UNIT-IV

LIVING ROOM FURNISHING The living room has a dual purpose; for relaxation and entertainment.

Sofa Covers

The sofa is the piece of furniture that probably gets used more in the home than any other piece of furniture. We tend to sit on that in order to watch TV, enjoy a little bit of family time and perhaps even eat. Not only does it get used often, it is also the piece of furniture that tends to receive the most spills. Finding slip covers for sofa cushions, therefore, is important if we want to make sure that the piece of furniture itself does not get too dirty.

The reason why slip covers for sofa seats and back cushions are so important is because many of us do not want to soil the actual piece of furniture. It is one problem if we soiled the slipcover but quite another if we damage the piece of furniture. A slipcover can either be thrown into the washing machine or perhaps replaced if it is damaged irreparably. The last thing that we would want to do is to spend a couple of hundred dollars on a new sofa, simply because we did not spend a little bit of money on a slipcover. Slip cover

Main Types of Sofa Covers The two main types of slip covers for sofa cushions include fitted and overlay slipcovers. The fitted covers are going to provide you with the neatest book and one that helps you to keep the original look of the sofa. Very few of us buy sofas because we plan on covering them up, not liking the way that we look. If you get a fitted slip cover, you are able to keep the original look of the sofa, while protecting the actual sofa itself. One of the interesting things is that you will be able to change colors easily with the use of slip covers, something that most people enjoy doing as well. You may also be able to get overlay slip covers for sofa cushions as well. These are a little bit sloppier looking for because they cover the entire sofa, back, cushions and all. They are very effective, however, at keeping the sofa clean and still allowing it to be usable. Many people offer this type of slip cover whatever they have young children in order to allow them to live in the environment but still have a clean sofa underneath. Whenever a company comes, it is a simple thing to remove the slip cover and have a new looking sofa in the room.

A slipcover (also called loose cover) is a fitted protective cover that may be slipped off and on a piece of upholstered furniture. Slipcovers are usually made of cloth. Slipcovers slip on and off, they come fresh, and may be removed for seasonal change, cleaning, moving, or storage. Slipcovers are sometimes defined as "clothing for furniture." Indeed, they are tailored just as clothing is, and are fitted loosely or snugly to the taste of the owner or tailor. Some people order furniture upholstered in plain muslin with the intention of using slipcovers only Slipcover Tips To Brighten Your Decor And Protect Your Furniture Slipcovers are a great option to reupholstering the old fabric on your furniture and giving that favorite old sofa or chair a whole new life. Not

only are slipcovers inexpensive, but they offering an endless array of designs and materials. Perhaps your sofa, recliner or loveseat is showing its age with years of use, or maybe you simply want a different pattern or color in your furniture. So, what are your choices? Well, you can go to a furniture store and purchase the latest recliner from La-Z-Boy or a sofa from Lane and pay the expensive costs. You can also take in your chair or sectional to an upholstery shop and have it reupholstered. Not only is it expensive, it is also a hassle in taking it to the shop. Do you really want to move your furniture? Slipcovers are the third option and for many they are they are the best option. Regardless if it is sofa slipcovers, chair slipcovers or even a dining room chair slipcover, you can rest assured in knowing there is a huge selection to choose from.

Linens Linens are fabric household goods, such as pillowcases and towels. Originally, many, such as bed sheets and tablecloths, were made of linen. Today, the term "linen" has come to be applied to all related products even though most are made of cotton, various synthetic materials, or blends. These may be referred to as white goods (as high quality linen was bleached in the sun until it was pure white in color). Stores offering sales on these items may advertise a white sale, despite having a wide variety of actual colors of items for sale. List of linens bed sheet blanket dishcloth dishtowel doily napkin Pat Freund placemat pillowcase tablecloth table runner towel mittens Washcloth Upholstery Upholstery is the work of providing furniture, especially seats, with padding, springs, webbing, and fabric or leather covers. The word upholstery comes from the Middle English words up and holden, meaning to hold up. The term is applied to domestic furniture and also to automobiles, airplanes and boats. A person who works with upholstery is called an upholsterer; an apprentice upholsterer is sometimes called an outsider or trimmer.

Styles There are furniture covers available in every style imaginable. From modern and contemporary to country and many more. From solid colors to different prints you can find something that fits your taste. Fabric Corduroy slipcovers are very popular right now, but there are a multitude of other choices available as well. You can find materials made of cotton, linen, denim, polyester to name just a few.

TYPES OF FABRICS USED AS LINENS Basket weave:Variation on a plain weave; two over, two under. Broadcloth : A tightly woven lustrous cotton cloth with fine embedded crosswide ribs. It resembles poplin and is used extensively in shirts and blouses, as well as home decorating. Butcher's Linen : It was originally a heavy, sturdy linen fabric used for French butchers' aprons. This type of heavy fabric was also used for interfacing. Burn-Out Prints : Printing with a chemical substance that destroys the fiber in the pattern design print area. Cashmere : Comes from the inner coat hair of an Asian Cashmere Goat. Cut-And-Loop Pile : Made with a combination of both loop and cut yarns and can be either level or multilevel. Corduroy : A ribbed, pile fabric. Comes in various weights and weaves. Used widely for both apparel and home furnishings Chambray : A plain-weave fabric made of color warp yarn and white fill yarn. Combed Cotton : The combing process removes the short fibers and any debris that may be in the fiber when it was in the field. A cleaner, more uniform and lustrous yarn results. Chenille : A fuzzy cotton yarn or fabric that has pile protruding around it. Chenille is the French word for caterpillar. Chintz : Glazed cotton fabric, often printed. Used widely in upholstery fabric. Cotton Sheers : Batiste, lawn, organdy, and voile are all cotton sheers. Used for both home and apparel products. Damask : A patterned cotton fabric made on a jacquard loom. It is used for decorative fabrics and fine apparel. Duck : Also known as canvas. A rugged plainweave cloth. Dotted Swiss : Lightweight, sheer, fine-yarn fabric with small dotted areas that have been either woven or flocked to achieve the dot effect. Double Knit : A circular, knit fabric of double thickness. Dye Lot : Variations in the chemical concentrations from one batch to the next Reversible fabrics. Denim : A rugged, durable twill fabric that is most popular in indigo blue. Denim rules the

