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ONSEN® BLOG / Expert advices

Discover common myths about mattresses!
TEXT FROM THE SHORT BALL SERIES, PART 1

13 czerwca 2023

Q&A, customer questions, everything about mattresses

Contents

Does the hand test make sense?

Are polyurethane foams produced in Poland?

Why do we have only one mattress model?

We encourage you to explore our videos from the series Quick and to the Point, which was created in response to customer requests. This series takes the form of a Q&A where we answer questions related to mattress or pillow selection as well as the purchasing process. The questions come directly from customers as well as individuals seeking advice from our experts.

In the first episode of the series, we provide quick and concise answers to questions related to choosing a mattress for sleeping. They primarily concern the hand test commonly used in mattress stores, as well as lists of countries and methods of producing polyurethane foams. We also explain why we have a universal mattress for sleeping.

Mattresses, pillows, health, sleep comfort, mattress from Torun

Does the hand test make sense?

Mrs. Ewa from Poznan asked us about the hand test, which is commonly used by mattress sellers in mattress stores and their assistants. Based on the hand test, a mattress model was selected for her, on which she has been having trouble sleeping for two months now. In addition, the salesperson tells her that a mattress return is not possible. We are explaining this dubious sales trick.

The use of the flat palm test doesn't actually make any sense. When we slip our hand under our back, our bodies automatically tense up. Moreover, during sleep, we are relaxed and unaware, and we are not wearing any clothes. As a result, the outcome of the supposed test becomes unreliable. Furthermore, it is performed while lying on the back, while the majority of the population practices side sleeping or a combination of both positions. On the other hand, the hand test always succeeds on the mattress that someone is most interested in buying. Typically, this is mainly related to profit optimization rather than providing actual assistance to the customer.

The hand test makes even less sense when it is conducted on a layer of memory foam, which is foam with memory properties. This type of mattress foam is designed to maintain its properties at a temperature of 15°C. However, at higher temperatures, visco foam loses its viscosity, resulting in softening. When we lie on the mattress, its viscosity decreases due to body temperature, but this happens over time. Consequently, the body behaves completely differently during the hand test than when lying on the mattress for at least an hour.

Hand test, physiotherapist in mattress store, mattress testing

Are polyurethane foams produced in Poland?

Mr. Piotr from Wrocław asked us whether polyurethane foams are produced in Poland at all. He heard from a salesperson that Polish mattresses are made from low-quality materials sourced from China. The salesperson assured him that only mattresses from foreign countries are worth considering. Specifically, he pointed out mattresses from Denmark, Italy, and Slovakia, which happen to be exactly the ones available in the store visited by Mr. Piotr. During a phone conversation, Mr. Piotr emphasized that the salesperson held the position of store manager for many years.

The information that Mr. Piotr received is extremely outrageous to us. Its main purpose is to discredit all Polish mattress manufacturers, including ourselves. The salesperson not only deceitfully and shamelessly lied to the consumer but also engaged in unfair competition against many businesses. Additionally, he showed a lack of respect, tact, and patriotism towards local products, all for the sake of achieving profit from selling a mattress.

Poland remains one of the largest producers of high-quality polyurethane foams worldwide. There are numerous facilities in our country dedicated to their production, including four major players: Ciech, Eurofoam, Organika, and Vita. It is estimated that around 400,000 tons of polyurethane foams are produced annually in Polish factories. Moreover, importing them from China would be unprofitable, so it is unlikely to happen in the mattress industry. There are companies that import memory pillows made and compressed in China or Turkey, but that is a separate topic.

Thanks to the experience of Polish manufacturers, as well as the use of advanced production technologies and high-quality raw materials, Polish companies are able to deliver high-quality polyurethane foams. They find applications in various industries such as transportation, furniture production, and the automotive industry. Furthermore, Polish polyurethane foams are used to create thermal and acoustic insulation in many countries around the world.

Foam mattresses, sleep hygiene, polyurethane foams, memory foam

Why do we have only one mattress model?

Mr. Adam from Chorzów asked us why we have one model of a mattress. He also mentioned that in mattress stores, he was told that the mattress should be chosen based on a person's weight and preferences. We explained to him that everyone is different, which is why we should all sleep on different mattresses. We also tried to convince him that the price of a mattress affects its quality.

Our Osaka Air mattress, created by us, has remained the most functional and versatile among the products available on the market for years. During the mattress development process, we focused on functionality that is truly useful for sleeping, which translates into specific benefits. It took us several years to bring it to the market, following the jobs to be done methodology. We designed it according to the principles of design thinking, which means that the entire construction of our mattress is well thought out.

