Archive | May, 2010

Why You Should Avoid Cheap Memory Foam Mattress

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There are numerous cheap memory foam mattresses out there they look just as good as the more expensive ones. They can be very tempting due to their cheaper prices but in the long run they work out to be much more expensive. Here are a few reasons why you should not settle for cheap.

Reason #1: Health risks

Memory foams are made using synthetic chemicals (latex alternative are also available but costs much more). These chemicals are harmful to your health if the manufacturers do not take proper safeguards during manufacturing process to ensure that the finished products are inert and safe. Many cheap memory foam mattresses may not be processed properly to cut costs therefore place the user’s health at great risk. Remember you are buying memory foams to give you restful sleep and not cause problems that will make you lose sleep over them.

Reason #2: Durability issues

The durability of Memory foams are determined by the quality and density of the foam. Cheap memory foam mattresses may have the same ILD ratings and the same dimensions but its manufacturers cut their costs by using less/lower quality ingredients thereby reducing the density. A lower density memory foam mattress is much less durable and will lose its ability to regain its shape and become misshapen.

Reason #3: Costs over time

Cheap memory foam mattress will require less investment initially but you will have to throw it out and buy again every time it wears out. Good quality memory foam mattresses can last for decades and in the long run investing more initially will always work out much cheaper than what you will be paying for the cheap memory foam mattress.

Reasons #4: Warranty issues

The cheapest memory foam mattresses you will find are those that do not come with a warranty. It is highly recommended that you do not buy them. They are provided without a guarantee for a reason.

Having given you the reason for not buying cheap memory foams, it is only fair that you know where to get the cheapest good quality memory foam mattress (do remember that cheapness is a relative term). Your best option is to buy them online. Without the overhead costs and presence of a healthy competition, online vendors provide high quality relatively cheap memory foam mattresses.

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Ingredients Used In The Manufacture Of Memory Foam Beds

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The problem with memory foam beds is once you have slept in them you get so used to the great sleep they provide that you just find it hard to sleep in other types of beds. So what makes memory foam this good? The answer lies in the ingredients, the structure and the nature of the chemical bonding.

There are plenty of other chemicals added to make memory foam which are proprietary information but the main ingredients which are used to make memory foams are:

Latex:

Latex is a derived from rubber trees and is considered as a natural product. Using latex to make memory foam beds has over the years gain better acceptance than polyurethane simply because people consider it as an eco friendly organic material. Also latex memory foam bed is biodegradable and is a renewable resource. A disadvantage to latex is however it contains complex proteins which can produce allergic reactions in some people.

Polyurethane:

This is the chemical most people associate memory foams with. It is considered as a synthetic chemical derived from petroleum. Polyurethane used in memory foam beds are known as visco-elastic polyurethane foam. When fully reacted, which is what quality manufactures ensures, this visco-elastic polyurethane is a fully inert chemical. The advantage of polyurethane is that being synthetic it is hypo-allergic and also considerably cheaper. It also has much better durability compared to latex memory foam beds.

Combination of Latex and Polyurethane:

Latex and polyurethane have their own unique strengths and weaknesses. Therefore much like metal alloys, latex and polyurethane are combined to derive the benefits of each of their strengths and cover their weaknesses creating the effect of the ‘whole greater that the sum of each’.

Fire retardants:

Memory foam beds or for that matter any bed here in the US are required by law to be fire resistant for at least a specified amount of time. Memory foams are flammable and therefore require treatment with fire retardant chemical. One common ingredient is the PBDE (Para Diethyl benzene) which is found to cause health problems when these chemical are exposed to test subjects. But most manufacturers claim that the way these chemicals are integrated into the memory foam beds does eliminate the risks.

PBDE is banned in Europe and there are other alternative fire retardants that can be used. If PBDE is a concern, memory foam beds with alternatives are available.

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What To Look For When You Buy Memory Foam Mattress Cover

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Memory foam mattress covers keeps your memory foams safe and protected while keeping your bed clean and hygienic. Investing in a good cover should be a priority as it will help bring out the best from your expensive memory foam mattress and also add years to the mattress life. Focus on the following areas when shopping:

Material:

It is really important that you get a memory foam mattress cover made of good material as it is the last line of defense against the elements for your mattress. Memory foams molds around your body shape and this process can cause a heavy strain on the cover, so if you use a cheap cover it will not be able to take the strain and will tear. Also cheap cover material can impede or restrict the molding. A good material should allow breathability so that heat retention is eliminated. It should also be soft and absorbent.

Non slip:

With memory foam mattress covers if you are getting one for your mattress topper make sure you get non slip ones. It can make a world of difference not having to readjust it every morning you wake up.