casual apparel world, but it has also become popular in decorative fabrics for the home. Embroidery : Art of creating and producing raised designs or motifs on woven fabrics. Flannel : A plain-weave cloth heavily brushed for softness. Often used in apparel and sheets. Flax : Comes from the stem or stalk of the flax plant; when flax is woven, it produces linen. Greige Goods : (pronounced gray) Loom-state cloth that has not received dry and wet finishing. Herringbone : Considered a broken twill because both right and left-hand twill resemble the backbone of a herring fish. Interlock : A double-knit, plain-stitched fabric that looks the same on both sides. Used for home and apparel. Jersey : A single-knit, plain-stitched fabric with a face side that is distinctly different from the back side. Used for both home and apparel consumer products. Recently, American manufacturers have introduced cotton jersey for bed linens. Jacquard : The jacquard loom produces elaborate cloth weaves that are very important for decorative fabrics, such as tapestries, brocade, and damask. Jacquard : Design that includes very detailed, intricate motifs. Jute : Bast fiber that grows in the stem section of a plant in India; Yellow and brown in color; Coarse and harsh. Mercerized Cotton : A wet finishing process for cotton yarn or fabric, which results in a stronger and more lustrous yarn that takes dye better with brighter, deeper colors. Matelass : A dobby or jacquard cotton fabric. The pattern stands out to give a quilted look for bedspreads and other home fabrics, or fine apparel fabrics. Natural Fiber : Found in plants or animals. Oxford : A group of cotton fabrics, including pinpoint, made with a modified plain or basket weave. Used primarily for shirting. Poplin : A fabric with a fine horizontal rib effect on the surface because of a warp yarn finer than the filling yarn; usually a high-thread-count cloth. Poplin is used for high-quality shirting. Pique : Medium-weight, crisp, cotton-type fabric with raised dobby designs. Plain Weave : Yarn passes alternately one over, one under until the yarn is full. Polyester : Manufactured fiber in which the fiberforming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85% by weight of an ester of a substituted aromatic carboxylic.

Pima Cotton : It is from Egyptian cotton, is an excellent quality cotton fabric. Pliss : Fabric treated with a solution that shrinks parts of the goods to create a crinkle or pleated effect. Used for both home and apparel. Polished Cotton : It is either a satin weave cotton or a plain weave cotton that is finished chemically to appear shiny. Percale : A smooth, finely combed woven sheeting with a minimum thread count of 180 threads per square inch. Sateen : A silky smooth fabric that has a lustrous sheen resembling satin. Swiss : It is a sheer, very fine cotton that can be plain or decorated with dots or other designs. Screen Printing : Printing formed by engraved rollers. Sham : A decorative covering for a pillow on a bed with a decorative flange. Sateen : A satin weave fabric with a smooth, lustrous surface. Used for both home and apparel. Silk : Continuous strands of filament fiber found in a cocoon. Striped Sateen : A woven-in weave of sectionstriped pattern. (see Sateen) Sheeting : Plain-woven, carded yarn cloth in medium and heavy weights. When the thread count is low, sheeting is defined as muslin. When the thread count is high and the yarn is combed, sheeting is defined as percale. Seersucker : A lightweight cotton fabric with a woven crinkle achieved by altering tension in the warp yarns. Seersucker is synonymous with the classic summer suit. Table Skirt : Gathered, tailored, or pleated piece of fabric that reaches from the top of the box spring to the floor. Terry Cloth : A cotton fabric with moistureabsorbing loop pile covering the entire surface on one or both sides. Used for home fashions, as well as summer apparel. Twill : Identified by the diagonal lines on its face. It is an incredibly versatile fabric. Velour : A term applied to cut pile cloths in general. Velour is soft, luxurious and widely used. Venise : It is a very fine damask table linen consisting of large floral patterns. Velveteen is an all cotton pile fabric with short pile resembling velvet. Velvet : A warp-pile fabric with short, densely woven cut pile, giving the fabric a soft, rich texture. Wool : Fibers that form the covering of a sheep. Whipcord is a strong fabric with a diagonal round cords that can also be produced in wool.

Terminology IN LIVING ROOM FURNISHING Bedcover entitled "Buildings, Animals and Shields", Albany, New York, c. 1890. Art Institute of Chicago collections. Bed skirt (also bed ruffle, dust ruffle or valance): A decorative piece used to cover the boxspring and legs of the bed. It fits between the mattress and boxspring and hangs to the floor. Bed spread: A bed cover with sides that go to the floor. This does not require a bed skirt. Boudoir pillows (or breakfast pillows): Small rectangular decorative throw pillows. Comforter: A filled bed cover that is quilted and usually reversible. They require a bed skirt to complete the look, as the sides only go about halfway to the floor. Drop: The length of a bed skirt. Duvet cover: A decorative and protective covering for a duvet. Most duvet covers have a button or tie closure at one end. European sham (or Euro sham): A decorative pillow covering which fits a large 26 x 26 pillow. These are often placed behind the standard size pillow shams as a backdrop for all of the other pillows. Flanged: Including a decorative band of fabric that is straight or tailored; often used to describe pillows or pillow shams. Hotel bedding: Sheets with a high-thread count, to emulate the high quality bedding materials that hotels use. Often in neutral colors. Hotels often use high-quality bedding materials to maximize comfort for their customers. Neckroll: Small cylindrical decorative throw pillows. Pillow shams: Decorative coverings for pillows, often designed with trims, ruffles, flanges, or cording. Shams are normally placed behind the pillows used to sleep on, which would be covered with regular pillowcases. Pleated: Sewn in folds like a fan. Tailored: Fitted closely, i.e. made to fit the bed exactly. Thread count: The number of thread ends per square inch in a woven fabric.

Wall Hangers Keep your mirrors, paintings, photographs and prints from crashing to the ground by choosing the right picture hangers or wall fasteners. The type of wall surface and the weight of the objects you want to hang are important things to consider. Instructions 1 Weigh the object you wish to hang. 2 Purchase a picture hanger, checking the packaging for the maximum weight the hanger can support. 3 Hang heavy objects like mirrors or shelves with wall fasteners that distribute weight more evenly than a nail or screw. 4 Use an expansion anchor or a lead shield with a No. 6 wood screw for a plaster wall with a thickness of 2 to 3 inches. 5 Use a spreading anchor for drywall or a plaster and lath wall; it should be the same size as the thickness of the wall, and long enough to pierce both the drywall and the object you want to hang. 6 Use a No. 6 wood screw if you're mounting an object of 10 pounds or less onto the wood stud behind drywall. The screw should penetrate at least 1 inch into the stud. 7 Use a No. 8 or larger wood screw if you're mounting an object of more than 10 pounds onto the wood stud behind drywall; the screw should penetrate at least 1 to 1 1/2 inches into the stud.

