Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the categories below, and, as always, contact us if you have additional questions.
You know it's likely time for a new mattress when...
- You've owned a mattress for more than 10 years.
- You have morning aches and pains.
- The mattress edge isn't supportive anymore.
- Your mattress and box spring make noise when you move in your bed.
- You and your partner "roll together" in the bed.
Assess your needs before you go shopping:
- Has your lifestyle changed since buying your last mattress?
- Has your body changed in ways that affect your need for support or your comfort preferences?
- How much space do you have for your bed?
- If you share a bed, does your partner have the same needs?
Once shopping, consider comfort, support and durability first and foremost. After that, take price into consideration.
- Remove your shoes and lie on the bed.
- Lie down in several different positions, especially the one(s) you sleep in.
- Pay close attention to lower back support and posture alignment, and make sure you feel plenty of comfort at the shoulders and hips.
- If you share a bed, bring your partner with you to our store so the selection of your new bed is made together.
Your sleep position matters a lot in terms of which pressure points are affected during sleep, as well as how your spine is supported. Because each person sleeps in their own unique ways, the only way to determine which mattress and comfort level works best for your sleep position is to test out the different mattresses in our store. And, if you share a bed, you'll want your partner to try out sleep options with you. It also helps to talk to us about which options are available so we can make recommendations based on your personal needs.
The short answer to this question is, "No."
With today's modern mattresses, support comes from the innerspring. A common mattress is a hybrid which includes innersprings and foam layers. The comfort layers surrounding this spring system determine the surface "feel." Many of our mattresses feature an advanced and durable innerspring system designed to deliver proper spinal support whether firmer or plusher. That means you can choose the mattress that feels best to you and still receive the support you need.
Having a thicker (high profile mattress) like this can be a great option if you:
- Are a side sleeper: the higher the profile, the thicker the surface layer meaning your hips and shoulders have more padding around them.
- Share a bed with a partner: The thicker the mattress, the less motion disturbance you'll feel if your partner gets out of bed or tosses and turns at all.
- Have a larger body frame: a thicker mattress can resist sagging and handle more weight as well as provide a higher bed to get into and out of.
Lower profile, more lightweight mattresses like this are convenient for:
- Frequent moves/moving mattress between rooms, as they are more transportable.
- Better accessibility for individuals who need an easy bed to get into and out of.
- Less costly as a mattress and, if you have low-cost sheets, they will more easily fit a lower profile mattress.
Innerspring Mattresses: These traditional mattresses feature tempered steel coils in a variety of configurations. These springs are what provide the support while layers of upholstery provide insulation and cushioning between your body and the spring unit.
Hybrid Mattresses: This style of mattress is a combination of high-density memory foam or latex and an innerspring bed to give the comfort and feeling of an innerspring and the pressure relief of an all-foam bed.
All-Foam Mattresses: Instead of coils, these mattresses use either latex or viscoelastic memory foam cores as the support system.
A platform bed frame (like the Harmony Platform), eliminates the need for a box spring because it provides a supportive base for your mattress. It is a cost-saving option that is much easier to move than a box spring while providing space for storage under your bed. Box springs are essentially a wooden box covered in material designed to support your mattress. A bed frame provides the same option with a different look and feel. Our platform bed frames are durable because they are built to hold up to 2500 pounds of weight. Should you prefer the box spring route, we sell basic bed frames (featured in the video below) that are designed to be placed under a box spring.
It is important to wear underwear? Yes! And like underwear protects your clothing, a mattress protector protects your mattress, which is an important step in keeping it with you for many years to come.
Here's how a protector works:
- Keep a protective layer around the mattress so it will not absorb dust mites, skin particles, body sweat and oils
- Our waterproof options keep any liquid away and from staining your mattress
Be sure to read about the care and cleaning of your specific mattress protector.
Several factors can cause mattress sagging:
- Improper bed frame
- Improper center support
- Damaged or bent frame
- Damaged/broken box spring
- Your mattress is old and no longer supportive
While contrary to popular belief, it is not illegal to remove this tag, it is still important to keep it attached to the mattress. Why? Because the information on this label will serve as a means of identification should you have a warranty claim or need to exchange it with in the 120-day trial period. For this reason, please leave it on your bed.
Mattress technology has come a long way to ensure a better night's sleep. Because of this new technology, we need you to rotate your mattress versus flipping it. Here's how:
- During the first month, rotate your new mattress head to toe once a week.
- After the first month, rotate your mattress head to toe monthly.
Rotating your mattress as directed above will prolong the life of it and ensure even wear and minimize body impressions.
