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Turning a Mattress

how-to-turn-a-mattress

Turning a mattress is an important part of mattress care and getting the most out of your purchase. If you’re wondering whether you should turn your mattress, the answer is usually yes. A new mattress is an investment in your sleep. Enjoy it even longer with this guide to turning a mattress.

The Benefits of Turning a Mattress

There are several benefits of turning a mattress these include:

  • Prevent the settlement of natural fillings (lumps, bumps and sagging over time)
  • It increases the longevity of your mattress by evenly spreading wear
  • Long-lasting comfort and support.

How Often Should You Turn a Mattress?

We recommend turning your mattress every three months. This should be done more regularly if you spot any settlement happening.

Turning a mattress more regularly will not harm the mattress.

It is, however, a good rule of thumb to consistently turn your mattress. This is true whether you’re turning it every three months or more often. This will evenly distribute the use of your mattress.

Three Ways to Turn a Mattress

There are three methods for turning a mattress. You can’t use all three techniques with every mattress but they all work.

How to Rotate Your Mattress

Most mattresses can be rotated. You can rotate:

To rotate a mattress you turn it 180 degrees.

Rotating a mattress is the easiest way to turn a mattress and it’s made even easier when you use the mattress handles and get help.

Side Flipping a Mattress

This is when you flip a mattress over sideways. If your mattress has handles these can come in handy with all these methods of flipping mattresses.

Side Flipping can only be used with double-sided mattresses. At Jones & Tomlin most of our mattresses are double-sided.

If you’re in doubt as to what type of mattress you have then check the mattress care instructions.

Fully Turning a Mattress

The Full Turn is also a method for turning a mattress that can only be used with double-sided mattresses. This technique fully flips a mattress, turning it over from the top to the bottom.

Again, use the mattress handles and get help to safely turn your mattress.

Guest Beds

Guest beds are generally used less often and therefore don’t need to be turned as much. How often you turn the mattress on your guest bed depends on how often it’s being used.

More Mattress Care Tips

There’s more things you can do to prolong the life of your mattress. These can help to keep it fresh and looking fantastic.

Luxurious mattress toppers enhance your sleep comfort and support. They also make your mattress last even longer.

It’s a good idea to regularly turn your mattress topper too. You can use any of the above methods and do this every three months.

Mattress protectors help to keep the surface of your mattress in pristine condition. They also have the added benefit of helping to regulate body temperature while you sleep.

You should change your bedding about every week. This keeps your bed fresh and looking great.

  • Airing your mattress.

After you wake up in the morning you can pull back your duvet to allow your mattress to be cooled and aired. Opening a window at this point can also help to air the mattress.

  • Cleaning Your Mattress

It’s a good idea to clean your mattress every three months. This can be done before you turn your mattress.

The best method for mattress cleaning is to use baking soda. Sprinkle baking soda over your mattress using a sieve for even distribution. Then, depending on the care instructions, vacuum and/or use a soft brush to remove the baking soda.

Quality Mattresses

Are you looking to invest in a new mattress? Read our guide: Everything You Need to Know About Buying a Mattress.

Need More Advice? Help is at Hand

We have over 75 years of experience selling both beds, mattresses and bedding with fully trained teams in our Worthing, Horsham and Chichester Bedding Centres. Why not pay us a visit or give us a call on 01903 228911.

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6 Reasons To Buy a Bigger Bed!

A-family-of-4-in-the-same-bed

Your bed grows with you over time, and by the time you’re in your late teens, you’ve more than likely reached your peak height and are ready to graduate to a Double bed – it’s the go-to size for many UK adults.

Whether sleeping alone or with a partner, we’re programmed to know that a Double bed is big enough without taking up too much valuable floor space. Great – it does the job. Boxes ticked. However, have you ever stopped and thought about the limitations of a Double size bed? It’s not necessarily the answer to a world of blissful sleep.

A standard UK double bed is 4 feet 6 inches wide. If you sleep with a partner, then that’s just 2 feet and 3 inches of space per person to sleep in. To put that in context, a baby gets more space sleeping in a cot. That’s food for thought, isn’t it?

