We have inherited an iron bed from my husband's grandmother. It has been in her attic for over 60 years. We plan on giving it a good once over (maybe twice) and we're in the market for a new mattress and spring set for it. I haven't had to purchase a new mattress in almost 20 years. Has anyone done this recently? What brand did you buy and would you do it again? Anything I should avoid? Thanks.

-- Charleen in WNY (harperhillfarm@yahoo.com), March 24, 2002

Answers

Charleen. We use to own a motel----& when we did I bought many hundred matresses -----which has been less than 10 years ago--- One thing we found & we liked & they wore well & all guests to like were the pillow top mattresses---there are several companies that put them out----best advice------is go to where you can lay down on it & try it----then shop for the best price on that type of matress----

Warning as an antique dealer-----really measure your iron bed well before you go shopping!!!!!!! Sometimes those beds were odd sizes--- make double sure the matress you pick out will fit the iron bed!!-- (especially the box springs) We have had that problem---one brass bed we even had to have a custom made matress & box springs made for it--- best wishes----

-- Sonda in Ks. (sgbruce@birch.net), March 24, 2002.

Charleen - I just purchased a mattress for a 60 (at least) year old bed. Sears was having a good sale - free delivery, take away the old mattress and a free frame. And almost half off. I bought a Serta and it is wonderful. I couldn't afford a pillowtop - they are almost double in price. I had a pretty good salesman - he said all the gimmicks to sell mattresses are going to end up costing you about the same. So I did look around before I bought - and he was right.

-- Dianne (willow@config.com), March 25, 2002.

Friends of mine owm a mattress store and sell Serta, Sealy, Stearns & Foster, etc. They tell me that when all is said and done the single biggest factor to consider is the number of coils in the mattress. Make sure you are comparing the same sizes (Queen to Queen, etc.) to get an "apples-to-apples" comparison. Beyond that, they heartily recommend ALWAYS using a mattress pad. Not doing so will even void your warranty in many cases. Good luck. I hope this helps.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), March 25, 2002.