Chef
Foam or spring mattress? There is an opinion - the first one will last longer!


At the request of FoamLine, a developer of ready-made solutions for foam mattresses, experts from the certified testing laboratory of ANO CSI "Metronom" conducted comprehensive tests of different types of mattress fillings. Tested mattresses filled with independent spring units, coconut coir in combination with latex and polyurethane foam. Contrary to myths about the unsurpassed durability of spring sleep products, it turned out that foam mattresses not only match them in terms of service life, but also demonstrate the best results, while exceeding in comfort.

“FoamLine has long been involved in the production of polyurethane foam (PPU). The company has its own R&D center, where new foam formulations are created and tested. We use advanced technologies for the production of polyurethane foam, and some of the methods used have no analogues on the Russian market. In addition, each of our factories is equipped with a laboratory with a highly professional staff. Experts test each batch of the produced polyurethane foam for compliance with the planned indicators, - comments Natalya Sverdlova, head of the Mattress blanks direction at FoamLine. "Our internal research has always shown the durability of quality polyurethane foam for filling mattresses, and we needed third-party confirmation, so we went to an independent laboratory to prove that foam mattresses serve as well as spring mattresses, which are considered the most durable on the market."

In order to control the quality of mattresses produced and imported into the Russian Federation, the Interstate Council for Standardization, Metrology and Certification has developed and adopted several GOSTs, which normalize and clearly regulate what a sleeping mattress should be. According to these standards, testing of spring and springless mattresses is carried out using different methods, which interferes with their objective comparison. In the case of spring sleep products, durability is tested in cyclic tests. The essence of the method lies in the repeated impact of the load on the mattress by rolling a drum with lugs on it longitudinally. For springless sleep products, permanent deformation is measured, i.e. the percentage by which the height of the mattress changes after loading.
For an objective comparison of mattresses with different fillings, experts from the independent laboratory ANO CSA "Metronom" tested four different samples using a single method. The latter involved testing to determine the category of softness and durability of the soft element.

Mattresses based on:

• a block of independent springs, in which a combination of coconut coir and synthetic fiber (strutofiber) is used as an internal filling on both sides;
• a block in which layers of coconut coir and latex alternate;
• a block of latex-like foam (density 50 kg / m3) and highly elastic polyurethane foam (density 35 kg / m3);
• a block of alternating layers of shape memory foam (density 50 kg / m3), highly elastic and standard foam (density 35 kg / m3).

The test for compliance with the category of softness showed that all products fully meet the requirements of GOST and are suitable for sleeping. All samples passed the load test lasting 29,000 cycles.But the best performance was demonstrated by a mattress filled with latex-like and highly elastic foam.

According to expert estimates, 2000 cycles can be equated to 1 year of operation. It turns out that all mattresses that have been tested will easily last over 14.5 years.

The test results confirm that high-quality foam mattresses (with a density above 30 kg / m3) are superior in durability to mattresses with other fillings, including spring mattresses. At the same time, thanks to the multilayer structure of a hard base and a soft top, they will provide quality rest and will contribute to an even distribution of the load during sleep, which is beneficial for the spine and joints.
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A study by the international agency Ipsos showed that the firmness of the mattress is important for 92% of tourists. Every third of them is ready to change rooms or even sleep on the floor because of the wrong bed. Representatives of the HoReCa industry themselves are looking for a balance between the cost of arranging a sleeping place and its quality, often preferring time-tested solutions and not even thinking about an alternative. For example, spring mattresses have dominated Russian hotel chains for many decades, while the world's largest brands (for example, Marriott and the Ritz-Carlton family members) prefer polyurethane foam filling. There are at least five criteria for choosing mattresses for hotels, let's try in theory to compare foam and springs, and find out which solution is best for both guests and hoteliers.