We’re firm believers in getting a better night’s sleep in a bigger bed. Here’s why:

Extra Comfort

You probably know that you spend a third of your life in bed (that means 16 years in bed by the time you’re 50 years old) so, to put it bluntly, you may as well treat yourself to the luxury of extra space and comfort!

We’re getting fatter

Whether it’s down to lack of exercise, poor eating habits, or social changes, there’s no getting around the fact that humans are larger than ever. We’re getting taller and fatter. In fact, more than 12% of the world’s adults are obese and nearly one-third of the global population is classed as overweight. If we’re getting bigger, then it seems sensible to increase the size of our beds too.

Wriggle room for couples

The average person turns over 60-70 times per day whilst sleeping. That fact might not be a problem if you sleep alone, but it could be a tsunami of disturbance for your partner. Bigger beds give you more room to stretch out and avoid the wriggler in your life. Don’t just take our word for it. Before taking part in a National Bed Federation trial, only 15% of couples said they’d prefer a bigger bed. That figure was 50% after the trials!

Kids


Any parent knows that your bed is not always a peaceful sanctuary. From early morning visitors invading your personal space at 5 am, to a full house watching the latest family movie in bed; you’re going to regret a smaller bed when you’re all squashed in like sardines! A bigger bed gives everyone the best chance of enjoying those precious family moments.

Upsize and save money

Bigger beds don’t always have to cost more. This Autumn, we’re offering free size upgrades on selected brands (King Size for the price of a Double or Super-King for the price of a King). It’s the perfect opportunity to upsize, save money and stretch out!

Other countries can’t be wrong!

If you’ve ever slept in another country, then you’ve probably slept in a bigger bed. With variations from country to country, UK sizes are usually slightly smaller than those of our friends on the continent.

The most popular UK bed size is 135 cm x 190 cm (Double) compared to a European 160 cm x 200 cm (that’s in between UK King and Super-King sizes). That might not sound like a big difference but trust us – that extra 25 cm is huge. We guarantee that you’ll feel the benefit!

Ready to try a bigger bed?

We’re here to help! Visit our stores in Horsham, Chichester, or Worthing, shop online or call 01903 228 911 for friendly expert advice.

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How to clean a mattress

Have you ever stopped to wonder just how much dirt your mattress collects over its lifetime? From dust mites to dead skin and bodily fluids (yuck), there’s a whole host of nasties that can make it through your bed linen and onto the mattress.

Luckily for you, learning how to clean a mattress is much easier than you might think. Follow this basic routine regularly and it can help to keep your mattress fresh and hygienic for years.

1. Wash your bedding

Let’s start with the obvious. Before cleaning your mattress, you must remove all your bedding and put your sheets, pillowcases and mattress covers through a suitable washing machine cycle. Hot water will help to get rid of any dirt and allergens. You might even be able to wash your pillows too – just make sure to read the label first – not all pillow types will fair well after a spin in the washing machine! You can always read our handy guide to find out more!

2. Vacuum the mattress

Vacuum over the entire mattress surface (use your vacuum’s upholstery attachment if possible). Many of the mattresses we sell include hand-crafted tufts and side-stitching that can create dips and places for dirt and dust to hide – make sure to give these areas some special attention.

3. Treat stains individually

Once hoovered, you need to focus on removing any stains from the mattress. This is the time to proceed with maximum caution and treat stains individually.

Whatever your mattress type, you should never soak or apply water or cleaning products directly to the mattress – this will damage the mattress.

Use an enzyme cleaner to remove biological stains such as blood, vomit, sweat and urine (some biological stains will be easier to remove than others). Apply the remover to a clean cloth and blot the stain with the cloth to saturate it. After leaving for the required time, then apply cold water to another cloth and continue blotting until the stain lifts away.

Always try to use as little product and moisture as possible.

4. Sprinkle baking soda all over the surface

Baking soda is your friend and works brilliantly to break down acids and absorb moisture and bad odours. Sprinkle a generous amount over the mattress surface (use a sieve to distribute evenly) and leave for at least 30 minutes. The longer you leave the baking soda on the mattress, the better it will perform.

