Frequently Asked Questions
Mattress Shopping
Mattress Sizing & Height
Mattress Care
Customer Service
Latex
Q. How can I tell if I need a new mattress?
A.
When was the last time you thought about your mattress? Many of us forget that our
mattresses are the most utilized piece of furniture we own. In fact, if you sleep
eight hours a night, in one year you’ll rack up 3,000 hours on your mattress. After
10 years, you’ll have logged 30,000 hours on the same bed. Listed below are a few
hints that indicate it’s time to start thinking about renewing your sleep surface.
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You bought your current mattress over eight years ago.
The average lifespan of a quality mattress is 8 to 10 years.
Mattresses older than that suffer from deteriorating comfort
features and diminished support capabilities.
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You wake up feeling more tired than when you went to sleep.
Most consumers wait too long to replace their mattresses. If you don’t
wake up feeling refreshed and rejuvenated – or if you feel any pain or
discomfort – you've definitely waited too long.
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The couch feels more comfortable than your bed.
Concentrate on the feel of your mattress. Do you feel coils or bumps?
Your body needs a smooth, comfortable sleep surface to get a restorative
night’s sleep. Your mattress should enable you to sleep through the night
with minimal tossing and turning.
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Your mattress looks worn and uneven.
Inspect your mattress regularly for excessive sags and imprints. While
even new mattresses develop some body impressions, if your mattress appears
significantly uneven or worn and frayed, maybe it’s time to start shopping.
The upholstery layers in all mattresses compress over time. For optimal
performance, be sure to rotate your mattress occasionally to extend its
durability and renew its comfort. If you "inherited" your mattress from a
family member or friend, chances are you need to replace it now.
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You’ve taken your mattress for granted.
Mattresses are the most used yet most ignored piece of furniture in the house.
Pay attention to your mattress. Do you hear creaks and groans? Do you notice
the surface sags or indents in certain areas and not in others? The condition
of your mattress may come as a surprise once you take a close look.
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Q. How much should I spend on a new sleep set?
A.
Mattress prices range greatly, from about $299 to over $5,000 for a queen set.
A good night’s sleep is one of the best investments you can make, so buy the
best mattress you can afford. Keep in mind that most of us spend as much as
one-third of our time in bed. Remember, your investment will cost just pennies
per night over the next 10 years.
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Q. Should I replace my boxspring when purchasing a new mattress?
A.
Yes. A good boxspring is as important as a good mattress. It acts much like a large
shock absorber, taking a lot of the nightly wear and tear, and it contributes to
your comfort and support. Don’t put a new mattress on an inappropriate boxspring.
When you select the mattress, purchase its companion boxspring. The two are engineered
to work best together.
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Q. How long should my sleep set last?
A.
The Better Sleep Council advises consumers to buy the highest quality bedding they
can afford, then replace old bedding every 8 to 10 years. After this many years,
even the best bedding may no longer provide the comfort and support you deserve.
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Q. How do I shop for a mattress?
A.
Focus on finding a sleep set that satisfies your comfort preference first, then your
quality preference. To do so, always shop wearing comfortable clothes and shoes that
can easily be removed for lying down. Take your time and don’t be shy. You can’t
judge support and comfort by sitting on an edge or lying down for just a few seconds.
Lie on the bed the way that you sleep, and if you sleep with a partner, try shopping
with him or her so you can decide together. Shop at a store that you know and trust
that offers services you desire. Read as much information about the sleep set as is
available. Remember you should always buy the best bed that you can afford. You can
always find “bargain bedding,” but it’s no bargain if you can’t get a good night’s sleep.
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Q. Is it true that local “factory to you” stores sell the same
sleep systems as Stearns & Foster?
A.
No, it’s not true. Stearns & Foster Innerspring system is a patented design developed
and produced by Stearns & Foster and only offered in our products. Stearns & Foster
components, which meet the highest quality standards in the industry, are not offered
in products promoted by “factory to you” stores. Don’t be fooled by “factory to you”
stores, selling products that are “just like a Stearns & Foster.” There is no substitute
for a Stearns & Foster sleep set.
