Products
Innerspring Crib Mattresses
Overview: Unlike polyurethane foam mattresses, which have one main component as the core, a Colgate innerspring crib mattress may have as many as five interior components. Also in our super-premium units we upgrade some of these components to provide the highest grade of raw materials used in crib mattresses today.
We, at Colgate, feel that it is important to use only finest materials available in the industry to construct our crib mattresses. With that being said, we also have to be aware that everyone's economic situation is different. Having a selection of quality mattresses across a broad spectrum of price points allows both our retailers and consumers to purchase a crib mattress that will meet both their needs and their pocketbook.
As with all consumer products, there is an ongoing philosophical battle between "sizzle and substance." By "sizzle" in the mattress business, we mean fancy covers, large attractive decorative labels, multi-decade warranties and extravagant claims. In most cases, the manufacturers employing these techniques are overcompensating for the lack of quality interior components. They want you to buy their "sizzle."
On the other hand, Colgate believes in "substance." Instead of pouring valuable resources into fancy covers, large labels, etc., we prefer to invest in purchasing and providing high quality raw materials. After all, the reason that you are purchasing a crib mattress is to provide the best environment for your growing and developing baby. Which product would you prefer for your newborn - one high in "sizzle" but moderate in "substance" or one moderate in "sizzle" and high in "substance?" I believe we both know the answer to that question.
Our overriding philosophy is to provide the highest quality crib mattress at each price point. We are confident that when our product is compared to another company's product at the same retail price point, we will have more and better quality components at that price point. We encourage you to do the comparison and find out for yourself.
Basic components: All innerspring mattresses have the same basic components. They are spring unit, insulator, cushioning material(s) and cover. Both the combination and the quality of these components will determine the quality of the mattress. (Note: All of the terms used in this section can be found in our "Glossary of Mattress Terms" which will provide more clarity.)
The two most important components of an innerspring mattress are the spring unit and the insulator. If one uses a quality spring unit, but an inferior insulator pad, then one has an inferior mattress. The same is also true if the roles are reversed. Only by having both a quality spring unit and a quality insulator pad can one be assured of a durable, firm and quality mattress. Colgate uses the best available combination of spring unit and insulator pad for each price point.
Innersprings - Colgate uses two basic spring frames - a Bonnell unit (aka a "312 unit") and a Holland unit. The overwhelming majority of both adult mattresses and crib mattresses use this unit. The original construction has a 9 gauge border rod, 13.5 gauge coil and 5 turns in the coil. The coil configuration is a "double-cone" or hourglass shape.
This is the same construction that Colgate uses to this day. Other companies have altered the gauge of steel and/or the number of turns in the coil to get cost reductions. As a result their unit isn't as durable as the original design.
The Holland unit is a more recent innovation in spring unit design. The concept was to provide different gauge of steel coils in different configurations strategically placed in the frame to provide the maximum in comfort and support. The coil gauge may be as thick as 12.5 in some places, 13.0 in others and finally 13.5 in the center. The border rod on the Holland unit will be 6 gauge.
Insulators - The insulator has two important roles. The first is to keep the soft cushioning materials from having direct contact to the steel innerspring. The second function is to eliminate "coil feel." The insulator pad is wrapped around the top, bottom and sides of the spring unit.
Colgate uses three main types of insulators and one ancillary insulator. Our primary insulator is a coir fiber insulator pad. Coir fiber is coconut hair that has been needle-loomed and interwoven for strength and durability. It is them impregnated with latex to make it flexible. This material is so strong that it is commonly used as exterior doormats (brown fiber).
We utilize two different levels of coir fiber pads. Our standard coir fiber, which we use on all of our innerspring crib units starting at the Cradletyme Deluxe 104 coil and up and the "super coir", which we use on our top of the line innersprings. The difference between the standard coir and the "super coir" is the ounces per square foot. The "super coir" will have denser and weigh more as more coconut hair is compressed in the same area.
On our entry level units, our Colgate Traditional line-up, we use a bonded felt. It is still a very good quality insulator pad, but it is more affordable in keeping with the purpose of these units.
The final insulator that is used is a Permalator. This is a wire mesh insulator that is used in concert with one of our coir fiber insulator pads. The Permalator is placed over the spring unit and under the coir fiber to add an even great measure of durability to the insulator pad.
Unlike the steel used in the spring unit, which is carbon tempered for strength, the Permalator is oil-treated to make it more flexible. This allows it to follow the compression of the springs as the weight moves about on the surface of the mattress.
Cushioning materials: Colgate uses two different materials for cushioning - polyurethane foam and cotton felt. The purpose of these layers is to add a measure of comfort without sacrificing the deep down firmness of the unit.
As with our other components, we use a variety of foam qualities to achieve different goals in our different mattresses. Some of the mattresses will have a convoluted foam topper, a Visco-elastic foam topper or a standard foam topper. Needles to say, our premium mattresses will have the highest quality and more unique foam toppers. A description of the foam topper used will be given with each innerspring unit.
The cotton felt has been used by Colgate Mattress as our top layer for over three decades. It provides a comfortable sleeping surface, but when compressed the cotton will firm up to give the infant the support that he needs. Also because cotton is a natural fiber, it is resilient.
With the recent changes in flammability standards, many other companies are turning to cotton as their fire barrier layer. Colgate Mattress, long before the flammability standards had changed, use cotton. We were providing a safer environment long before it was required by law.
Covers or Tickings: The final layer in the construction of a mattress is the cover or ticking. In the baby business it is advisable to have a waterproof cover. There are a variety of covers available in the marketplace. The majority of our line uses a nylon-reinforced triple laminate cover.
On some special units we use a hospital grade anti-microbial cover. On our super-premium crib mattresses us even have a 5 ply laminated cover.