5. Vacuum the mattress again and leave it to air

Remove the baking soda with your vacuum and hey, presto, the odours, moisture, and grime should have been absorbed. Remove any remaining baking soda with a soft brush if you wish.

It is a good idea to open your windows and leave the mattress to air and dry out if possible.

6. Flip the mattress

As most of the mattresses we sell are designed to use both sides, you’ll need to flip the mattress and repeat steps 2-5.

Flipping a mattress is a vital way to look after your investment whether you are cleaning or not (and combining the two processes at the same time makes a lot of sense). We would suggest flipping a mattress every 3 months to avoid compression of the mattress fillings.

It’s important to remember that not all mattresses need flipping (eg. memory foam just needs rotating) so always check the product care guide first.

7. Use a mattress protector

There’s no point in giving your mattress a thorough clean if you don’t then protect it. Using a mattress protector not only makes cleaning easier but also protects against spills, dirt, and dust. Our range of high-quality mattress protectors protects your investment and can also help to regulate body temperature.

Is your mattress past the point of no return?

Cleaning a mattress properly will help to keep it in tip-top condition, but it can’t perform miracles. All mattresses have a natural lifespan, so if you’re waking up in pain, sleeping on lumps and bumps, or don’t feel fully supported, then it’s probably time to upgrade!

Visit our stores in Horsham, Worthing, or Chichester and you’ll be guaranteed a 5-star customer experience.  Don’t live nearby? We’re happy to discuss your individual requirements over the phone. Call us on 01903 228911.

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Finding The Perfect New Bed In-Store

A-Couple-Testing-A-New-Bed-In-Store

Buying a new bed in-store is a chance to zone our and indulge in finding your perfect sleep comfort. Our bed stores are a sanctuary of calm where there’s no need to take your shoes off or even hang your coat. Simply lay down, kick your feet up and get comfortable!

Whether you’re looking to make an improvement in your sleep or replace an old bed that is otherwise a good fit for you, now is the time to recalibrate your perceptions and take your time to try as many beds as you have time for. From the softest to the firmest mattresses, buying a new bed in-store is an opportunity to fully understand the variety and scope of options available to you.

What to expect in a Jones & Tomlin store

It’s not every day you buy a new bed, so walking through the doors of our stores you’ll likely discover a calm atmosphere with few other people around.  You can be confident that you’ll have plenty of space to explore at your own pace and try beds without being surrounded by prying eyes.

Either hidden away, or standing by the door, ready to greet you is a friendly salesperson. Once greeted, you’ll be asked if you need assistance or prefer to browse alone. Either option is fine, and many people will feel that they are well-armed with enough information to shop by themselves.

If you do require assistance, we’ll listen to your needs, provide expert advice, and make the bed buying process as simple as possible. Whether you want a quick chat about a particular premium brand, free delivery or want to talk in-depth about spring types and fillings, we’re always on hand should you require our help. You’ll never be pressured and will always receive the best independent advice to make an informed purchase.

Key factors to consider

It’s important to be as comfortable as possible when shopping for a new bed. In an ideal world, a bed store would have complimentary pyjamas and duvets to put on. As that’s not very hygienic, you want to simulate the sleeping environment as best you can by wearing loose-fitting clothes. And in the words of independent sleep expert, Dr. Neil Stanley, “miniskirts are not advised
”

We come in all shapes and sizes and it’s almost impossible to create a one size fits all guide. That said, if we really oversimplify the process, it is possible to break things down into 2 key factors to consider: support and comfort.

The best support

Bed support should primarily relate to body weight. Those with a slight build will generally require gentle/soft support and those of greater stature require harder/firmer support. Some bed stores will try to display this numerically with a scale from 1 to 5. Eg.  1=soft and 5=firm.

Whilst weight is generally (there’s that word again) the best guide for choosing the perfect support level, it isn’t necessarily an exact science. For instance, taller people are typically heavier but their weight is spread over a greater surface area; so a firm mattress may not actually be the right choice in that case.

Manufacturer guidelines, numeric scales, and sales advice should always be considered, but ultimately, personal preference is your best guide.

