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When you’re on the lookout for a new mattress, the choices available could be a little overwhelming. There’s a lot of ‘jargon’ to understand and it can be confusing to know which mattress is most suitable for your specific needs.
Amongst the options available, there’s pocket spring mattresses that provide support that adapts as you move, orthopaedic mattresses that are designed to ease aches and pains and of course memory foam mattresses that offer a cloud-like sleeping experience.
There’s a lot of information available to digest and for you to truly get the right mattress type for your requirements, you need to put a little bit of research in to understand the pros and cons of each mattress type.
In this guide, we’re taking a look at memory foam mattresses to help you understand their pros and cons and discover the answers to the questions most often asked when it comes to this mattress type. Hopefully, you’ll then be armed with almost everything you need to make a decision when it comes to your next mattress type and the next step is to try them out!
But first of all, to decide whether a memory foam mattress is right for you and your partner, you need to understand just exactly what memory foam is and how it affects your mattress performance…
What Is Memory Foam?
Memory foam is a viscoelastic polyurethane foam that reacts to pressure and heat applied to it, moulding to whatever shape is applying pressure to the material. Originally developed by NASA when they needed a cushioning material to help keep their pilots safe during test flights, the material and technology has since been utilised in a variety of environments. From NFL players’ helmets and fashionable trainers to pillows and of course mattresses.
The technology itself has also gone through various iterations and been developed further along the way. One of the biggest leaps forward occurred in 2006, when the third generation of memory foam was created, fusing gel particles with the viscoelastic foam. This development reduced the presence of trapped body heat, improved the foams ‘recovery’ time and also helped to make the foam feel softer too.
Memory foam has since evolved even more, with other materials being added to provide additional benefits such as moisture wicking properties and soothing, aromatherapeutic scents to help you sleep. It’s an ever-evolving technology that continues to help evolve the mattress industry alongside it.
What Does Viscoelastic Mean?
Viscoelastic describes something that’s both viscous and elastic. Memory foam fits rather neatly into that description. If something’s viscous, it has a thick, sticky consistency which falls between a liquid and solid state, such as golden syrup or lava.
When something has elastic properties, it’s able to resume its normal shape spontaneously after either being stretched or compressed in some way. So combining the two words, viscoelastic accurately describes the way memory foam behaves and reacts to exterior forces. This enables the memory foam in your mattress to sink and contour to your body shape and spring right back once you get out of bed.
What Is A Memory Foam Mattress?
Now that we’ve established exactly what memory foam is and the properties it has, let's take a look at how the technology is utilised in mattresses.
There’s a wide range of memory foam mattresses on the market and they all differ depending on how the memory foam has been utilised within the mattress itself. There’s memory foam mattresses that are made up completely of memory foam, hybrid mattresses that offer a combination of memory foam and pocket springs to provide you with the best of both worlds and a plethora of other mattress options that utilise memory foam in varying ways, whether as a comfort layer within the mattress or as a mattress ‘topper’ of sorts, being positioned near the surface of the mattress.
With all these different options available within the memory foam mattress category itself, it’s easy to understand why choosing the right mattress is a difficult one. The best thing for you to do is continue to research and understand the various terms and technology available, so you can determine which mattress aspects you definitely want to take advantage of and which ones you could go without. Soon enough, you’ll narrow your choices down and understand if it’s predominantly a memory foam mattress you’re looking for or if a hybrid mattress is the type that offers more of what you’re looking for.
What Are The Benefits Of A Memory Foam Mattress?
There are plenty of benefits when it comes to memory foam mattresses. Let’s take a look at what makes them a popular choice.
They’re Super Comfortable
Sleeping on a memory foam mattress has often been described like ‘sleeping on a cloud’. The foam contours to your body, providing you with comfortable support, no matter the position you sleep in. Whilst it’s not for everybody (some people don’t like the ‘sinking feeling’ some memory foam mattresses can provide), it’s honestly a feeling like no other mattress can provide.
They Can Ease Aches & Pains
Because the memory foam contours to your body, it provides you with the support you need in a variety of ‘problem areas’ and helps to ease pressure points such as your head, neck, shoulders and hips.
The technology cradles each and every area of your body as you sleep, providing you and your body with the support you need after a long day. This includes the promotion of neutral spinal alignment too, which is really important to provide your body with the optimum environment to rest and recover. Taking away the strain, working with your body, rather than against it in any way.
Reduced Motion Transfer
When it comes to sharing a bed with someone, one of the most annoying things is the constant disturbances through the night to your sleep whenever your sleeping partner moves and changes positions.
Memory foam mattresses help to reduce motion transfer, resulting in less disturbances and a greater chance of a great night’s sleep. However, it’s important to note that this feature is less prevalent in thinner mattresses, so if reduced motion transfer is an important feature for you and your partner, opt for a thicker memory foam mattress.
Their Hypoallergenic Nature
As memory foam is generally a dense material, many typical allergens such as dust mites, mould and mildew spores find it difficult to penetrate it and as such, don’t cause allergic symptoms such as itchy skin, runny nose and sneezing.
This makes memory foam mattresses a great choice for anyone who tends to suffer from allergic symptoms or people with asthma. However, if you’re really susceptible to these symptoms, it may be worthwhile investigating various hypoallergenic mattresses that are available on the market, as these are specifically designed and crafted to prevent symptoms.
Why Wouldn’t A Memory Foam Mattress Be Right For Me?
Whilst memory foam mattresses have many amazing benefits, everybody is different and has their own preferences. These aspects may make you think twice about investing in a memory foam mattress.