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Q. Can I compare my old sleep set to sleep sets available today?
A.
No, the design and manufacturing of bedding has changed dramatically – even over the
last few years. Innerspring technology has improved, new “comfort” upholstery materials
have been developed and comfort choices have been expanded to give consumers a greater
selection! Today’s boxsprings are more durable, with steel spines and “working” torsion
modules that are built into all Stearns & Foster boxsprings.
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Q. How do I compare today’s sleep sets?
A.
The best way to select a new mattress is to determine the comfort you prefer,
then compare your comfort preference in three qualities – top of the line, midrange,
and lower range – and understand the differences. This comparison helps you make an
informed decision. If you like the comfort and price, the store services, and possible
financing options, you can make your purchase at the first store. If you decide to shop
another store, find out what you’ve seen. Know the type of sleep set and its significant
features, such as the type of innerspring unit, key comfort layers, and type of edge
support.
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Q. What type of mattress should I buy for my child?
A.
Your child should sleep on a Stearns & Foster because it offers proper back support.
Children’s bodies are always changing, and through all of those changes, their growing
backs need support. Don’t skimp when buying a new sleep set for your child. With a
Stearns & Foster, your children will get the comfort they want with the support their
developing bodies need.
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Q. What should I do with my old mattress?
A.
Most bedding retail stores will assist with the disposal of old bedding as a value-added
store service. Ask about this type of service before you purchase!
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Q. Can my children use my old mattress?
A.
Children should have a comfortable, supportive mattress to get the deep, restorative
sleep their bodies need to grow. If your old sleep set was uncomfortable and lacked support,
then it probably won’t help your kids get a good night’s sleep either.
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Q. Does a mattress need to be hard in order to be good for me?
A.
No. Stearns & Foster sleep sets are designed to provide correct support regardless of
comfort level or price. Whether your Stearns & Foster is soft or hard, it will give you
the same correct back support you need.
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Q. Why are there so many different quilting designs?
A.
The quilting design on a Stearns & Foster mattress cover helps determine the firmness
or plushness of the sleep surface. If a quilting design is small and close, the bed will
tend to feel firmer; if the design is large and spread out, the bed will usually feel more plush.
Remember, when you purchase a Stearns & Foster sleep set, you get the correct support you need,
regardless of comfort level or price.
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Q. Should I be concerned about bedding height?
A.
For consumers who don’t want the extra height that comes with today’s bedding,
Stearns & Foster offers a low-profile boxspring, which offers the same quality and
support of a standard 9.5” boxspring, but is only 5” high. In addition, many stores
also offer low-profile frames, which also reduce overall height.
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Q. What are the dimensions of traditional bedding?
A.
These are standard finished product sizes. Actual size may vary by model,
generally within a range of ± ½ inch to 1 inch.
King: 76" x 80"
California King: 72" x 84"
Queen: 60" x 80"
Full: 53" x 75"
Twin: 38" x 75"
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Q. How can I get a large bed through tight quarters?
A.
King-size foundations and split queen boxsprings come in two pieces for
easier access through narrow halls.
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Q. Where can I find sheets that will fit today’s thicker mattresses?
A.
Today’s mattresses are manufactured with much more upholstery padding and comfort layers
than in days past, as many consumers prefer the plush and ultra-plush comfort that these
thick mattresses provide. You can find deep-pocketed sheets in most retail stores today,
or visit our retail partner, Sealybedding.com, for luxurious sheets that are perfect for
any mattress up to 21 inches deep.
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Q. Does Stearns & Foster make larger or nontraditional bed sizes?
A.
Yes. Contact your local retailer for the following nontraditional mattress sizes:
72" x 84"* California King
38" x 80"* Twin X-Long
*These are standard finished product sizes. Actual size may vary by model,
generally within a range of ± ½ inch.
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Q. What kind of support/frame is necessary for bedding today?
A.
A sturdy frame is integral to the comfort and support life of your sleep set.
