Buying Guides

The Science Of Sleep: Why Buy An Organic Mattress?

When it comes to the bedroom there’s only one-way to go: au naturale! Take a peak under the covers and discover everything you need to know when buying an organic mattress, bedding and accessories. What is an organic mattress? In the same way that organic produce is free from pesticides and artificially introduced chemicals, organic mattresses are made from materials that aren't treated with any chemicals or toxic materials. As well as the lower carbon footprint and supporting more sustainable farming methods, there are many advantages for going organic when it comes to buying a mattress. Most modern mattresses contain polyurethane foam. Made from petroleum products, these have a habit of emitting volatile organic compounds which have been linked to respiratory health problems. Similarly, foams are often treated with fire retardant chemicals, particularly Polybrominated diphenyl ethers or P.B.D.E.’s. Non-degradable, these compounds accumulate in the environment throughout the world, with scientists finding them in seal-blubber in Greenland and the breast milk of American mothers. Cotton, Wool or Latex? Organic mattresses not only come in all shapes and sizes but also in a wide array of different materials. Organic wool mattresses are efficient heat conductors and are great for keeping you cool in hot rooms. Organic cotton, on the other hand, is a softer material and offers a more luxurious experience. However, when it comes to mitigating allergies and health conditions, a natural latex mattress could be the best way forward. Made from latex, naturally harvested from the sap of rubber trees, the lack of fibres means that fewer allegiants are able to collect. Buying Organic bedding Just like organic mattresses, organic bedding is made from chemical free materials. As well as helping to encourage sustainable agriculture and reducing the amount of toxic chemicals in the environment, organic bedding helps reduces allergies - especially skin complaints like Eczema. Investing in organic bedding is also a must for anyone looking to make their bed a little bit more comfortable. The breathable material is a better conductor of heat than synthetics, while the increased softness is perfect for those looking to make a truly luxurious sleeping environment. Organic mattresses vs Other Mattresses Organic versus Memory Foam Memory foam mattresses are either made of or topped with a layer of temperature-sensitive viscoelastic material, which moulds itself to the shape of the body. In contrast, organic mattresses are made from natural materials, such as wool, cotton and flax, that has not been treated with any chemicals or toxic materials. Organic versus Latex Organic wool mattresses are excellent at keeping you cool in hot rooms, whilst organic wool offers a softer and more luxurious sleeping experience. However, when it comes to mitigating allergies and health conditions, a latex mattress is the best way forward. Made from natural latex, the lack of fibres means that less allergies are able to collect. Organic versus Pocket Sprung Pocket sprung mattresses, with their many individual springs that move to support your body, are some of the most comfortable you can buy. But not all of these offer comfort to the environment. Organic mattresses are just as soft and supportive but come with the added benefit of being naturally sourced and chemical free. All of our organic mattresses use hand-stitched pocket springs. The Heal's Organic Pocket Mattress If you’re still stuck for which organic mattress to buy, we recommend the Heal’s Organic Pocket Mattress. It incorporates all the benefits of an organic design and, because it is made using wool, cotton and flax, it comes with all the features associated with each. It is our most natural mattress – no pesticides or chemicals were used in producing the materials making for a healthier, naturally temperature regulated sleep. The individual pocket springs help to support each sleeper, keeping you in place and preventing you from rolling to your partner's side of the bed.

