1. Introduction
In order to obtain good quality sleep in hot and humid subtropical areas, bamboo mattresses have become increasingly popular. They provide ideal air ventilation and prevent the accumulation of humidity. When these mattresses are used on a bed, their deformation is negligible, though it is significant when applied on sofas to prevent discomfort when sitting. For orthopedic support, people often prefer cooling mattresses. In this study, the cooling mattresses are designed like charcoal cushions, which are applied on seats to mitigate discomfort by reducing human perspiration. Bamboo mattresses are also applied on seats for the prevention of humidity, though their ability to reduce human perspiration has never been discussed.
1.1. Background and Significance
Although many truly comfortable mattresses have been designed and developed from valued raw materials, there are some disadvantages or sensitiveness to the excellent physical, mechanical, and comfort properties. These are very high cost, too much weight, difficulty designing and producing materials of size and geometry, or even other technical problems involving use. Due to these drawbacks, an alternative is currently being searched for. At this point, examining the ampleness in different agricultural and industrial wastes in nature is of immense interest. Utilizing these renewable and regenerative raw materials for the next generation of mattresses, which consider both human health and the environment, is an example of the increasing concern of sustainability and environment-sensitive concepts in industries focusing on the production of mattresses. From the ecological viewpoint, it is of vital importance to utilize natural raw materials.
It is very difficult to sleep under warm and sweaty conditions, for too much heat during sleep can disrupt the sleep cycle. This makes sleep a vital component of everyday life with critical effects on health, productivity, and cognitive function. Inappropriate mattress selection could interfere with comfort and support, resulting in pain, lost sleep, and reluctance to turn to that mattress. So, determining the surface characteristics of mattresses becomes essential to learn about the expected sleep comfort. Mattresses prepared from different materials such as latex and viscoelastic vary in breathability because of factors such as type and arrangement of cells and chemistry. The preferred sleep temperature and the transpiration rate influence the cushioning, comfort, and overall thermophysiological comfort sensation of human subjects. Therefore, household products (bed products: mattress) should deter body heat leakage for a reasonable level of thermal comfort.
1.2. Research Objectives
However, wood species such as beech are used to meet these requests because wood is a precious tree for long-term growth and is used only at the end of its life. Bamboo was considered as the new alternative to solve this problem in bed mattresses and furniture industry, with its high growth rate as another fast-growing tree and its high bending strength. It is considered that it has a positive effect on waste management and the environment as it stores carbon during its growth period, eliminating carbon from the air. However, bamboo-based beds and home furniture design and production should be undertaken in a way. Therefore, in 2016, 35 university students, aged 20-22 years old, were carried out on two different subjects of untextured bamboo fabric-based bed mattresses and solid wood-based bed mattresses.
It is expected that cooling mattresses, which are currently widely marketed as a solution to the problem of heat intolerance by people with bamboo fabric-based mattresses, will not provide a satisfactory response. Bamboo fabric is a very important factor for the use of mattresses in homes and dormitories. It is known that people are always in a warm state during sleep. Thus, a luxury bed and/or home upholstery is important for people all over the world. In this context, the use of wood furniture with close wide surfaces is becoming more beneficial in terms of health as it ensures energy distribution in the environmental balance in both bed and home furniture in general.
2. Materials and Methods
In total, 47.64% of the respondents are satisfied with the mattress and 10.69% are very satisfied. 13.6% are very dissatisfied with the comfort, and 17.25% seek a mattress type with a large personal preference. The good thing, is that more than 70% of the people who answered the mattress questions, several are willing to change it for a product that facilitates integrations, and is supported by a system with APP. For this, the importance and comfort of the respondents with the mattress they have, are based on symptoms of sleep lack, such as: tiredness during the day, pain in the back or muscles of the arms and legs, and lack of breath. In which 70% complain of 35% of symptoms and 10.69% of 20% of symptoms. 58% say they don’t feel any of these symptoms, and 12% less than 8% of the signs. Due to these responses, the concepts of comfort with mattress and lack of symptoms had a significant level. It is also an evaluation of each discomfort of the aperture structuring from comfort and lack of symptoms. They are sleeping hours.
