Mattresses

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 95, Issue 2, 15 August 1957, Page 198

Mattresses

By

MAUD B. STRAIN,

Field Officer in Rural Sociology, Department of Agriculture, Dunedin

EROM the standpoint of health and comfort the bed is the most important single article * of furniture in the house, and it deserves all possible consideration, both in selection and in subsequent care. Though the bedstead may be important aesthetically, the mattress and its support are of paramount importance to the sleeper. The choice of mattresswhether a soft or slightly resistant surface—is individual. Whichever is chosen it is a sound investment to buy a good mattress with well-sprung support which will stand up to long, continued use without sagging or deteriorating.

THOUGH the bedstead may add a decorative note to a bedroom, it is the mattress and its support that contribute directly to the comfort of the sleeper. When the upper mattress is given the correct type of support it forms a yielding surface on which one can relax while the body is supported uniformly and naturally in all positions. Even the most luxurious top mattress will be unsatisfactory if its support is unsatisfactory. The most . usual type of under mattress is the wire mattress in one or other of its forms; however, the present popularity of inner-spring and foam-rubber mattresses has brought about the development of other supports specifically designed for these. Wire Mattresses There are three general types of wire mattresses, each of which differs in construction and in comfort. One type has wire links of a diamond shape mounted in a metal frame. This is a very rigid form of mattress which will stand a large amount of hard wear and is often used in institutions. There is also the wire-wove mattress made of finer steel wire in the form of long coils. Each coil is interwoven with the next to form a wire fabric

which is secured to a wooden bar at head and foot ends. At one end of the mattress the bar is fixed to a second bar by two large bolts which tighten the wire mesh when necessary by lessening the space between the bars. This is a less rigid type of mattress than the first one and is quite efficient as long as the mattress remains in good order, but it becomes uncomfortable as the mesh sags more and more with wear. Though the mattress can be tightened, eventually the tightening ceases to be effective.

A third type is similar to the second, but has three or four rows of spiral •coil springs fixed firmly to wooden slats stretching from side to side of the bed below the level of the wire mattress. The tops of the springs are attached securely to the under surface of the wire mattress and the whole unit forms a resilient support which never sags. Any satisfactory top mattress on this type provides an -extremely comfortable surface on ■which to lie.

The divan-type mattress for use with an inner-spring mattress will be dedescribed later. Proper care of the wire mattress not only protects it and other bedding, but maintains the comfort of the bed as well. From time to time it should be examined for flatness, for any upturned ends of wire, and for any rust spots. It should be dusted frequently; the dusting tool of a vacuum cleaner is most satisfactory, but a slender brush can be used. Previously it was customary always ,to cover a wire mattress to prevent rust from marking the upholstered mattress and to protect this mattress from any ends of wire that might project upward. - However, this semipermanent covering made inspection and cleaning more troublesome and consequently neglected; dust and fluff accumulated and rust was unnoticed. A neater and more practical idea is to cover all mattresses that rest on wire. ' ; Upholstered Mattresses Upholstered mattresses combine with the under mattresses to give sleeping comfort. The .filling of a mattress and its construction are the factors which influence its quality. The fillings and construction most commonly used are: — , ■ Flock: This is available in various qualities and prices, the lower-priced ones being largely cotton with a small proportion of wool and the higherpriced ones all wool. Various intermediate. grades contain mixtures of cotton and wool. (The cotton comes from India’s cotton factories and the wool from waste clippings from woollen factories.) The flock is teased up finely by machine and blown into the previously made cover, a measured quantity for each size of mattress;

the mattress is then rolled, pressed flat, and buttoned. Better grades of this type of mattress have boxed sides and rolled edges. Flock, especially the cotton variety, is inclined to absorb moisture from the body and become lumpy. It requires frequent airing and drying out to keep it in good order. „ i z Kapok: This is a fibre obtained from a certain type of tropical tree. It is highly resilient, water resistant and moisture proof, and relatively inexpensive. -It makes a comfortable bed and with frequent sunning and airmg will give sleeping comfort over a number of years of constant use, but eventually the kapok breaks down and cannot be rejuvenated. To make a kapok mattress finely teased kapok is blown into a cover and pressed flat;