Waterproof:

Having a waterproof memory foam mattress cover is essential not only for children but also adults. This is because accidental spills or bed wetting are not the only causes of liquids coming into contact with the memory foam but also the fact that a human body actually loses about 2 pints of body fluid which seeps through sweat pores or the mouth. These fluids make excellent breeding ground for microbes therefore it is essential that you have waterproof covers. A good memory foam mattress cover should be breathable allowing air to circulate but at the same time repel water.

Dust mite:

Memory foams do not provide hospitable environment for dust mites to live it them however being what they are some will eventually come around looking for a place to stay. Generally getting a waterproof cover serves as a barrier for dust mites as well.

Thickness:

Memory foam mattress covers should not be too thick as it can interfere with memory foam unique properties. A thin mattress cover with the above stated qualities is ideal.

Overall, a good memory foam mattress cover will give you a healthy, hygienic, stain and allergy free bed. And remember to always check around on the internet for your options and price ranges even if you plan on buying from your local store.

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Why Choose A Queen Size Memory Foam Mattress

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Memory foams are among the most modern materials used in mattress technology since beds were invented way back to some obscure times in the Neolithic period. The first mattresses were probably made of leaves, grasses or even straw and covered with animal skins. Since then materials used in the bed have changed over time and so has the sizes.

Generally, the most commonly used size is the Queen size memory foam mattress. The reason why people go for this particular category can been seen if we take a look at the standardized categories of mattresses sizes (size of the bed).

  • Grand King Size
  • Super King size
  • King size
  • California Queen Size
  • Olympic Queen Size
  • Queen size
  • Double/Full XL size
  • Double/Full size
  • Twin XL Size
  • Twin Size
  • Mini Single Size

Here, Queen size fall smack right into the middle of the classification. And for most people, it is a very practical size for their rooms.

Queen size memory foam mattresses are also reasonably priced for their weight and size. This is not true for most other sizes for example a mini single size may cost less but if you consider the price per unit weight or size, it generally will work out to be much higher than what you would pay for Queen size memory foam mattresses.

Queen size memory foam mattresses are manageable and can be move around without too much trouble that you would normally face with a King or Grand size mattress.

Queen size memory foam or for that matter memory foam mattresses in general offer much better benefits to the user in terms of:

  • Equivalent weight distribution
  • Unimpeded blood circulation
  • Relieving pressure points
  • Being hypo-allergenic
  • Being naturally antimicrobial
  • Hostile of dust mite invasion and much more.

A note of caution needs to be take when buying Queen size however because despite the queen size being a standardized size, there are small variations in its actual dimensions depending on the source where the Queen size memory foam mattress from. Listed here are some of the variations in dimensions for Queen sized bed/mattress:

North America and Australia –  60in x 80in (152cm x 203cm)

UK and Ireland -                          60in x 78in (152cm x 198cm)

Europe and Latin America –      63in x 79in (160cm x 200cm)

Therefore if you buy a queen size memory foam mattress, do check the actual dimensions to ensure a perfect fit.

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5 Reasons To Buy Twin Memory Foam Mattress Online

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Twin memory foam mattresses are perhaps the best options when it comes to using memory foams beds. These types of mattresses offer both practical support and effective ventilation to deal with heat retention. Here are some reasons why you should consider buying them online.

Lower Costs:

Online vendors do not face the overhead charges that a usual brick and mortar vendor would entail in running their business. Also usually these online vendors buy from manufactures as when they need them therefore saving in storage costs as well, in fact many manufactures sell their products directly to customers through online. All these factors and savings are usually passed on to the customer making the prices very competitive.

More options:

Going online gives you to access a much larger number of vendors for twin memory foam mattress or for that matter any other memory foam products. If you choose to go with your local store your options would be limited to products that the vendor has in-stock but going online you have access to any product that is being produced.

Shipping charges:

Many online vendors offer free shipping charges for twin memory foam mattresses and even those that do not will have options where you can earn free shipping charges by helping out in giving reviews, filling out surveys etc.

Return policy:

Almost all online vendors for twin memory foam mattresses have a return policy for their products and will offer guarantees which they will honor.

Safety:

Buying online with credit cards has the additional safety of being able ask for a chargeback and to dispute a transaction if you feel you have been cheated on the quality of the twin memory foam mattress you bought. Repeated charge backs do greatly impede the ability of the vendors to do business online. Also reputation matters so much more online therefore shopping online is very safe.

Precautions:

Going online to shop for twin memory foam mattress or for that matter any other products requires that you follow some basic guidelines to shop safely. Here are a few tips to keep your shopping experience a pleasurable one.