A survey was carried out over the Internet to over 5000 people who about how comfortable ke were with the type of mattresses they had. The survey was promoted through social networks and after this time, the results were tabulated. With the data collected, it was possible to analyze which were the most uncomfortable points of the current mattresses and sofa mattresses used, and with this information, it was the benchmark to develop cooling and bamboo foam mattresses with pockets of air in the structure. Creating two foam structures, which make mattresses and sofas with less uncomfortable points compared to traditional foams. After creating the mattress models and sofa models, the objects were tested and used a chair that can convert to a bed, and the functionality of the object was tested.
2.1. Selection Criteria for Bamboo Mattresses and Cooling Mattresses
Comparative results indicate that when our studied products satisfy properties criteria 1/2, moisture cannot seep fast to bamboo charcoal. With the increase in pressure, extracts demonstrate variations in the measured values. Most bamboo mattresses are hydrophobic, but a high air permeability bamboo mattress can transfer moisture to the sorghum base at evaluate pressure level. Commercialized stories on the properties of the brand use high-quality features. Those bamboo fiber mattresses to woven high satisfy the comfort and support experiences of consumers and meet the requirement for the application in a bed or sofa and considered to be good for the price of money. The results provide some characteristics of five product models and help to guide consumers are certified, but sometimes the intensity to comfort is low.
A general product introduction, product impression, or consumer forum survey cannot accurately measure the quality of the product. This also makes the popularity of packaging technology. Most auxiliary mattress products have both comfort and support functions, and the packaging is representative. Although important, it is important to ignore the product is actually high or low weight. Therefore, specimens of some popular models in the market, samples of some individuals in the segmentation, or antimicrobial bamboo mattresses after vacuum packaging is completed can cause expansion differences in the test process. This study utilizes a specially designed compression method in order to develop a measurement system to study the mechanical and air permeability properties of those different types of bamboo mattresses and/or cooling mattresses for bed and sofa use. In this study, four criteria based on air permeability, compress stress value, mass loss temperature, or auditory feeling were formulated in order to assess the quality of the specimens. Secondly, the considered mechanical and air permeability properties were evaluated. These properties are actually related to the experience of comfortable feeling consumers during their pragmatic use for bed, sofa, or other applications either adults or children. Due to bamboo mattresses and cooling mattresses we subjected to a repetition decompression-test process, whether the properties of the test or the selected evaluated properties were degrading is an uncertainty sum.
Although bamboo mattresses are cellulose or certified VE mattresses made from natural bamboo or bamboo charcoal, due to their limited comfort properties, a general bamboo mattress does not necessarily meet the requirements, and a non-essential obvious cooling effect is not experienced when using the cool mattress. The main reason is that these qualities are related to the cover of the mattress.
Bamboo mattresses and cooling mattresses possess special qualities, which is why they have a wide range of applications in modern bedding. There are many brands on the market today, and the quality of bamboo mattresses and cooling mattresses for the bed and sofa varies widely. These products are either used as ordinary bedding or as auxiliary support bedding for medical, security, and military applications to increase comfort. Although some studies have been conducted on mattress design or bedding design, in order to guide consumers on how to choose these types of bedding to meet individual requirements, we are interested in how to design market products with the appropriate comfort or support and which products are the best for potential buyers.
2.2. Data Collection and Analysis
Then, the accrued Y scores were compared with the paired comparison of the elements. When comparing the customer’s voice at average level, the relationship with the associated element was plotted, and the classified output was then subject to the principal component analysis. Finally, comparative matrices of the pairwise respondents’ partial ranking were computed. We first used the generalized elements and relative proportions to identify the conceptual topics and characteristics of each product, and determined the representative scores scored by the customer’s reviews for elements for the variation between the X score and Y score. The correlation coefficients for selected attributes on the paired comparisons of the 30 respondents were displayed in the correlation matrix, and the principal component scatter diagram was then produced. The accountant was tasked with analyzing the correspondence between the paired comparison rankings for similarities of products. The partial rankings are important from a practical point of view when goals are set to enhance consumer satisfaction.
