Dollars+Sense: Going to the mattress for a deal

Readers jumped up with questions after reading Tuesday's column on mattresses.

By JOHN EWOLDT, Star Tribune

Last update: November 15, 2009 - 12:08 AM

In Tuesday's Dollars & Sense column (www.startribune.com/dollars), I wrote about green mattresses that, while pricey, are compostable at the end of their lives. Whether you're in the market for something green or something cheap, here is a followup to satisfy both desires.

Readers commenting online raised several questions. Some wanted to know how people with latex allergies might respond. Michael Penny of Savvy Rest mattresses, which are sold locally at Twin Cities Green in Minneapolis, said that latex can be synthetic (oil-based) or natural (rubber tree-based). People might be allergic to one or the other --or both -- but any mattress store that sells a natural latex mattress should be able to provide a 3-inch-square sample. Tape the sample to the inside of your wrist for several hours or overnight to test for sensitivity. An expensive latex mattress might be exchangeable, but not returnable. Room & Board is one local company that accepts returns of its latex mattresses. People allergic to the smell of latex usually notice it when they are near the mattress in the store.

Other readers wanted to know about the sustainability of the rubber trees tapped to produce the rubber. The sap is taken from rubber trees after they are about seven years old. They are not cut down to harvest the sap. Most rubber trees live about 40 years, said Penny.

Green mattresses are also available in crib sizes.

If you're looking for a conventional innerspring mattress, I've found good values at Dave's Furniture. Owner Dave Smittkamp used to have a retail store in Bloomington, but now he is open by appointment only and during occasional sales at his warehouse. The deals are as good as they used to be. The next sale is from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 28 and 29 at 1218 W. 96th St., Bloomington, 952-484-0834, www.davesfurnitureworld.com. The selection includes mattress sets from King Koil, Restonic, Martin, Englander and Serta, most of which are made locally. Nearly all are matched sets, which are discounted because they are closeouts, discontinued, scratch-and-dents, one-of-a-kind, comfort exchanges or display models. Prices are about $300 to $575 for most queen sets, although all sizes are available. Other items include futons, log beds and headboards, all at similarly low prices.

While Dave's deals are some of the best I've found locally, don't go expecting a plush showroom. It's a bare-floor, bad-lighting experience, but most of the mattress styles are set up to lie down on.

Which mattress is best? It's a personal preference and if you've tested several brands, you'll soon discover affinity for some brands and not others. In the Consumer Reports October issue, readers were happiest with, in order of preference, Tempur-Pedic, Original Mattress Factory and Select Comfort. The bottom five were Kingsdown, Serta, Sealy, Stearns & Foster and Spring Air. The magazine also rated retail stores for service, selection, price and online orders. Original Mattress Factory topped the list. Costco was second, but it received poor scores for service and selection. That's not surprising, considering the warehouse sells only a few varieties and has no models in frames to test.

John Ewoldt • 612-673-7633 or jewoldt@startribune.com. If you spot a deal, share it at www.startribune.com/blogs/dealspotter.