They Can Make You Feel Hot Through The Night
Whilst the technology has definitely improved since the early days of memory foam mattresses, depending on the memory foam mattress you opt for, they could still make you feel hot through the night, at least when compared to other mattress types that is.
The technology needs to absorb your body heat for it to work effectively, so if you tend to be a hot sleeper, a memory foam mattress may not be the right choice for you. However, there are memory foam mattresses available that utilise cooling technology to help keep you cooler throughout the night. So if you do tend to feel rather hot and sweat whilst sleeping, they’re worth checking out.
They Can Dip Or Sag Over Time
Due to their viscoelastic properties, you may experience dipping or sagging in your memory foam mattress over time. This is because they’re designed to regularly compress and expand and with general wear and tear, those properties aren’t as effective as they once were.
Much like how the springs within other types of mattresses lose their effectiveness over time. It’s recommended that you look to replace your mattress every 7-10 years anyway, no matter the mattress type. This ensures you’re properly supported throughout the night. However look out for signs of waking up tired or with aches and pains as this could indicate your mattress is on its way out.
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They May Have An Initial Chemical Odour.
When you first receive and open up your new memory foam mattress, you may detect a chemical like odour. Don’t panic, this is completely normal and is due to a process called ‘off-gassing’ where volatile compounds (VOC’s) are released from the mattress. Over time, this smell will decrease and disappear as the mattress is aired out.
Memory Foam Mattress FAQ’s
There are a lot of aspects to consider and understand when it comes to memory foam mattresses. So we’ve answered many of the most common questions asked around memory foam mattresses, to help you further decide whether a memory foam mattress is the right option for you and your partner.
How Long Does A Memory Foam Mattress Last?
Memory foam mattresses generally have a similar lifecycle to many other types of mattresses. They tend to last around 7-10 years, however there are variables that can make your mattress last longer or need replacing sooner than that.
For example, memory foam mattresses with a higher density tend to last longer than those with less density and adopting a regular cleaning schedule when it comes to your memory foam mattress can help to extend its life too. How much weight the mattress is subjected to and how that weight is distributed can affect how long it lasts too.
How Does Memory Foam Density Affect Comfort Levels?
Density refers to how heavy something is in relation to its size. Memory foam mattresses are available in a range of densities and the density of the mattress has an effect on how it feels whilst sleeping in it.
Higher density mattresses have more material tightly packed within the mattress and feature less air pockets. Which results in a slower response time to pressure which provides greater support. Higher density memory foam mattresses are more durable too. Whilst memory foam mattresses with less density have more air pockets, a softer feel and a quicker response time.
Memory foam density is measured in pounds per cubic foot (PCF) which is calculated by dividing the weight of the mattress by its size. For example, a mattress that measures 30 cubic feet and weighs 200 pounds, would have a PCF of 6.6. Typically, any mattress that has a PCF of 3 or less is a low-density mattress, those with a PCF of 3-5 are a medium density mattress and anything that has a PCF of 5 or over is a high density memory foam mattress.
How To Clean A Memory Foam Mattress?
It’s important to keep your bed nice and clean to prevent any potential build up of allergens and ensure a hygienic environment that’s conducive to a great night’s sleep. Ensuring the mattress itself is kept clean is an important step to ensuring its longevity too. Here’s our general steps to take when cleaning your memory foam mattress.
First of all, you’ll want to grab your vacuum cleaner and clean away any dust and debris that may be present on the mattress. When it comes to cleaning stains, there are specific techniques for cleaning each and every type, so be sure to check out our guide on that, but they usually involve washing up liquid, baking soda, white vinegar or a combination of all three.
Baking soda can also be used to deodorise the mattress as well, because it naturally absorbs odours. This is an important step to take generally, but especially if there are any stains that have a strong odour such as urine. Finally, be sure to make sure your mattress is aired out and dry before putting fresh bedding on it.
Can You Use An Electric Blanket With A Memory Foam Mattress?
Whilst it’s perfectly safe to use an electric blanket with your memory foam mattress (as long as all safety steps have been followed), it’s important to consider the effect that extra heat may have on the mattress and its performance.
Memory foam mattresses are activated by both pressure and heat. They’re designed to utilise body heat to contour to your body and provide you with the support you need. However the additional heat an electric blanket provides will heat up the mattress more than usual, resulting in a ‘softer’ mattress and potentially less support.
You could look to prevent or negate this somewhat by either using a mattress protector and putting the electric blanket on top of that or using a heated ‘over blanket’ rather than a fitted electric blanket instead.
Can You Flip A Memory Foam Mattress?
You can, but only if the mattress has been designed to be flipped. Dual sided mattresses are specially designed to be slept on either side and it’s actively encouraged that you flip them to make the most of them and extend their lifespan. But generally you shouldn’t flip memory foam mattresses as more often than not, they’ve been designed with a top layer of comforting foam and supportive base layers underneath. So if you flipped the mattress, you’d be sleeping on the wrong side, which would be rather uncomfortable.
Do Memory Foam Mattresses Have Springs?
Some memory foam mattresses do feature springs, however these are often categorised as hybrid mattresses. They tend to contain a combination of memory foam and individually pocketed springs that move independently of one another, providing tailored support through the night.
Memory Foam Mattresses: Contouring Support & Comfort
As you can see, there’s plenty of reasons why a memory foam mattress is a great choice. Their body contouring support feels like your mattress is giving you a hug, they help to reduce motion transfer and nighttime disturbances and their hypoallergenic properties make them a great choice for those with allergies.
However, if you have any further questions, please get in touch today and our team will be more than happy to help. Or take a trip down to our Manchester showroom to try some memory foam mattresses out for yourself.