In the year 2000, some mattress manufacturers started making one sided mattresses. The stated reason for these “no flip” mattresses was that the consumer would no longer have to flip a heavy mattress. The inference was that this was an improvement and that the longevity and durability of the mattress was not reduced by having only one sleeping surface; one that couldn’t be refreshed by flipping.
In most cases, the one remaining side was not improved. Also, by eliminating the cost of one entire sleep surface, the profits to the manufacturers soared by 25 to 30%. These savings were not passed on to the consumer (or the retailer). Serious problems with the one sided mattresses started almost immediately. In some cases these problems could be traced to petroleum based synthetic foams being used but mostly the inability to turn and allow even break-in was the problem. Consumers complained of deep, permanent body impressions. At the same time that the two-sided mattresses became harder to find, the consumer demand for plusher mattresses grew. This necessitated more and deeper foams being layered on top of the coil systems. The thicker the manufacturers made the mattresses, the greater the chance of deep, permanent
impressions. Couples on queen size beds found themselves involuntarily rolling towards each other. Partners on king size beds discovered a growing ridge between them as their individual impressions became deeper and deeper. People described themselves as having to “climb” or “crawl” up and out of their beds. Consumers became very frustrated when manufacturers would not cover these problems under warranty as they considered it normal for up to a 2” depression!
Sleep experts had little choice but to start to recommend replacing the mattress every five to seven years! A lot of consumers didn’t think that paying the same full price for half a bed that would wear out in a few short years was much of a deal. Neither did Bedrooms & More.
Initially, Bedrooms & More Seattle carried some one-sided mattresses along with their proprietary two-sided beds. Soon, though, it became apparent that the major manufacturers (now owned by “financial groups” instead of mattress people) weren’t concerned with what was best for the consumer but what was best for their financial groups’ bottom line. The final straw which caused Bedrooms & More to eliminate the major brand one-sided mattresses entirely and permanently was the petroleum based foam problem with potentially harmful off gassing. Off gassing is going to occur with petroleum- based foams, including memory foam. This at a time when consumers are demanding more natural and nontoxic products. With concerns for toxicity and mattress longevity and value, Bedrooms & More removed the remaining big “S” brands from it’s store and has never looked back!
To be part of Bedrooms & More’s regular lineup, mattresses need to have two sleeping sides or a zippered top so that the interior components can be reached and refreshed. Materials used in our mattresses are required to have renewable and/or sustainable features and significantly reduced or negligible off- gassing. Healthy, durable, affordable and socially conscious- these are the cornerstones of Bedrooms & More.
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About the Environment
The realization that Bedrooms & More need not be bound to the philosophy of a major mattress company has brought a focused commitment to products, with the welfare of the earth and the consumer in mind. At Bedrooms & More we seek out the best in natural, green and organic products, and offer them to our customers at everyday affordable prices. It is always our policy that you will never pay more for the same item. We always take into consideration the larger impact of our product lines on the Earth and on you. For example:
* When ever possible, we buy locally to support local manufacturers, strengthening our local economy
and creating a much smaller carbon footprint.
* Always use solid wood or wood veneers. Whenever possible, our woods and mattress materials come from ecologically sound, renewable resources.
* We specialize in natural latex mattresses; latex being a sustainable resource coming from rubber tree orchards in Malaysia, and Sri Lanka.
* These same trees from which the rubber is harvested are used to manufacture furniture once their producing life is over, and new trees are replanted.
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