We analyzed the visitors’ comments from the online shopping malls of the 10,536 individuals who purchased the mattress and the 51,654 individuals who purchased the cooling mattress to select the commensuration keywords. The major elements of customer comments were selected according to the impressions of the major components and comfort satisfaction through frequent extraction and shortening by repeating the codification method in the general term according to the abbreviated term at the customer’s voice. Then, in the general term, the scores assigned by the customer’s voice of the commercial keyword approach used towards the element were the original Y scores, and the proportions of the customers who mentioned the commercial keyword in all of the product’s comments were governed by the X score. The products with a large Y score compared to the X scores display a higher customer’s voice and positive responses, and they are sorted by the proportion of responses in descending order in reference to the most preferred element.
3. Best Bamboo Mattresses for Bed and Sofa
The sporty-type best bamboo mattress or clothing also called moisture absorption and dehumidification-type bamboo mattresses mostly believe that bamboo clothing can quickly absorb moisture, and through the excellent penetration, more sweat is quickly transmitted to the external environment to escape, rapidly spreading, and not sticking to the body, which is the best fabric and clothing for athletes, mountain climbing, and outdoor sports. These types of bamboo mattresses or sportswear selling points are mainly suitable for athletes and outdoor sports enthusiasts. The study author chose two types of sporty-type bamboo mattresses for a comparison to analyze and discussed the effects of sweat absorption, dryness, and air permeability, a comfortable feeling. The intimate-type bamboo mattresses are mainly adopted by middle-aged, elderly, postpartum lying-in women, and special groups. The pad-structure materials have the functions of moisture absorption, sweat absorption, easy cleaning and removal, and health care. More users choose for family health, especially elders and children. The intimate-type bamboo mattresses for pad bed ranges from 0.1 to 2 cm, the thickness in the sofa bed between 1 and 3 cm of these pad-type bamboo mattresses to enhance the absorption and heat dissipation effects during rest and thermoregulation, which has become a very indispensable intimate product for many families.
The bamboo mattresses for bed and sofa use are more absorbent, consistent, and hygienic compared to other natural textiles. There are three types of bamboo mattresses best for bed and sofa use. The air conditioning-type bamboo mattresses can store a lot of heat in hot weather and store cold current in autumn and winter, and at the same time absorb sweat without feeling adhesive. For example, the cold mattress can absorb the indoor heat in hot weather to reduce the indoor temperature, and at the same time, quietly release a touch of cool blue, so that the indoor temperature is always kept at 26°C or lower, it’s cool and not cold. Therefore, the author feels that the cold mattress is an ideal indoor air conditioning product. The sports knowledge-type bamboo mattresses mainly focus on the sweat-absorbing and breathable effects of daily movement and night sleep, and the products are also more extensive. The author chose two relatively good sports knowledge-type bamboo mattresses for a review in this study.
3.1. Features and Benefits of Bamboo Mattresses
Nonetheless, mattress manufacturers extensively consider a mattress made of bamboo-derived products. The main explanation for this is that bamboo-derived mattress blades are ecologically friendly, renewable, and cookable, and have an excellent capacity for absorbing humidity, which permits a natural method of relieving pain caused by discomforting heat at night. Its hypoallergenic properties give an extra layer of protection to the people who sleep. The bamboo covers are made of the filament of yarns made directly from the arrow stalk portion of the bamboo cell, mostly made directly from scraped bamboo timber. It is also true that rayon from bamboo comforters, pillows, and other packaging resources can offer varying colors easily and are softer to the foot. For this explanation, there is no question that bamboo items are one of the best mattress seams currently accessible on the market.
Bamboo mattresses are durable. Mattresses made from bamboo are long-lasting when compared to cotton and wool. This is trained by the plant’s normal innate antibodies, which diminish the need for pesticides and herbicides. It’s waterproof and simple to clean up due to bamboo mattress casing. During the viscose manufacturing process, bamboo’s natural properties of water and bacteria resistance are preserved, and these characteristics translate to the bedclothes made of bamboo. A quilted bamboo cover can add supreme luxury and peacefulness to any bamboo mattress with a pillow top layer. Reducing soreness by sleeping on the mattress and can be changed to fit different sleepers with firm and mild densities. Finally, bamboo mattresses not only breathe beautifully but are genuinely simple to clean up and keep fresh and sanitary.