Cushion

four corners, so as to reduce the lower diameter to a circle of the same size as the shaft. Tailored Cushion Cover Tailored cushion covers give a finished look to any piece of furniture it's used on. Instructions Things You'll Need: Cushion pad, should be at least four to five inches thick Fabric Piping (ready-made or make your own to match fabric) Scissors Tread matched to fabric Sewing machine Straight pins Tape Measure Zipper, length should be two to three inches less than one-half the total circumference of the cushion (zipper should go around the entire back of the cushion, plush one-quarter of the way on either Measure and cut fabric pieces CUT TOP AND BOTTOM CUSHION PIECES -Measure the length and width of the top of the cushion -Add a seam allowance of 5/8-inch on all four sides -Cut 2 pieces (top and bottom) CUT FRONT AND BACK CUSHION BANDS -Measure around one half of cushion -Add a seam allowance of 5/8-inch on the top and bottom of band -Add four-inches to overall length -Cut 3 pieces CUT PIPING -Measure enough to go around the circumference of the cushion with a little overlap -Cut 2 pieces Pin and sew piping to the right side of the top piece of the cushion cover. Piping seam should align with the seam allowance of the cushion (when the cushion is turned right side out, the piping is exposed). Clip the seam on one end of the piping. Cut the cord ends inside the piping so they just meet and slip the lose end of the piping fabric over the other. Finish sewing piping to the cushion.

A cushion (from Old French coisson, coussin; from Latin culcita, a quilt), is a soft bag of some ornamental material, stuffed with wool, hair, feathers, polyester staple fiber, non-woven material, or even paper torn into fragments. It may be used for sitting or kneeling upon, or to soften the hardness or angularity of a chair or couch. Cushions and rugs can be used temporarily outside, to soften a hard ground. They can be placed on sun loungers and used to prevent annoyances from moist grass and biting insects. Some dialects of English use this word to refer to throw pillows as well. The cushion is a very ancient article of furniture; the inventories of the contents of palaces and great houses in the early Middle Ages constantly made mention of them. Cushions were then often of great size, covered with leather, and firm enough to serve as a seat, but the steady tendency of all furniture has been to grow smaller with time. Cushions were, indeed, used as seats at all events in France and Spain at a very much later period, and in Saint-Simon's time we find that in the Spanish court they were still regarded as a peculiarly honorable substitute for a chair. In France, the right to kneel upon a cushion in church behind the king was jealously guarded and strictly regulated, as we learn again from SaintSimon. This type of cushion was called a carreau, or squaer. When seats were rude and hard, cushions may have been a necessity; they are now one of the minor luxuries of life. The term cushion is given in architecture to the sides of the Ionic capital. It is also applied to an early and simple form of the Romanesque capitals of Germany and England, which consist of cubical masses, square at the top and rounded off at the

Repeat the above instructions for the bottom cushion cover. For the back cushion band, press two of the three bands in half lengthwise. Sew the zipper between the two bands of folded fabric. With right sides together, sew the front and back cushion bands together. At this point, the cushion band will much larger than the top and bottom cushion pieces. Lap the two ends of the front band over the back zippered cushion band (each end of the zipper will have fabric overlapping). Tack at the seam allowance to hold the overlaps in place. With right sides together, pin and sew top and bottom cushion covers to cushion band. Clip the seam allowances at the corners before turning. Insert the cushion pad into the cover, zip and enjoy your new cushion covers.

Bolster

A bolster (etymology: Middle English, derived from Old English, and before that the Germanic word bulgstraz) is a long narrow pillow or cushion filled with cotton, down, or fibre. In western countries, it is usually placed at the head of bed and functions as head or back support. In

south-east Asian countries, in particular Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand, the bolster is designed to be hugged when sleeping. It is called a dakimakura in Japanese. In the Philippines, many call it the "hotdog pillow" (or more natively, "tandayan") following the close resemblance to the food bearing that name. In Chinese, its hanyu pinyin is "bao zhen" (lit. "hugging pillow"). In cantonese, it is called "Lam Chim". The Indonesian/Malay folks called it "bantal peluk" or "bantal guling". Tradition suggests that a wife would fashion the bolster out of bamboo and give it to her husband when he travelled away from home so that he would not be lonely at night, hence the name "bamboo wife," or "Dutch wife," or chikufujin in Japanese. In many Chinese and Malay families, children are provided with a bolster and the habit of sleeping with a bolster carries over into adulthood. It is said that hugging a bolster will calm one's mind when sleeping, and, in the hot tropical climate of Singapore and Malaysia, it is often too hot to cover oneself with a blanket when sleeping, especially in a non-air-conditioned room, hence hugging a bolster will avoid catching a cold. In the past, it was common for people to make their own bolsters. Old folks usually made the inner cover with a slit at its centre and stuff cotton wool until it is fairly compact and then sewing the slit up. A bolster cover is then made, with tie strings at its end, to keep it clean. Now most shopping centres and Department Stores like Target, John Little, do sell ready made bolsters with different insert/fillings to cater to different needs and price ranges. Because of its popularity among the locals, bedsheet sets often come with matching pillow and bolster cases. In more traditional Chinese families, a newly-wed couple's wedding chamber will most likely have a bed that comes with two pillows and one bolster with embroideries of love birds, flowers etc and are usually bright red in colour. It is said that the bolster is to provide the husband with something to hug when the wife is not in the mood or vice versa. In many other countries, particularly Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand, a bolster is quite different. They use a bolster the way what some western countries use their body pillows . These are pillows that the sleeper can rest his head on and also hug it with both arms and legs. This is great for children who like the comfort of sleeping with something and the habit extends to adults too. It is also good for people who have hip,

shoulder, or back problems. The sleeper can adjust the body pillow bolster to make sleeping more comfortable. The use of the bolster is so common among Indonesian people that most local hotels provide bolsters for their guests. However, this is less common in westernized hotels in bigger cities in Indonesia. In Singapore, most hotels do not provide bolster for guests unless they specifically request it. The equivalent of bolster in the western countries is the body pillow. So exactly what a bolster is depends a bit on the country you live in. No matter where you live, it is long and narrow rather than square or the familiar rectangular pillow for the head. Bolsters for the bedroom are often cylindrical.

2 TAILORED BOLSTER Fold center section in half lengthwise with right sides together and matching raw edges. Using a 5/8 inch seam allowance, pin, baste, and stitch along the long edge, forming a tube, and leave an opening in the center of the seam. Leave the opening unstitched or add a zipper. Open the zipper, if necessary. Add piping cord around ends. With right sides together, pin, baste, and stitch an end circle to each open end of the center section. Clip into seam allowance and trim scams. Turn cover right side out, insert form, and close the opening. 3 COVERING BUTTONS Follow the manufacturer's instructions for covering buttons. Use a guide to cut a circle of your chosen fabric. Run a gathering thread around the outer edge; gather covering around the button front and fasten. Ease fabric evenly around the outer edge of the button front and snap on the back

Mattress
How to Make Cushion Bolsters GATHERED BOLSTER: Fold the fabric in half lengthwise with right sides together and raw edges matching. Using 5/8 inch for a seam allowance, pin, baste, and stitch along the long edge, forming a tube. Neaten both raw edges with zigzag stitches and press the seam open. Turn the cover side out. Press under raw edges at each end 5/8 inch. Using a double thread, work large, evenly spaced gathering stitches around each pressed edge. Do not pull up gathers and leave the gathering thread on the needle. Insert the bolster form into the cushion cover, centering it inside. At each end, pull up the gathering threads to close the end and fasten off the thread. Cover each button with contrasting or matching fabric. Hand stitch the covered button over each gathered end to neaten.