the mattress is then buttoned. (The lightness and water-resistant qualities of kapok make it an ideal filling for life jackets used by yachtsmen and others.) _ _ • , , , . , Feathers: Feather beds, once highly regarded because of their softness and warmth, are seldom seen now. Modern hygiene regards them as insanitary, and the . surface makes it almost impossible for the sleeper to lie flat and straight. They are heavy and difficult f or one erS on to shake and manage properly, but become lumpy if not well shaken and properly looked after, Horsehair: This is another mattress filling that is now seldom used in the manner it was originally used. It is expensive but ideal because it pos-

sesses great resiliency, allows good air circulation, and does not pack easily or become lumpy. . Horsehair mattresses that have lost their resiliency can be remade with good results. A modern. use of horsehair is in conjunction with rubber. Horsehair is moulded in rubber, and the combination gives added spring and toughness to upholstered furniture in which it is used. Inner-spring mattresses: These provide a flat surface and good sleeping comfort. They are firm but resilient. A double thickness of blanket between the bottom sheet and the mattress gives extra warmth and comfort. These mattresses consist of a large number of spiral springs (up to 360 in a double mattress) joined together and padded above and below with fibre and wool. This upholstered network of springs is encased in a cotton, or cotton-rayon, damask cover with handles at each side to facilitate turning and ventilation holes to ensure free circulation of air. This type of mattress must never be bent or rolled; it should be turned occasionally by two people working together and keeping the mattress flat while turning it. Mattresses are now available with built-in heating units; the cost is high but the elements are reliable. Foam rubber: The foam-rubber mattress is the most recently introduced one, being used extensively only during the last 10 years or so. It is extremely resilient, conforms to the body contours, and does not form slopes and hollows as does an ordinary mattress. Other advantages are light weight, stability of contour, freedom from allergenic materials, and resistance to mildew and vermin; also it needs no turning. At least two thicknesses of blanket should separate the lower sheet from the mattress; this adds to the warmth and’diminishes the tendency for the , sheet to slip. Mattresses are available with built-in heat units.

Mounting Every mattress should have appropriate •- support. For unsprung mattresses any of the wire mattresses supplies the required resilience. For a foam-rubber mattress, which itself provides all the resilience necessary for comfort, a slat base is satisfactory, as it gives complete, non-sagging support and, incidentally, good air circulation. A wire-wove mattress that is taut and in good repair is entirely satisfactory, but one that sags and cannot be tightened should be discarded. An inner-spring mattress functions best on a firm, yielding, but nonsagging support such as is provided

by a slat base. A mattress in new condition is satisfactory, but in recent years a special divan-type support has been introduced. This is made similarly to the inner - spring mattress except that the springs rest on a rigid wooden base. This ,type of support appears in two forms ! either as a matj tress, interchangeable with a wire mattress, to fit between the head-

board and footboard of a bed or as a divan. This latter type is particularly suitable for a spare bed in a sitting room, since by day the divan can be fitted with tailored covers that will accord with other furnishings in the room and at night it becomes a comfortable bed. A divan is available if desired with two large drawers for storage of extra bedding. Ticking The ticking used for any mattress should be strong and durable, cotton and cotton-rayon mixtures being most usual. For a foam-rubber mattress a tight ticking is preferable to a loose one. Colour fastness is important. A plain edge on a mattress is as serviceable as a rolled edge and is less expensive to make. Tufts to prevent undue shifting of a mattress filling should be about 12in. apart. Covers All mattresses that rest on wire should be covered. The cover keeps the ticking clean and protects it from damage. A cover can be easily washed. One made from pre-shrunk material is obviously advisable. The most usual material for covers is unbleached twilled calico, though other fabrics serve equally well. The mattress case is a neater and more practical idea than the older method of covering the wire with an old blanket or newspapers. Before washing a mattress cover choose a good drying day, close all