Feel good comfort

If support is the core of the mattress, then comfort is the initial softness you feel from the first contact with the bed.

Your sleep comfort is a far more personal choice than support. Regardless of your weight or size, you may prefer a bed that feels firm from the instant you lay on it, or you may prefer an initial soft feel with firmer core support. There are lots of factors to consider here (some of us have very pronounced hips and shoulders, varying levels of pain, discomfort, or injuries/health issues). These factors will help to influence your decision but you should feel confident in following your gut feeling. Only you will know what feels right and if you get that love at first lay feeling!

Narrowing down your options

Once you’ve done your initial bed testing and considered the level of support and comfort you require, you may find yourself with a selection of beds to choose from. You’ll probably consider this shortlist to be a good fit, but it might be difficult to choose one over another. Now is the time to consider some secondary factors


If you’re testing with a partner, you might simply want to choose a bed that you can both agree on. If it’s not quite that easy, or you sleep alone, you should think about what type of sleeper you are. Are you fidgety, are you still, are you easily disturbed, or are you a very warm sleeper?

Some of us turn frequently in the night whereas others will sleep soundly in one position all night. Fidgety sleepers need to think about how freely they can turn over while testing a bed. Having too soft a comfort will limit movement and risk waking you up from your sleep cycle when you naturally turn over. Non-fidgety sleepers comparably can go for a softer comfort knowing that they can allow the bed to encapsulate them more.

If you’re a hot sleeper, stay away from memory foam and manmade polyester fibres. These materials will always be hotter to sleep in regardless of any cooling covers or gel technology. Natural fillings such as wool and cotton have far superior cooling and temperature regulation properties and are a must for temperature-sensitive sleepers.

Although memory foam does have problems with temperature and breathability, it can offer a better solution for blood circulation, nerve pain, and pressure point relief. If you like the feel of a memory foam bed but are sensitive to temperature, then a natural latex mattress can offer the same pressure relief and a cooler sleeping experience.

Final Considerations

Whilst your salesperson is a fountain of knowledge and expertise, they can only assist you based on the information they have at hand. Please do feel confident to discuss your personal sleep requirements with them if you feel they are relevant to your decision. Fully understanding your needs is key to providing the very best sleep advice.

Having said that, certain medical conditions require professional medical advice. Please contact a medical professional for advice on sleeping whilst newly pregnant or if you have a non-visible medical issue.

Ready to visit our stores?

Visit our stores in Horsham, Worthing, or Chichester and you’ll be guaranteed a 5-star customer experience.  Don’t live nearby? We’re happy to discuss your individual requirements over the phone. Call us on 01903 228911.

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The Benefits of a Wool Mattress

loose-lambswool-in-the-enchanted-house-factory

The superior qualities of a wool mattress are nothing new to us at Jones & Tomlin; in fact, we’ve been passing on the benefits of wool to our customers for as long as we can remember.

Wool is such an incredible natural fibre and offers superb benefits to help achieve that all-important great night’s sleep. For all the mattress fillings and technological advances out there, we stand by the view that wool is a dream product for the bed industry. Here’s why:

Regulates Temperature

If you regularly wake up feeling too hot or too cold, then wool is nature’s gift to your world of sleep.

As a hygroscopic fibre, which when packed tightly together create lots of tiny air pockets, wool absorbs and releases more body moisture. Our best-selling Hypnos Orthos Elite Wool mattress allows your skin to breathe, helps to regulate body temperature and keep you feeling dry in bed.

Extra Spring

Wool fibres are naturally springy and are incredible at resisting wear and tear. Used as a layer in between pocket springs and other natural fillings, it’s the ideal product to provide extra supportive sleep comfort and help to extend the life of the Millbrook Sextant mattress.

Renewable, Sustainable and Biodegradable

Luxury bed manufacturers like Somnus understand that wool really is the natural choice for the environment. If there is plentiful grass on the menu, sheep will produce new wool; and once we humans have no more need for it, the wool can be returned to the soil without posing any environmental risk. Wool usually decomposes fully within 6 months, while synthetic fibres can take up to 200 years to degrade.

