Why you shouldn’t buy a cheap mattress

You sleep on your mattress for eight hours every single day. It’s probably the longest amount of time you spend in any one place. You’re also very close to it, and you’re vulnerable when you’re there. So you really want to make sure that your mattress is high quality and safe, and one of the best ways of doing this is to buy a more expensive mattress.

Since the industrial revolution and all of the opportunities it brought for making money, it’s no secret that many savvy business people started selling cheaply made products at good prices, maximising their profits. It was always going to end in tears, though, and it has. There are countless stories online about people buying cheap products that were at best an embarrassment and at worst completely dangerous.

So, if you are buying mattresses for your family, you want to make sure they are the very best, and we think a good way of doing that is to lean towards more expensive mattresses. Companies like Ely sell luxury mattresses made from natural materials and offer 0% finance to help you spread the cost.

But what exactly is the problem with cheap mattresses? In this article, we will explain.

Cheap mattresses sag

Because cheap mattresses are made from cheap materials, these tend not to hold their shape properly, which means they are prone to sagging and losing their shape.

The point of your mattress is to support you whilst you sleep, so if your mattress is made from low quality materials, particularly if it is low quality foam, it’s highly likely you’re going to wake up with joint pain, and that these will get worse over time.

If you have a cheap innerspring mattress, you might find that the material between your back and the coils starts to wear away, which means you’ll be able to feel the metal sticking into your body.

Apart from the fact that sagging, low quality mattresses can lead to long term aches and pains, they can also reduce the quality of your sleep. We know that lack of sleep contributes to a number of issues, including poor concentration, low mood, anxiety, and weight gain.

Poor quality mattresses are more likely to attract mould and mildew

Because cheaper mattresses are more likely to be made from synthetic materials and those are not breathable, it means they are more likely to succumb to mould and mildew issues. That’s because air cannot pass through the material and keep it dry and fresh.

Mould and mildew can cause a variety of respiratory issues and over time they will ruin your mattress.

Cheap mattresses can cause skin irritation

Because cheap mattresses are not usually made from natural materials, it means they are not usually naturally fire retardant. That means that in order to sell them in the UK, manufacturers must spray them with chemicals that stop them from combusting in the event there is a fire in your home.

These chemicals have been proven to cause skin irritation when they leak onto the skin. This can start as itching and become a more serious skin condition. Symptoms are typically particularly bad for those who have eczema or chronic acne.

Respiratory issues and cancer

Some cheaper mattresses release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). These come from polyurethane used to make some mattresses, as well as chemicals used in flame retardants, and sometimes in plastic.

If you’re exposed to high levels of VOCs you might experience eye, nose, and throat irritation, headaches, or organ damage. Some VOCs have also been associated with an increased risk of cancer.

Your body is your worst enemy here, since body heat has been shown to activate VOCs.

What should I do?

We know that times are hard and not everyone can afford to spend a lot of money on a mattress, but this is one area of your health you should most certainly invest in if you can.

Good companies will offer you a 0% finance opportunity to help you spread the cost.

Look for a mattress made from natural materials. They are not only better for your health, but likely to last longer, too. That means that although your mattress might cost you more in the beginning, you’ll make your money back when it lasts you ten years instead of five.

Choose Ely

Ely mattresses are 100% natural and made from the highest quality materials. Constructed from wool, horsehair and cotton, our mattresses are durable, hypoallergenic, and naturally fire retardant. Because they’re breathable, they wick away moisture, which prevents the growth of mould and mildew.

To help you spread the cost, we offer 0% finance.

If you are ready to shop, please browse our store.

If you’re interested in learning more about Ely, read about our 13 layers.