Questions? We've got answers

If you have a question or comment, please contact us using the information below. And be sure to check the FAQs — you may find just the answer you're looking for.

Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

How can I tell if I need a new mattress?
How much should I spend on a new sleep set?
Should I replace my box spring when purchasing a new mattress?
How long should my sleep set last?
How do I shop for a mattress?
Is it true that your local “factory to you” stores sell the same sleep system found in Sealy Posturepedic?
I compare my old sleep set to sleep sets available today?
How do I compare today’s sleep sets?
What type of mattress should I buy for my child?
What should I do with my old mattress?
Can my children use my old mattress?
Does a mattress need to be hard in order to be good for me?
Why are there so many different quilting designs?
 

Should I be concerned about bedding height?
What are the dimensions of traditional bedding?
I am interested in a queen- or king-size bed, but the access to my bedroom is limited. How can I get a large bed through tight quarters?
Why are some of today’s beds so thick? My sheets don’t fit!
Traditional-size mattresses are not big enough for me. Does Sealy make non-traditional?
 

What kind of support/frame is necessary for bedding today?
How do I carry or move my mattress?
How and why do I rotate my bedding? How do I avoid body impressions in my mattress? How do I maintain consistent comfort feel throughout the life of my bedding?
How do I care for my mattress?
How do I clean my mattress?
 

Will TrueForm™ by Sealy Posturepedic® sleep “hot”?
Will TrueForm sag?
What’s the difference between TrueForm and Tempur-Pedic®?
 

What’s the difference between latex and memory foam?
Does latex sleep “hot”?
Can latex cause allergic reactions?

 

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 8 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.

1. You bought your current mattress over 8 years ago.
The average life span of a quality mattress is 8 to 10 years. Mattresses older than that suffer from deteriorating comfort features and diminished support capabilities.

2. 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.

3. 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 regenerative night’s sleep. Your mattress should enable you to sleep through the night with minimal tossing and turning.

4. Your mattress looks worn and uneven.
Inspect your mattress regularly for sags and imprints. If your mattress appears 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.

5. 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.

back to top  

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. Your investment will cost just pennies per night over the next 10 years! In fact, a $1,000 Sealy Posturepedic® sleep set costs about 27 cents per night (based on a 10-year life).
back to top  

Q. Should I replace my box spring when purchasing a new mattress?
A. Yes! A good box spring 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 box spring. When you select the mattress, purchase its companion box spring. The two are designed to work best together.
back to top  

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 8-10 years. After this many years, even the best bedding may no longer provide the comfort and support you deserve.
back to top  

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 them so you can decide together. Shop at a store that you know and trust, and offers services you desire. Read as much information about the sleep set as is available. Remember, 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!
back to top  

Q. Is it true that your local “factory to you” stores sell the same sleep system found in Sealy Posturepedic?
A. No, it’s not true. Sealy’s Posturepedic Innerspring system is a patented design developed and produced by Sealy and only offered in Sealy products. Posturepedic 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 Sealy.” There is no substitute for a Sealy Posturepedic sleep set.
back to top  

Q. 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 box springs are more durable, with steel spines and “working” torsion modules that are built into all Sealy Posturepedic box springs.
back to top  

Q. How do I compare today’s sleep sets?
A. The best way to really know what you’re buying is to experience a top-quality pillowtop, then firm, then plush sleep set. Determine the comfort you prefer, then compare your comfort preference in three qualities—top of the line, mid-range 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, type of edge support and significant features of the box spring.
back to top  

Q. What type of mattress should I buy for my child?
A. Your child should sleep on a Sealy Posturepedic because it offers correct back support. Children’s bodies aren’t just always moving, they’re 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 Sealy Posturepedic, your children will get the comfort they want with the support their developing bodies need.
back to top  

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!
back to top  

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.
back to top  

Q. Does a mattress need to be hard in order to be good for me?
A. No! Sealy Posturepedic sleep sets offer correct support regardless of comfort level or price. Whether your Sealy Posturepedic is soft or hard, it will give you the same correct back support you need.
back to top  