And Breathe


As wool is anti-bacterial and can trap dust, it’s the ideal mattress filling for anyone suffering from allergies caused by synthetic fibres or dust mites.

Wool fibres like those in the Manor Rose Clarendon Mattress are also naturally flame-resistant and allow manufacturers to use less fire-retardant chemicals in their production. This also helps to create a purer sleep environment and the perfect solution for allergy sufferers.

A Marriage Made In Wool Mattress Heaven

What better way to celebrate the power of wool than by filling our mattresses with the very best? Our exclusive collection from Enchanted House Beds includes hand-teased layers and exquisite qualities of their own Dartmoor wool. It really is a marriage made in wool heaven!

Enchanted House Beds

Used in our best-selling beds and mattresses, Enchanted House source wool from their own family farm on Dartmoor. Hand-teased to avoid compressing the wool fibres too much, the process gives superior comfort and spring to the mattress.

Hand-made to order, our collection has been elevated to simply breath-taking levels of sleep comfort and support at an incredible price.

Find Out More

For more advice on the powers of wool and its amazing sleep benefits, call us on 01903 228911 or visit one of our stores.

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Buying a new bed: our expert tips

buying-a-new-bed_our-expert-tips

Buying a new bed or mattress? With so many ranges, models and retailers to choose from in the UK, it’s not always easy to know where to begin your search. With so many things to consider, it can often feel like an overwhelming decision to make.

Fear not, here at Jones & Tomlin, we strive to make the bed buying process as simple and stress-free as possible and will always give you enough expert advice to make an informed purchase (should you require our help). We asked a handful of our friendly, sleep experts to share some of their top tips. Here’s what they had to say


How much do you move in your sleep?

E-Commerce Manager Lewis Evans says: “I think my favourite tip is asking a customer whether they’re a fidgety sleeper. It’s not a question that many customers, or indeed other salespeople, consider yet they always have an answer.”

“Fidgety sleepers should consider choosing a bed that lets them move freely as not to disturb their sleep cycles when they naturally move during the night. I’d recommend choosing a (not overly soft) pocket sprung mattress and avoiding memory foam or natural latex which tends to mould around the body.”

Don’t assume that firmer is better

Horsham Sales Consultant, Alex Faux says: “Thanks to many years of bed industry marketing, most people assume that a firm feel mattress is better for their backs. The truth is that this has never been proven in a medical study. Rather than lying on a mattress, your body should slightly sink into the mattress to achieve proper support. The “benefits” of a firm feel are often mentioned to make some mattresses sound much better than they actually are. Don’t get caught out by sales spin if a firm feel isn’t for you.”

Keep dry with natural fillings

Worthing Sales Consultant, Richard Waite says: “Believe it or not, the average person sweats close to 2 litres of water per night – with most of this coming from the head. Mattresses made with natural fillings such as wool, cotton, and horsehair are able to wick away this moisture, allow air to circulate, and create a cool and dry sleeping environment.

Take your time

Chichester Sales Consultant, Paul Palfrey says: “After really listening to their individual needs and offering my advice, I like to leave customers to try out as many beds as needed on their own. Taking your time and relaxing really is the best way to choose the perfect new bed and there’s nothing worse than lying there with a pushy salesperson making you feel rushed to make a decision. Grab a comfortable pillow, lie in the position you’d normally wake up in, and shut your eyes. You’ll soon get a feel for how you could be sleeping every night.”

Need some more help? Our friendly team is on hand to provide expert advice to make the bed buying process as easy as possible. Call us on 01903 228911 or visit our stores today!

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Why is sleep so important?

why is sleep so important?

We spend 1/3 of our lives sleeping, and whilst everybody is different, an average of 7-9 hours of sleep per day is recommended for adults to maintain a healthy body and mind. Losing any amount of this can begin to cause physical and mental fatigue so why is it that we require so much sleep to keep ourselves going? Why is sleep so important to your life?

Keep the doctor away

It’s been shown that a lack of quality sleep can cause all manner of physical health problems.

