Memory Foam Smell

Memory Foam Smell

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One of the most common concerns for new owners of memory foam products, especially ones you end up spending a large amount of time in contact with such as the memory foam mattress, or memory foam pillow, or indeed both, is the smell.memory foam smell

In the past mattresses were made of relatively natural fibres and to a large degree were not treated with any chemicals. This has now changed significantly due to both safety requirements, most especially the fire hazard, but also due to the proliferation of different mattress products which has substantially been led by consumer demand for more comfort. This move has been spearheaded in the main by the introduction of memory foam and the development of the memory foam mattress and associated memory foam bedroom products.

Why Does Memory Foam Smell?

Memory foam smell, especially when the foam is new is perhaps the most significant external sign that memory foam mattresses are not made from natural components. Indeed, the foam itself is created from petroleum-based chemical reactions and incorporates in the manufacturing process flame retardents to reduce the fire risk and viscosity inducing agents so that the memory foam behaves as expected. It is these chemicals that give off the memory foam smell when the mattress or other product is first introduced into your home.

Does The Memory Foam Smell Cause Harm?

In general, no. The chemical fumes are strongest when the product is new and consequently if there is any concern about whether the memory foam smell or fumes is harmful simply leave the mattress or other item in a well ventilated room for a few days until the smell diminishes to an acceptable level. For the vast majority of people this initial action is all that is necessary to undertake before using the product and getting the full advantages of memory foam for hopefully many, many years. It would be wrong to say however that the fumes or memory foam smell, even when it has degraded to low levels, have no effect on every person. Some people are definitely more sensitive to the fumes than others. Symptoms that have been reported include, predominantly headaches, but also bad dreams and sometimes nausea and faintness.

Is The Memory Foam Smell Cause For Concern?

memory foam smellClearly such symptoms as described above are unpleasant side effects and if you have a memory foam mattress and are suffering from these symptoms then you would do well both to seek medical attention and / or try sleeping for a period of time away from the memory foam product to see if that has an impact. If the symptoms are relieved then you have a strong indication that the memory foam and the memory foam smells and / or chemical composition are in some way responsible.

However, it should be noted that the vast majority of users of memory foam products simply do not experience these adverse side effects and enjoy the use of memory foam products unimpeded. Such is the nature of the internet however, it is the ones who have cause for complaint who are most likely to record their experiences on the internet for all to see. It is easy therefore to undertake some internet based research and conclude that memory foam smell is a problem. Be warned about drawning such early conclusions. Remember, the majority of owners of memory foam products experience very few if any side effects at all and are extremely satisfied customers. Don’t allow yourself to be frightened into drawing the wrong conclusions by paying too much attention to the vocal minority.

In the end the decision to purchase your memory foam mattress, or memory foam pillow, or whatever, is yours and yours alone. Memory foam can cause some people to experience unpleasant symptoms but in the main the simple fact that it has been used by so many for as long as it has suggests that the problem of memory foam smell is unlikely to be a significant one for most people.

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Memory Foam 101

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Memory foam, also known as viscoelastic foam, is a material made from polyurethane. It was developed to increase bodily support and comfort by reducing pressure on the body and spine when sleeping. Memory foam is mainly used for pillows, mattresses, and mattress toppers.

History of Memory Foam

NASA originally developed memory foam in 1966 because astronauts experience heavy G-forces during a launch. Viscoelastic foam was made to help provide them with more comfort. Later, they found out the foam released a small amount of gas. In a normal setting, this would not be a problem. However, a space shuttle is completely enclosed, and gas could build up enough in that environment to cause problems.

Even though it was not found to be useful for astronauts, it played a role in hospitals and various medical areas. It was mainly used for patients who needed to lie still for extended periods of time. Immobile patients can easily develop bedsores. This foam greatly helped patients in such situations.

Memory foam did not get any popular attention until the early 90s when the tempur-pedic company released it for commercial use. Initially, the foam was a bit pricey, but has recently dropped to a  reasonable price.