3.2. Top Brands and Models
This research aimed to compare top commercially successful and innovative designs of the top bamboo mattresses from Bros Marble Mall Company Limited, the Bamboo Furniture, the Bambucare, BE Smart, and the HBO Shop Companies. The two models were Do Shi Quilts’ Moon Dream Bamboo and Leitrim Worldwide’s Fandes Company Limited. The top cooling mattresses from Systematic Innovation Matrix (SIM), Systematic Innovation Matrix (SIM). The top cooling mattresses were Comparison of unique innovative characteristics of bamboo and cooling mattress designs and their two-way interactions after managing essential inter-functional relationships (e.g., mattress use and treatment), favorable main characteristics were acceptance, treatment form, and bamboo warmth (i.e., serving the design function of achieving a clear and distinct change in characteristics manifested by the design, B. D. Tigner S. W. Kemp).
Office of Communications and Public Relations, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, and Thailand Research Fund are compared with fifteen cooling mattresses for bed and sofa use from twenty-six local and international universities. The research offered a conceptual framework and identified the essential functional characteristics before collecting the information through a panel of mattress users and product descriptors. Among selected mattresses of both types, Systematic Innovation Matrix (SIM) of bamboo mattresses from Hana Asia and cooling mattresses from Double D Bedding Supplies Co., Ltd. were used to generate design suggestions identified from experts in different design professions including product, lighting, accessory, sound, and user-interface professionals. These suggestions could offer innovative bamboo and cooling mattress designs beyond familiar design games and established solutions in the mattress industry. The suggestions could be best used by designers as basic materials for translating upscaled ideas into practicable commercial products.
4. Best Cooling Mattresses for Bed and Sofa
4.2. Bespin Mattresses Foaming mattresses across the disc can use the air mesh and/or the gel techniques and Sammons manufacturing power. The hybrid mattresses use 70% foam and 30% gel entirely. In current times, it contains glass strings or silk-covered sides. Wave gel for temperature mattresses uses the cooling gel layer beneath the seating foam which is active and passive and temperature control mattresses. The actuation is on action seat covers and hot flashes and monitor temperature accommodation during sleep or your mouse or abs for active. A temperature control system monitors the room, base, mattress, and also waveform monitor. The mattress base uses the wave moisture-control layer, and 3d corset comforter foam. The celltrex gel memory foam is more innovative built up at the end to provide the dual feel comfort while keeping the mattress cool. With the cooling and foam mattress which is best, base and other layer satisfaction of the consumers is key, and this will be provided cost-effectively with potential availability. The foam material cost is decreased by using the durability. After compression and rebound, a ratio of 110 of 70% HR (polyol) across the 30% SM (pet) could be used in actuating the foam to have more actuation and natural hour, and durability accomplished with the elastane gels for temperature control innovation.
The gel mattresses are among the best cooling mattress because of the benefits, such as cooling, back support, cost, and hygiene features. Also, mattress cooling and the temperatures of different layers in the mattress are carried out in the best direction of the ambient temperature. The constant volume of mattresses is required for the long-term use and functions of gel-based mattresses. The ambient air must flow through the mattress, and airflow through the bubble mattress polymers. Mattresses do not allow the gel to high mass resulting in sudden release of heat via mattresses. The mattress specifications are required for the gel rooftop and the increase should not exceed the general limitations obtained with a mattress. The apartment is used for the 8-layered mattress and 14-layered configurations. The comfort and the mechanical properties increased. The heat decreased at high-temperature levels using the low-temperature wave, polymers.
4.1. Features and Benefits of Cooling Mattresses
3) Cooling mattresses can provide distinct visual and tactile coolness to users and can also help to have a quick heat-dissipating effect when the weather is very hot or when using an air conditioner.
2) Cooling mattresses usually have the characteristics of being moisture absorbent and drying fast. They can promptly absorb a great amount of moisture from our mouths and noses, and it is easy for the absorbed moisture to evaporate and diffuse away, keeping the mattress cool.
1) The filler or material of the cooling mattress, or its cover, is made of special cooling fabric, ice silk fabric, PCM fiber, and other new functional intelligent materials, such as far infrared, anion paint, cool coating, etc., which can create a visual coolness.
Compared with other types of regular mattresses, cooling mattresses have their very special features, which contribute to their function of heat dissipation and sweating prevention.