The first criterion. Comfort for everyone

Dr. Carol Ash, head of Sleep Medicine at Meridian Health International, is convinced that when traveling, a person should be able to spend 7-9 hours of good night's sleep. Rest is necessary to restore the balance of brain functions, assimilation of new information, emotional stability, etc. And the task of the HoReCa segment is to provide travelers with comfortable conditions for sleeping, regardless of their age and complexion. It is quite difficult to achieve the same comfort for everyone with box spring mattresses, so representatives of the hotel business go to different tricks. For example, at Four Seasons, guests are offered on-site to choose from three filling options - with optimal rigidity, soft or with maximum support during sleep. The selected "filling" is installed in the mattress in a matter of minutes. Some hotels offer to choose the hardness of the bed when booking. Sometimes they offer a blanket or an additional thin cotton mattress for convenience in the box-spring mattress set. “Hotels often order spring mattresses with high toppers made of polyurethane foam with varying degrees of rigidity - the springs form the base, and the foam is responsible for comfort,” says Irina Karmanova, specialist in the product development and development department of Ormatek Group.
However, any of the solutions discussed above is a complication of products, and therefore an increase in their cost. As an alternative, you can choose a mattress completely made of polyurethane foam, especially since recently in Russia, they began to produce highly elastic foams using the "cold foaming" method. Their advantage is their unique structure, similar to a block with a million independent springs of different diameters. Thanks to this feature, a light person, when landing on a mattress, will not feel its rigidity, and a heavy person will not feel the "hole" - each material will be provided with the correct support. Mattresses with such filling are very popular in Europe due to their high levels of comfort, environmental safety and an affordable price.
Leadership in comfort for foam mattresses.

Second criterion. Long lasting comfort

A quality mattress has a lifespan of 5 to 15 years, and it is traditionally believed that spring sleep products are the most durable.Indeed, metal springs hold their shape well, but the comfort of the mattress decreases over time, so it is worth considering alternative solutions. “Good foam mattresses serve at least on a par, if not longer, than spring mattresses and provide greater comfort,” says Natalya Sverdlova, Head of Mattress Blanks at FoamLine. - This is confirmed by the test results. At an independent certification authority, we tested mattresses with different fillings for durability standards. ”
Mattresses with a block of independent springs were tested; a block of alternating layers of coconut coir and latex; a block of latex-like and highly elastic foam and a block of three different types of foam (memory effect, high elasticity and standard). Tests for compliance with the softness category have shown that all products fully meet the requirements of GOST and are suitable for sleeping. All samples passed the load test lasting 29,000 cycles without any complaints, but the best performance was demonstrated by foam mattresses, so that they will easily last more than 15 years.
Leadership in long-term comfort with foam mattresses.

The third criterion. Fire safety

Quite often, the choice in favor of spring mattresses is associated with their fire safety - it is believed that due to the partially metal "filling" they are more resistant to the spread of fire. But modern technology makes it possible to make almost any material fire resistant. Thus, according to Irina Karmanova (Ormatek Group of Companies), according to the individual order of hoteliers, the cover of mattresses and mattress toppers is made of non-combustible fabric made from non-standard raw materials or with special impregnation. The situation is similar with the polyurethane foam used in hotels. “When making foam, special components are added to it, which prevent fires. We produce such solutions mainly for the automotive industry, where foams are used in the manufacture of seats, as well as for vibration and sound insulation. But it is quite acceptable to use special additives, which are allowed by international standards, to prevent fire, and when making fillers for mattresses, ”says Natalia Sverdlova (FoamLine).
Safety leadership behind springs and foams with special additives.

The fourth criterion. Environmentally friendly and hygienic

Sometimes hoteliers, in pursuit of the global trend for environmental friendliness and out of the desire to make the hotel “green”, prefer to use mattresses with natural filling, for example, coconut coir. But often, such fillers are glued with formaldehyde-containing solutions, which are known for harmful fumes into the environment. In addition, when the coir gets wet, a fungus appears on it, which can lead to the development of allergies. And guests at the hotel are unlikely to worry about water or juice spilled on the bed and dry the mattress in a timely manner. Also, latex-like compounds are often used to give strength to the coir, which are obviously irritants, since every eighth person out of a hundred has an allergy to latex.
Considering all of the above, foam mattresses are considered one of the most environmentally friendly, since they do not emit harmful substances into the atmosphere, do not exude odors and are not sources of allergies. True, this is only valid if the quality of the filler is confirmed by a special CertiPUR mark on the packaging or in the instructions for the finished product. The marking means that the foam in the product meets the stringent emission requirements for indoor environments. The certificate also confirms that the foam is made without the use of ozone-depleting substances: mercury, lead, heavy metals, formaldehydes and banned phthalates.
Along with environmental friendliness, foam mattresses have another important advantage - hygiene.Of course, in hotels, all sleeping accessories are treated with special antibacterial sprays and impregnations, but polyurethane foam mattresses are traditionally made with removable covers that can be washed at any time by taking out the filler. This is quite convenient for hotels with a constant large flow of guests.
Leadership in environmental friendliness and hygiene for polyurethane foam mattresses.