Characteristics, Uses, and Benefits of Memory Foam

A complicated process goes into deciding the foam’s firmness. Memory foam is designed to be an in-between material. It is not too soft or too hard. It works by adjusting to a person’s height and weight, molding to provide maximum comfort.

The most obvious use for this foam is in bedding. Because of the way viscoelastic foam works, it reduces pressure points on the body. This means you will not need to wake up and change positions to get comfortable. This increases your quality of sleep by providing you with more time for REM sleep.

The best choice for this would be an entire memory foam mattress, but they can be pricey. A top of the range memory foam mattress may well cost as much as $3000. However, a topper may suit your needs just as well, and the same effect can be had with a viscoelastic pillow, which will reduce pressure on your neck.

In addition, it does not hold on to dust or mold as easily as other bedding materials. This is a major advantage for people who have severe breathing problems or asthma.

Disadvantages and Hazards of Memory Foam

Of course, such a useful product comes with a few drawbacks. Even though the price has dropped, it can still be expensive, especially if you want an entire mattress. However, they made a cheaper mattress topper for this reason.

Another common complaint with this kind of foam is the smell. It is made from chemicals, and therefore, it can have a distinct odor to it. For the most part, it fades as time passes, but some people who are sensitive to smell may never get used to it.

It is also not recommended that you let small children use memory foam. Since it moulds to their bodies, children have difficulties rolling over and getting out of it. In short, it can be a smothering hazard, so it is best  not to let small children lie on it.

In addition, since viscoelastic foam is made from polyurethane, it is more flammable than regular bedding materials. A law was passed that requires manufacturers to use fire-retardant compounds in their bedding, but some suspect the fire-retardant compound can also cause its own health problems.

All that said, memory foam is still safe for the most part. Maybe smokers should worry a little about it, but they should not smoke in bed anyway. Everything considered, it is a useful product designed by NASA, and many people sleep great because of it.

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Common Complaints Relating To Memory Foam Products In The Home

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Memory foam is one of the most frequently used materials in mattresses these days. As a result there is a huge amount of customer experience built up in the population at large. This experience, although diverse, is encapsulated on various sites on the web which contain consumer reviews, or are large product related forums. However, it is easy to pick up one or two opinions from these sites and conclude that that is the general consensus. This would be a mistake, as one bad review does not mean that the product is necessarily all bad, and similarly you should be wary of the very friendly reviews made by people who are to all intents and purposes associated with the manufacturers.

However, if you are interested then the main areas of complaints associated with the vast majority of memory foam product used in the household, specifically memory foam mattresses, beds, pillows and mattress toppers follow now:

  1. Probably, the number one complaint associated with memory foam and the various products in which it is contained is that when it is and that back at home it in emits very unpleasant odour. This unpleasant smell is perfectly normal, and is related to the various chemicals that provide protection against fire, elasticity and durability. It is unpleasant. But is easily dealt with if you simply leave the mattress or memory foam product in a well ventilated room for a few days following purchase. Inevitably, of course, there will be some, many of whom will take the trouble to comment on various review sites, you will never and are not capable of getting past that initial smell. You should take any such complaints therefore in this context.
  2. Price. Memory foam products, especially a full memory foam mattress is an expensive item. Some of them can cost more than $3000. The fact of the matter is, that for a bedding product this is sometimes seen as an astonishing amount of money. And it is a lot. However, when you consider that a good quality memory foam mattress can last for more than 15 years, then the price, even if it is high, may not seem so expensive. Consider the scenario where you buy a significantly cheaper memory foam mattress but because it’s cheaper and less durable it doesn’t last anywhere near the same period of time as the more expensive version and as a consequence you end up replacing it two or three times in that period and consequently spending more than $3000 you would have had to spend in the first instance to get the better quality mattress.
  3. The next significant complaint is that despite spending a great deal of money on your memory foam product it is not as comfortable to use as you had expected. It may be that you cannot get used to the particular characteristic that makes memory foam products so popular in the home; there will be always such people who simply do not find memory foam comfortable to sleep on. However you should not let such comment influence you; the vast majority of experiences are that memory foam is an unusually comfortable and supportive material upon which to lie. If you are concerned however, then there is one simple solution; make sure that before you actually pay for the product that you are considering buying you take it home and try it out properly. You can never really do justice to a trial was to remain in the store. So why not minimise the risk take it home, and if you like it buy it.
  4. The final major complaint that is most frequently espoused is that the expensive memory foam product you have just bought seems to be wearing quicker then you would have expected. Probably the first consideration is where you will use your memory foam mattress or other product. If it is in a high traffic area, traffic being usage, and is likely to be exposed to external factors which might cause of damage, then you should not be surprised. If you have purchased a low density memory foam product, then it is likely that it will not have the same lifespan is a higher quality higher density product. Finally, perhaps the best way of avoiding short lifespan issues is by making sure that when you purchase your memory foam product it includes a warranty. Good well manufactured quality product will always have a warranty so that the manufacturer will gladly replace a product if it is not behaving as it should in the home environment.
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Introducing The Latex Memory Foam Mattress | Actually A Comparison Of Latex And Memory Foam

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There are essentially two types of foam mattress; the latex foam mattress and the memory foam mattress.  The latex foam mattress is made using latex foam and can be either natural or synthetic in its origin.  Latex is comfortable and durable when used in a mattress, in fact it is able to retain its shape and characteristic even after many years of use.  Memory foam is of course a viscoelastic product that becomes more liquid when it comes into contact with a warm body giving it the tendency to mold itself around a body providing both significant comfort and support.  You can purchase a memory foam mattress and you can purchase a latex foam mattress but as yet you cannot purchase a latex memory foam mattress because of course latex foam and memory foam are essentially two different products.

However, both types of mattress are very popular so it is worth spending a little time comparing both products in order to give a sensible view of which perhaps is the best product to buy.

Consumer Choices

There appears to be something of a geographical split when it comes to the popularity of the different types of mattress.  In the US the memory foam mattress is clearly in the ascendency and has become a very popular product for use in household products with perhaps the memory foam mattress at the top of the list in that regard.

Latex foam mattresses and indeed latex foam products generally have much more traction in Europe.  There does not seem to be any particular cause of this difference; perhaps it is just historical but latex foam products are strong in European countries and likely to remain so.

The Feel Of The Mattresses In Use

Generally speaking the feel of memory foam mattresses is well known.  Users describe a sort of “sinking” or “melting” feeling when they first lie on the mattress and because the mattress moulds itseld around them supporting at all points they tend to describe the sensation as “cocooned” and of course exceptionally comfortable.

Not everyone likes the sensation experienced when lying on memory foam however and for those who do not the latex foam mattress which is springier and generally firmer to sleep on is an ideal alternative.

Price Comparison

Good quality memory foam products are quite expensive.  A good quality memory foam mattress, such as a Temper-Pedic mattress will set you back up to $3000 and even cost around $800 at the starter end of the market.

On the other hand, the latex foam mattresses are a little less expensive, starting at around $300 and moving up to perhaps $1500 at the top end.

Other Similarities And Differences

Both latex and memory foam mattresses tend to give off a strange almost clinical smell when they are first bought.  This usually wears off pretty quickly but in the case of memory foam especially the weird smell can last for several weeks.

Latex foam mattresses tend to last longer than memory foam, perhaps being twice as durable.  Memory foam mattresses are better for those suffering from back ache or chronic fatigue due to way it moulds around the body, reducing movement generally.  However moulding effect can also be a drawback for memory foam as it tends to be slow to re-mould when you do change your position and can make sitting up a little awkward.  Latex foam mattresses on the other hand are firmer, do not mould but over time can get a little out of shape.