4.2. Top Brands and Models
The cooling mattresses were studied by the same approach. However, different from the bamboo mattresses, the top models of cooling mattresses were often dominated by a group of local brand names. The finding suggests that consumer preferences were also different in this new product category. Patients with chronic illness often found obstacles in falling into sleep or maintaining sleep. In summer time, if a person turns on air-conditioners while sleeping, the body temperature of such patients would easily drop inappropriately and this might worsen their conditions. On the other hand, higher temperature might lead to the risk of heatstroke. In such cases, patients often require comfortable mattresses that would help to adjust and maintain body temperature appropriately while sleeping. With the above key consumer needs, this study used bamboo mattresses, an already popular comfortable and cool sleeping product in the market as a comparison to look for its key specifications and main selling points. Besides the already-seen functional benefits, bamboo mattresses also have the natural feature of dispersing heat from the body and earth-protecting advantage, which could help widen potential consumer groups. So, an understanding of popular products and their key specifications can help manufacturers provide various product choices to different potential consumers.
Online shopping platform search results were studied for the top brands and models of bamboo mattresses. The ones that were often placed on the top of the listings among many different shopping platforms were searched, and many of such lists were gathered for statistical analysis. Brands and models that appear in most of the categories were included as the top rankings. Furthermore, several quarters were examined to explore the potential variations that might change the rankings. Finally, a total of five different brands and several models had been discovered as the most popular bamboo mattresses for different bed sizes. Among the different shopping platform results, there are large variations in the top model rankings, which showed different preferences for consumers from different regions of the country. The top variety belongs to a brand that suggests that high product variety is important to meet the diversified consumer needs in the market, while consumers also seem to have very different preferences based on numerous product specifications. Data showed that brands with the capability of producing products with various features would enjoy selling more products.
5. Comparative Analysis
The most useful comparison was carried out by the company for these purposes. At the same time, for the purposes of marketing, information is provided in the form of even highly questionable comparisons. The main points of comparison and dispute between the fibrous, bamboo mattresses, and the traditional mattress are presented in Table 8. The characteristic advantage of the fibrous filler in the construction of mattresses is, in all cases, a higher level of heat removal from the body during sleep. This is achieved due to the high porosity of the fibrous filler and the special design of the connecting elements, which ensures the uniform distribution of the human body weight acting on the surface of the mattress. On average, the ability to remove heat from the fibrous mattress has a value 1.4 times higher than that of the spring mattress. The negative side of a fabric mattress may include poor resiliency, low elasticity, low strength, rapid deformation over time and during operation, short-term use, toxic emissions (in the event of fire), and high manufacturing costs.
In this section, we compare the flow characteristics of the bamboo mattress and cooling mattress with and without a human body lying on it, and discuss its advantages and disadvantages. We utilize porous bamboo sheet to design a bamboo mattress and obtain the cooling characteristics. We then compare it with the famous cooling mattress and demonstrate that the bamboo mattress can provide a similar cooling effect as the cooling mattress. In addition, we show that the bamboo mattress can resemble the relaxation effect of the fiber mattress. Furthermore, it is more wash-friendly and environmentally friendly than the prevalent cooling mattress composed of synthetic fibers.
5.1. Comfort and Support
5.2 Comfort and Support. As now office work becomes increasingly common, both beds and sofas have the dual function of being worked on and rest furniture. When laid and worked on for a long time, a mattress can spread heat, causing people to feel hot and inducing poor sleep and discomfort. The information of heat flux, surface temperature, the average temperature difference about SCIs, RCI, RSI, the effect of temperature on SIMS, and EMPS under a heat source can be obtained to investigate the thermal comfort properties of the bamboo mattresses associated reviewed by this work. In accordance with empirical comfort experiments from NASA, we suggest not resting office workers on soft surface materials as it is too hot to make contact with the fabric.
In this section, we analyze the experimental data, such as the simulation model data, in the presence of heat sources. By demonstrating the thermal properties and geometry of each studied mattress, we discuss the apparent difference in thermal responses and the results of comfort and support in the section, which offer some indications about the nature of the heat sinks. Following the discussion of heat transfer data from fabric mattresses, the research results are compared to some other work studies and conclude with all of the study’s above contents, offering some suggestions for future work.
