Many Americans are bad in bed – or at least in bad beds – according to a new survey on people`s bedding habits…
Many Americans are bad in bed – or at least in bad beds – according to a new survey on people`s bedding habits. A new Sheraton Hotels & Resorts study of 1,000 finds that many Americans do not properly maintain their beds, sometimes leading to aches and pains.
The study, called America Under the Covers(*) revealed that 23% of Americans are sleeping on mattresses that are past their prime; a third lay their heads on pillows that should have been retired and 22% are sacking out on stale sheets that are not changed or washed enough. People`s poor habits in bed may contribute to the fact that 43% of American`s surveyed say they wake up with neck or back pain.
Hotel giant Sheraton Hotels & Resorts commissioned the study as it spends more than $75 million rolling out more than 70,000 pristine new beds in 200 hotels throughout North America.
Throughout our history, big hotel brands skimped on beds – horrid polyester bed spreads, foam mattresses, hard pillows and cheap linens, said Sheraton Executive Vice President Norman MacLeod, dubbed Mr. Sweet Sleeper by his colleagues. No more. Starwood, our parent company, has made a huge commitment to researching and designing elite, custom beds for our W, Westin and now Sheraton Hotel brands.
While Sheraton`s business may be beds, even amateurs at home can spruce up their beds with proper care.
Some findings and tips on proper bed maintenance:
- Nearly a quarter of Americans (23%) sleep on mattresses that are over 10 years old. Mattresses should be retired after 8-10 years.
- 20 percent never rotate their mattresses – a big no-no. Mattresses should be rotated quarterly to eliminate uneven wear and prevent sagging.
- 23 percent of folks surveyed never air their bed sheets and linens. Every morning, folks should throw back their bedspread or duvet and let sheets linens breathe to allow body moisture to evaporate.
- More than one in five Americans (22%) only change their sheets every few weeks or less. Bed linens should be changed once a week and more often in warmer climates. Some high maintenance bedding experts (like Mr. MacLeod) change their pillowcases daily.
- One in three of us (33%) sleep on pillows that are more than three years old, though the life span of most pillows is only a year or two and even the most expensive pillows should be replaced every five years.
- 43 percent of Americans wake up with neck or back pain, which could be at least partially caused by pillows and mattresses that are old and out-of-shape.
- 14 percent say their mattresses actually sag in the middle and 13% would be embarrassed to let their neighbors see their mattress.
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Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