Memory foam mattresses can absorb moisture and can get very hot, whereas there are less issues with latex foam mattresses in this regard.  Memory foam is heavier and therefore harder to manoeuvre around, especially when initially installing.  Although having said that, what mattress is easy to manoeuvre.  None that I have ever come across.

In summary, latex foam mattresses are generally popular in European countries, are springy and durable but perhaps less therapeutic in benefiting sleep.  They are however less expensive than their memory foam equivalents.  Memory foam mattresses are on the other hand popular in the US, fantastic for therapeutic sleep and generally more expensive than their latex counterparts.  They both have a weird smell.  Perhaps, in conclusion in order to get the best of both worlds a latex memory foam mattress should be manufactured.  It would clean up in both Europe and the US ;-) .

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Where To Find Honest And Accurate Memory Foam Mattress Topper Reviews

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In order that anyone reading this is on the same page as myself I will start by explaining what a mattress topper is and why memory foam is such a great material to use for a mattress topper.  Indeed it is such a great material that these days you would be hard pushed to find a mattress topper that wasn’t made of memory foam or some derivative of memory foam.

Anyway, a mattress topper is a pad, varying in thickness, but most usually between 3 inches and 5 inches that is placed on the top of an existing mattress to enhance the comfort and also the support provided by that mattress.  They can be used to refresh aging mattresses that have perhaps seen better days, or to enhance good quality mattresses, because the best ones can significantly improve the quality of the rest for those lying upon them.  As previously stated, memory foam is a particularly suitable material to use in the manufacture of memory foam due to the fluid behaviour of memory foam when brought into contact with a warm body, in mattresses most often of human form of course.

The great benefit of a mattress topper as opposed to a replacement mattress should be obvious. Price. A new mattress topper is usually more affordable than a new mattress.  Plain and simple.  Indeed if the mattress were a memory foam mattress the difference would be larger still and strangely enough comfortable as a memory foam mattress is, a memory foam mattress topper is in fact, not usually far behind.

Which brings us to the central point of this article. Memory foam mattress topper reviews, and where to go to get the most straightforward and honest reviews that you can.  You might think that I would say this site, and in fact I will do my very best to undertake as many memory foam mattress topper reviews as my time allows.  However, there are other places to go for opinions.  Perhaps the best place of all, because the volume of visitors is so significant and therefore the breadth of experience so wide is to visit Amazon and read the customer reviews.  The only word of caution worth pointing out is that people motivated to comment upon a website, even Amazon usually do so because their experience is at the extreme end of the curve, not necessarily bad, but potentially unusual.  As a result you can sometimes get a potentially skewed view of the products.  Notwithstanding this if you are sensible and take the more overt representations with a pinch of salt you won’t go far wrong.

So, if you are looking for memory foam mattress topper reviews the advice is clear.  Check this site first, and if that does not fulfill your need for knowledge, check out Amazon.  You can buy your memory foam mattress topper their too if you wish, so a double bonus!

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Benefits of 4 Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper

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If you sleep on a bed that seem uncomfortable to you, don’t throw it out just yet. Consider adding a 4 inch memory foam mattress topper. These toppers can completely change your sleeping experience and also add years to the lifespan of your old mattress.

4 inch memory foam mattress toppers have the perfect thickness to provide both cushioning and support for most people. They are not too thin that you will bottom out nor excessively thick so you don’t spend dollars on inches that you will not use.

If you are planning on buying 4 inch memory foam mattresses here are some tips to help you land the best deals.

Get a memory foam mattress that doesn’t use fillers. Generally fillers allow for reduction of costs however these generally will not give the true support that memory foam will provide nor will they be durable, regardless of your weight. If you are short on budget opt for thinner memory foam instead of thicker ones with fillers.

Apart from size, memory foams come in different densities. Recommended density for a 4inch memory foam mattress topper is about 4-5lbs per cubic foot. Density ratings are not given in all memory foam mattress toppers therefore some simple calculation may be needed. Calculating density is simple, all you have to do is take the weight of the foam and divide it by the volume (length x width x thickness). Remember the basic units used in density ratings are in pounds/ ft3.