  • Look for accreditation for example accreditation from BBB (Better Business Bureau).
  • Check for security measures for example VeriSign , Thawte etc
  • Check customer reviews on the product (here check for twin memory foam mattress reviews).
  • Check for customer complains about the business which should be available on BBB, iVouch, BizRate or others if the business is reputable and are recognized by these various bodies.
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Memory Foam Pad | What You Should Know Before You Buy

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If you have never tried using memory foam pads or mattresses, now is a good time to get one and try it out. Prices have fallen and manufacturing technology has improved to the point where safety and comfort levels are easily made to overlap in a memory foam pad. However if you are new to memory foams here are a few essentials you need to know before you buy.

Density matters:

This is perhaps one of the most important criteria that will determine the comfort and durability of the memory foam pad. Higher density foams have much better durability and make a world of difference in the support they give. Just remember though that too much of a good thing can be bad too. If you stick to density ratings between 3-5lbs/cubic foot you should be okay. Go for the higher end of this rate if you are above average weight.

Remember many vendors will not advertise the density rating of their foams if it is of low density. So be wary of this and ask for the density.  You can also calculate the density on your own by dividing the total weight with the total volume of the memory foam pad if you wish just make sure the units are converted into pounds/foot.

Ventilation:

In warmer places normal memory foam pads can be a problem due to its highly insulating property resulting in heat retention. Open celled structures which provide adequate ventilation of air within the foam clears this issue in most cases. Therefore it is a good idea to look for enhanced ventilation in the memory foam if you do live in warmer climates.  While for those living in higher up in the north this presumed liability can be a huge asset.

Odor:

Be warn that memory foam pads or for that matter any memory foam product does have a smell that most people do not like. This smell disappears in a few days when allowed to air out. Placing it in an airy open space can speed the airing out process.

Quality:

It is a good idea to buy better quality foams, but just remember that good quality foams do not necessarily have to be highly priced. The trick to finding a good quality memory foam pad is to look for their reviews online and read up on them even if you intend to buy it from your local brick and mortar vendor. Going online to buy, can increase your options to a huge selection of different type of memory foam pad and at very competitive prices.

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How To Make Your Memory Foam Mattress Pads Last

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Memory foam mattress pads are a good alternative to buy a whole memory foam mattress. You can not only use them to give your old mattress a new lease of life but since the pads are portable you can take them with you easily when you travel. The only problem with these pads that most people face is that they do not last long enough for them. To make them last longer here are some things you should consider before making your choice.

Density:

The densities of memory foam mattress pads are very important if you are looking for durability. Density is given in terms of Lbs. per cubic foot. Essentially the higher the density the longer is its durability and the better is the support it provides. At higher density however, memory foams do tend to become much more firm and response to body weight and temperature takes more time. Also heat retention can be a problem in warmer climates with high density foams. There are many parameters for choosing memory foam mattress pads and it is very difficult to give an exact recommendation. Generally a 3-5lb density works as a good average for most.

Covers:

It is very important to get good covers for your memory foam mattress pads as they will be the only line of defense in protecting your mattress pads. Good memory foam cover should not only protect your memory foam from dust or dirt but keep it safe from getting torn or damaged. Getting your memory foam soaked by water or other liquids can adversely affect the durability of your memory foam mattress pads and also dust mites may get into your memory foam pads therefore getting waterproof and dust mite proof covers is a good investment for durability and health reasons.

Base support:

It is important to use a proper base support mattress for your memory foam mattress pads as this will not only keep you from bottoming out and being unable to derive the benefits of the memory foam but also allow room for the memory foam such that it is not overly compressed to its maximum compression state. Refrain from using the memory foam mattress pad on a bare floor not only for the above stated reasons but also for the fact that it exposes it to moisture and will damage the memory foam.

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3 Important Safety Issues – Memory Foam Beds

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Memory foam beds have the unique ability of being able to respond to temperature and weight. They respond by molding themselves around the body shape thus evenly distribute pressure and eliminate pressure points. Even distribution of pressure ensures that the spine is not stressed and blood circulation remains unaffected as pressure points are not present.

Memory foam beds have brought relief and comfort to millions world wide, however there are certain safety issues that you need to be aware of when using them. Here are the 3 most important safety issues.

Memory foam beds and children:

Memory foam molds around the body and can hamper movement. With babies and very young toddlers if they lie on their stomach the memory foam bed can mold about their face causing breathing difficulties or suffocation as they cannot roll out easily. Therefore it is not advisable to use memory foam beds, pillows or any memory foam products if you have babies or very young children around the house. For older children it is perfectly safe.

Memory foam beds and fire:

Untreated memory foams are combustible as they are made of petroleum products. However with the new fire safety regulations in place all memory foams are treated with fire retardants to deal with this issue. However a catch 22 situation results when the fire retardant which protects the user from accidental fire could potentially harm the user because of its presence. The chemical in question is PBDE, although there are no concrete evidence that points it is specifically. However the use of PBDE chemical is being phased out and discontinued in most bedding materials including memory foam beds.