As you can see, we offer a variety of units with a variety of components all having quality features.
99% of adults sleep on an innerspring mattress. This is why innerspring crib mattresses are as popular as they are.
PREMIUM QUALITY CRIB MATTRESSES
2'N'1 MEMORIES - This unit, a dual firmness type mattress, has the latest in technology utilizing visco-elastic (memory) foam as well as a 5 ply cover. The spring unit is a 336 coil made with 17 gauge steel. There is a 9 gauge (adult size) border rod. Over the spring unit is a dual insulation system with a Permalator on the infant side and our "super coir" covering the entire spring unit. The infant side has a firm foam topper while the toddler side has the visco-elastic foam. Model # DM 336-254F
The entire unit is wrapped in a cotton fire barrier. The infant side cover is a 5 ply nylon reinforced quilted laminate. On the toddle side, there is a water resistant damask cover for comfort and elegance. This mattress has an eyelet border as a ventilation system.
ULTIMATE - America's best quality innerspring crib mattress. The Ultimate uses a Holland style spring unit. This unit has four different coil types that are 12.5 gauge that are designed to provide maximum support and comfort in the different areas of the mattress. There are edge coils, corner coils and right and left had turn, free-end offset coils. These coils are heavier than most adult units. It also has a 6.0 gauge border rod which, too, is heavier than adult mattresses. There are two Permalators and "super coir" used as the insulation system.
The cushioning layers are foam toppers and the cotton fire barrier.
Finally, the cover, which is unique to Colgate, is a hospital grade anti-microbial vinyl which is closed with the same vinyl as the binding. This completely ensures that the unit will meet the high standards set forth by hospitals for maximum protection against specific microbes.
The Ultimate was conceived, designed, and manufactured to be the best quality crib mattress, layer-for-layer, than any and all other brands and models of innerspring crib mattress. Model # CH 135-081F
SUPERIOR QUALITY
3-N-1 - Colgate's best quality dual firmness innerspring crib mattress. Created as an upgrade to Colgate's extremely popular 2-N-1 dual firmness crib mattress, the 3-N-1 mattress has the extra quality and durability features, and innovative new materials that are ideal for parents purchasing a crib that converts from 1 - crib, to 2- toddler bed, to 3- day bed. Model # RD 266-252F
2-N-1 - The most popular new mattress ever introduced in Colgate's 50+ years. An extra firm side for infant and less firm side for toddler combined with the quality features of the Colgate Ultra II series of mattresses are what make this mattress so popular. Model # IT-135-130F
Diploma - One of the most beautiful innerspring crib mattresses due to it's Colgate-exclusive new 5-ply quilted vinyl cover. It comes with a 176 coil innerspring unit that utilizes 13.5 gauge coils. This is the highest coil count in a crib mattress that has these adult coils. This unit has a 9.0 gauge border rod. Model # DQ 176-251F
TOP QUALITY
ELEGANCE - A top quality mattress that offers unique zones of comfort that offer varying degrees of support for different parts of baby's body. This is the accomplished by using the Holland style spring unit. Offering eight types of coils in the 105 coil spring unit, 12.5 gauge, in one mattress and a super thick 6.0 gauge border rod. This mattress has two insulators and three cushioning layers and blue hospital grade anti-microbial cover and binding. Model # CH 105 -092F
CENTURION and GRAND PREMIER - Offering 150 thicker than normal 13.0 gauge steel coils, two insulators and high quality cushioning layers, these two mattresses offer top-of-the-line quality in a basic crib mattress. These units also have a 9.0 gauge border rod.
Basically the same mattress on the inside, the Centurion has hospital grade anti-microbial white vinyl and the Grand Premier offers a white triple laminated nylon reinforced vinyl. Model #'s GP 150 -091F (CENTURION) GP 150-237F (GRAND PREMIER)
CradleTyme ULTRA I - These three top quality mattresses offer high coil counts, 9.0 gauge border rods for extra edge support, two insulators to minimize "coil feel", two different cushioning layers for extra comfort and, triple laminated, reinforced vinyl for durability. The Ultra I 280 coil and the Ultra I 252 coil both have 15.5 gauge steel coils. Model #'s CD 280-130F, CD 252-130F
CradleTyme ULTRA II - The three Ultra II models of crib mattresses all offer better quality mattress components than most crib mattresses on the market and, they offer this quality at a price better than most consumers will pay for a lower quality competitor's mattress. All three Ultra II mattresses, the 150 coil, the 117 coil and, the 104 coil, offer the following: thick 13.5 gauge carbon tempered steel with 9.0 gauge border rods for excellent overall support and edge support, coir fiber insulator pad (the best quality insulator material available anywhere) to prevent cushioning layers from sinking into the coils over time, both a non-allergenic foam and a 100% all-natural cotton cushioning layer for superb comfort and, a triple laminated, reinforced vinyl cover for durability. Model #'s CD 150-139F, CD 117-132F, CD 104-136F
GOOD QUALITY
- CROWN IMPERIAL III
- LITTLE ARISTOCRAT IV
- LITTLE ARISTOCRAT I
Moderately priced crib mattresses, that have quality interior components, is the hallmark of these three mattresses. Thick coils, 9.0 gauge border rods, a quality bonded felt insulator pad, both foam and 100% all-natural cotton cushioning layers are features common to all three mattresses. The Crown Imperial III has 96 coils and a triple laminated, reinforced vinyl cover. Little Aristocrat IV has 80 coils and a triple laminated, reinforced vinyl, cover. Little Aristocrat I has 70 coils and a double laminated, reinforced vinyl cover. Model #'s CT 096-134F, CT 080-130F, CT 070-121F