The fifth criterion. Convenience of supplies

And last, but not less important than all those discussed earlier, for the representatives of the HoReCa segment is logistics. And from this point of view, polyurethane foam mattresses have no equal - they can be rolled into tubes, they are easily compressed, which means they take up less space and are much more profitable in terms of financial costs of delivery. “For hotels, especially now, the issue of price often comes to the fore. Of course, at the same time, you don't want to save on the health and comfort of guests, but you can save significant amounts on logistics. For example, our polyurethane foam mattresses are often ordered by hotels from remote regions - for them it is really profitable due to the possibility of vacuum packing (rolling) of foam products for sleeping, ”Irina Karmanova (Ormatek Group of Companies) shares her experience.
A good way to optimize the cost of hoteliers for sleep accessories is to order all the "components", ie mattresses, pillows and covers, from one company and give preference to Russian-made goods.

Leadership in transportation for foam mattresses.

The theoretical criterial analysis showed that the prejudices of domestic hoteliers against foam mattresses are not well founded. Of course, Russia will not be able to completely abandon spring products for sleeping, as many Western countries have done, in the near future, so the main thing for the HoReCa segment is to choose high-quality mattresses from trusted manufacturers.
Chef


What mattresses do they sleep on in Europe and why


According to statistics from FoamLine, a developer of turnkey solutions for foam mattresses, 85% of Russians prefer spring mattresses, and 15% prefer polyurethane foam, coconut or latex mattresses. In European countries, the picture is different - on average, 60% of residents choose springless products. What explains the difference in preferences?

A countryShare of springless mattresses on the market,%
Italy72
Denmark65
Switzerland65
Sweden61
France60
Germany59
Belgium57

According to the report of the Milan Center for Industrial Research CSIL, in Italy springless mattresses occupy 72% of the market, in Denmark and Switzerland - 65%, in Sweden - 61%, in France - 60%, in Germany - 59% and in Belgium - 57%. Spring mattresses are not as popular abroad as in Russia. According to studies, during the first two years of use, they lose 16% of support and sink by 3-4 cm. The coconut coir, which is familiar to Russians, is also rare abroad. Leading manufacturers have abandoned this material due to its weak orthopedic properties and the ability to cause allergies. The emulsion that holds coconut fiber together may contain formaldehyde, and when wet, coconut coir becomes a favorable environment for the development of mold and mildew.

Latex and polyurethane foam are the leaders among springless fillers in Europe. But do not forget that 8% of people are allergic to latex. Polyurethane foam is hypoallergenic. Mattresses with this filling provide the same comfort for 10-15 years of service. Foam manufacturers produce foams with different characteristics. To achieve maximum comfort and reliable body support, a combination of foams with different properties is used in one product.

Polyurethane foam has been used in the production of mattresses since the 50s of the last century: the material is more comfortable, durable and easy to manufacture than natural fillers. European companies quickly appreciated the manufacturability and profitability of the release, coupled with the benefits to the user, and switched to foams.“Foreign consumers have long appreciated polyurethane foam mattresses. In Russia, at the moment, a foam mattress is perceived as a cheap and temporary option, - explains Natalya Sverdlova, head of the Mattress blanks direction at FoamLine. - The range of brands of polyurethane foams is large, they differ in their properties, durability and price. When developing models of mattresses, European manufacturers are guided by the quality and useful properties of foams for humans and nature. Indeed, today polyurethane foam is the most comfortable and at the same time environmentally friendly material for filling mattresses. In the Russian market, due to the economic situation, the cost of the product often comes to the fore, and the manufacturer can use cheaper and lower quality foams. Despite all the difficulties, we see the prospect of demand for good foam mattresses in our country. "

The invention of polyurethane foam made furniture and mattresses more comfortable and durable. Now foam mattresses have all the properties of orthopedic ones: they provide support for the spine during sleep and relieve pressure on the human body. Unlike spring mattresses, foam mattresses do not creak and do not lose comfort properties. Today there are different technologies and formulations for producing polyurethane foams with special properties. There are, for example, highly elastic HR foams on the market that can provide comfort for people of different weights, as well as polyurethane foam with cooling, thermo-regulating and antibacterial effects.

Now in Russia there is a trend towards the study and use of foreign experience in everyday life. The inhabitants of our country adopt the experience of Europeans in the practical and responsible choice of products for their own comfort and health. It is likely that new technologies will soon replace the usual solutions.
Chef
How to sleep and get enough sleep


Interestingly, only 38% of people wake up in the morning in a good and cheerful mood. At the same time, 85% of citizens are sure that sleep is the most important factor for health. A comfortable sleeping place means healthy joints, absence of osteochondrosis and back pain, a strong nervous system, normal blood circulation and excellent brain function. It is important not only to get enough sleep regularly, but also to do it right.

