What is the best way to make the bed when fitted with a Zed feather mattress? We recommend that you place a fitted sheet over your regular mattress, put the feather mattress on top then cover with a mattress protector or another fitted sheet. This is the best method of making your bed as it allows you to fluff the feather mattress each morning without disturbing the rest of the bed. Can I use the mattress on its own? Technically, the answer is yes however, we do not recommend it because a sprung or foam mattress provides essential base support. In the case of a traditional divan set with a sprung base, some customers remove the top mattress and place the Zed mattress on top of the sprung base. Can I use the mattress on a Futon? We would recommend some kind of foam base underneath your Zed mattress, again to provide some additional base support and also to prevent excessive wear underneath our mattress. Can I wash a Zed mattress? As with regular sprung mattresses, washing is not possible. A Zed mattress can be sponged to remove light staining and spillages but washing it will damage the feather and down mix and leave it prone to mould. We recommend the use of a mattress protector to keep your Zed mattress in good condition. Can I use a feather mattress with a waterproof cover? Yes, your Zed mattress can be used with a waterproof cover however, it will prevent the mattress from 'breathing' thus leading to a build up of heat and humidity. So whilst it is possible to use a waterproof cover, it is not recommended. Do I need to turn the mattress regularly? No, it is not essential to do so. Whilst it's not a bad idea to turn it over once every few months, the channel construction makes weekly turning unnecessary. Can I use a vacuum cleaner on a Zed mattress? We strongly advise against it as a vacuum cleaner will tend to damage the fine fibres inside and cause the feather and down to work through the mattress cover. I'm allergic to feather - can I use a Zed mattress? If you are truly allergic to feather then the answer is no. However, only a relatively small number of the population are actually allergic to feather. Most allergies, as mentioned before, are a reaction to house dust mites and their waste products. Also, some inferior feather mixes are improperly cleaned which can create adverse reactions in some people. If you are really not sure, then buy yourself a good quality feather pillow and try it out for a few days. If you do not react badly to that then you almost certainly will be able to enjoy the experience of sleeping on a Zed mattress. How long will a Zed mattress last? Poor quality feather can break down in a relatively short time however, at Zed we use only good quality Duck feather and down which will last for many years. It is difficult to put a number on it but you should expect somewhere between 8 to 10 years of restful and delightful sleep from your Zed mattress. Can you use a Zed feather top-mattress on an adjustable/automatic bed? Yes - there is no problem with this. The Zed follows the movements of the bed quite easily. We would suggest however that for double or king size beds that you purchase two single mattresses to allow the two halves of the bed to still move independently.