Buying Guides

Total Recoil: Why Mattress Springs Count

Don’t get done, get sprung with our guide to all things mattress springs. A mattress is just a mattress, right? Wrong. There are a number of minute factors that can determine the type, comfort and quality of your mattress, one of the key elements being the type of springs used inside. The foundation of a satisfying night’s sleep, we're peeling back the layers to uncover the past, present and future of luxury mattresses. The birth of sprung mattresses First developed in the 15th century, coil spring mattresses really took off in the 1800s thanks in no small part to former Heal’s director John Harris Heal. Patented in 1860, his Sommier Elastique Portatif sprung mattress was a hinged design that could be folded into three parts and proved so popular that it stayed in production for over a century. Innovative in their day, coil mattresses marked a major step forward from straw or even feather filled beds. Yet fast forward over 150 years and the basic design remains the same with two main types to choose from: Continuous coil mattress: made from a single piece of wire that is looped into shape Open coil mattress: contains a number of single springs held together by a wire frame Find out more about Heal's Heritage Don’t be foiled by coils The saying goes that “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”. Yet when it comes to coil mattresses, this is one design that has definitely outstayed its welcome. Being a mass-manufactured design, it’s no surprise that coil spring mattresses took off during the industrial revolution and likewise became increasingly cheaper both in terms of their production and quality. The fundamental problem with these mattresses is that the springs move as one unit. This is quite literally a nightmare for those who share a bed with a partner as you're more likely to be disturbed by their movements during the night and the coils tend to wear out more quickly meaning you will start rolling together. Due to the inexpensive nature of coil mattresses, often they are filled with equally poor materials. Natural fillings are preferable as they provide superior long lasting support, such as horse hair which provides added bounce, and are more breathable meaning you won’t overheat during the night. Read our guide to getting the perfect night's sleep The power of pocket sprung Of course, you’d think with so many drawbacks someone would have come up with a solution sooner. Well in 1900 English born engineer James Marshall did just that by creating the world’s first pocket sprung mattress. A true revolution in terms of comfort and support, pocket sprung mattresses contain a number of individual springs, each of which is fine tuned to a specific tension (this will depend on the specific mattress) and encased within individual fabric pockets – hence the name pocket sprung. Key to pocket sprung design is that each spring is able to move independently from one another ensuring more evenly distributed support across the body. This also means less disturbance from a partner when they move with the difference between each of our counteracted by the separate supportive springs. See how our Pocket Sprung Mattresses compare We rest our case Given the weight of evidence listed above, you won’t be surprised to hear that Heal’s did away with Victorian designed coil springs long ago replacing them with modern pocket sprung or latex and memory foam ranges. Handmade in the UK, all of our mattresses are filled with only the finest fillings to provide a supportive, temperature regulating and entirely sustainable sleep. So if you’re on lookout for a new mattress, remember to avoid the dreaded coil springs by heading over to Heal’s to see how our luxury mattresses compare. Shop Sleep Back to top

Buying Guides

The Science Of Sleep: Hypoallergenic Mattresses

Don't let your mattress pose a threat to your health. If you suffer from an allergy, ensure a safe night's sleep with our hypoallergenic mattress guide. Why buy a hypoallergenic or anti-allergy mattress? A hypoallergenic or anti-allergy mattress is a specially made mattress that offers protection from the organisms that would otherwise provoke an allergic reaction from somebody whilst sleeping. This is because, unlike a regular mattress, a hypoallergenic mattress boasts non-toxic, allergy-resistant properties that will ensure those suffering from allergies can rest easy while they sleep. Do anti-allergy mattresses protect from dust mites? An anti-allergy mattress will offer far more protection from dust mites than a traditional mattress. Anti-allergy mattresses are tightly sealed to ensure there is not a build-up of mould and mildew within the mattress. As a result, dust mites and other microscopic animals are far less likely to be drawn to it. If you are somebody suffering from a dust mite allergy, we would also recommend purchasing a hypoallergenic dust mite mattress cover, pillow covers and bedding for added dust mite protection. What kind of hypoallergenic mattresses are there? There are many hypoallergenic mattresses available to choose between. These range from organic pocket to memory foam and latex mattresses. Each of these chemical free mattresses have different individual qualities, so it’s important to take care in picking the right anti-allergy mattress for you.

Buying Guides

The Science Of Sleep: What’s A Latex Mattress?

