01/31/2019 - Yawnder

A mattress is not something you need to buy every six months, but when you do, it can be quite an experience. For first-timers, buying a mattress can seem like a hassle because of the different options available and the different price points. Do you buy foam or innerspring? Do you buy a regular mattress or a luxury bed, and what exactly is the difference between the two? Should you try a mattress before purchase or choose the more convenient option of online shopping?

It isn’t surprising that a lot of people end up with the wrong mattress thanks to the confusion created by the variety of products. We don’t always pay attention to it, but a mattress is crucial to our sleep quality. Therefore, choosing a reputed brand and quality materials are important in order to ensure that you pick the right bed.

But when you bring home your new mattress, you might be baffled by a small tag on one side that is supposedly illegal to remove. Really? A mattress tag is illegal to remove?! However, upon closer look, you will discover something entirely different. Let’s find that out.

What Are Mattress Tags?

Almost everything that you buy comes with some kind of a label. This is where all the important information about the product is provided, such as the brand, the size, the material, and care instructions. From clothing to bedding to cosmetics to household goods, almost all commodities come with tags. Not surprisingly mattresses also come with such a tag. This is where the manufacturer, the material, the place of manufacture, and care instructions are listed. But, besides that, something else is also written on this mattress tag: “Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law.”

Seeing a label like this on a mattress (or on any commodity) can be amusing, and also a laughing matter. Why on earth would the law care about what people did with mattress tags? Doesn’t the law have enough to deal with already?

If you want to remove the tag for whatever reason, the fear of legal action can prevent you from doing so. But really, how would anybody find out if you had removed the tag from your mattress? The last time we checked, the police did not perform routine inspections on households to find out if they had removed the tag from the mattress. The police have more important things to do.

If the “Do not remove under penalty of law” tag on your mattress has ever puzzled you, it’s time you looked closer. There are three little words to dispel your fear: “except by consumer.”

What Is This All About?

That little tag on the mattress is for the consumer’s safety, but the warning is for the seller. The consumer is not only allowed to cut off the tag, but they can also cut open an entire mattress and do whatever they want to with it. No one from the law is ever going to be concerned with it. However, if you are a manufacturer or seller, then you should take the tag very seriously because removing it (or not putting it there at all) can land you in trouble.

The tag is put in place to assure customers that they are buying a new, never-used mattress that’s been made of quality, safe, and hygienic materials. If there is no tag on a mattress, it has a questionable origin. Although there is an interesting story behind how the tag came into existence, its purpose is to inform consumers about the quality of the product they are purchasing and if it is safe for use.

A mattress is something that you sleep on every night. It comes into direct contact with your skin and breath. That is the reason why should be as safe and hygienic possible. You wouldn’t want to find out later that the mattress you’ve been sleeping on is actually stuffed with discarded hospital bedding. Filthy, right? That’s exactly the reason why the mattress tag came to exist.

The Story Behind the Tag

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, the modern mattresses we get now did not exist. Mattresses were very basic items, something that people did not put much thought into during purchase. This gave manufacturers a free run and made government officials very concerned about the safety of materials that were used to stuff mattresses. In order to cut costs, manufacturers went as far as to recycle old and used bedding to make “new” mattresses. As a result, the new mattresses weren’t really new or never-used. They were full of bacteria and posed health risks to users.

The fear was greater about bedding from hospitals being used to stuff new mattresses. The indiscriminate use of discarded hospital bedding items was spreading infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and smallpox.

The tag was put into place for ending these unsanitary practices. Initially the tag was meant to list all the materials that were used to stuff the mattress. But later, to make sure that manufacturers or sellers did not remove the tag, the legal warning was added.

However, confusion arose among consumers about what to do with the tag. To clear things up, the words “except by consumer” were added later to the warning.

Penalties for No-Tag Mattresses

If you ever find a mattress that is being sold without this tag, it’s either a fake product or it’s stuffed with questionable materials. That’s not all. You can report the manufacturer selling mattresses without the tag. The penalty can range from a legal notice served to the manufacturer or seller to stop removing the tags or provide the correct information, to a fine of up to $1,000. Although this is a federal law, the design of the label and the information that it lists are decided by each state. If a mattress is recycled, then every material used for the stuffing should be listed on the tag. This ensures that consumers receive a product that’s safe and hygienic.

History of Hastens Mattress

Once upon a time, nestled in the lush green meadows of Sweden, a tale of luxury, comfort, and dreams took root. In the year 1852, a skilled artisan named Pehr Adolf Janson embarked on an ambitious journey. He sought to craft the most opulent sleep experience known to mankind, harnessing the essence of nature and blending it with unparalleled craftsmanship. And thus, Hästens, the world-renowned mattress brand, was born.