Foam or spring mattress?
Infographics from the VTsIOM website


It is enough for a healthy person to sleep 7-8 hours a day. During sleep, the body replenishes energy resources, restores immunity, the brain remembers and consolidates the knowledge gained during the day. If you don't get enough sleep once, then it will already be noticeable: a person looks bad, becomes absent-minded, and can easily catch a virus. After one sleepless night, there is a risk of getting micro-brain damage and becoming the owner of fake memories. With constant lack of sleep, the effect accumulates. Productivity decreases, problems with attention and concentration begin, even mental disorders are possible, and the risk of stroke increases.

Somnologists note that every person experiences insomnia at least once a year. Usually its causes are hidden in external factors and can be easily eliminated. To get enough sleep, it is important to follow the regime, prepare in advance for the rest and have a comfortable sleeping place.

For example, a somnologist, an associate professor at the Moscow Medical University. IM Sechenov Mikhail Poluektov advises not to go in for sports before going to bed, to exclude physical and intellectual stress. For those who like to look into the fitness club after work, the somnologist recommends finishing their workouts before 21:00. At the same time, she notes that if you train four hours before bedtime, then its quality will only improve. You shouldn't have a big dinner just before going to bed (even after a workout). Falling asleep on a full stomach is difficult, because the body will be busy with work - digesting food.

It is best to go to bed and get up at the same time every day, and not be distracted by your phone, tablet, computer and TV in bed. First, the radiation from the screens interferes with the production of melatonin, the sleep hormone. Secondly, it is important to develop a clear link: the bedroom and the bed should be associated with sleep.

It is generally worth approaching a place to sleep with all responsibility - an uncomfortable pillow or an old mattress may well be the cause of lack of sleep. If the latter is too hard or, conversely, too soft, it is unlikely that the dream will be sweet. A good mattress helps the body to assume a physiological position that includes support for the spine, muscle relaxation and good blood circulation. The spring mattresses, on which most Russians sleep today, are not always able to provide the necessary comfort.

“It is very important for back health and general well-being that body weight is evenly distributed. Polyurethane foam mattresses do this well because they follow the curves and support all parts of the spine. For example, mattresses filled with highly resilient “cold foam” foam have a special structure. Inside, they resemble a block of millions of independent springs of different diameters. A mattress with such a filling precisely adapts to the anatomy of the body, - explains Natalya Sverdlova, Head of the Mattress Blanks Department at FoamLine. “Another modern solution for sleeping is mattresses with a multi-zone surface: each area has a different stiffness and allows the spine to take the correct position and the muscles to relax.”
Overall, firmness is one of the most important parameters when choosing a mattress. For example, thin people and elderly people will be more comfortable on a soft mattress, but a mattress of medium hardness and higher is more suitable for a full person and a child.

It takes a third of your life to sleep. Agree, a good reason to provide yourself with really comfortable conditions for your stay. To do this, you can take on board a few expert advice: air the room in advance or sleep with an open window; protect yourself from excess noise and light with earplugs and thick curtains; find the right mattress and the right pillow.
Chef
Mattress test: isn't it time to send your faithful companion to the scrap


A study by the Center for Sleep Medicine of the Federal State Budgetary Institution "Clinical Sanatorium" Barvikha "showed that most people change the mattress only when the old one has become unusable. But in fact, it is not worth bringing the products to such a state: even the smallest defects affect health and well-being. It is best to retire a mattress when the first warning signs are found. The test below will help to identify those.

1. How old is the mattress?
A) more than 15;
B) from 7 to 15;
B) from 3 to 7.

Answer:
A - the mattress should be replaced. Over the years of operation, the parameters that are important when choosing mattresses have changed: weight, age and preferences of the sleeper. If 10-15 years ago a person was comfortable with one surface for sleeping, then, probably, now he would have chosen a different solution.
B - it is worth taking a closer look at the condition of the mattress, probably there are noticeable defects on the surface. Answer the rest of the questions.
B - if you get enough sleep, then the mattress is unlikely to need replacing. But when it is uncomfortable to rest even on a relatively new product, this is an alarming symptom. Take the test to the end.