Q. Why are there so many different quilting designs?
A. The quilting design on a Sealy 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 Sealy Posturepedic sleep set, you get the correct support you need, regardless of comfort level or price.
back to top  

Q. Should I be concerned about bedding height?
A. For consumers who don’t want the extra height that comes with today’s bedding, Sealy offers a “Low Profile Box Spring,” cutting the height of the box spring by up to 4.5 inches! A low-rise bed frame can also reduce the overall height of your mattress surface. In addition, most stores also offer “low profile frames,” which also reduce overall height.
back to top  

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"
Queen: 60" x 80"
Full: 53" x 75"
Twin: 38" x 75"
Crib: 28" x 52" (Visit www.kolcraft.com for more info on Sealy crib mattresses.)
back to top  

Q. I am interested in a queen- or king-size bed, but the access to my bedroom is limited. How can I get a large bed through tight quarters?
A. King-size foundations and split queen box springs come in two pieces for easier access through narrow halls. Also, the new UniCased Sealy Posturepedic mattresses can be bent up to 15° without damaging the innerspring.
back to top  

Q. Why are some of today’s beds so thick? My sheets don’t fit!
A. Today’s mattresses are manufactured with much more upholstery padding and comfort layers than in days gone by! 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 look for Sealy sheets with the exclusive border that can fit any mattress up to 21 inches deep.
back to top  

Q. Traditional-size mattresses are not big enough for me. Does Sealy make non-traditional?
A. Yes! Sealy realizes people come in all different sizes. Contact your local retailer for the following non-traditional mattress sizes:

*72" x 84" California King
*53" x 80" Full X-Long
*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.
back to top  

Q. What kind of support/frame is necessary for bedding today?
A. Use a sturdy bed frame! 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. Sealy’s recommendation for frame usage is illustrated below...

Examples of proper bed frames for queen- and king-size bedding:

back to top  

Q. How do I carry or move my mattress?
A. Two people should normally carry your Sealy 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.
*Restriction does not apply to Sealy Posturepedic king-size mattresses, which are designed to bend at specific hinging points.
back to top  

Q. How and why do I rotate my bedding? How do I avoid body impressions in my mattress? How do I maintain consistent comfort feel throughout the life of my bedding?
A. We recommend that you rotate your Sealy mattress on a regular basis to refresh its comfort. 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. For convenience, we have illustrated below the best method.


back to top  

Q. How do I care for my mattress?
A. Keep your Sealy mattress clean. We suggest using a mattress pad; please visit www.sealybedding.com for more information on mattress pads. Don't allow your mattress to get wet. Protect it from water or 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.
back to top  

Q. How do I clean my mattress?
A. Keeping your Sealy bedding clean is simple with the use of a protective mattress pad. Vacuuming is the only recommended cleaning method. 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.
back to top  

Q. Will TrueForm™ by Sealy Posturepedic® sleep “hot”?
A. No. Memory foam is an open-cell structure that allows the foam to breathe. And our new Outlast Smart Fabric cover regulates heat to help keep you cool and comfortable as the mattress conforms to your body.
back to top  

Q. Will TrueForm sag?
A. No. Memory foam is very consistent and should preclude any abnormal defects like sagging.
back to top  

Q. What’s the difference between TrueForm and Tempur-Pedic®?
A. Each brand offers several models that have different amounts of layered foam. TrueForm features a unique PostureCore system that enhances the conformance and pressure relief of memory foam, while offering orthopedically correct support – helping to make TrueForm a better value than Tempur-Pedic. Also, the TrueForm memory foam manufacturing process is different than Tempur-Pedic’s process.
back to top  

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.
back to top  

Q. Does latex sleep “hot”?
A. No. Latex doesn’t sleep hot, because its open-cell structure allows it to breathe.
back to top  

Q. Can latex cause allergic reactions?
A. Since our latex is derived from a synthetic petroleum base versus natural latex, which uses rubber tree sap, we avoid the impurities and proteins that cause allergic reactions to latex.
back to top