. Considering most mattress manufacturers have the same weak edge support and don’t toughen up the edges with foam until you drop a small fortune, it is a relatively small negative, but a negative none-the-less.

All-in-all, with queen sizes going for the average whopping price of $900 USD, the Simmons BackCare Mattress offers good value for your sleeping dollar if you have a lot of dollars to spend. If you are budget-minded like me, you may want to peruse some online retailers for more economical options. www.sleepingsolutions.co.uk is a reputable company in the UK that provides online service for its region and keeps the budgeted consumer in mind.

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We have all heard of thread count and seen those mysterious numbers labeling the linen on our store shelves, but what do those numbers mean?

Basically, thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads in one square inch of fabric. Thread counts range from 80 to 700, but most linen is sold in counts from 180 to 320. But what does this mean to you?

In many circles, higher thread counts are supposed to increase the “softness” quality of linen, but contrary to popular belief, they don’t necessarily extend the wear-life of your sheets.

Thread counts are not the be-all and end-all of the linen world however. Many industry professionals believe it is the fiber used and the final finish surface of the linen that contribute to its comfortability and wear life.

It should be noted that thread counts above 380 are a result of an industry dirty secret. Manufacturers will actually twist two threads together in a manner that doubles the thread count.

Also consider the fabric as you choose your thread count. For instance, linen (made from the flax plant), flannel (originally made from carded wool, but now made from wool and cotton, 100% cotton or wool and a synthetic fiber) and jersey (the same fabric used to make t-shirts) all have lower thread counts. If they had higher thread counts, they would lose their uniquely soft qualities.

What fabric do you pick? Well, sheet sets can be made of a long list of fibers, so I’ll list a few of the naturally occurring ones:

Silk – expensive for obvious reasons. Silk sheets require special attention, but promise a luxurious rest. That said, there are people who dislike silk because it feels like sleeping on teflon.

Cotton – expense depends on thread count and designer. 100% cotton is a popular choice as it provides comfort and durability for a reasonable price. Cotton/synthetic blends tend to breath less and, depending on the person, can result in uncomfortably clammy sleepless nights.

Hemp – moderately expensive. Hemp is a sturdy fiber and can have a cotton-like feel. Hemp’s advantages are that it is stronger than cotton and is chemical-free.

Do your research and with the help of qualified professionals, you will obtain a bedding set that is beautiful, durable and soft without sacrificing your ethics.

While online, you may want to visit www.designerlinensoutlet.com. They are one of the largest online linen suppliers in North America. But don’t let their size scare you, they have a staff ready to answer your purchase questions, a satisfaction guarantee and an easily accessible customer service department.

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Now that you’ve found the perfect mattress, it’s time to explore the intangible quality that makes your bedtime sojourn a treat – style.

Visual appeal adds to the pleasure of nodding off, so what is it that pleases you? Dutch Modern, Victorian, Art Nouveau, Post Modern or Rustic bedding?

Examination of what your bedroom already offers as an artistic base and a little research of what’s available will give you a style to start from. Once you’ve established your nocturnal theme, it’s time to shop around. Many designer linens can be found online. If price is a consideration, which it usually is, you may want to explore discount designer linen outlets for products within your budget – many offer free delivery, which makes shopping easy.

Once you’ve satisfied your bedding needs, you may find that your sleeping space needs some adjustment. Moving around your furniture and/or adding appropriate bedroom decor does wonders for improving your slumber. Feng Shui is a term that has been used and abused to describe the arrangement of objects to optimize energy flow. Now this may seem a little metaphysical to be practical, but trust me, when you are laying awake for the fifth night in a row for no other reason that you can’t seem to shut off, Feng Shui may be your hidden answer.

Now, Feng Shui is a method that can be applied to most style choices, so have no fear that it may damage your creative vision, unless you are a clutter addict who loves the feeling of being spatially trapped.

Sleep is important and the quality of it is dependant on your ability to relax. If you manage to create a pleasant world of dreams, your daytime endeavors will benefit from a clear mind and rested body.

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