Never put a new mattress on an old foundation. A mattress is designed to work best with its companion foundation. And if you place a mattress on an old frame, it can compromise the mattress and possibly cause uneven wear. We strongly recommend that you purchase a new foundation, whether a box spring, platform frame, or adjustable base with your new mattress. We have many mattress support options that will fit into your existing bed frame.
When you buy a pair of shoes, you need to wear them for a while to break them in. This is the same for a new mattress. The floor model you tried out will obviously be more more broken in than your brand new mattress. Therefore, you need to give your new mattress time to break in, which is why we do not perform exchanges prior to 30 days from time of delivery.
A mattress pad consists of quilted or padded layers designed for comfort and absorbency. And while this is a more traditional "go to" for covering your mattress, it does not provide the amount of protection of a mattress protector. Because of this, a mattress pad is best when you want to add more padding to your current mattress. If you have one you plan to use on your new mattress, know that it will change the feel of the mattress versus how it felt when you tried it out in the store. We do not sell mattress pads.
At Fosters Mattress, we recommend using a mattress protector because it acts as a barrier between your body and the mattress, keeping it free of allergens, body oils and sweat, and spills. To prolong the life of your mattress, a protector is a crucial purchase for your new mattress. Our protectors are made from high tech materials and, with appropriate care, will provide lasting protection. In addition, they are comfortable, don't change the feel of the mattress, and are whisper-quiet so you won't even know they're on the bed.
A lift chair will provide ease of sitting and reclining in the chair and also standing from the chair through an automated lift option. And if the lift chair is not also described as a sleep chair, it is not designed for extended sleep or use (although cat naps are okay!). A chair described as a sleep chair also provides a lift option, but is designed for 18 hours of use per day, including sleeping.
To Get INTO Your Chair:
- While standing next to your chair, press the chair up or rise button and raise the chair to a height you can sit back against. This height will vary from person to person depending on the individual’s needs.
- Be sure to raise the chair high enough so you do not have to flop down into the chair, as that will cause damage to the chair and could also cause personal injury.
- Ease back into the chair.
- Press the chair down or recline button.
- As the chair continues downward, adjust yourself into a position that is comfortable to you.
- Continue pressing the button until the chair is in the seated position, meaning that the chair is firmly on the floor, then release the button so that it won't continue into any sort of recline position.
To Get OUT OF Your Chair:
- To get out of your chair, press the chair up or rise button and raise the chair to a height that enables you to easily stand.
- Release the button.
- Exit the chair.
- Once you are out of the chair, return it to the seated position (chair firmly on the floor) to avoid the risk of anything or anyone (such as small children or pets) getting caught under the chair as it is being operated.
You will want to place your chair in the room where it will be most convenient for you, such as near your television, radio, reading light, an end table or other furniture you wish to be near. Leave enough space between the back of the chair and any wall or other obstruction. This allows the chair to recline (about 18 inches for standard models, 25 inches for StellarComfort models). Be sure check the specs of your chair manual to know exact measurement as recline space needed may vary based on the specific chair model.
Do not allow any objects to restrict movement of the footrest. Some carpets have a high plush pile that can rub on the bottom of the footrest, and this situation can damage the mechanism. You can adjust the footrest to correct this issue by turning the levelers (located under the front of the chair).
Using a proper surge protector is crucial in order to safeguard your electrical system on your recliner or lift chair. Lightning strikes and power surges can damage electrical parts if the chair is not plugged into a surge protector.
Our UltraComfort power lift chairs come with a battery backup system so the chair can return to the seated position in the event of a household power failure. The batteries have enough energy to bring the chair to a seated position from the recline position. The batteries do not have enough energy nor are they intended to operate the chair for a prolonged period of time and should not be used in place of standard household voltage (120 volt, 60 Hz). Batteries should be replaced after one use. In addition, replace the batteries yearly, regardless of use or not.
With a two-position lift chair, when the chair is reclining and the footrest is going up, the angle between the backrest and the seat does not change. With a three-position lift chair, when the chair is reclining and the footrest is going up, the backrest will also recline even further back, providing a wider angle between the seat and the backrest. This chair can also recline more fully into a “sleeper” or “napper” position.
Factory Reset is NOT how you calibrate your chair. Use the factory reset when you wish to clear your saved positions. Factory Reset will reset all the programmed buttons back to the original (factory) settings.
1. Press and hold the program button (M) until lights on hand control flash.
3. Within 5 seconds, press button (A).* The backlight will change to non-flashing.
4. Within another 5 seconds, press the button (D). Factory reset is done.
*If button (A) is not pressed within 5 seconds, or a different button is pressed, the programming sequence is aborted and you’ll need to repeat steps 1 to 4 above.