Ever feel the need to eat more after a poor night’s sleep? Studies have shown that continued sleep deprivation can lead to a higher risk of obesity – caused by reduced levels of leptin (a chemical that suppresses hunger) and increased levels of ghrelin (increases appetite). Sleeping for a regular 7-9 hours a day allows your body to keep better control of your food intake and will drastically decrease the chances of suffering serious health issues.

The consequences of prolonged tiredness can mean a struggle to process the glucose in the body. This in turn can lead to a higher probability of diabetes and has the potential to increase blood pressure and put a strain on the heart.

Soothe muscles and strengthen the immune system

As we get older our bodies struggle with all manner of aches and pains. Luckily, sleep allows your body to fully rest and soothe the muscles and joints. Aside from this, your immune system gets stronger with better quality sleep and helps you to fight off colds and other nasty bugs – something that’s extremely relevant in these Covid-19 times.

No matter what the ache or pain, we’re confident that there’s a bed or mattress that will help you sleep better. Choose from hypo-allergenic natural latex that instantly reacts to body movement, luxurious natural fillings providing sumptuous layers of comfort or cutting-edge adjustable beds offering the ultimate in support. There really is something to suit everyone.

Improve your mental well-being

In today’s hectic world our mental well-being is more important than ever. Stress, anxiety and depression can be caused by any number of things and can be difficult for someone to come to terms with, let alone effectively treat. It is thought that work is the biggest contributor to a dip in mental health, however, a lack of sleep will damage your mental state much more than a bad day at the office.

When we sleep our bodies go into a state of rest, repairing and rejuvenating themselves, but our minds are often still hard at work. We consume such a vast amount of information on a daily basis, and at such speeds, that our brains do not process all of this information straight away, but rather store it away to properly sort out later on.

Reduce anxiety and depression

Any disruption to this process can cause stress hormones to disrupt your brains functionality, leaving your thought and emotional responses in a state of disarray. This can lead to insomnia, which in turn increases the symptoms of anxiety and depression.

It’s been proven that regular and decent sleep habits can significantly reduce the symptoms of mental stress. Our brains are able to take back control, maintain the correct hormone levels and sort through all of the day’s information, meaning you will start to find your emotional state improves, as well as your ability to take in and store information.

Increase your libido

Lost that spark? Research suggests that a lack of quality sleep can cause lower libidos and loss of interest in sex (something parents of young children can certainly advocate).

Don’t go to bed angry

The popular saying advises not to go to bed angry when you have had an argument with someone. The same hormones released when we are agitated will impede our sleep, keeping your brain active and making you focus on the fight. Smoothing out the creases in a relationship problem will help you feel calmer and happier, releasing endorphins and helping your brain relax.

On the subject of partner problems, on average, we are awoken 6 times a night by the person we share a bed with moving around. This interrupts important sleep cycles and leads to less effective sleep. To counter this, couples will sometimes look to sleep in separate beds to help them sleep. However, there are alternatives to this solution.

Comfort is subjective and there’s no guarantee that two people will agree on the same level needed. Maybe you are suited to a softer feel, whereas your partner prefers something a little firmer. Fortunately, a dual tension mattress can be a perfect way to keep both of you happy. These mattresses split evenly down the middle and provide different tensions on both sides to ensure a perfect night’s sleep for you both.

You can even choose a zip and link mattress from luxury brands such as Vispring, Somnus and Enchanted House. These give you the flexibility to split a large bed into two singles that can be discreetly separated if necessary.

The tools for better sleep

It’s important to remember that getting a good night’s sleep doesn’t have to be a nightmare. We can all make the appropriate lifestyle choices to help our physical and mental well-being.

Having said that, choosing the right mattress, bed or pillow is just as important as eating at the appropriate times or switching off electronic devices before bedtime. The way you sleep can depend on your size, shape, and even gender, and your choice of mattress and pillow should reflect this as well.

Our handy mattress guide helps you to find the right bed to help you in your quest for better quality sleep.

Need some more help? Our friendly team is on hand to provide expert advice to make the bed buying process as easy as possible. Call us on 01903 228911 or visit our stores today!