Our Polish sleeping mattress also has only one, the most optimal firmness. Based on information from doctors and physiotherapists, as well as the fascinating American hotel test, we have determined the firmness that is suitable for almost everyone. This optimal firmness is 6.5 on the firmness scale and is consistently replicable in every unit of our perfect mattress.

We also believe that since a medium-firm mattress is best for all individuals who sleep on their side and back, as well as the majority of individuals who sleep on their stomach, artificially expanding the range of mattress firmness is entirely pointless. The multitude of options in mattress stores may primarily aim to create an illusion with the goal of extracting the maximum possible amount of money from customers. Many cases show that we often encounter a large number of identical mattresses on display, which are subsequently given different names in stores (referred to as the name game). We openly oppose this practice and always prioritize the well-being of our customers.

We also encourage you to explore other articles on the best sleep and health blog, as well as the Encyclopedia of Healthy Sleep prepared by the ONSEN® team of specialists. For those who care about spine health, we recommend a set of spine exercises prepared by our physiotherapist.

160x200 foam mattress, sleep mattresses, mattress manufacturer

FAQ: Quick Ball (1)

Does the flat hand test work?

No, the flat hand test, commonly known as the hand test, makes no sense whatsoever. The hand test is useless and unreliable, especially on a memory foam mattress. It is just another trick that mattress sellers use to legitimize their unreliable knowledge.

What type of foam is best for a sleeping mattress?

The best mattresses are made from high-resilience foam with the right firmness and density. To ensure proper spinal and body contouring during sleep, it's worth making sure that the second layer of the mattress contains high-resilience foam. Traditional foams, which quickly and easily deteriorate, should be avoided.

What should be the firmness of the foam for a mattress?

The firmness of foam for mattresses is measured in kilopascals (kPa) or newtons (N). The firmness of polyurethane foam alone is not a sufficient parameter. These are always labeled alphabetically and numerically by manufacturers. High-resilience foams are labeled as HR, and viscoelastic foams as V. Closed-cell traditional foams are labeled with the letter T or HD. The first two digits after the letter designation indicate the density of the foam, and the next two or three digits indicate its firmness. For example, HR5030 foam would indicate high-resilience foam with a density of 30 kg/m3 and a firmness of 3.0 kPa. However, mattress firmness is also influenced by other factors, primarily the order of polyurethane foam layers and their parameters. Therefore, the final firmness of the mattress is determined on a 10-point scale. A medium-firm mattress, with a firmness rating of 6.5 on the mattress firmness scale, is considered the best for health and comfort.

Is a polyurethane foam mattress good?

Yes, a polyurethane foam mattress is the best type of mattress. However, it is always important to check the full parameter of the foam to ensure that it truly meets the conditions for healthy and comfortable sleep. Everyone has the right to know the composition of a mattress before purchasing it, just as they would for clothing or food products. The parameters of polyurethane foams are not a trade secret and must be disclosed.

How long does a foam mattress last?

A high-quality foam mattress, which contains polyurethane foams with high density and proper firmness, will not deteriorate even after several years of use. Of course, it should not be closed-cell foams, which are labeled with the letter T, but only high-resilience foams labeled as HR. It is also beneficial to have a layer of memory foam, which is labeled as V. The most functional mattresses, such as the Osaka Air, even come with a 15-year warranty. With proper use, a mattress can last even twice as long.

Contents

Does the hand test make sense?

Are polyurethane foams produced in Poland?

Why do we have only one mattress model?

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Comments

Piotr write:

Witam, czy w tekście nie ma blędu? "Na przykład pianka HR5030 oznaczać będzie piankę wysokoelastyczną o gęstości 30 kg/m3, a także twardości rzędu 3,0 kPA." Czy nie powinno być HR5030 oznaczać będzie piankę wysokoelastyczną o gęstości 50 kg/m3, a także twardości rzędu 3,0 kPA

Added: 14 października 2023, 19:46. Add an answer

ONSEN® Expert write:

Oczywiście, że tak! Wkradł się chochlik :)

Added: 15 października 2023, 11:05. Add an answer

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Discover common myths about mattresses! TEXT FROM THE SHORT BALL SERIES, PART 1

Does the hand test make sense?

Are polyurethane foams produced in Poland?

Why do we have only one mattress model?

FAQ: Quick Ball (1)

Does the flat hand test work?

What type of foam is best for a sleeping mattress?

What should be the firmness of the foam for a mattress?

Is a polyurethane foam mattress good?

How long does a foam mattress last?

Discover common myths about mattresses!
TEXT FROM THE SHORT BALL SERIES, PART 1