The early days of Hästens were marked by an unwavering dedication to quality. Janson, a saddlemaker by trade, carefully selected the finest natural materials for his creations: horsehair, cotton, and wool. The secret to Hästens’ inimitable softness and support lay in the horsehair, which offered remarkable breathability, temperature regulation, and durability. This unique blend of natural fibers became the hallmark of Hästens mattresses, setting them apart from all others.

As the years went by, Hästens continued to evolve, embracing innovation and enhancing its expertise. In 1924, the brand adopted the distinctive blue and white checkered pattern, inspired by the Swedish flag. This timeless design became synonymous with Hästens’ commitment to quality and elegance, a subtle reminder of the brand’s proud heritage.

The year 1952 marked a significant milestone for Hästens, as the brand introduced its first-ever pocket spring mattress. This groundbreaking innovation, a fusion of old-world craftsmanship and modern technology, allowed the company to offer unparalleled comfort and support to its discerning customers. The pocket springs, meticulously layered within the mattress, allowed for a sleep surface that adapted to the sleeper’s every movement, cradling the body in a cocoon of luxurious rest.

Over the years, Hästens continued to refine its craftsmanship, creating mattresses that were nothing short of works of art. The brand’s master artisans, the modern-day descendants of Pehr Adolf Janson, devoted hundreds of hours to handcrafting each mattress, ensuring that every stitch, every tuft, and every layer was perfect. The result was a sleep experience that transcended the ordinary, transporting the sleeper to a realm of blissful slumber.

Today, Hästens is synonymous with the pinnacle of luxury and comfort, gracing the homes of royalty, celebrities, and discerning sleep connoisseurs the world over. The brand’s commitment to excellence remains unwavering, as does its dedication to sustainability and the preservation of nature. Hästens believes that the most exquisite sleep experience can only be achieved by respecting the earth and its resources.

And so, the tale of Hästens continues, as the brand journeys forth into the world of dreams. Its legacy lives on in the hearts of those who have experienced the sublime embrace of a Hästens mattress, a testament to the enduring power of craftsmanship, innovation, and a love for the finest things in life.

There’s been a recent spurt of health and wellness focused items in various industries. From organic food to natural skincare products to environment-friendly cookware, health and wellness have become an entire industry in itself, and consumers are also hooked. Everyone wants to be healthy, eating right and sleeping well. And these health and wellness products aim to make this easier for consumers. A case in point is the sleep industry. Even till a decade ago, no one could predict that this nightly phenomenon that all of us go through could become a whole market in itself. But today this is a reality, with hundreds of products claiming to improve sleep quality and keep away sleep disorders.

From luxury mattresses to sleep-related gadgets like light alarm clocks and sound machines, there is an endless list of products to splurge on. But have you ever considered splurging more than $100,000 on a bed?

No, we aren’t kidding. If you thought that your $3,000 bed was the most expensive it could get, you are making a huge mistake. There is a mattress – probably the only one in the world right now – that’s close to $150,000 and has the world in awe. It’s possibly the most luxurious bed that’s fit for a queen and is still touted as worth the money. Why? Let’s find out.

Hästens Vividus – What Is It?

As you probably have already guessed from the name, this is a Swedish luxury bed. But the question is, with thousands of luxury beds available today, what exactly sets it apart, aside from the price tag?

The Hästens Vividus bed isn’t something consumers would buy at the drop of a hat. It’s for those who not only have that kind of money to spend but also the lifestyle to fit it in. It’s a custom, continental bed that’s crafted to perfection by four master artisans at the Hästens workshop in Sweden’s Köping. You pay $149,000 for a pinewood frame and steel springs, with layers of horsetail hair, flax, wool, and cotton batting. If that reminds you of mattresses made in the early centuries, you are right. Hästens specializes in making beds that are entirely handcrafted with pure, natural materials, just like the mattresses of yore.

The Hästens Vividus could well be the bed that Queen Victoria slept on. And it has absolutely no competitors in the mattress industry. None at all. Of course, for that price, you get several other things, such as the finest diamond necklace from Tiffany or a Mercedes AMG GT S. If you choose to buy this bed instead, read on to learn more about its features.

Quality and Features

The Hästens bedding company has been around since 1852, and their motto has always been “The Spirit of Excellence.” We wonder if it can get any more excellent than this entirely handcrafted bed made of all-natural materials. In a market where latex and foam are the key materials, the mention of horsetail hair and flax certainly makes you take notice.