Forget memory foam, a natural latex mattress is the last word in responsive comfort and support. See how they compare with our short guide to all things latex mattresses. What is a latex mattress? Harvested from the sap of rubber trees, natural latex is a remarkable material that is flexible, breathable and hypoallergenic. In order to extract the latex, rubber trees are hand scored with small wooden bowls strategically placed to collect the liquid sap as it runs down the trunk. This is a long-winded process with each tree producing on average just 27ml sap per day. Once the liquid latex has been collected it is whipped using an industrial mixer and injected into a vacuum-sealed aluminium pin-core mould. This is then flash cooled to -30 degrees Celsius before being reheated to +115 degrees Celsius to ensure the latex is solidified. Why should I buy a latex mattress? Compared to a regular mattress, a natural latex mattress offers superior softness and support when sleeping. This is particularly the case for those who suffer joint or back pain. By adjusting to the contours of your body, the natural latex mattress reduces the stress on those otherwise neglected pressure point areas. Latex mattresses are also ideal for those suffering from allergies. The latex mattresses hypoallergenic properties mean it is resistant to dust mites, mildew and mould. Another benefit of a latex mattress is its longevity and durability, especially compared with a regular mattress. It’s fair to say that when you purchase a latex mattress, you’re making an investment in your sleep that’ll last for a long time. Which latex mattress should I choose? Pocket sprung mattresses with latex ensure you get all the comfort of pocket sprung mattress as well as all the responsiveness and comfort of a latex mattress. For those looking for the ultimate night sleep, a natural talalay latex mattress, such as our Reflex Layered mattress, is the way to go. Talalay latex offers much-needed support for the body whilst at the same time allowing freedom of movement. This is particularly handy if you toss and turn a lot when sleeping or sleep on your side. Does a latex mattress get hot? The natural ventilation properties of latex mean that unlike other types of contemporary mattress, a natural latex mattress will maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the year not to mention the night. We recommend that you pair your mattress with a mattress cover made from natural fibres that allows breathability. What’s the difference between latex and other mattresses? Unlike regular mattresses, a latex mattress is constructed using foam made from the natural sap of the rubber tree. As a result, latex mattresses offer an environmentally friendly alternative and a comfy one at that. Latex versus Memory Foam The hypoallergenic nature of latex mattresses makes them ideal for people who suffer from allergies and are often more sustainably made. In contrast, memory foam should be considered by anyone looking for a much more tailored mattress or for those with an allergy to latex. Latex versus Pocket Sprung Compared to a pocket sprung mattress, a latex mattress offers superior support for sleepers. This is particularly the case for those who suffer joint or back pain. Latex is also naturally hypoallergenic. We combine naturally harvested latex with both foam and pocket spring mattresses. Latex versus Organic Organic wool mattresses are excellent at keeping you cool in hot rooms, whilst organic wool offers a softer and more luxurious sleeping experience. However, when it comes to mitigating allergies and health conditions, a latex mattress is the best way forward. Made from natural latex, the lack of fibres means that less allergies are able to collect.

Buying Guides

The Importance Of A Bed by Dr Neil Stanley

Man since time immemorial has slept on a ‘bed’. For most of history this was just an animal pelt or some plant matter on the ground. Later we started stuffing sacks with plants, wool and hair to make primitive mattresses and for the poor it remained like this until relatively recently. The rich could of course afford expensive fabrics and comfortable fillings. However the advent of pocket spring mattresses a hundred or so years ago meant that for the first time comfortable, supportive and hygienic beds were possible for pretty much everyone. So now when you go into a bed showroom you are faced with a myriad of choices, so what bed do you buy? Well there are a number of studies showing that a ‘comfortable’ bed can actually improve sleep, so what is a ‘comfortable’ bed? Well that is a bit like asking, what is a comfortable pair of shoes?, you will know it when you find it. The important thing about buying a bed is to get a bed that is comfortable and that provides the right amount of support for you. Therefore you need to spend time testing various beds in order to find the right bed. This does not necessarily mean you have to buy an expensive bed; price is no indicator of comfort. Buying a bed should be about the way your body feels, not the way the bed looks, the price or the advertising. You cannot use your eyes to judge the comfort of a bed, so you need to make sure that you actually lie down on the bed. If you find a bed that initially feels comfortable then spend at least 10 minutes on it and make sure you check the comfort when you lie in different position. Remember you are probably going to spend more time in your bed then you will spend anywhere else, so it is probably worth it spending the time, and money to get the right bed for you.