By Tamara Moscowitz

A good mattress can last anywhere from ten to fifteen years or more and provide many nights of heavenly sleep. At prices ranging from $200 to $15,000 for a full mattress— depending on materials, craftsmanship, the construction process and tailoring—we’re talking about a major investment. So before buying a mattress, do your homework and give careful thought to quality, function, and durability.

Long’s Bedding and Interiors, a venerable institution and high-end bedding landmark, is one of the best places in New York City to start. A family-run enterprise, Bob Long and other family members offer customers expert advice on mattresses, box springs, sofa beds, daybeds, adjustable electric beds, and so on.

Here are a few basics to think about and questions to ask when you begin your search:

1. What is your comfort level? Hard, soft, in between? Lie on different beds at different prices to gauge your comfort level. Some mattresses have pillow tops that cushion the sturdier mattress underneath. Most experts believe a too-hard mattress doesn’t have enough “give,” thus will be hard on your back, while anything too soft won’t have enough support. What you need to look for is a mattress that is firm and will contour to the curve of your body. Like Goldilocks discovered, you need one that’s “just right.”

2. What makes one bed more costly than another? Find out about materials. Polyurethane can make you sweat during the night, not exactly what you want. In general, natural products, like cotton, are better. Also check on how the innerspring units are made. You want coils that are thick to last longer and resilient to return to their original shape.

3. Check on the store’s return policy. Some will not allow a mattress to be returned once it’s in your home. (Many have become very strict about this return policy because of the bedbug epidemic). If there is a manufacturing defect, then you may have a claim.

4. Ask about model names. For example: A California manufacturer like Aireloom makes many different styles, each with a different name, Natural Cotton and Natural Bamboo, are two. So asking for an Aireloom mattress may not give the salesperson enough information. Having these styles names is critical if you expect to shop around.

5. Warranty. If you buy a high quality mattress, your warranty can be expected to last anywhere from ten to twenty years. That doesn’t mean, however, that any problem you encounter with your mattress will guarantee you a replacement. In general, warranties cover design defects, like a seam that doesn’t hold. You would have to prove to the manufacturer that the problem was caused by its workmanship, not something you did. Buying from a reputable retailer is always a plus.

A word about bedbugs. To protect your mattress buy an Allerrzip mattress encasement manufactured by Protect-A-Bed. It’s your best insurance against mites and allergies.

Check out Long’s terrific website www.LongsBedding.com for comprehensive information. Also, keep in mind that Long’s customizes mattresses to a customer’s specifications. Just ask rocker Mick Jagger who ordered a wall-to-wall bed to the exact measurements of his bedroom. An easy task for Long’s to achieve.

Long’s Bedding & Interiors
121 West 72 Street
212-873-1752
email: LongsBeds@aol.com