A mattress is a mat or pad, usually placed on top of a bed, upon which to sleep or lie. The word mattress is derived from Arabic words meaning "to throw" and "place where something is thrown" or "mat, cushion." During the Crusades, Europeans adopted the Arabic method of sleeping on cushions thrown on the floor, and the word materas eventually descended into Middle English through the Romance languages.[1] Though a mattress may be placed directly on the floor, it is usually placed on top of a platform (such as a platform bed or a metal box spring or a

slatted foundation) to be further from the ground. Historically, mattresses have been filled with a variety of natural materials, including straw and feathers. Modern mattresses usually contain either an inner spring core or materials such as latex, viscoelastic, or other polyurethane-type foams. Mattresses may also be filled with air or water, or a variety of natural fibres, such as in futons. Mattress dimensions Most mattresses have a thickness from six to eighteen inches (15 to 46 cm). Components of an innerspring mattress This article does not cite any references or sources. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed. (August 2006) A common innerspring mattress consists of three components: the spring core, the foundation, and the upholstery layers. Spring mattress core The core of the mattress supports the sleepers body. Modern spring mattress cores, often called "innersprings," are made up of steel coil springs, or "coils." The gauge of the coils is another factor which determines firmness and support. Coils are measured in quarter increments. The lower the number, the thicker the spring. In general, higherquality mattress coils have a 14-gauge (1.63 mm) diameter. Coils of 14 to 15.5-gauge (1.63 to 1.37 mm) give more easily under pressure, while a 12.5-gauge (1.94 mm) coil, the thickest typically available, feels quite firm. Connections between the coils help the mattress retain its shape. Most coils are connected by interconnecting wires; pocketed coils are not connected, but the pockets preserve the mattress shape. There are four different types of mattress coils: Bonnell coils are the oldest and most common. First adapted from buggy seat springs of the 19th century, they are still prevalent in less expensive mattresses. Bonnell coils are hourglass-shaped, and the ends of the wire are knotted or wrapped around the top and bottom circular portion of the coil and self-tied. Marshall coils, also called "pocketed coils," are each wrapped in a fabric encasement and usually are tempered, or in the case of the Simmons Beautyrest carbon magnesium is added. Some manufacturers pre-compress these coils, which makes the mattress firmer and allows for motion separation between the sides of the bed.

Offset coils are designed to hinge, thus conforming to body shape. They are very sturdy, stable innersprings that provide great support. Continuous coils Or Mira-coils, Work by a hinging effect, similar to that of offset coils. In a basic sense a continuous coil is simply that, one continuous coil in and up and down fashion forming one row (usually from head to toe) of what appear to be individual coils. The advantages of how firm a support the continuous coil provides it is somewhat tempered with the 'noise' associated from a typical mira coil unit. Air mattresses Air mattresses use one or more air chambers instead of springs to provide support. Quality and price can range from inexpensive ones used occasionally for camping, all the way up to highend luxury beds. Air mattresses designed for typical bedroom use cost about the same as innerspring mattresses with comparable features. Several companies currently produce adjustable firmness air mattresses. In 1981, Comfortaire began manufacturing and marketing air mattresses that looked conventional but allowed users to adjust the firmness. Select Comfort patented a variant and began marketing them in 1987. Adjustable air mattresses come in a variety of models from basic, no-frills ones that measure about 7" in height, to high-profile, 15" tall hybrids that contain several types of foam, pillow tops, and digital pumps with memory, for individual pressure settings. Air bladder construction varies from a simple polyethylene bag to internally baffled, multiple chambers of latex (vulcanized rubber) with bonded cotton exteriors. Mattresses have a layer of foam above the air chambers for added cushioning. The air chambers, top and sidewall foam all sit inside a removable two piece cover that looks like the outside of a standard innerspring mattress. These high-end luxury Air Beds are also known as soft sided Air Beds. Medical versions of these adjustable firmness mattresses have even greater control mechanisms which include features like frequently changing pressure to prevent bed sores. Foam mattresses Foam mattresses use shape-conforming latex or viscoelastic memory foam rather than springs to provide support. Mattresses manufactured using memory foam or latex are generally hypoallergenic.[citation needed] Since foam varies in quality, prices can vary widely. Most mattress manufacturers offer a line of memory foam mattresses.

Foundation There are three main types of foundations. Box-springs consist of a rigid frame which contains extra-heavy-duty springs. This type of foundation contributes to softer support and a bouncier mattress. Because box-springs can cause mattresses to sag, many manufacturers add highdensity block foam underneath the coils or provide a rigid foundation instead. Traditional wood foundations are usually made of soft woods, such as pine, or hard woods, such as poplar. They usually consist of seven or eight support slats covered with cardboard or beaverboard. This type of foundation, called a zero deflection unit or an "Ortho Box" in the bed industry, increases the feeling of firmness and stability. Grid foundations are a combination of steel and wood. Upholstery layers Upholstery layers cover the mattress and provide cushioning and comfort. Some manufacturers call the mattress core the "support layer" and the upholstery layer the "comfort layer." The upholstery layer consists of three parts: the insulator, the middle upholstery, and the quilt. The insulator separates the mattress core from the middle upholstery. It is usually made of fiber or mesh and is intended to keep the middle upholstery in place. The middle upholstery comprises all the material between the insulator and the quilt. It is usually made from materials which are intended to provide comfort to the sleeper, including regular foam, viscoelastic foam, felt, polyester fibers, cotton fibers, convoluted (egg-crate) foam, and non-woven fiber pads. The quilt is the top layer of the mattress. Made of light foam or fibers stitched to the underside of the ticking, it provides a soft surface texture to the mattress and can be found in varying degrees of firmness. The protective fabric cover which encases the mattress is called ticking. It is usually made to match the foundation and comes in a wide variety of colors and styles. Most ticking is made of synthetic fibers like polyester, or acrylic; or of natural materials such as latex, cotton, silk, and wool.