fasteners, wash the cover in hot soapy, water, rinse it thoroughly, and when it is almost dry pull it to its proper shape before pressing it. Pads A mattress pad should always be used between the mattress and the bottom sheet to protect the mattress from soil and wear. It may be a ready-made pad or simply a folded cotton or wool blanket or. any large soft piece of cloth that can be laundered satisfactorily.. The. main function of the pad is to protect the mattress, but while doing this it also adds to the warmth, particularly with a mattress such as an inner-spring or foam-rubber mattress, where the sleeper lies on the mattress instead of sinking into it. Maintenance Mattresses should be kept dry and free from ; dampness. . Solid-filled mattresses (not rubber) should be frequently exposed to fresh air and sunshine to freshen them and dry them out thoroughly. They should be brushed regularly, or, better still, cleaned with a vacuum cleaner attachment, . special care being taken to clean under and round the tufts. Upholstered mattresses should be turned regularly from side to side and from end to end. Turning distributes the hardest wear and helps to prevent packing or lumping of the filling and hollowing due to constant use in one position. A mattress should be kept flat when turned, since bending may snap the tufting ties.: ‘ Any broken tufting ties in either a solid-filled or inner-spring mattress should be replaced immediately. The habit of sitting on the edge of the bed should be discouraged. The boxing of the mattress is not built to stand this , kind of wear, and once it is broken . down the bed cannot be

made to look smart and squared. One or two comfortable low chairs in a bedroom will encourage the use of a chair rather than the edge of the bed. Tears or snags in the ticking should be repaired as soon: as possible. Inner-spring mattresses should be cared for in much the same way as are solid-filled mattresses. Perhaps the most important care is correct turning. An inner-spring mattress does not require frequent turning, because it does not tend to pack as does a solid filled one and it is so constructed that air can flow in and out to keep it fresh. Two persons are required to turn an inner-spring mattress to ensure that it will not be bent or folded. Bending or folding, is likely to upset the nesting of the coils and to break the tufting. When a mattress is being lifted or turned it is advisable to make, use of the handles provided. Loosened tufts and broken ties should be replaced immediately. If any coils of a spring mattress become dislodged or protrude through the ticking, the mattress may have to be rebuilt. Foam rubber is adversely affected by strong sunlight and by oils and greases. A rubber mattress should not be put out in the sun to air and it should not be left exposed to strong sunlight in the bedroom, but it will come to no harm in a sunny room as long as the bedclothes cover it. To prevent it from coming in contact with any oil or grease a rubber mattress is always covered with ticking. This type of mattress can be changed end for end, but it is not reversible; the flat, smooth surface should always be on top. . Sleeping on the reverse side could eventually break down the walls of the large cells. Spot Removal Soiled spots on a mattress are difficult to remove. The best method is

to sponge the spot with warm soapy water and then wipe it with clean warm water, using as little water as possible. This should be done quickly. If the water wets the filling underneath the ticking, a bad stain or ring usually results. An electric fan directed toward a wet spot on a mattress or a warm breeze from out of doors hastens drying and helps prevent ring formation on the ticking. Repairs The chief reason for mattresses becoming uncomfortable is that the stuffing becomes tightly packed down and loses its resiliency. Feather beds are perhaps an exception, since they usually keep their good condition for many years if well cared for, only needing a new ticking when the feathers show signs of working through. Very little can be done at home to rejuvenate a badly worn flock mattress, as this form of stuffing must be removed from its cover and teased by machinery, more flock being added if required. It can be improved to a certain extent by beating it hard all over with a carpet beater, particularly on the sides, then vacuum cleaning thoroughly to remove loose dust. This should be done out of doors. Renewing Buttons and Tufts When necessary, buttons and tufts should be replaced as soon as possible; otherwise the mattress becomes lumpy and uneven because the stuffing gets out of place. To do this a mattress or upholstery needle is threaded with strong, fine string or upholstery thread and passed through the mattress at the point where the tuft is needed. Sometimes a leather circle is used instead of a tuft because it is flatter and stronger, and for this the needle is passed through the centre of the leather and back again through another hole about Jin. away and again through the mattress near the point where it first went in. The thread is pulled reasonably tightly, and the needle is run through another circle and back again so that the ends of the thread are between the mattress and the leather. The ends should be pulled tightly together and tied off securely. Storage Mattresses may be hung by the side boxing or placed on a flat surface. No more than one mattress should rest on top of another. Mattresses should never be rolled or hung over a clothes . line. They should be stored in a dry, well-ventilated space and covered with old sheets or other covers to protect them from dust. References Good Housekeeping Institute, “Good Housekeeping Home Encyclopedia”, 1952. Tessie Agan, "The Houselts Plan and Use”, 2nd edition, 1948. “Bedding’’, Cornell University Agricultural Extension Bulletin 829, 1951. A. M. Kaye, “A Student’s Handbook of Housewifery”, 1952. “Consumer —Buying Guide Issue”, 1956.