Mattress

Mattress

A mattress is a large, rectangular pad designed to support the reclining body, designed to be used as a bed or on a bed frame. Mattresses may consist of a quilted or similarly fastened case, usually of heavy cloth, that contains materials such as hair, straw, cotton, foam rubber, or a framework of metal springs. Mattresses may also be filled with air or water, or a variety of natural fibers, such as in futons.

History

Mattresses have been in existence for thousands of years. Early mattresses were filled with natural materials, such as straw or feathers. The invention of the innerspring mattress in the late 19th century revolutionized the industry, providing a level of comfort and support previously unavailable.

Types of Mattresses

There are several types of mattresses available today, including:

• Innerspring mattresses: These mattresses use a steel coil support system. The spring shapes, designs, coil gauge, and number of coils in a mattress can vary. The innerspring is covered by padding or upholstery materials, which can include various foams, fiber, and additional layers of smaller steel springs.

• Foam mattresses: These mattresses use one or more types of foam as the support system. The foam may be polyurethane foam, memory (or viscoelastic) foam, or latex foam, and can contain gel or other materials.

• Air mattresses: Also known as an airbed, these mattresses use an adjustable air chamber as the support system. Unlike mattresses used for camping, the air chamber of a permanent-use air mattress is covered by padding or upholstery materials, which can include various foams and fiber.

• Waterbeds: These mattresses use a water chamber as the support system and are covered by padding or upholstery materials, which can include various foams and fiber.

Health and Mattresses

The type of mattress an individual uses can have a significant impact on their health. A mattress that provides both comfort and back support helps reduce low back pain, allowing the structures in the spine to really rest and rejuvenate during the night.

See Also

• Bed frame
• Bed size
• Bedding
• Box-spring
• Futon
• Sleep

Mattress Resources
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