Quality Many parameters determine mattress quality. Laboratory test methods have been established for some of these parameters, such as pressure distribution, skin microclimate, hygiene, edge support, and long-term stability. Many of these have been developed by Dr. Duncan Bain, working on behalf of the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.[4] Other parameters, such as firmness, are more specific to the sleeper. In general, firm mattresses are recommended for stomach and some back sleepers, soft mattresses are recommended for side sleepers, and medium mattresses are recommended for the majority of back sleepers. [citation needed] Some brands offer mattresses with one softer side and one firmer side, or with adjustable firmness levels, to accommodate sleepers who share a bed. Mattresses in hospitals "Not all the anti-decubitus mattresses really succeed in reducing the interface pressure. The foam and gel mattresses have no or limited pressure reducing qualities. The polyether mattress and especially the polyurethane slow foam mattress reduce pressure best and are preferable in the prevention of pressure ulcers on an operating table. None of the mattresses tested reduced the pressure sufficiently in lateral position."[1]

International Mattress Sizes[3] Denomination North America UK inches (cm) inches (cm) Europe (Continental) cm (inches) Asia (Thailand) cm (inches)

Crib / Toddler

27.25x51.625 in (69.2x131.1 cm) 3075 in (76.2191 cm) 3975 in 3675 in 90200 cm 10719856 cm (99191 cm) (91191 cm) (35.4x78.7 in) (42.1x78.0x22.0 in) 3980 in 42x75 in (99203 cm) (106x191 cm) 5475 in 4878 in 140200 cm 12219856 cm (137191 cm) (122198 cm) (55.1x78.7 in) (48.0x78.0x22.0 in) 5480 in 54x78 in (137203 cm) (137x198 cm) 6080 in (152x203 cm) 6680 in (167203 cm) 160200 cm (63.0x78.7 in)

Mini Single

Twin/Single

Twin/Single XL

Double/Full

Double/Full XL Queen Olympic/Expanded Queen novelty size by Simmons

California Queen (primarily a 60x84 in wood framed waterbed size, (152213 cm) becoming obsolete) King 7680 in 6078 in 180200 cm 18319856 (193203 cm) (152198 cm) (70.9x78.7 in) (72.0x78.0x22.0 in) 7284 in (183213 cm) 7278 in (182198 cm)

California King Super King

Grand King (novelty size by 8098 in Select comfort air beds) (203249 cm)

Maintenance and care A quality innerspring mattress should last between 10 and 15 years before it needs to be replaced. Memory foam and latex models should last between 15 and 20 years depending on the manufacturer and the quality of the bedding. This is an approximation, as many factors affect the lifespan of a mattress. Mattresses should be placed atop a firm base to prevent sagging. Mattresses should be rotated approximately once every three months to ensure even wear; in addition, two sided mattresses should be turned over (flipped) twice per year. Folding and bending of the mattress should be avoided if possible, as should heavy wear in one spot and excessive weight on the handles. Mattresses should not be soaked, lest mildew develop inside the upholstery; instead, they can be cleaned with a vacuum or with mild surface cleanser and a slightly damp cloth. Mattress Protectors help prevent stains and soiling of the ticking. Once a mattress no longer feels supportive and instead seems to contribute to body pain or stiffness, it should be replaced. Some symptoms of a broken or worn out mattress include springs which can be felt poking through the upholstery layer, visible permanent sagging or deformity, lumpiness, and excessive squeaking. Bed sheet A bed sheet is a large piece of cloth used to cover a mattress. It is this sheet that one typically lies on.

Bed sheets come in two main varieties--flat or fitted. A flat bed sheet is simply a rectangular sheet of cloth, while a fitted bed sheet has its four corners, and sometimes two or four sides, fitted with elastic, to be used only as a bottom sheet. The purpose of a fitted bottom sheet is to keep it from slipping off the mattress while the bed is in use. A particular way of folding and tucking while making the bed, known as "hospital corners," is sometimes used when the bottom sheet is flat rather than fitted. Bed sheets were traditionally white, but now various colors and patterns are used. The quality of bed sheets is often conveyed by the thread count - the number of threads per square inch of material. In general, the higher the thread count, the softer the sheet, but the weave and type of thread may affect the "hand" of the material so that a sheet with a lower thread count may actually be softer than one with a higher count. Common materials include cotton, linen, and blends of cotton and polyester. Other materials sometimes seen are silk, rayon, and bamboo fiber. Usually a flat bed sheet is overlocked around the edges to form four seams. One of the seams is wider than the other three and helps with orienting the sheet correctly on the mattress. The wider seam goes at the head end of the mattress. Sometimes the sides do not have seams, but are finished with the selvedge only. When making a bed, the patterned or monogrammed side of the top sheet is placed facing down and then the top edge is folded towards the foot of the bed, exposing the design. Blanket

In many areas of the world a second flat bed sheet is laid on top of the sheet covering the mattress. This is known as a "top sheet" and when a top sheet is used, the sheet covering the mattress is known as a "bottom sheet". One sleeps between the two bed sheets. Blankets, comforters, and other bed covers are then placed on top of the second bed sheet.

A blanket is a type of bedding, generally speaking a large piece of cloth, intended to keep the user warm, especially while sleeping. Blankets are distinguished from sheets by their thickness and purpose; the thickest sheet is still thinner than the lightest blanket, because blankets are for warmth, while sheets are for hygiene, comfort and aesthetics. Blankets are subdivided into many

types, including quilts, duvets, and comforters, depending on their thickness, construction and/or fill material. Electric blankets are heated by electricity. Blankets were traditionally made of wool because of wool's warmth, breathability and natural fire-retardant properties, while sheets were made of cotton or linen, which are less irritating to the skin. These days, synthetic fibers are frequently used for both. Throw blankets are smaller blankets, often in decorative colors and patterns, that can be used for extra warmth outside of bed. Etymology The name is derived from Anglo-French blankete, from blanc, "white". [1] Use as a ground cloth Blankets may also be used on the ground for a picnic or other places where people want to sit in a grassy or muddy area without soiling their clothing. Temporary blankets have been designed for this purpose, although their inherent wastefulness is a chief concern of several environmental groups.[citation needed] Use in firefighting Specialized blankets known as fire blankets may be used by firefighters to protect furnishings from water damage during firefighting. Firefighters often wear specialized variants of the fire blanket to protect themselves as well. Use in moving of household goods Thick quilted and durable blankets are used as protective covers and cushioning when furnishings are moved. Use in horse care A warming coat for a horse is called a horse blanket, intended to prevent the development of a shaggy winter coat of hair. A small saddle blanket protects the horse's skin from chafing by the pressure points of a saddle. Use in keeping heat within the body To keep warmth inside the body, a blanket can be used to cover one's skin and keep the warmth in. Many kinds of blankets, such as wool are used because they are thicker and have more substancial fabric to them, but cotton can also be used for light blankets

