If we are supposed to spend 227,760 hours sleeping in a lifetime, shouldn’t we aim for quality rest? Style director Louise Hilsz shares how a new mattress has brought her family the ultimate in peaceful slumber. Read on to learn more.
What makes Ecosa special?
If you’re in the market for a comfy mattress we asked Ecosa’s Nina Montero what makes this brand so successful.
What should you look for when shopping for a new mattress?
Understanding the materials, whether you like soft, medium or firm, researching and seeing what features are essential to you, is it adjustable, breathable, waterproof, and hypoallergenic?
If you suffer from back problems, how would an Ecosa mattress help?
Memory foam responds to both pressure and temperature. This pressure-relief property allows the material to conform to the body's pressure points and let them sink a little. At the same time, the lighter parts of the body stay on top of the mattress and don't sink as much. As a result, the right memory foam mattress can significantly improve sleep due to its even weight distribution, keeping the spine aligned and the back happy.
In contrast with spring mattresses, foam one's don't concentrate all your weight on one side of the mattress.
How should you look after your mattress?
As above, if your mattress foam has a zip cover, remove it and machine-wash. Leave to air dry. Vacuum the mattress surface. Remember to go through the sides as well. Spot-clean the stain with a damp cloth and mild detergent (e.g., dishwashing liquid). Mix them until foamy – please use as little water as possible to avoid seepage through the mattress. This can create a site for moulds to grow on (EEP!). Lastly, stay clear of any harsh chemicals like bleach and ammonia to avoid permanent damage. Work your way from outside the stain towards the centre in a circular motion. Any bad odours, from urine or sweat, vinegar could do wonders to remove it. Fill in a spray bottle with a mixture of ¾ cup water and 1/4 cup vinegar. Spray on the smelly area and scrub in a circular motion. Place your mattress under the sun to dry it. Doing so will increase the chances of disinfecting your bed; UV exposure from the sun will kill dust mites and bacteria. Or, sprinkle baking powder on damp areas (post-cleaning) instead and let it absorb the wetness. Expect it to clump up after 30 minutes before you vacuum it. Not only will this dry the mattress, but this also removes all foul odour from it. To avoid complicated cleaning, protect your mattress at all costs by not letting dirt or stains build up. You can buy a waterproof mattress protector or a waterproof inner cover.
Louise's story
My posture is not perfect. According to experts, I have a naturally very bendy back, which causes lower back pain; that combined with chronic pain in one leg, (due to running) I find sleeping uncomfortable. I swap from side to side all night long, splaying my legs like scissors. In the lead up to completing a marathon, I was so uncomfortable; I left our bed. I found it to be too soft, and after having it for eight years, the mattress had formed big sleeping dents where we had lay (despite turning it often). The spare room bed was like sleeping on a cloud in comparison, but sadly too small for all of us to be in our bed together.
I started my quest to find a new mattress to enjoy sharing a bed with my partner Ben and our Pekingese, Pickle, once again. I've always slept on a pocket spring mattresses, however after lots of research, I discovered memory foam mattresses, and we were keen to give one a go. Luck would have it just as we had decided Ecosa approached BeautyEQ to try the mattress and give an honest review.
We chose the original Ecosa mattress with a mattress topper. Both arrived in a separate box. The mattress is heavy, which is why the package comes with wheels (great idea), so it's easily transported to your room. The mattress comes rolled up in the box vacuumed sealed. Once you take it out of the box, place the rolled up mattress on your bed base; (it comes vacuum-packed). To remove the plastic cover (use the supplied Ecosa blade), and out pops the mattress. Within a few seconds, it has expanded and lays flat.
I was quick to share the mattress box's arrival on my Instastory (Pickle was obsessed with wheels, barking) and blown away by how many people commented asking for feedback and or they were fellow converts of Ecosa.
Once in place, I immediately inspected the mattress unzipping the waterproof cover, revealing the three layers that you can layer differently to adjust as you prefer. There is medium, medium-firm, and firm. We were happy to stick with how it came and went for the medium layered mattress.
After sleeping on the mattress for two weeks, I can wholeheartedly say I have never slept better. This mattress is so comfortable. I would go as far as to say that you could even sleep on it with no pillow. The mattress moulds to your body, and you don't get that feeling of pressure points or, for me, that nagging lower backache. I also love that I cannot feel Ben or Pickle moving around during the night. Ben often gets up a lot earlier than me or comes to bed later due to his working hours, and I can no longer feel him getting in or out of bed. If you have seen these ads on Instagram, I can confirm that this mattress lives up to the hype. All I need now is for Pickle and Ben to stop snoring, and my painless, good night's sleep will be complete- perhaps I could kick them out to spare room and have the Ecosa to myself?
Louise Hilsz with her partner Ben Emirali and dog Pickle at home with their new Ecosa mattress. Louise was gifted the mattress to write an honest review. If you are in the market for a new bed, or mattress, in line with Ecosa 100 Night Trial, let your body decide.
The rules are simple. If you don't like it, Ecosa will refund you and will donate the mattress to The Salvation Army, or smaller local charities.
The Ecosa mattress layers are revealed when you unzip the waterproof cover.
For any summer soiree.