Memory foam beds and sensitivity:

Some people show high sensitivity to memory foams and can develop respiratory irritation on exposure to this type of foams. There seems to be no specific reason to attribute this to as it is similar to people developing allergies. However it can lead to serious complications as exposure is prolonged during sleep. There is no fool proof way to tell if you will be sensitive to memory foams but only upon using it. Therefore being aware of this issue can help you detect the cause much sooner.

Overall when you buy memory foam beds it is important that you choose better quality ones especially those that are made locally in the US, Canada or Sweden as they are made by adhering to strict consumer safety regulations.

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Reasons For Bad Memory Foam Mattress Reviews

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Memory foam mattress are not for everyone. There are a lot of memory foam mattress reviews out there from customers that have had excellent experiences using their memory foam beds and also customers had bad ones.

One major reason for the bad memory foam mattress reviews seems to be due to the sensitivity of customers to the chemical components of the memory foam. As already stated above, memory foams are not for everyone although the majority do not have problems with it . Remember the chemicals in themselves are not harmful, but some people are highly sensitive to it.

Like allergies, certain people do react badly to memory foams. Therefore it is important that to make sure that you figure out if it is suitable for you before you buy. A good way to go about this is to ensure there is a return policy so that you can try it out and if it is not suitable, you have your option of returning it.

Another reason for bad memory foam mattress reviews seems to be due to the massive proliferation of low quality memory foam mattresses in the market and many of these are imports. Memory foams made locally in US, Canada and Sweden are generally of high quality and these adhere to strict safety regulations. Consequently they are more expensive but are safe and durable.

One constant that seems to pop up in all memory foam mattress reviews is the smell. Many customers seems unprepared about the fact that memory foams do have a peculiar smell when unpacked initially. This odor does take sometime to dissipate and the memory foams needs to be aired for sometime. This length of time does vary as well. For some, a day or two seems to suffice while for the more sensitive noses at least a week is needed to rid it of the smell. Manufactures do insist that the smell is not harmful nor toxic.

The most common cause for bad memory foam mattress reviews arise from the fact that customers are unable to figure out the basic guidelines they need to understand while buying memory foam mattresses. There are a large variety of memory foam mattresses in terms of thickness, density, IFD (Indentation Force Deflection), cell spacing (temperature sensitivity) etc, which are configured to suit various needs. Inability to match these variables to the needs is the main cause of bad memory foam mattress reviews.

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5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Buying A Memory Foam Mattress Topper

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These memory foams have visco-elastic properties which gives them their unique ability to reconfigure themselves to distribute pressure by responding to body heat and weight. This allows them to give unsurpassed ability to support a sleeping body evenly. If you are still sitting on the fence undecided about using a memory foam perhaps these are some questions you need to ask.

Question #1: Do I need a memory foam mattress topper?

Answer: Nope not really, you do not ‘need it’ per se unless you are immobilized on your bed for a long time. However a memory foam will help you get better sleep for obvious reasons (elimination of pressure points, less stress on the spine etc). Sleeping is important, we sleep about a third of our life so making that part of our life comfortable should be a good reason to get one. Plus a goodnight sleep can do wonders to improving the waking part of your life too.

Question #2: Can I afford one?

Answer: Memory foam mattress toppers are not as expensive as they use to be, in fact with improvement in technology, increasing production and greater competition there has been a steady drop in its prices. Although prices vary considerably depending on thickness, density, additional features etc there are memory foams available to suit just about any reasonable budget.

Question #3: With pets or small children who could wet the bed, is it suitable?

Answer: This is a little difficult to answer. If you have small babies or toddlers using memory foam is not advisable. If you use waterproof covers for your memory foam mattress topper then accidents or spills are not an issue. Also memory foams can be cleaned or even washed, although doing this can be difficult and you will need to research the methods to clean them.

Question #4: Is a memory foam mattress topper enough to get the benefits of memory foam?

Answer: Memory foam mattress topper can be used on any other type of existing mattress and it is not necessary to have a memory foam mattress to get its benefits. To get the best benefit out of a memory foam mattress topper about 4-5 inch thick topper is sufficient. Do note that this does depend on the density as well too. With better quality manufacturing these days, 3-4lbs of density is quite sufficient.

Question #5: Are memory foam mattress toppers durable?

This again depends on the quality of the foam you purchase, however it should be of interest to you to know that memory foams are actually the second toughest material out there used for manufacturing mattress or mattress toppers. Memory foams do last for years and most good ones come with a warranty of over 15-20 years.

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