Comforter

A comforter is a type of blanket. Comforters are intended to keep the user warm, especially during sleep, although they can also be used as mattress pads. Comforters are generally large and rectangular in shape, filled with natural or synthetic insulative material and encased in a shell/covering. Like quilts, comforters are generally used with a set of sheets. Comforter sizes correspond with bed sizes: twin, full, queen, king, and cal-king. Comforter sizes run slightly larger than actual bed sizes to allow for draping over the sides of the bed. Typical sizes in the United States for comforters are: Twin = 64" Width x 87" Length Queen / Full = 87" Width x 87" Length King = 101" Width x 90" Length. A comforter is sometimes covered with a duvet (comforter) cover for protection and prolonged use. Duvet is French for "Down". Comforter covers are similar in principle to pillowcases, usually closed with zippers or buttons. In the United Kingdom, they are only known as special types of padding Duvets. Comforters are sometimes packaged in a set that also includes a bed skirt, pillow shams, and sometimes pillows.[1] Construction Filling - Comforters are filled with layers of material such as polyester batting, down feathers, wool, or silk. Comforters also can be made out of fur, usually with a backing of satin or silk. The loft of the filling determines the weight as well as the level of insulation. The comforter is stitched or quilted to secure the filling and keep it evenly distributed.[citation needed] Shell/Covering - The outer shells of comforters are typically constructed using cotton, silk, or polyester fabrics or blends, of varying thread counts. Comforter shells vary in design and color, often designed to coordinate with other bedding. Washing a comforter should not be done with a top loader; minimum capacity to wash a comforter is 3.7 m.

Pillow

The fill is surrounded with a cover or shell made of cloth or silk, known as the pillow case or pillow slip. Some pillows often have a fancier cover called a sham which is closed on all sides and usually has a slit in the back through which the pillow is placed. Rectangular bed pillows usually do not have zippers, but instead have one side open all the time. It is recommended that all types of pillow covers be laundered periodically since they are the part that is in contact with a person's body. But even with regular washing, pillows tend to accumulate large amounts of dust and vast numbers of microbes among the fill and it is recommended that they be replaced every few years, especially for those with allergies. Types

A pillow is a large cushion support for the head, usually used while sleeping in a bed, or for the body as used on a couch or chair. There are also throw pillows (also called toss pillows), which are pillows that are purely decorative and not designed for support or comfort. Outside the USA these are generally considered a type of cushion, with the term pillow reserved for the pillows on a bed. Pillows are usually very soft and comfortable. Many people use them while they sleep. History Pillows were originally used mainly by the wealthy, and have been found in Ancient Egyptian tombs. The difficulty of sophisticated dyes and sewing techniques led to the development of pillows as an art form, with highly decorated pillows becoming prized commodities first in China and Persia and later in Medieval Europe. In Tudor England, pillows became widely-used; it was believed only women giving birth should use one.[1] The Industrial Revolution saw the mass production of decorated textiles and decorated pillows. Traditional Chinese pillows are often hard boxes made from stone, wood, metal, or porcelain instead of stuffed fabric.[2] Construction and parts Internally, a pillow comprises a filler made from foam, synthetic fills, feathers, or down. Traditionally straw was a filler, but this is uncomfortable and rarely used today. Feathers and down were the choice of the rich; these offered the advantage of softness and their ability to conform to shapes desired by the user, more so than foam or fibre pillows. There are currently hypoallergenic varieties of down pillows to allow people sensitive to down to enjoy the comfort of feather or down pillows. In Asia, buckwheat is a common filler, as are plastic imitations. Such pillows tend to be smaller than a standard pillow.

A pillow is designed to provide support and comfort to the body. There are three main types of pillows; Bed pillows, Orthopedic pillows and Decorative pillows, with some overlapping of use between these. The classic bed pillow shape is a square or rectangle. They are common[citation needed] in these three sizes (in inches): Standard (20x26), Queen (20x30), and King (20x36). These pillows are generally covered with a removable pillow case, which facilitate laundering, keeping the bedding fresh. Pillow cases outside the USA have a pocket inside the open end to fully contain the pillow. Inside the USA pillow cases do not have such pockets meaning the pillow usually spills from the case. The 'Oxford Size' used in many English speaking countries is 50cm x 75cm (20 x 30 inches), while the 'Continental Size' used in many parts of Continental Europe (i.e. not UK) is 66cm x 66cm (26 x 26 inches).[citation needed] German pillow sizes are 80cm x 80cm (older) or 40cm x 80cm (newer). When considered as a subset of Bed Pillow, Euro

pillows finish 26x26 and older style Travel Pillows commonly finished 12x16.[citation needed] Body pillows are as long as a full adult body, providing support to the head and neck at the top and to the knees and legs lower down. This type of pillow can be especially useful in providing support for those who sleep on their sides and for pregnant women. Size is 40cm x 140cm. Orthopedic Neck pillows support the neck by providing a deep area for the head to rest and a supportive area to keep the neck in alignment with the spine while sleeping. These can also be known as cervical pillows. Travel pillows provide support for the neck and head in a sitting position. Their "U" shape fits around the back of the neck and keeps the head from slipping into an uncomfortable and possibly harmful position during sleep. However, Ushaped pillows can sometimes force the head forwards creating neck stiffness. They can also be know as a Bucky pillow. Donut pillows are firm pillows shaped like a torus, with a space in the middle to alleviate pressure on the tailbone area while sitting. These pillows are used primarily by individuals who have suffered an injury to the tailbone area or who suffer pain from hemorrhoids or another ailment of the colon. Lumbar pillows are designed to support the inward curve of the lower back, filling the space created between the lower back and the back of the chair when in a sitting position. These pillows are generally used to support the lower back while driving or sitting, such as in an office chair. Decorative Decorative Pillows serve a dual purpose. They likely have fancy cover material which serves to decorate the room where they are found. Since Decorative Textiles are commonly 54 inches in width, many decorative pillows finish about 17x17 inches. (54/3 = 18 less seam allowance) When used to decorate a fully made up bed, decorative pillows are likely thrown aside at bedtime, since they are not covered with a laundrable pillow case, thus, while found on the bed, they are primarily there for decoration, hence they fall under this category. Decorative pillows are also found on furnishings in more public parts of the home, such as sofas, chairs and window seats. Here, their common use may overlap both orthopedic and bed pillows. For example, unless a person has some particular medical condition, they will likely use a handy decorative pillow for lumbar support, as needed,