5.2. Temperature Regulation
A good mattress should be able to produce and still handle both moisture and heat. During sleeping, there is human heat and moisture production. The pressure of the body can dissipate both moisture and heat when resting, spill and produce airborne moisture or humidity in the air. A successfully designed mattress must facilitate the transfer of body heat and humidity away from the body, discourage hot spots or humidity traps while regulating microclimate parameters, and make night breathing pleasant. During thermal treatment, the small diameter, high flame-retardant and suppression of heat from the body are important parameters. In cold weather, the cushion must also guard the body from the cold outer air, which is in conflict with the above-mentioned requirements. The resistance-to-air attack, stiffness, bulk and bulge resistance are main thermal parameters. The content of the filling continues to shy away from allergenic compounds. Of course, a mattress is covered with a protective fabric, which must then be filled. Foams are now a very well-known category because their comfort is essential. Upon the inner spring or forming structure, the foam is placed and the consumer immediately feels the foam if it is not covered. The thermal environment is felt by the fabric, and it becomes obvious as the customer clips it. This complex interaction demonstrates that the qualitative characteristics of the foam must be carefully balanced-design, comfort, and environmental protection. Comfort is the first and most critical factor. It needs to serve the customer promptly. Is the comfort zoned or is it based on other supports? What volume of foam does it provide, at a specific weight, and at special densities, it provides strength and durability? It raises the lifespan of the mattress. The modern mattress should also strive for sustainable comfort at the end of its life, to protect the environment by recycling.
Temperature regulation in the mattress has a significant effect on well-being. Effective temperature regulation in the mattress helps guarantee a good night’s sleep by soothing lullabies and reducing restlessness. If a mattress can adapt and stabilize to the body’s natural temperature while ensuring maximum breathability, the quality of sleep will be significantly improved. The material of a mattress is the most essential component, and its warmth generates comfort and well-being. It slowly adjusts to the user’s body temperature, keeping him/her in an ideal environment. For nighttime body temperature control, the body comfort extends to the head and neck. The hanging and broad-band approach in the design of the cushion are the most effective ways to maintain the natural body temperature of individuals. The effective control of the mattress, which provides a suitable microclimatic atmosphere and thermal ambiance to the user throughout the night, is important in its structure.
5.3. Durability and Longevity
Considering the specific usage environment and air-flow resistance, considering selecting specific types of bamboo amount and dimension design is recommended. In this situation, the possible disadvantages of bamboo mattresses are: 1) the air permeability is insufficient, so humidity may be higher in the indoor air, which results in difficulties for mattresses to remove body moisture; 2) some bamboo types of mattresses may be used only on one side, and they are bed mat type, or sofa backrest type, similar to some mats which are only designed for individual use types; 3) certain bamboo users have complained about the hard situation when the mattress is aging, or have problems with dipping noise influences.
The elasticity and softness of bamboo mattresses are supported entirely by bamboo materials. Bamboo has a natural anti-corrosion and anti-mite feature, owed to the antibacterial and insect-resistant ingredients inside bamboo. In addition, the flexible structure of bamboo mattresses can help relieve bone, osteoarthritis, muscle and joint pain, and even relieve pressure problems. Based on a 30,000 years German carpet made of vertical bamboo, Thai-farmer handmade mattresses made from bamboo slips have good breathability and sound insulation properties. This type of bamboo mattress performed well in the ancient era and is recommended by the World Wellness Association. Only the farmer class of the Far East can benefit from good health and a peaceful life under this traditional technique using bamboo in bedding items. During the ancient period, the World Charter for Wellness recommends a mattress and pillow made by hand from bamboo and bamboo charcoal for Thai and other Far East traditional wise people to maintain their superior talent.
6. Conclusions and Recommendations
The soft cushion material on the bed or sofa and sleeping temperature should be paid more attention in our living environment. It is usually the mattress spring or foam material, and the heat and moisture have been increasingly involved in discussions relating to their thermal management and climate functions. The comfortability comes from the interaction of the skin temperature, heat evaporation, and skin tactile sensations. Thus, the uncomfortable sleeping temperature, excessive perspiration, and excessive moisture accumulation during sleep are regarded as discomfort sensations for human health. They could lead to serious skin issues and lower the autonomic sleep regulation and the sleep quality. Therefore, to build a comfortable and healthy sleeping environment, sleeping mattresses should satisfy the comfort and temperature modulation associated with human sleep science.
