Category Archives: Mattress & Bed Care

How to care for your mattress

A good quality mattress with the right base can make a big difference to having a good night’s sleep. The correct mattress aids deeper, more refreshing sleep by giving you better support. Considering a premium quality mattress can last up to 7 years, buying a new mattress is a long term investment and you should buy the best you can afford. To get the most out of your mattress and extend its life it’s worth taking the time to give it the right care and attention it deserves.

 Ensuring the correct fit

Before buying your new matttress it’s worth noting that bed sizes are not standardised and even if they are described as Single, Small DoubleDouble, King Size or Super King Size beds, variations may occur depending on which bed manufacturer makes your mattress and bed. It may be a false economy just buying a mattress only to find later that it doesn’t fit your chosen divan or bed frame. Consider too that bed bases and mattresses are engineered to complement one another.  Ultimately, the correct mattress for your chosen bed base will provide you with the right amount of support and comfort level.

Typically though, UK & Irish mattresses and beds are available in the following sizes:

UK Mattress Sizes

*Metric and imperial dimensions are not exact equivalents

*Most bed bases now come as split units, for added flexibility when delivering

Essential mattress maintenance

From the moment you take delivery of your new mattress there will be a number of things to attend to. Most mattresses will come wrapped.  You should remove this to let the mattress breathe. There’s also the issue of what to do with the old mattress. At Dalzell’s we pride ourselves in offering a Free Delivery service to our customers, and what’s more, we’ll even provide Free Collection and Recycling of Your Old Bed when we deliver your new mattress or bed.

With a new mattress there is likely to be some settlement in the fillings and these will even out with use. To help the fillings settle evenly, turn the mattress on a regular basis.  All mattresses should be turned on a regular basis in order to promote even wear, and to prolong the life of your mattress. If your mattress is non turn, then it should be rotated end to end.

The majority of interior sprung mattresses will need turning regularly to maximise their lifespan. Dips and uneven sleeping surfaces can occur as the body compresses natural fibres in a mattress. If turning a heavy mattress is difficult you may want to consider buying a one-sided  or ‘non-turn’ mattress. Remember that with time your mattress filling will settle and compress, this is a natural process and what will make your mattress truly yours as it takes your shape. This may be more noticeable in premium mattresses that contain more filling.

Mattress Protection

To get the best from your mattress and pillow it’s worth considering investing in a good quality mattress protector. Designed to protect your mattress against soiling and general wear and tear, protectors will keep your mattress fresher and cleaner for longer. For added comfort and support, a mattress topper provides for an added level of cosy support to your bed, with some new beds including a mattress topper as standard. Available in a range of materials, mattress toppers can be made from polyester fibre, visco-elastic, latex or even feathers.

For those who may experience bed wetting or have incontinence problems, Respa has produced a range of waterproof mattresses covered in a waterproof fabric to keep your mattress fresh and clean.

What to do now

Stocking leading mattress manufacturers including Respa, King Koil, Staples, Myers, Dorlux and Briody, Dalzell’s of Markethill has an extensive selection of mattresses to choose from. Call in-store or view our mattress collections online at Armaghbeds.com where you’ll find the complete range of Pocket Spring, Memory Foam and the latest Talalay Latex Mattresses. If you’re not sure what type of mattress best suits you, email or telephone our expert staff on 028 3755 1260 and they’ll be only too happy to talk you through the types of mattresses available in the market today. We’re just a short drive from Lisburn and Belfast, positioned between Armagh and Newry. We love to strike a deal and what’s more we provide a Free Delivery service and Free Collection and Recycling of Your Old Bed throughout Northern Ireland, and Counties Dublin, Louth and Monaghan in Ireland.

 

 

 

Spring Clean Your Bed

At the end of a long day is there anything more inviting than slipping in to a fresh, clean bed?  We spend a third of our lives in bed so it’s important that our bedrooms are comfortable and healthy spaces.  And with spring just a few short weeks away what better time to give our beds the attention they deserve.