It is important to use a good all round cover for a 4 inch memory foam mattress topper as this will not only protect your foam from accidental spills and wear but also keep the memory foam protected from dust mites at the same time allow aeration and absorption.

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Common Qualities In All The Best Memory Foam Mattresses

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This is a very common question for people shopping around for memory foam beds and it is a very tough question to answer as there are a just too many variables to consider. It would be akin to asking, which car is the best? Or which is shampoo is the best? Now, while giving a specific answer is difficult, pointing you in the right direction so that you can refine the search yourself is very much possible.

Before you begin your search there are a few basics you have to know about memory foams. Memory foams have their unique property of being able to mold itself perfectly to your body contours and provide exceptional support.

This property of memory foams is derived from the chemical bonding structure of its components and the manufacturing process resulting in the creation of millions of minute cell structures. Here are the common qualities present in high quality memory foams

Durability:

Density is one important factor in choosing the best memory foam mattress. This is because with greater number of the ingredients molecules within the memory foam results in more bond formation which gives better resilience and durability. Density is given in Lbs. per cubic foot. The best memory foam mattresses generally have density ratings between 4lbs to 6lbs and are guaranteed for at least about 15 to 20+ years.

Inert and non toxic chemicals:

All the best memory foam mattresses address health issues and will ensure that the ingredients used are fully inert once manufacturing is completed. Also adhesives used should be nontoxic as generally cheaper mattress uses cheap adhesives which can gas off for months or years.

Quality fire retardants:

Fire retardants are an important issue with memory foams because untreated memory foams are highly combustible. US laws require compliance with FR test for all mattresses sold. Non-toxic fire retardants for example Kevlar based FR will be used in all the best memory foam mattresses. Cheaper mattresses may contain PDBE or other chemicals which can be highly toxic.

Aeration and absorption:

One common problem with memory foams is their heat retention. Best memory foam mattresses all integrate designs which increase aeration to eliminate heat retention and promote breathability. Also all the best memory foam mattress comes with high quality covers which are specifically designed to increase absorption of fluids and oils all the while serves as barriers to water and dust mites.

Overall, apart from individual tastes in comfort and support, these are all the qualities that you want if you are looking for the best memory foam mattress.

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How To Choose The Right Memory Foam Mattress Bed

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The comfort, support and durability that a memory foam mattress bed provides is unmatched by any other type of mattress materials. Individual needs differ widely so memory foams come in a huge variety of different densities, thickness, combinations etc. Therefore if you have chosen to go for memory foam, you will still be faced with the daunting task of finding the right memory foam mattress bed that will suit you perfectly. Here are some tips to help you test the beds and narrow down your choices.

10 minute rule:

Testing out memory foam mattress beds takes time, this is because Memory foam takes time to adjust or responds to your body. When shopping for memory foams always plan ahead to spend sometime doing the testing and spend at least 10 minutes on the ones that you are interested in.

Lay on it:

Don’t expect to sit and be able figure out the comfort of the bed. It is important that you lie down to test how the memory foam mattress bed feels and responds to your body contour and weight.

Fine tuning your selection

After you have checked or tested the memory foam mattress beds, there should be a few beds that you feel are comfortable to you. Now you need to look more closely at the more technical specifications of these beds. Here you need to check the following:

  • Thickness: The memory foam layer must be at least about 3 inches or thicker. This minimum thickness is important because thinner foams will not be able to give the basic support needed to each and every contour of the body especially to an adult of average weight.
  • Density: Higher density requires more material and therefore entails a higher cost. But investing in higher density memory foam mattress bed makes good long term investment. This is because increasing the density increases the life span or durability of the foam by a significant number of years. Recommended density is between 4-5lbs/cubic foot.
  • Indentation Load Deflection (ILD) rating: It is very likely that the memory foam mattress beds that seems favorable to you have the same or similar ILD ratings. This is because ILD measures the firmness or softness of the bed which is incidentally the first thing you look for in a bed. Individual tastes vary widely here therefore there is no recommended ranges. However being able to relate ILD rating to how a bed feels to you will help you buy memory foam mattress beds online.
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Useful Tips When Buying A 3 Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper

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Memory foam mattress toppers are perhaps the highest selling products in term of volume of sales compared to all other memory foam products. This is because of a number of advantages it provides to a user both in terms of size and budget friendliness. Here are however some essentials that your 3 inch memory foam mattress topper must have so that you have a pleasurable experience using it.

In earlier times a 3 inch memory foam mattress topper would just about be at the lower minimum limit where the thickness is just too small to be effective. However these days with improvement in manufacturing technology even a 3 inch thickness has moved to the middle of the recommended range.

A density of about 4-5lbs/cubic foot is recommended for the 3 inch memory foam mattress topper. This density will allow it to provide enough support and ensure that bottoming out is avoided. Just remember if you weight above average go for a higher density. This density rating will also ensure that the memory foam doesn’t wear out fast and is durable for a long time.

Do not use the 3 inch memory foam mattress topper to sleep on the floor without a base mattress or support. Being crushed between the hard flooring and your body it can damage the foam cell structure causing it to lose its resilience and also you will most likely bottom out the foam. It is recommended that you go for thicker foam or at least use an old mattress as base support for the foam.

It is very important that you use a good cover for the 3 inch memory foam mattress topper, preferably one that is not only water proof or dust mite proof but also aids breathability and absorbent of body fluids like sweat or saliva.

Mattress toppers tend to slip over the mattress therefor e remember to get covers that provides some amount of grip with the underneath surface. Getting this can save you a lot of trouble having to rearrange the topper every now and then.

3 inch memory foam mattress toppers do not last as long as memory foam mattresses. So make sure you replace them when they are worn out as these topper serves to protect the memory foam mattress underneath as well if you use them together. A good 3 inch memory foam topper should last you several years at the very least. It is a good idea to buy one with a warranty even if it may cost a little more.

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Memory Foam Mattress Set Components, Pros And Cons

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To derive the best benefits from using memory foam mattresses it is recommended to go for a full memory foam mattress set. Each component in the set has its own definite role to play and will function best when they are used together. A complete set will consist of the following:

Memory foam mattress:

This mattress consist of a base support layered over by at least 2 memory foams layers of varying densities, Indentation Load Deflection rates and thickness. Each of the layers has as specific function and is designed to provide a combination of support, aeration, response etc. Overall the combination in the memory foam mattress set will provide a unique overall feel to the mattress. Generally memory foam mattress sets are designed to satisfy the most general needs of an average user.

Memory foam mattress pad:

Any memory foam mattress set will come with a pad. These pads are the interface between the memory foam mattress and the user, therefore their construction is designed to focus on this aspect. Memory foam mattress pads are essential in that they also serve as a protective layer to the mattress underneath. Memory foam mattress pads are portable and they can be carried around when travelling or staying away from home. They also generally have covers which can be waterproof, dust mite proof etc. A good mattress pad makes a huge difference in the feel of the bed.

Memory foam pillows:

Although they are not included in some memory foam mattress sets, most sets also include them (generally two pillows). Memory foam pillows complete the memory foam experience. These pillows are usually specifically carved to a unique design unlike conventional pillows.

Pro of buying a memory foam mattress set:

These memory foam mattress sets are tested by professional and are specially designed so that the combination brings out the best from each of its components. This also makes it easier to simply pick the entire set instead of having to combine and match each component in the set.

Cons of buying a memory foam mattress set:

The price is will not be flexible. Also if a there are specific needs of a customer, mix and match is not possible. In other words, since the memory foam mattress set is designed to meet the most average of demands, specific needs are not met.

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