while seated on a sofa. Likewise, for the occasional nap, decorative pillows are handy for supporting the head or neck, even though they are not covered with a pillow case, as are bed pillows. There are five common synonyms for decorative pillows which are descriptive of their use in the home. "Accent" Pillows emphasize or accent some other part of the home decor. The terms Sofa Pillow and Couch Pillow refer to the place these decorative pillows are likely found. The terms Toss pillow and Throw pillow refer to the way they generally arrive in their places. Novelty Pillows are shaped like humorous objects (a banana, tweety bird, a human leg, a former president), and are meant to brighten up and add humor to a room or lounge area. Floor Pillows are another subset of decorative pillows. These pillows often finish 26x26 inches (one half of the width of the textile, less seam allowance) . Miscellaneous Styles Dakimakura is a hugging pillow originating in Japan. Abrazador is a long hugging pillow originating from the Philippines. Firestop pillows are technical firestop products, used in passive fire protection. A Boyfriend pillow (also known as the husband pillow) is a large, high-backed pillow with two "arms". It is used to prop the user upright while in bed or on the floor, as for reading or watching television. A takiya is a pillow used as an arm rest in India & Pakistan. Shitou zhentou (Chinese for rock pillow) played an important role in ancient China. Made from jade, it was believed to translate the energy from the stone to the human brain. Derived from the Ming dynasty, this piece of material was trusted to cure headaches or depressions, or simply to better the intelligence of those who use it. It was more common in the royalties because it was expensive and rare. Throw pillow A throw pillow, or toss pillow, is a small, decorative type of pillow. Throw pillows are usually placed on sofas or armchairs but are also frequently used on beds and day beds. Throw pillows serve both an aesthetic and a functional purpose. Decorative pillows are commonly used to tie in color accents within a room, often drawing on the colors in drapes, walls or area

rugs. From a functional perspective, throw pillows may provide back, neck and head support, although some throw pillows are very uncomfortable. Throw pillows typically feature a removable cover with a feather pillow form stuffed inside and come in various sizes and shapes. The most common size throw pillow is 16 to 18 inch square. However, rectangular, circular and cylindrical throw pillows, called bolsters, are also popular. Outside the United States, throw pillows are more commonly referred to as cushions. Throw pillow and decorative cushions are made from a wide range of textiles including silk, leather, microfibre or faux suede, cotton, linen and hemp. In recent years, decorative pillows have been revived as an artistic medium. Fashion designers have become increasingly attracted to the lucrative home textiles or furnishings market and this has led to a wide range of more embellished looks and styles. Clean and Care for Upholstered Furniture When you know how to clean and care for your upholstered furniture it will retain the look that made you fall in love with it in the first place. With proper cleaning, care, and maintenance, it is possible to have all your upholstery looking its best for a long time. It pays to be consistent, and its not hard to do. Choose the Right Fabric When you choose the right fabric for the right place you make your upholstery maintenance task easier. Always make sure that you choose fabric that is appropriate for your lifestyle and the upholstered furniture piece. For example, synthetic fibers are a better choice for upholstered furniture that sits in areas of heavy usage. Protect Fabric The best form of fabric protection is prompt attention to spills. A lot of work is done for you when the upholstery fabric undergoes the finishing process at the factory. It is usually treated with soil and/or water repellents and some form of mildew inhibitors may also be used. Additional fabric protectors may be applied to your upholstered furniture in the store or at home. While this helps with maintenance and care by keeping spills from being absorbed into the upholstery fibers right away, it is not a substitute for prompt cleaning of a soiled piece. Don't let it give you a false sense of security. Always clean up any spills or stains in a timely manner, and

follow manufacturers instructions for proper care methods. Turn the Cushions You can extend your upholstered furnitures life by periodically turning over the loose cushions. This easy maintenance method allows for an even distribution of wear and tear and your cushions wont develop indentations right away. Caring for cushions by fluffing them after youve cleaned also helps keep them in shape. Change the cushions around from one part to the other in addition to turning them over. Some seats get more usage than others, so changing cushions around will ensure even usage. Vacuum Vacuum your upholstered furniture weekly for general cleaning and to remove surface soil. This also prevents dirt from becoming embedded into the fibers. You can also use a brush to gently whisk the dirt away. Make sure to always use a soft bristled brush so that you don't snag the fabric. Spot Clean While regular care does a lot for your upholstered furniture's maintenance, accidents will happen. Blot any spills immediately with a clean folded towel: never rub, but blot gently. Sometimes this is enough to get rid of the stain completely, especially if the fabric has been pre-treated with a fabric protector. Always test in an inconspicuous area before you use any product for spot cleaning, and check the manufacturer's instructions to see if you need a water based or solvent based cleaner. It is best to use a mild cleaning product. Apply with a soft brush in a circular motion to work into the fibers, then vacuum when dry. Avoid Sunlight and Pollutants Too much sun can damage your upholstery fabric, causing it to fade and even fray. Try to position it so that it doesnt sit in the sun for extended periods of time. This is especially true for silks. Airborne pollutants such as fumes from cooking or smoke can also harm your fabric. It isnt always easy to avoid that from happening, however, proper ventilation can help. It can also help with odor control, as upholstered furniture can easily absorb odors. Call a Professional It is best to have a professional clean your upholstered furniture every couple of years or so. Experts recommend having this done on a regular basis and not wait for it to get visibly dirty. The dirtier a sofa or chair becomes, the harder it is to restore to its original glory.

Caring for Sofa cover Sofa covers can easily become soiled from normal use. If you have dogs or children in your home, your sofa will require regular cleaning to maintain its appearance. Some sofa covers can be removed and washed in a washing machine. Others should remain in place on your sofa while you clean it. Your sofa cover will look like new if you clean it using the recommended method and treat stains as soon as they occur. Shampooing a Sofa Cover 1 Read the fabric-care label to determine the manufacturer's recommendations for cleaning. 2 Locate a hidden piece of fabric and test the upholstery cleaner for colorfastness. Allow the fabric to dry and make sure that the sofa cover retains its color. 3 Apply the upholstery cleaner according to the product instructions. Most products are liquids or foams that you spray directly onto the cover. 4 Blot with a clean rag. Remove as much moisture as possible to shorten drying time. Allow the sofa cover to air dry. Machine-Wash or Hand-Wash 1 Read the fabric-care label to identify the type of fabric and determine the manufacturer's instructions for washing. 2 Machine-wash or hand-wash the sofa cover according to the manufacturer's instructions. Washing in cold water is usually recommended to prevent shrinking or fading. Use a washing machine at a laundromat if the slipcover is too large for your machine at home. If hand-washing is recommended, wash the cover in cold water with a mild laundry detergent. If the cover is too large to fit in your sink, hand-wash it in a clean tub. 3 Iron the slipcover on the reverse side if the fabric label recommends ironing. Use spray starch to release any wrinkles. 4

Put the cover back on the sofa while it is still a little damp. This makes it easy to maneuver the cover into place and prevents shrinkage. 5 Allow the sofa cover to air dry. Care for Bed Linens Sheets and pillowcases comes in a variety of fabrics, weaves and thread counts. Whether you prefer percale, Egyptian cotton or linen for the bed, sheets are often quite an investment, particularly when you consider that we spend up to one-third of our lives in bed. Here's suggestions to care for bed linens to extend their usefulness and preserve the quality. Instructions 1 Change sheets and pillowcases once a week. Launder according to the manufacturer's instructions. Use warm or cool water to prevent shrinkage. 2 Keep linens white and remove stains with a nonchlorine oxygenated bleach, which is gentler on fabrics than chlorine bleach. Forego fabric softener that decreases absorbency and weakens fibers. 3 Check sheets and pillowcases for spots and stains before putting them in the dryer. Treat any stubborn areas and re-launder. 4 Dry sheets on low heat. Remove from the dryer while slightly damp to avoid weakened fibers. Iron if necessary while still damp. 5 Fold the top sheet and the fitted bottom sheet and one pillow case. Store inside the other pillowcase. 6 Group sets of sheet by bedroom and stack them on shelves with a clearance of about 10 inches. Have three sets of sheets on hand for each bed. 7 Rotate sheet sets by using the set on top of the stack. Put the most recently laundered set on the bottom of the pile.