Expert opinion
Natalya Sverdlova, Head of Mattress Blanks at FoamLine, a developer of turnkey solutions for foam mattresses:
- Mattresses for sleeping are recommended to be changed every 7-10 years. Even if the mattress is visually in perfect order, after such a time, it cannot fully perform its functions. In addition, during operation, dust, skin residues, sweat, etc. accumulate in the mattress. Modern foam mattresses made of high quality materials can last for a long time. The service life directly depends on the operating conditions of the mattress.If a rather fat person sleeps on it, then the mattress will last less than the one on which a miniature person rests. The quality and durability of foam mattresses depends on the density of the filling. That is why you should not count on the long-term use of cheap options: they use low-density foams. A mattress in the middle price category will serve five to seven years without any problems; products in the high price segment will faithfully perform their functions for ten or more years.

1. Is the mattress damaged and does it interfere with sleep?
A) yes, gaps appeared, springs are clearly felt, you sleep as if in a hammock;
B) yes, the product loses its shape, but this does not affect sleep in any way;
C) no, there is no external damage.

Answer:
A - the mattress has become obsolete. The product does not support the spine, the weight is unevenly distributed, and the pressure on the joints and blood vessels during sleep is higher than normal.
B is clearly an old or poor quality mattress. His condition will only get worse, affecting the owner's sleep and well-being.
B - if there is no damage, and sleep is excellent, the mattress is in order.

Expert opinion
Alena Trofimova, expert at Ormatek:
- The durability, comfort and feel of the mattress directly depend on the filler. There are many options available: hypoallergenic foam materials, memory foam, blocks of independent springs, coconut coir, natural latex, etc. Of course, during the operation of the mattress, natural wear of the materials occurs, because the daily load is from 50 kg for at least 8 hours ! However, if the filler is of high quality, the mattress is selected correctly and the recommendations for use are followed, the product will serve properly. Mattresses made of foam with a density above 30 kg / m3 perform well - they are durable and less prone to deformation than others. And due to additional features, the quality of sleep on such products is excellent. Our company, together with the Russian Society of Somnologists, compared a springless foam mattress with memory effect and thermoregulation with a conventional spring mattress. It turned out that at the first, the sleep efficiency index was 20% higher. This is achieved due to the fact that during sleep, a person tosses and turns and wakes up 4.5 times less often.

2. Do you sleep well?
A) no, I toss and turn, often wake up. But the mattress looks good, no damage;
B) I sleep normally, but I wake up with a stuffy nose, there are incomprehensible irritations on the skin;
C) yes, I get enough sleep.

Answer:
A - the wrong mattress is selected. The product should be changed, and be sure to consult with a specialist: he will help to determine the correct hardness and filler. Temporarily the situation will be corrected by a thin foam mattress-topper, laid on top of the main product. Another possible cause of sleep deprivation is back and spinal problems. In this case, it is better to go to the doctor's office and choose an orthopedic product.
B - there are dust mites in the mattress or the filler causes an allergy (this happens with coconut coir and latex). In both cases, the product must be changed.
B - well, another indicator of a great mattress.

Expert opinion
Anna Naiditsch, head of the in-patient rehabilitation treatment at the Center for Restorative Medicine and Rehabilitation of the Road Clinical Hospital, cardiologist, therapist, somnologist, candidate of medical sciences:
- You will not walk in uncomfortable shoes, just as you should not sleep on an uncomfortable mattress. To find the right product, you need to contact a reliable manufacturer, and there are not so many of them on the bedding market. Yes, a quality mattress can be expensive, but this is not the kind of thing to save on - after all, our health and productivity depend on sleep. In the store, be sure to test the selected product by lying on it for about 20 minutes.

When sleep in a hotel or with friends is better and better than at home, you should pay attention to the mattress - probably, the problem is hidden in it.And there is no need to postpone the solution of the problem: if one day the good old friend has ceased to be convenient, he will not return his properties. FoamLine Press Service
Ilonka37
I faced this issue about 3 years ago, reviewed many options and could not decide which one is better to take. As for me, it is better to take a foam mattress. As they explained to me, the springs quickly deform and attract cold, such mattresses will have to be changed more often. I am very pleased with mine and recommend everything.
Leonidas
I replaced my foam mattress with a spring mattress. My weight is not mutton and the mattress is not designed for this, it bends and my back hurts in the morning. I bought the toughest one and I'm glad. My back does not hurt in the morning.
Kokoschka
Chef, thank you very much for the interesting topic! I really hope that soon we will make a rearrangement in the apartment and buy a bed, and of course there would be a good, reliable mattress there.
But so far I can't even imagine which one.
One thing I realized for sure he would be foamy.

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