If your mattress is a queen or king set, make sure that your frame has the extra center
support needed to prevent bowing and sagging. This is required to ensure complete
warranty protection for your sleep set. Consider a strong, supportive, Stearns & Foster
bed frame engineered to mirror the key structural points of the boxspring for optimal
support and less wear and tear. Stearns & Foster’s recommendation for frame usage is
illustrated below.
Examples of proper bed frames for queen- and king-size bedding:
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Q. How do I carry or move my mattress?
A.
Two people should normally carry your Stearns & Foster mattress flat on its side.
It’s easier to handle and less likely to get damaged. Don’t bend your mattress under any
circumstances. Bending may damage the innerspring unit. Flex rather than bend the mattress
when going through doorways and don’t bend the corners when putting on fitted sheets.
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Q. How do I avoid body impressions in my mattress and maintain consistent comfort throughout the life of my bedding?
A.
Mattresses contain many layers of upholstery padding to increase their comfort life and
support performance. Body indentations can be a normal occurrence in new mattresses and
indicate that the upholstery layers are conforming to a person’s individual body contours.
To help minimize body impressions, mattresses should be turned occasionally throughout their
life.
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Q. How and why do I rotate my bedding?
A.
We recommend that you rotate your Stearns & Foster mattress on a regular basis to refresh
its comfort and maintain consistent comfort throughout the life of your bedding. For your
convenience, we have illustrated below the best method for rotating your mattress.
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Q. How do I care for my mattress?
A.
Keep your Stearns & Foster mattress clean. We suggest using a mattress pad; please
visit our retail partner, Sealybedding.com, for more information on mattress pads. Also,
don't allow your mattress to get wet. Protect it from water and other liquids.
Don’t use dry-cleaning fluid of any type on your mattress. These chemicals could damage
some of the comfort and upholstery materials.
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Q. How do I clean my mattress?
A.
Keeping your Stearns & Foster bedding clean is simple with the use of a protective mattress pad.
If you must clean a stain, use mild soap with cold water and apply lightly. Don’t ever soak a
mattress or foundation, and don't use dry-cleaning fluid of any type on your mattress – these
chemicals could damage some of the comfort and upholstery materials.
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Q. Are Stearns & Foster mattresses flame retardant?
A.
Yes. Stearns & Foster mattresses are manufactured as required by federal law to resist,
but not necessarily eliminate the risk of, ignition. In addition, Stearns & Foster mattresses
meet the more stringent California TB603 regulation for flammability.
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Q. Who should I call about a warranty concern?
A.
Please contact the retail store where you made your purchase – they’ll be glad to
help you. However, if the retail store has closed, or if you have moved, please
write a letter to the address below. Include your name and address, along with
copies of your sales receipt and bedding law label and a daytime and evening phone
number so we can contact you for service. That said, Stearns & Foster recommends
leaving the law label attached to your mattress, so you’ll be able to find it should
you need to make a warranty claim.
All warranty claims must be handled in person or by letter directly with the retail
store where you purchased your sleep set. Please refer to the Stearns & Foster warranty
card for details.
Stearns & Foster
One Office Parkway at Sealy Drive
Trinity, NC 27370
1-866-STEARNS
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Q. Can I submit warranty claims online?
A.
No. At this time, all warranty claims must be handled in person or by letter directly
with the retail store where you purchased your sleep set. Please refer to the
Stearns & Foster warranty card for details.
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Q. What’s the difference between latex and memory foam?
A.
Latex differs from memory foam in its elastic, open-cell structure that recovers from
pressure immediately. Memory foam has a slower recovery time.
Latex is a very supportive, yet conforming material. Memory foam is very conforming,
but requires highly resilient foam as a base to provide support.
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Q. Does latex sleep “hot”?
A.
No. Latex doesn’t sleep hot, because its open-cell structure allows it to breathe.
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Q. Can latex cause allergic reactions?
A.
Since our latex is derived from a synthetic formulation instead of natural latex,
which uses rubber-tree sap, we avoid the impurities and proteins that cause allergic
reactions to latex.
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