Hästens has a number of showrooms around the world, including the US, and every interested customer is encouraged to visit a store to check out the product before shelling out the massive sum.

But you may wonder the advantage of horse hair and flax in a mattress when the market is flooded with things like gel memory foam, air-engineering, and open cell technology. Hästens has been in the bedding industry much before latex or memory foam came into existence. In those times natural materials were used to make mattresses. Even though today these materials seem very outdated, back in those days they made some of the finest beds. This Swedish company sticks to the tradition and continues to make all-natural handmade beds. In fact, a story goes that’s the Swedish royal family was so impressed with the craftsmanship of Hästens that the company was named the Official Bedding Supplier to the Swedish Royal Court. This was over 65 years ago.

There is no doubt that the Swedes are incredible at the craftsmanship. From knives to cutlery to furniture to bedding, anything manufactured in Sweden becomes a collector’s piece. The same applies to the Hästens Vividus. Every bed is made to order and customized according to preferences. Although there are beds on display at their showrooms, Hästens takes care to specially craft a bed for you once you place an order. This makes every bed unique.

There are several benefits of an all-natural bed. Horse tail hair is a natural temperature regulator, absorbing moisture as the bed heats when you sleep and releasing it the moisture as the bed cools when you get out of it. Flax has antibacterial properties, making the mattress hygienic and safe. Flax is also used to make linen fibers. Cotton is excellent at wicking moisture and helping you stay cool, while wool keeps you warm in the colder months.

Sure, you don’t get the bounce of memory foam, but you do get a bed that’s 100 percent natural, free from chemicals, and has been made just for you by master craftsmen in faraway Sweden. Besides, Hästens has researched a good deal about the science of sleep and makes sure that their beds help customers get the best sleep ever.

So Why Hästens Vividus So Expensive?

This is where the fun begins. When you first see the Hästens Vividus bed up close, it can slightly anger you: why is something that looks so ordinary priced $149,000? It doesn’t look anything like those technology-driven mattresses that are the rage today. It doesn’t look like a cloud, and it doesn’t promise to feel as soft either. It doesn’t have any built-in gadget– no phone charger, no smartphone app, no television or refrigerator. Then why on Earth is it so expensive?

To understand this, we need to know the history of the Vividus. When the bed was first made in 2006, it used to take 160 hours to build and was priced at $112,900. In the next 10 years, the company researched more about regulating body temperature and offering more comfort and support without using any artificial material. They did manage to make the Vividus better, but it only started to take double the time– 320 hours. That’s because Hästens has only four certified craftsmen and only one atelier in Sweden. Each bed is made to order and requires at least 10 weeks to build.

Next, come the materials. The frame is made from Swedish pine wood that’s slow-growing and not abundant. Needless to say, Swedish pine wood is expensive and not easily available. Next in line is the box spring, which has steel springs as well as several layers of flax used to soundproof the bed. On top of that sits the mattress, made with more springs, and multiple layers of horsetail hair lining and cotton and wool batting, layered just the way you would bake a cake or lasagna. The topmost layer is the mattress pad, called the “topper,” made with many more layers of wool, cotton, and horsehair.

Horsehair is one of the most critical components of the bed and also requires the most effort and time. The hair is hand braided and then unwound, to make it bouncy. Once the strands of horsehair are curled, they function like springs, giving the bed bounce and support. Unlike human hair, horsehair is hollow and excellent at wicking away moisture to prevent sweat buildup.

Because all these materials are natural and cannot be manufactured in a factory, they are hard to obtain and also expensive. There are no screws and nails in the bed, only dovetail joints. The step-stitching is done by hand with an 18-inch-long needle.

However, the advantage is that when you lie on the bed, you not only feel supported overall but also have your legs slightly elevated, which is beneficial for blood circulation.

Besides the customized comfort, you also get a 25-year warranty, and a bed that’s fit to be passed down to next generations.

Is Hästens Vividus Worth It?

It was recently reported that Drake now sleeps on a Hastens mattress. His is custom made, costs $395,000, took over 600 hours to make and weighs roughly one ton.

If you have the money and want to splurge not on diamonds or gold watches but on sleep, then the Hästens Vividus is for you. You don’t easily find such beds. Free from chemicals and artificial materials, the Vividus is crafted for the most blissful and most hygienic sleep.

You don’t necessarily have to lie on a $150,000 mattress for the most restful sleep. If you have a sleep disorder, then a mattress isn’t going to cure it. However, if you do want to invest in the most luxurious sleep, it doesn’t get any better than the Hästens Vividus.

