Bust sleep myths with Joey!

When it comes to choosing the perfect mattress, there’s no shortage of opinions and myths. Firm vs. soft, the number of layers, longevity, and price—everyone has heard different advice. But how much of it is actually true? In this blog, we’ll explore some of the most common mattress myths and bust them with facts. Whether you're trying to decide on the firmness of your bed or wondering how long a mattress should last, we’ve got you covered. Get ready to rest easy with the truth about your sleep surface!

1. Are firm mattresses better than soft ones?

In Asian societies, there is a general misconception that firm beds are definitely better than soft beds. However, whether a bed is suitable for you has less to do with its firmness, but rather the level of comfort and support it can provide your body.

When we sleep on our side, most of our body weight is concentrated at two areas— our shoulders and hips! Look for a mattress that can provide you proper pressure-point relief no matter what sleep position you’re in.

2. Are mattresses with more layers better?

Joey would say this really depends on what layers you’re getting and why they were assembled that way. A good combination of materials in a well-designed hybrid mattress could definitely offer optimized support! However, an ineffective combination will yield no benefits and only incur higher costs for the buyer. Be wary when you see marketing materials that emphasize the bed having ‘many layers’ without being able to explain their functionality. Remember what we essentially need from beds— good comfort and support.

3. How long should a mattress really last?

As a general rule of thumb, most mattresses have a predicted lifespan of 6-10 years. However, this is definitely not a hard rule, because how you use your mattress will affect the lifespan of your bed.

At Joey, our mattresses come with a 10-year warranty. To take care of your mattress (and this applies to all types of beds), make sure to rotate (not flip!) it every 3-6 months to ensure that you are not concentrating your weight at the same area all the time. Keep your mattress in a well-ventilated room, and make sure it’s on an even platform or bedframe. You can also sun it once every few months to prevent mold and mildew. And of course, covering your mattress with a good mattress protector (Joey’s has one that’s water-proof 😉) can also help prevent stains and spillage.

Your body will let you know when it’s time to change a mattress. You should change one when you can no longer rest comfortably on it, when you wake up with aches and pains, or when there are serious hygiene concerns that impede sleep. In any case, if there’s a visible or discernible sagging on the mattress even with no pressure applied, it’s definitely time for an upgrade.

4. What makes some mattresses so expensive? Are they worth it?

It’s well-known that there are mattresses out there that cost over tens of thousands of ringgit! Typically, expensive mattresses are made up of all-natural or hard-to-manufacture materials that have a high base price. Besides that, they are also usually accompanied with many ‘nice-to-haves’— for instance, cashmere coverings, silk latex, activated charcoal, or organic cotton linings. These features do not necessarily contribute to better sleep, but they certainly are luxurious!

A good mattress is made from high-quality materials, and high-quality materials don’t come cheap. But that doesn’t guarantee that all expensive mattresses are excellent— only the ones that are well-designed and consumer-centric will be worth the money. Make sure they also provide good and responsive customer service!

Since our beds accompany us through different stages of our lives, it’s important to find one that meets both our needs and budget. A cheap mattress that sacrifices your wellbeing OR a mattress that burns a hole in your wallet are both never worth it.

5. If I have spinal problems, must I get a firm bed?

If you have very specific spinal support needs, it’s best to get advise from a medical practitioner as to what bed suits you best, especially if you sleep on an adjustable bed frame. Do you need extra support to get out of bed? Does your spinal alignment require specific firmness needs?

It’s even better if you can try out several potential mattresses for an extended period of time, and return them if they’re unsuitable— because ultimately, personal experience would give you the clearest answer.

At Joey, we’ve had customers who report improved sleep and lessened back pain. We’ve also had customers who returned their mattresses due to their specific needs (see below)— and that’s completely okay! Don’t feel hesitant to return your mattress for any reason at all; we can still be friends ☺️

*Reviews are obtained and accessible on Joey’s website.

Customer with lumbar bulge

Customer with slip disc

Customer with previous back pain