Spring tensions of a mattress are usually described as soft, medium or firm. However this is subjective and there is currently no industry standard for describing tension.

Deciding what mattress tension is right for you can often be down to body weight. For example, if you are larger in build and heavier in weight you should get a firmer mattress or you will sink too deeply into the mattress. If you are a smaller person who weighs less, then a softer mattress will be needed or your bed may feel too hard and uncomfortable.

This however isn’t the only factor to determine what mattress tension to choose. Your preferred sleeping position can often dictate your choice too. It's the same for comfort and personal preference, some may prefer a firmer mattress, whilst others may prefer to sink into their bed.

As a guide to finding the right level of support, lie on your back and slide the flat of your hand under the arch of your back. A large space means the mattress is not offering enough support and is therefore too firm. However if you can’t get your hand under your back then you are over engaging the springs and the mattress is too soft. The best outcome is for your hand to slide in easily while your back touches the mattress. This shows the mattress is moulding to the shape of your body, keeping your spine aligned and providing the ultimate level of support.

However, only you know what feels most comfortable for you. These are all recommendations, there are no hard and fast rules. We would therefore always recommend testing a mattress at your local John Lewis shop before making your final decision.

Back pain?

Generally speaking, firm mattresses are best suited for supporting sleepers with back pains. Memory foam mattresses can also be beneficial as they help to relieve pressure points and contour to the sleeper’s body. Our top picks would be Sealy Posturepedic and John lewis Ortho Collection. In terms of comfort levels, a medium to firm mattress is advised. Anything too soft will cause you to sink into the mattress, resulting in spinal misalignment. A too firm mattress could also exacerbate any aches and pains.

Allergy sufferer?

First and foremost it is important to understand what is triggering your allergies as this may dictate what type of mattress you select. Some mattresses have hypoallergenic treatments applied to them such as the Silentnight Revive & Revive + ranges. But overall, mattresses made from man-made materials are generally recommended. Hypoallergenic covers and bedding can also help to keep symptoms at bay. It's perfectly okay to spend some time lying on the mattress in store and see how you are getting on.

Sharing with a partner?

Disturbance in the night and incorrect tensions can be some of the main conundrums when sharing a bed with a partner. Pocket spring mattresses are a good option. As each spring is independently nested they work individually, minimising the risk of rolling towards your partner and disturbing one another. Memory foam mattresses are also a good option, as the foam works to absorb movement. Also, consider mattresses with advanced edge to edge support, helping to maximise the sleep surface such as Sealy Posturepedic. Alternatively, choose a split tension or zip & link mattress from our British Natural & Ultimate Natural Collection ranges where one side of the mattress can be regular and the other firmer depending on you and your partner's requirements. Finally, consider size – in general the bigger the mattress the better your sleep will be.

Hot at night?

If you are prone to a high temperature during the night, natural materials are a good choice. These materials help to promote air flow and wick away moisture, helping to regulate body temperature when sleeping. The airflow that pocket springs allow also make these mattresses a good choice. Alternatively, synthetic materials such as polyester are highly breathable (see our Classic Collection). Mattresses containing Geltex are also a cooler option due to their enhanced breathability versus traditional memory foam. To maximise the quality and comfort of your sleep, we recommend mattress protectors with natural fillings such as wool or cotton, or alternatively an option that incorporates cooling technology.

Guarantee

Our John Lewis branded mattresses and divan bases have a 7 year guarantee included (Open Spring 2 year guarantee) from the date of purchase. Find out more

Recycling Service

John Lewis are pleased to be working with The Furniture Recycling Group to recycle mattresses that are a difficult waste stream and may have alternatively gone into landfill. Working together, we have been able to recycle on average 42,000 mattresses a year, diverting 1,330 tonnes of mattresses from landfill. 94% of the material from these mattresses were recycled with 6% sent to energy from waste. Follow this link to see how to utilise this service. For £29.95 we’re able to provide mattress disposal and mattress recycling by collection, as well as removal of your old divan and/or mattress.

Length

Each and every one of our mattresses are handmade to metric dimensions, meaning they will naturally vary a little in size. A variation of +/- 2 cm is in line with BS1334:1996. During transportation some mattresses may contract and fillings may have compressed slightly, but they will relax to their normal size and shape again after being used for a short while. This is particularly important for rolled mattresses which aren’t framed and therefore will need longer to recover. When placing your mattress on a bed frame, you can expect small gaps between the mattress and the frame. These have been included deliberately to allow for bed linen.

Odours

You may notice a slight odour after the mattress has been taken out of its plastic packaging. Mattresses with natural fillings will occasionally release a natural, countryside smell. Foam mattresses can sometimes release a chemical odour. These smells are no cause for concern and will dissipate once the mattress has been well aired, leaving it in a well ventilated room for a few hours. It’s a good idea to continue to air the mattress on a regular basis too by leaving the bed linen turned back for a few hours each time. This will allow air to circulate around and through the mattress, enabling body moisture to dissipate and help to prevent the possibility of mould.

Getting used to your new mattress

It is important that you allow enough time for your body to get used to your new mattress. Your new mattress will be providing a greater level of support compared to your old mattress, this can take some time to adjust to. Your mattress may also feel slightly different to the model tested in store as this will have been tried by many other customers, so the ‘bedding down’ process will have already begun. 

Mattress protection

Having invested in your mattress we strongly recommend using a good quality mattress protector under your bed linen. This will help to protect your mattress from spills and stains and to promote hygiene. Avoid plastic based non-breathable types or any other form of plastic sheeting as this will tend to trap condensation and risk potential mould growth. In order to meet our 60 night trial requirements, a protector must be purchased in the same transaction and used.

Expect impressions

Most people tend to sleep in the same position on their mattress every night. Body impressions are therefore a normal and natural occurrence in your mattress. You may find fillings settle or dip in the area where you sleep. This is a positive indication that the generous amount of comfort fillings used in our mattresses are conforming to your body’s unique shape, weight and sleeping pattern. Compression of the fillings does not affect the support given by your mattress.

Turn/no turn

We recommend following our rotating and turning instructions to minimise body impressions. Check the surface label on the foot end of your mattress for the following wording to determine which type of mattress you will be caring for:

• Non-turn/rotate only/turn free/one sided mattress/pillow top mattress – Generally, you may be required to rotate your mattress regularly during the first few months and approximately twice a year or monthly thereafter.

• Turnable/turn with the seasons/dual sleeping surface mattress – you may be required to turn and rotate your mattress every two weeks for the first few months and about twice a year or monthly thereafter. A good way to remember to turn your mattress is when the clocks change in the spring and autumn.

General Care

Remove dust and fluff from your mattress every few months using a soft brush. Never use a vacuum cleaner, even if you have a specific mattress attachment, as this can displace the natural fillings and negate any guarantee. Please note, if you have purchased a product containing memory foam, heat from electric blankets and hot water bottles may change the feel of the mattress.

Handling

Take care when lifting your mattress to avoid personal injury and/or damage to the mattress. Seek assistance to move and rotate the mattress, using the handles to do so, but not for lengthy carrying. In order to maximise the consistent shape and support around the perimeter of your mattress, please do not sit on the edge of the mattress for a long period of time – this particularly applies to our natural mattresses. Please do not stand on your bed or allow children to treat it as a trampoline as this could damage the springs and the base. Do not fold or roll your mattress as this could damage it.