Care for Wool Blankets Wool blankets require special care compared to other fibers and textiles. They can't be washed in the traditional way, as this can cause the wool to felt or shrink. Felted wool is caused by agitation in the washing machine that knits the wool's fibers together. Many wool blankets can be cleaned at home, and proper storage will go a long way toward keeping them clean when not in use. If you care for wool blankets properly, they can last a lifetime. Instructions 1 Brush blankets with a garment or wool brush with, then against, the nap to remove dust and dirt particles. Brush weekly when the blankets are in use. 2 Hang the blankets to dry in a dark closet if they become damp. Light and heat can cause the damp blanket to shrink, or fade. 3 Blot spills and stains up with a clean, white cloth, replacing the cloth as it gets damp until the stain is gone. 4 Hand wash wool in cool-to-lukewarm water with a mild detergent that's formulated for wool. Rinse thoroughly with clean water, and squeeze the excess water out. Lay the blanket flat to dry so that it doesn't stretch. 5 Wash and store your wool blankets in an airtight bag or plastic tub to keep out dust and pests. Caring for a Down Pillow 1 Cover your pillow with a pillow case at all times. This will keep your pillow free from dust, dirt and body oils. 2 Buy a pillow cover with a zipper for an extra layer of protection under your pillow case. This will also help those who have allergies. 3 Clean the pillow cover and case regularly to keep your pillow fresh. 4 Launder or dry-clean your pillow yearly. 5

Spot-treat any stains before you wash your pillow if you're going to machine wash it. 6 Wash the pillow in cold water using a detergent that has a degreaser so that oils are removed. Follow the pillow manufacturer's instructions for specific detergents to use. 7 Very gently squeeze out any excess water from the pillow after washing. 8 Dry the pillow with the dryer set on its lowest setting; put a tennis ball in with the pillow so that the fill moves as it dries. 9 Store your pillow in a dry and well-ventilated closet or room when you are not using it, in order to avoid mildew. Caring for a Down Comforter 1 Place a cover over your down comforter to protect it from dust, dirt and body oils. 2 Shake out your comforter weekly to prevent the down from bunching up. 3 Air out your comforter occasionally to keep it fresh. Hang it on a clothesline or shake it out a window. 4 Take your comforter to a dry cleaner every three to five years if you decide not to launder it at home. 5 Use a Laundromat with oversized washing machines if you have an oversized comforter, should you decide to machine-wash it. 6 Spot-treat any stains before you wash. 7 Wash your comforter in cold water using a detergent that has a degreaser so that oils are removed. 8 Very gently squeeze out any excess water from the comforter. 9 Dry the comforter in the dryer on low heat setting with a tennis ball so that the fill moves as it dries. 10 Store the comforter in a dry and well-ventilated closet or room when you are not using it, in order to avoid mildew.

Care for a Mattress Your mattress may be hidden under blankets and sheets, but it still needs special attention from time to time. If well cared for, it will last about 10 years. Instructions 1 Cover your mattress with a cotton mattress pad, which will absorb perspiration and can be removed and washed to keep the mattress clean. 2 Rotate your mattress twice a year, or more often if instructed by the manufacturer. Flip it over completely after the first six months. Then, after another six months, flip it over and turn it so that the head is at the foot of the bed. Some new mattresses don't need flipping. Check with the manufacturer. 3 Use the handles on the sides of the mattress for positioning only - not for carrying. Lifting by the handles can damage your mattress. 4 Air out your mattress each morning by folding back the covers to the bottom of the bed for half an hour before you make it. This will also prevent moisture buildup. 5 Try not to sit on the edge of the bed in the same place every day, because this can lead to sagging. Care for Mattress Pads Mattress pads protect your mattress and add years to its average life. When the pad get soiled, wash it. After all, you can't exactly wash a mattress. But the truth is, not all mattress pads should be washed and some may need more TLC than just throwing them into the washing machine every once in a while or only when they get soiled. Instructions 1 Read the mattress pad label. Some will say to machine wash in cold water while some will say warm water. Some will say tumble dry low and still others will recommend not to dry in the dryer. Some will say to dry clean only and others might

specify no bleach. This may not tell you much or how to wash it exactly, but you can use this as a guide of what not to do. 2 Use a duvet cover. If your mattress pad is made of down feathers, memory foam, egg crate foam or wool, you may want to invest in a duvet cover. You can always wash a duvet cover from general wear and keep your special pad protected. 3 Dry your mattress pad completely. Your label may say you can tumble dry low, however, this could still shrink it. An alternative would be to hang it dry and if you do so in the sun, this will help kill bacteria and dust mites. Be sure the pad is dried completely before you put it back on your bed so you don't create an environment where mold and mildew may grow. 4 Spot clean your mattress pad. If you have a wool, down filled, memory foam or an egg crate mattress pad, you will need to spot clean. Even if it has a duvet cover, spills and accidents that seep into the pad do happen. If this is the case, wash the duvet cover if you have it and then soak up any liquid with towel or vacuum up (with wet vac) the pad itself. Then mix a little Woolite or gentle detergent with water and gently spray or dab it on the soiled spots. If it's a urine stain, then use an enzyme cleaner available at most pet stores. Then soak up or vacuum again and repeat the process with water. Allow the pad to air dry completely, preferable in the sun, before putting it back on the bed. If the label says you can dry clean, you may wish to do this instead for urine or other severe accidents. 5 Clean your plastic mattress pad. Some pads have a plastic side to prevent your mattress from getting wet. Clean the plastic side with a wet rag with soap or a baby wipe that is alcohol free (alcohol may ruin the plastic). You can also use a disinfectant spray or wipe to kill off any bacteria or if the pad was soiled. If the pad has a soft side to it, do not put it in the washer because the plastic may get torn up. Instead, wash by hand with mild detergent and water and hang up to dry, preferably in the sun.