Bed Care

When we consider that sleeping in an uncomfortable bed could cost up to one hour’s sleep a night, it’s worth considering  the quality, care and amount of use our beds get. A simple way of keeping our beds fresh is to throw back the bed clothes in the morning and leave the bed to air for 20 minutes to allow body moisture to evaporate. If you have a divan bed, vacuum or brush the base, and clean with a mild detergent and warm or cold water. Remember never soak the base and always check the manufacturers’ instructions.

Mattress Care

Most mattresses are made well enough that they don’t need rotating, however turning your mattress over from side and side and end to end every few months will help upholstery fillings settle down more evenly.  If you have a new mattress, don’t leave polythene wrappings on it – dampness, mildew and rotting could all result from a build-up of condensation. Vacuum, or better still, use a soft brush on your mattress from time to time to remove fluff and dust.

It’s also worth considering investing in a good quality mattress protector. Designed to protect against soiling and general wear and tear, mattress protectors will keep your bedding and bed fresher and cleaner for longer. Using a protector and rotating regularly can extend your mattress’s life.

Bedding Care  

When it comes to laundry care many of us will wash our sheets, pillow cases and duvets covers on a regular basis. How often you wash these essential bedding items is a personal preference. In general, it’s a good idea to wash them weekly and tumble dry according to label instructions. However, when we think about spring cleaning, bedding items such as duvets and pillows are frequently neglected or forgotten.

It is recommended that duvets are professionally cleaned, if you choose to launder them yourself, always read and follow the specific care instructions on the product label. Ensure they are dried thoroughly to avoid ‘clumping’ of filling and shake regularly during the drying process to keep the filling loose. In between washes, hang your duvet on a clothesline on a dry, breezy day every few months. You can also fluff it in the dryer, just as you would a pillow.

Many pillows are fully washable although it is advisable to replace them every two years. Pillows that have become lumpy or discoloured will no longer provide proper support and could contain high levels of dust mites and skin; a nuisance for allergy sufferers. A simple way of extending the life of your pillow is to use a pillow protector. Easily slipping over the pillow, they retain the effect of a Pillow Feel and are available in a range of fabric types and textures.  Highly absorbent and breathable, they can also help to prevent skin infections and irritations.  Many pillow protectors are now machine washable and tumble dry safe for added convenience. In between washes, plump pillows daily when you make your bed, to keep the filling from becoming flattened.

What to do next

At Armagh Beds.com we retail an extensive collection of pillows, duvets, mattress and pillow protectors. With more than 55 years of  bedding expertise you can count on Dalzell’s to deliver! Located in Markethill on the main A28, just 45 miles from Belfast, we’re just a short drive away from Lisburn and Newry. Of course you can always place your order online, over the phone on 028 3755 1260 or even by Email.  However you decide to shop with us you can be assured of Expert AdviceA Great Deal and Free Delivery of your Bedding, Bed or Mattress throughout N. Ireland and Counties Monaghan, Louth and Dublin City, with highly competitive rates available across the rest of the UK and Ireland.

 

New Year, New Bed?

Sleep, beautiful sleep

Now that the New Year has arrived, maybe you’ve decided that this is the year that you’re going to sleep better.  Often unaware that our bed is one of the main reasons for not sleeping well, sleeping in a bed that no longer provides the proper support or comfort can affect the quality of our sleep. According to research conducted by sleep expert Dr Chris Idzikowski, sleeping in an uncomfortable bed could cost you up to an hour’s sleep a night.

Am I due a New Bed?

Changes in our lifestyle and the quality, care and amount of use our beds get impact on whether we need to think about buying a new bed. Factors such as getting married, moving to a new home, losing or gaining weight and our age can affect the level of comfort and support our bed provides. How we use our beds and the length of time we spend in them e.g. reading, watching television or the occasional use of a spare bed can be the deciding factors in choosing a new bed.  Buying a new bed is an important investment especially when we consider that we spend a third of our life in bed.

The Bed M.O.T.

