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Replacing Dunlopillo latex mattress. Please help

Derek & Alison asked
27th April 2012

Hi Guys. Have been browsing your site and found it great as we seem to be getting nowhere on our research. We bought a 5ft Dunlopiilo latex matress about 9 yrs ago. My wife is 5’4” and 8 1/2 st and I am 6’2” and 15st. We put it on a teak bedstead with a central support pillar – all very sturdy. Our previous experience of decent quality divans had left us with a dented matress and a central ridge – which is not conducive to cuddling. Even this meaty bit of support still bent and we had to put a couple of support legs from B&Q on. It had beech slats which meant that it also dipped noticeably on my side being the heavier. Once again a central ridge developed. Recently we changed our bedstead for a metal version with beech slats and these seem to dip even more so that it is actually uncomfortable – and the central ridge is even more noticeable than before. We like our Dunlopillo matress and its hygeine advantages – plus we do not have to struggle to turn a large matress all the time – but it now needs replacing. What we are now thinking is that we will go over to a 6ft wide superking and thought about solid slats to stop the dipping and central ridge problems – but can’t seem to find this recommended or even talked about anywhere. What puzzles us is that on bedsteads (which we prefer to divans on grounds of what they look like) you find your matress which is researched and built on a flat support basis and then place it on two separated beech sprung bases which do not support it evenly. Seems strange. You may well recommend a zipped superking because of our weight differences- but on what base given that we prefer bedsteads – and can we find solid slat built beds anywhere?

You find them in hotels sometimes but can’t seem to track them down. We need your help please .

1 Answer
Lee Staff
answered 12 years ago

Hi Derek and Allison.

I completely understand your predicament with sprung slats.

These are predominantly on imported bedframes – and although not necessarily on ‘cheap’ bedframes [they are also used by likes of Ercol and Tempur] the design seems to go completely against the grain as a method of support for pocket sprung / Solid core mattresses. Pocket sprung mattresses do like a flat surface so the springs are evenly supported – otherwise, you get the hump back bridge effect. This is why all top end pocket sprung mattresses are partnered with an equivalent Sprung edge divan.

Same is true with solid core latex as you have found out to your cost. They too like a flat cushioned surface. Which brings me to the anomaly of Tempur. They produce a range of bedframes that utilise these sprung slats and accompany them with a Tempur mattress. They also produce their own range of Divan bases, which prior to the introduction of their bedframe range was the only and recommended option of support.it would be interesting to see what their response would be when questioned ” ..which of these is the better support for a Tempur mattress?” Solid [rigid] slats are still out there -mainly on wooden bedframes.

For example, please take a look at the chart below.

Artisan Divan Bases
1000 Pocket Springs 1.6 Gauge (Kingsize)
600GSM Cotton Wool rebound upholstery on top of the base
Fully upholstered in a range of fabric choices / colours
Black cotton backing on the underside
Solid wood frames. FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) approved.
Drawers if chosen are 32″ wide, 20″ deep and 9″ high
Fixings for both Shepherd castors and headboard bolts

The best way to start looking for such is to start with the high-end dept stores – Barker and Stonehouse / Feather and Black / Furniture Village / John Lewis / Marks and Sparks – find a design you like and then start to hunt down the best available to suit your budget.

I was a bit puzzled by your reference relating to your previous experience of ‘good quality divans’ which led you to a dented mattress and a ridge-? It all rests on what you perceive to be a good quality divan, but I find it hard to fathom as to what could have caused this to happen. A good quality divan would be sprung edged as standard (the best are pocket sprung) – and include a layer of upholstery on the surface. Finally, I too am of the view that design and looks take an over-riding preference on what is strictly right for the mattress. My pocket sprung mattress sits quite comfortably on beech sprung slats !!

But I do take common sense measures to ensure I am doing all I can to reduce the humping that will no doubt take its toll. For example, sprung slats should be augmented by some sort of cushioning, Firstly, this is conducive to looking after the underside of a two-sided mattress, and secondly, it also helps to level out the arch. keep saying “..even the use of an old duvet” and this is reference to a better than nothing solution. There is a product known as a mattress pad, designed to assist in creating a cushioned surface – offered by Hypnos etc, but even a relatively basic foam pad is again, better than nothing.

Finally again (sorry – you’ve got me going) This is also true about looking after the mattress in general. People expect their mattress to last forever and do absolutely nothing to offer any kind of protection. Placing a bottom sheet directly on the mattress without so much as a basic protector is like wearing trainers without socks! People are inclined to take out (worthless) extended warranties yet for less than this premium they could have bought a well made natural fibre topper (wool and cotton/feather etc) and the use of that, not only providing an additional layer of comfort, will keep the mattress as new for years longer than using nothing.

Please let us know what you find – Bedsteads are just a big a minefield as mattresses – don’t be taken in by all show and no substance.

If you have any further questions please don’t hesitate to contact the office on 0161 437 4419

John and Ryan.

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