This study compared the temperature regulation and the immediate and residual hardness of cushion materials when using bamboo mattresses and cooling mattresses. Eight sensory rating measurements and two objective measurement tests were used to assess the immediate and residual hardness of the test materials. The ANOVA showed that the cooling mattress material effectively delivers a cooler temperature and significantly higher levels of tactile impression compared to the bamboo mattress material. The test results demonstrate that bamboo bed and sofa users need to adapt for a relatively longer period to the initial stiffness. During the use of the bed or sofa, the bamboo mattress could produce a better cooling effect than the cooling mattress could through a long-term cushion adjustment. It potentially benefits the users during their sleep, relieves heat and moisture, and avoids the use of spring mattresses after disposal hazards are located.
6.1. Summary of Findings
The use of RECOVY mattresses and mattress toppers can result in an even cooler microclimate than that of the bamboo mattresses and mattress toppers due to the better moisture management performance of the RECOVY fabric. When the thickness of the mattress or mattress topper exceeds a certain value, the sense of overall thermal discomfort increases, and the optimal thickness for achieving the coolest microclimate converts to be the minimal value that provides a sense of overall comfort. Consequently, when selecting thickness, the peak of the trend line falls within the range of 0.5-5.5 cm. Therefore, for a RECOVY mattress or mattress topper, the optimal thickness for the coolest sensation is 5 cm. If the thickness is greater than this, the increased sensation of thermal discomfort causes the environmental microclimate to suffer, leading to an unsatisfied feeling of overall comfort.
This research compared the cooling performance, subjective thermal sensation, and discomfort of bamboo and cooling mattresses for bed and sofa use. It was found that bamboo mattresses and mattress toppers can result in a cooler microclimate due to the higher wicking performance, greater air permeability, and greater moisture evaporation of the bamboo fabric. As the thickness of the bamboo mattress or mattress topper increases, the sensation of thermal discomfort decreases. Consequently, due to the better cooling performance of the bamboo mattress or mattress topper, the optimal thickness can be used to obtain consumers’ subjective satisfaction in terms of the sensation of thermal discomfort.
6.2. Practical Recommendations for Consumers
This research paper recommends that bamboo fabric should be preferred over the choice of cooling fabrics (Bavarine (B1) and Geltek (G)) in the development of mattresses. The mattresses made only with bamboo fabric provide better pressure and firmness characteristics, which are good for the well-being of the user. The use of cooling fabrics does not offer any comfort benefit compared to the usage of normal polyester fabric. However, if the user still wants to experience cooling benefits, the combination of a cooling mattress overlay in the composition of a bamboo mattress is also not recommended. Based on this argument, it is also inferred that the addition of bamboo fiber to a cooling fabric is also not a welcome idea. This also opens up the idea for future research on the combination of fabrics that are being used for different functions. Further studies comparing a variety of essential design criteria and materials in practical conditions could be carried out to evaluate the functions of the other functions of the fabrics currently being used (health protective, moisture management, stretching).
The result of this study provides consumers practical recommendations as to which type of mattress they should choose to make their bed (or sofa) and sleep more comfortably. Due to buying a new mattress being a big investment, however, proper selection would offer consumers a better home life and better health. Normally, mattress retailers do not have the knowledge and means to evaluate the sleeping comfort that can be offered to the consumers by the products sold in their shops. Manufacturers also do not have the tools that would guide them to improve the quality of mattresses in terms of the thermal comfort that is provided to the sleepers. Generally referred recommendations for consumers are of a general nature. It was based on the experience in testing and selecting mattress comfort in older people and people with a disability. In this research paper, mechanical and textile properties have been tested along with thermal comfort characteristics such as testing the usual mattress. The four critical tests for a mattress are pressure, firmness, edge support, and life cycle tests for which OEMs can scientifically do focus tests. The study findings are very effective in decision-making for mattress manufacturers because most of the results of the study are well matched with commercial decision making or choosing a material.
