The $6 budget buy that could get you a good night’s sleep
A good night’s sleep is crucial for overall wellbeing, but unless your bedding is customised just for you, the chances of slipping into a deep sleep are slim.
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Most if us can probably all do with a better night’s sleep, but that deep, restorative sleep will always be elusive if your bedding isn’t up to scratch.
Selecting the right mattress topper or pillow firmness actually matters and will help foster relaxation and a sense of tranquillity in your personal space. Short of tucking you into bed, we’ve done the groundwork and come up with the best buys to help you nod off sooner.
Unless you have the budget to change your mattress yearly, the only thing standing between you and a top up of germs is a mattress protector or underlay.
Don’t be fooled into thinking that all mattress protectors or underlays are alike. There are many options on the market, but from $100 you can grab a Deluxe Fibre Mattress Protector that will not only guard against wear and stains, but also provide plenty of added comfort while you sleep. The soft cotton cover breathes easily, allowing air to circulate freely. It’s filled with Dacron Duralife synthetic fibre, which is hypo-allergenic, letting allergy sufferers sleep soundly. Importantly, it’s machine washable to help keep your bedding fresh and for added convenience, it features an added fitted elasticated skirt that lets you remove and reapply this mattress protector quickly and easily.
Spotlight’s Rebecca Fanelli, business development manager for Manchester, says there are some important differences to note between a wool underlay versus a cotton protector.
“A wool underlay protects your mattress while providing natural warmth and comfort.”
It also offers extra cushioning supports the body and helps to absorb moisture away from your body to support regulating your body temperature
“A cotton mattress protector also helps protect your mattress and add extra cushioning for comfort. It is lightweight and breathable for a fresh nights sleep.”
BEST MATTRESS PROTECTORS AND UNDERLAYS OVERALL
Ever Rest Deluxe Fibre Mattress Protector
Reversible Washable Wool Underlay
Mattress Toppers are another ingenious way to achieve a warmer, cooler, firmer, or softer sleeping surface. This removable layer that sits on top of a mattress provides cushioning and support. This extra layer serves the dual purpose of safeguarding your mattress against sagging over time.
“Using a memory foam mattress topper helps to align and support your body, while using a polyester mattress topper gives a soft and cushioning feel,” says Rebecca.
BEST MATTRESS TOPPERS
Ever Rest Memory Foam Mattress Topper
Ever Rest Alternative to Down Mattress Topper
Thread count is often regarded as an important factor when selecting bedding, but what does that actually mean? Basically, thread count refers to the number of threads woven into one square inch of fabric. A 400 thread count, generally indicates that the fabric is woven with finer threads, resulting in a smoother and more luxurious feel. That said, simply focusing on thread count alone may not guarantee the best bedding experience.
For instance, sheets made from Egyptian cotton or Bamboo cotton, tend to be softer and equally durable even with a lower thread count.
Overall, the most important thing to consider about sheets is how they feel, says Rebecca.
“Thread count is just one feature to consider when making your choice, the fibre, composition and feel is also very important. Slide your hand in the pack to get an idea of the feel on you body.”
BEST SHEETS OVERALL
BEDDING GADGETS
If your partner is prone to wriggling around to get comfortable in the middle of the night pushing the duvet cover and insert out of position, don’t get frustrated … get this $6 gadget instead. Your relationship will be better for it.
Quilt Grippers is a pack of four small budget-friendly clamps that will hold your bedding securely in place without harming the fabric. How much happier will you wake up to find that making the bed in the morning does not involve realigning the quilt.
Once you have sorted that annoying bedding dilemma out, then it’s time to tackle the other big issue – bed sheets scrunched at the bottom of the bed. If the battle to keep sheets firmly in place is real, then Sheet Smoothers will be something of a revelation. The two elasticated straps with secure clasps are designed to keep your bed sheets exactly where you want them. Yes, they could almost be confused for trouser suspenders, but at $11.50 they are so much cheaper and so much more
SHOP HERE
The quest to find the ‘perfect’ pillow is so subjective that only you can possibly know when you’ve struck gold.
It’s important to consider your specific needs though, including preferred sleeping position (side, back, or stomach), any existing neck or back issues, allergies, and personal comfort preferences when choosing a pillow. This $84 memory foam pillow stands out as a better buy for the following reasons: it maintains its shape for its lifetime, it’s non-allergenic and the cover can be removed for washing. At a cheaper price point, the $45 Jaspa Black All Seasons Australian Wool Blend Pillow gets a good wrap as it’s filled with a blend of natural Australian wool filling.
Rebecca’s advice is to stick to a soft pillow with a low profile if you sleep on your stomach, a medium pillow with a medium profile if you sleep flat on your back and a firm pillow with a high profile if you are a side sleeper.
BEST PILLOWS
Logan & Mason Deluxe Memory Foam Pillow
Jaspa Black All Seasons Australian Wool Blend Pillow
Whether you want to create a tranquil space in your bedroom with this nature-inspired Logan & Mason Elise Quilt Cover Set or you’re after something more timeless with a chunky textured black or white KOO Oliver Waffle Quilt Cover Set it should go without saying that your bed should never be naked. While it may be an expensive job to renovate a bedroom, with prices starting at $65, it’s a far cheaper option to change a quilt cover and breathe new life into your private space.
BEST BED LINEN
KOO Brindabella Quilt Cover Set
Linen House Henderson Quilt Cover Set
KOO Oliver Waffle Quilt Cover Set
Logan & Mason Elise Quilt Cover Set
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Originally published as The $6 budget buy that could get you a good night’s sleep
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