Chair Calibration sets the chair for positions specific to your needs. Depending on use over time, the position buttons may stop bringing your chair to the full position initially calibrated, and you’ll need to perform a position accuracy calibration. Your chair will also need to be recalibrated if there is a power disruption. To calibrate or recalibrate your chair, follow the video specific to your chair here:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLurUI-tRX8OI_B9DcUG8yTDn3J6cW2Ran
The above link also shows you factory reset instructions.
TROUBLESHOOTING FOR 4 AND 5-ZONE RECLINERS
(Includes Apollo, Artemis, Estrella, Sedona, Marabella chairs)
VERIFY YOUR CHAIR HAS POWER:
Step 1: Verify the hand control is illuminated.
Step 2: Verify the green light is illuminated on the transformer.
Step 3: Verify the green light is illuminated on the power cord attached to the transformer.
Step 4: Verify connections on the control box.
CHECK IF THE LOCK FUNCTIONS ARE ACTIVATED ON YOUR HAND CONTROL:
If none of the buttons on the hand control are working:
Step 1: Press and hold the ‘M’ button for 4 seconds until the backlight starts flashing.
Step 2: Press the ‘Rise’ button.
If only the ‘Rise’ and ‘Recline’ buttons are working:
Step 1: Press and hold the ‘M’ button for 4 seconds until the backlight starts flashing.
Step 2: Press the following buttons, in order - A, E, C and ‘ZG’.
RESET THE POSITIONING BUTTONS BACK TO FACTORY DEFAULT (ZG, TV, SIT, SLEEP, REJUV):
Step 1: Press and hold the ‘M’ button for 4 seconds until the backlight starts flashing.
Step 2: Press button A then press B.
IF THE BACK AND/OR FOOTREST ARE STILL NOT EXTENDING FULLY, PERFORM A CALIBRATION:
5-Zone Recliner:
While standing next to the chair, press and hold buttons A, C and D at the same time until the chair stops moving. Continue to hold all three buttons for an additional 5 seconds.
4-Zone Recliner:
While standing next to the chair, press and hold buttons A and C at the same time until the chair stops moving. Continue to hold both buttons for an additional 5 seconds.
VERIFY THE ISSUE HAS BEEN CORRECTED:
Press and hold the ‘Sit’ button until the chair stops moving. If the chair returns to an upright seated position, your chair is operating as it should.
The question should be, "Why wouldn't I want an adjustable base?"
We frequently hear back from customers that their new adjustable base has been a life-changer in providing superior comfort and sleep. Designed to give you the optimal sleep position for your specific needs, these electric-powered bases can be raised and lowered independently for both feet and head. They are great options to relieve back and hip pain, acid reflux, reduce snoring, and help with sleep apnea AND provide optimal positions for reading or other lounging-in-bed activities. Several models also have massage features that can provide a relaxing way to ease into sleep.
Most mattresses and bed frames are adjustable-base friendly. You should be able to put your new adjustable base into most existing bed frames and headboards. And almost every mattress we offer is compatible with our adjustable bases. Talk to us about your specific needs.
We certainly do. If you live in the Cedar Valley, we'll schedule your delivery for a one-hour window as soon as your order arrives if it's not already in stock. Delivery, set up and removal of your old mattress, if desired, is free with purchases of $999 and above. Otherwise, there is a charge of $75 for this service. Our delivery team will set up your new chair or mattress as well as any purchased frames or adjustable power bases.
For mattresses, we offer a 120-day adjustment guarantee. What this means is that you need to allow your body 4 to 6 weeks to adjust to a new mattress before forming a final opinion. A floor model you tried out in the store may have softened over time, so your new mattress normally feels firmer when you first sleep on it. Because of this adjustment cycle, we will not perform exchanges before 30 days or after 120 days from the time your mattress is delivered to you. We do not offer refunds, but we can exchange your mattress for you if during that time period, you are not satisfied with your mattress. For more details, go here.
For all purchases, please take time to familiarize yourself with warranty provisions. If we are asked to service a product, it may result in a charge if not under warranty.
We offer several popular financing options for your convenience including:
Synchrony (formerly GE Financial): One of the larger consumer financing options available. Apply Now.
Koalafi (formerly West Creek): Whether you have excellent credit or no credit, Koalafi makes life-changing purchases accessible through instant decisions, clear and simple terms, and flexible monthly payments. Apply Now.
Shop Pay: Offers installment payments for orders $50 or more. Can be done in four bi-weekly interest-free payments or monthly installments with interest in 3, 6 or 12 months depending on purchase amount. Option available at check out.
Klarna: Interest-free biweekly payments in four installations or monthly financing options available at check out.