If you want the poor person’s Hasten’s mattress, check out the Brentwood Home Oceano. It’s less than 1% of the price and you aren’t compromising much except bragging rights.

What Celebrities Sleep on a Hastens Mattress?

Oh, you’d be surprised by the number of celebrities who have fallen in love with the luxurious comfort of a Hästens mattress! Among the elite who indulge in these dreamy beds, you’ll find names like:

Gwyneth Paltrow – The lifestyle guru and actress herself has expressed her admiration for Hästens mattresses, and it’s no wonder she appreciates the brand’s focus on natural materials and craftsmanship.
Tom Cruise – The Hollywood superstar reportedly spent a whopping $150,000 on a Hästens mattress to ensure he gets the best sleep possible. It’s all about catching those precious Z’s in between shooting action-packed movies!
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt – The former power couple, both known for their impeccable taste, were said to have slept on a Hästens mattress during their time together.
Drake – The Grammy-winning rapper is another Hästens enthusiast, having splurged on a luxurious custom-made mattress for his Toronto mansion.

These are just a few examples of celebrities who have experienced the magic of a Hästens mattress. It’s clear that when it comes to their sleep, the stars trust nothing but the best!

All Hastens Mattress Models

Hastens 2000T – This is one of the most popular models in the Hastens lineup. It features a combination of horsehair, cotton, and wool to create a supportive and comfortable sleeping surface. The 2000T also has Hastens’ patented Spring System, which helps to distribute weight evenly and reduce pressure points.
Hastens 2000T II – This model is an upgraded version of the 2000T, with additional layers of horsehair for added comfort and support.
Hastens 2000T II BJX – The BJX stands for “boxspring with legs,” and this model features a boxspring base with legs for added height and a more traditional look.
Hastens 2000T II BJ – This model is similar to the 2000T II BJX, but without the legs. It has a boxspring base for added support and durability.
Hastens 2000T II JL – The JL stands for “jubilee,” and this model was created to celebrate Hastens’ 160th anniversary. It features a special edition fabric and additional layers of horsehair for added comfort.
Hastens 2000T II BJX Luxury – This model is similar to the 2000T II BJX, but with additional layers of horsehair and a luxurious cashmere top layer.
Hastens 2000T II BJX Exclusive – This model is the top-of-the-line in the 2000T series, with even more layers of horsehair and a silk top layer for added comfort and luxury.
Hastens 888 – The 888 is a newer model from Hastens, featuring a unique combination of cotton, wool, flax, and horsetail hair for a comfortable and supportive sleeping surface.
Hastens Auroria – The Auroria features a combination of horsehair, cotton, and wool, along with Hastens’ patented Spring System, for a supportive and comfortable sleeping surface.
Hastens Herlewing – The Herlewing is a luxury mattress that features a combination of horsehair, cotton, and wool, along with a hand-tufted top layer for added comfort and durability.

Each of these Hastens mattress models offers a unique combination of materials and features designed to provide a comfortable and supportive sleeping surface. Whether you prefer a traditional boxspring base or a more modern design, Hastens has a mattress to suit your needs.

Are There Mattresses Similar to the Hastens?

Sure, there are a few other high-end mattress brands that are considered to be in the same league as Hästens in terms of luxury and quality. Some of the top contenders include:

Vispring – A British brand with a longstanding history of producing luxury mattresses, Vispring also uses natural materials like horsehair, wool, and cotton, along with their unique hand-nested pocket spring system, to create top-notch sleep experiences.
Kluft – This American brand offers handcrafted, luxury mattresses that feature a blend of high-quality materials and innovative designs. They are known for their attention to detail and the use of natural materials like cashmere, silk, and wool.
Duxiana (The DUX Bed) – A Swedish competitor of Hästens, Duxiana offers luxury beds with a focus on ergonomic design and unparalleled support. Their mattresses feature a patented spring system and high-quality natural materials to ensure a great night’s sleep.
Savoir Beds – A British brand with a history dating back to 1905, Savoir Beds creates bespoke, handcrafted mattresses tailored to the individual sleeper. They use natural materials like horsehair, wool, and cashmere, combined with their signature pocket spring system, to offer a luxurious sleep experience.

While these brands might be in the same ballpark as Hästens in terms of quality and luxury, it’s essential to remember that each one has its unique approach and design philosophy. The best way to determine which mattress is right for you is to try them out and see which one caters to your comfort and support preferences.

Can You Remove Mattress Tags?