- 3 by 6
- A single bed in Kenya: 3 ft by 6 ft, about 91 × 183 cm. More
- 3.5 by 6
- A three-quarter bed: 3.5 ft by 6 ft, about 107 × 183 cm. More
- 4 by 6
- A double bed in Kenya: 4 ft by 6 ft, about 122 × 183 cm. More
- 5 by 6
- A queen bed in Kenya: 5 ft by 6 ft, about 152 × 183 cm. More
- 6 by 6
- A king bed in Kenya: 6 ft by 6 ft, about 183 × 183 cm. More
- Bed base
- What the mattress sits on: slats, a solid board or a divan. A weak base makes any mattress sag. More
- Bedbug encasement
- A zipped cover that fully seals a mattress so bedbugs can't get in or out. More
- Body impression
- A shallow dip where you usually lie. A deep, lasting one is a sign of wear. More
- Bonnell coil
- Another name for open coil: hourglass springs linked together.
- Breathability
- How easily air and heat move through a mattress. Springs breathe best, solid memory foam least.
- Comfort layer
- The top layers you feel first, above the support core.
- Deep fitted sheet
- A fitted sheet with deep pockets for 10 and 12 inch mattresses.
- Density
- Foam weight per cubic metre (kg/m³). Higher density usually lasts longer. More
- Divan
- A box-style bed base, often with storage drawers.
- Double
- The 4 by 6 size in Kenya. More
- Edge support
- How firm the sides are when you sit or sleep near the edge.
- Euro top
- A pillow-top sewn flush with the mattress edges rather than as a separate layer on top.
- Firmness
- How hard or soft a mattress feels. We rate it 1 (softest) to 10 (firmest). More
- Flipping
- Turning a mattress upside down. Only for two-sided mattresses.
- Gel memory foam
- Memory foam with cooling gel added to reduce heat build-up.
- High density foam
- Foam of roughly 28 to 35 kg/m³ or more, suited to everyday adult use. More
- Hybrid
- A mattress with foam comfort layers over a spring core. More
- King
- The 6 by 6 size in Kenya. More
- Medium density foam
- Foam of roughly 20 to 27 kg/m³, fine for kids, guests and occasional use. More
- Memory foam
- Viscoelastic foam that softens with body heat and slowly shapes to you. More
- Motion transfer
- How much you feel a partner move. Pocket springs and foam reduce it; open coil does not.
- Off-gassing
- A mild smell from new foam that fades within a few days in a ventilated room.
- Open coil
- Springs linked together in rows. Bouncy and affordable, with more partner movement. More
- Orthopedic mattress
- A firm mattress built to keep the spine level. In Kenya it is a description, not a medical certification. More
- Pillow-top
- An extra soft quilted layer on top of the mattress for a plush feel. More
- Pocket spring
- Springs each sewn into their own fabric pocket, so they move separately. More
- Pressure relief
- How well a mattress eases pressure on hips and shoulders. Key for side sleepers.
- Protector
- A washable cover, often waterproof, that keeps sweat and spills off the mattress. More
- Queen
- The 5 by 6 size in Kenya. More
- Quilting
- Stitching that joins the cover to thin foam or fibre layers on top.
- Rotating
- Turning a mattress head to foot, every three months, to spread wear. More
- Sagging
- A permanent dip in the mattress. A sign of worn foam or a weak base. More
- Single
- The 3 by 6 size in Kenya. More
- Slatted base
- A bed base made of wooden slats. Gaps should be small so the mattress doesn't sink between them. More
- Support core
- The deep bottom layer (foam or springs) that holds your body up.
- Three-quarter
- The 3.5 by 6 size in Kenya. More
- Ticking
- The outer fabric cover of a mattress.
- Topper
- A separate removable layer (2 to 8 cm) placed on a mattress to change its feel.
- Zoned support
- Different firmness in different areas, usually firmer under the hips.
Still unsure? Read types of mattresses explained or message us on WhatsApp 0702 413 400.