Ask yourself the following 10 questions to find out whether you’re ready for a new bed:

1. Is it seven or more years old? The critical ‘Seven year itch’ can be a make or break moment for many marriages and mattresses.
No [ ] Yes [ ]

2. Did you have your best night’s sleep recently on a different bed?
No [ ] Yes [ ]

3. Are you waking up more frequently feeling unrefreshed and with aching joints?
No [ ] Yes [ ]

4. Do you disturb your partner or are you disturbed by them when changing sleep positions during the night?
No [ ] Yes [ ]

5. Does it look used or worn?
No [ ] Yes [ ]

6. Does it feel lumpy?
No [ ] Yes [ ]

7. Does it make suspicious noises in the night or when you turn the mattress?
No [ ]  Yes [ ]

8. Is it sagging in the middle – do you and your partner roll towards each other unintentionally during the night?
No [ ]  Yes [ ]

9. Are the base, legs or castors lumpy, worn or wobbly?
No [ ] Yes [ ]

10. Would it be embarrassing if the neighbours saw your bed without its covers?

No [ ] Yes [ ]

If you answered yes to four or more questions the advice from the Sleep Council is to “Get a new bed fast”.

What to do now

At Dazell’s of Markethill there’s no need to wait days or weeks on a better night’s sleep. We want to ensure you have the confidence in knowing you have made the right choice of bed and mattress based on your individual needs. With over 500 beds and mattresses in stock and with free delivery across Northern Ireland and Counties Louth, Monaghan and Dublin, Armagh Beds.com provides a complete service. Of course, you can always Visit in-store at Dalzells, located in Markethill, just off the A28 between Armagh and Newry. We are just a short 20 minute drive from Lurgan and 55 minutes drive from Lisburn.  No time to visit, no problem! You can place your order and gain expert advice from our experienced team over the phone on 028 3755 1260 or even by Email.  What’s more, as a Sleep Council Retailer we can also provide you with expert impartial advice on choosing beds and mattresses to suit your individual needs. With Free Delivery and Recycling Service across Northern Ireland and Counties Louth, Monaghan and Dublin, we offer competitive rates across the rest of the UK and Ireland.

Good Night, Sleep Tight, Don’t Let The Bedbugs Bite

Dust Mites and Allergies 

How many of us as children remember hearing the rhyme ‘Good Night, Sleep Tight, Don’t Let The Bedbugs Bite’ before bedtime? No surprise when we  consider that the average person shares a bed with over two million house dust mites. According to the national charity, Allergy UK, the bedroom is the most allergic room in the house.

77% of those with an indoor allergy suffer in the bedroom, but 41% recognise their symptoms are actually made worse by that room.

The Bed MOT

Of course, proper care will keep your bed in good condition for longer. However, with the Sleep Council and scientific research now recommending that we change our beds every seven years, it’s worth making time to take the Bed MOT (Mattress Obsolescence Test) to ensure that your bed and mattress meets the health and wellness needs of you, your partner and your family.

Pillow and Mattress Protection 

Important too is the quality and care of your bedding. Whilst many pillows are fully washable it is advisable to replace them every two years. Pillows that have become lumpy or discoloured will no longer provide proper support and could contain high levels of dust mites and skin; a nuisance for allergy sufferers.  Other simple ways of ensuring your bed and mattress stay fresh and allergy free is by using mattress protectors and pillow protectors. Designed to protect your mattress and pillows against soiling and general wear and tear, these protectors will keep your bedding and bed fresher and cleaner for longer.  For allergy sufferers in particular, there is a huge array of anti-allergy, natural protectors available. Breathable and waterproof, mattress and pillow protectors can help keep your new bed allergen-free, or prevent existing allergens from being present in older bedding.

What to do now…

At Dalzell’s of Markethill we want to make sure that you are getting the maximum benefit from your bed and bedding.  With a great selection of pillow protectors and mattress protectors online you are assured of making the right choice for your individual comfort and support needs. Or, you can Visit in-store today at Dalzells, your local Bedding Experts in N. Ireland. Located in Markethill, with plenty of free on-street parking and just off the A28 between Armagh and Newry, we’re a short 15 minute drive from Portadown, 20 minutes from Dungannon and Banbridge. You can of course always place your order and gain expert advice from our experienced team over the phone on 028 3755 1260 or even by Email.  Whatever way you shop with us you can be assured of A Great Deal and Expert Advice. What’s more we offer a Free Delivery and Recycling Service across Northern Ireland and Counties Louth, Monaghan and Dublin, with competitive rates across the rest of the UK and Ireland.