A mattress is a serious investment that could last up to ten years, but there are so many different types, how do you know which is the best for you?

Well, according to the General Osteopathic Council there is no absolute best choice of bed, it is up to you to be satisfied that you have made the right choice before you buy, so read on for a few tips from the Good Housekeeping Institute's Helen Wicks to help you make that choice...

Generally for sprung mattresses, the more springs the better, so buy one with as many springs as you can afford. The absolute minimum number of springs in a double sized mattress is 288 and in a king size its 325, but they go up to 1000's.

The General Osteopathic Council recommend that you lie on the bed for twenty minutes in the shop, you may feel silly, but it is worth it to make sure you make the right choice.

The mattress should support the weight of your body without sagging, it should be soft enough to support and cushion your curves, but firm enough to allow you to move around and change positions in the night. BackCare, the charity for healthier backs, suggest a simple way to test this is to lie down on your back and slide your hand between the mattress and the small of your back, if it is really difficult to push your hand in the gap, or there is no gap at all, the mattress is probably too soft, but if there is a large gap, the mattress is too hard. If you can slide your hand into the gap and it remains in contact with the bed and your back, then it is probably about right.

If you are buying a bed and mattress that two of you will sleep on, it is essential that you both go to the shop and try out the mattresses together, this will help you to choose a mattress that is right for both of you. If you are disturbing each other in the night, it may be time to consider buying a larger bed, the Sleep Council say you should both be able to lie down with your hands behind your head without your elbows touching those of your partner or extending beyond the bed, also, the bed should be 15cm or 6 inches longer than the tallest person in the bed.

It is not always easy to buy one mattress that is suitable for two people and if one of you needs or prefers a firmer mattress to the other you may like to consider two zip and link mattresses with different levels of firmness. Partners who differ in weight by 3 stones/ 18 kg or more may require different mattresses say the Sleep Council, if you do not want two mattresses zipped together or you do not have the space, some manufacturers can combine different levels of firmness in one mattress, this is usually called his and hers zoning.

If you do want to buy a new mattress for an old bed, the Sleep Council recommend you make sure no slats are broken or bent and that all fixings are still in good condition, none missing or broken. Check for any excessive squeaking or wobbling if you give the bed a good shake. On a non sprung divan (which are usually covered in fabric) get down to eye level and check to see if the surface is still flat and even.

If you do decide to buy a new mattress for your existing bed, it is important to measure your bed base, bed sizes in the UK are not standardised and just because your new mattress is called a double, doesn't mean it is the same size as your existing double bed, so always check the measurements. When you try out the mattress, you won't have any idea of how it will ultimately feel unless you try it on a similar type of bed, it is no use trying a mattress on a divan base and then taking it home and putting it on a bed frame with wooden slats, it could feel totally different.

Once you have chosen the right mattress there are a few things that you should do to prolong its life and keep it in good condition.

It is worth buying a washable protective cover to protect it from stains and you should air it every morning for at least 20 minutes, to allow body moisture to evaporate. If your mattress is new, turn it over from side to side and end to end every week for the first three months and then turn it every three to four months after that, this will help the fillings settle and compact down more evenly. Check the care label though, some mattresses don't need turning.

Vacuum your mattress every month, using low suction and an upholstery or crevice tool, pay particular attention to areas under buttons and along piping.