Archive | June, 2010

Benefits of 4 Inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper

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

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

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

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

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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Learn How To Buy Discount Memory Foam Mattress And Get Great Value

Memory foam mattress do not come cheap, in fact most high range or premium grades will cost you an arm and a leg, causing you lose sleep over the price you doled out to pay. It is important to understand that the best quality need not be the most expensive product out there in the market. Here are some things you need to learn when shopping for discount memory foam to get great value from your investments.

Learn how to workout the density:

Many discount memory foam do not have their density ratings written on them but in most cases you will have the weight (or weigh it yourself) and the dimensions. Once you have this it is easy to calculate the density by dividing the weight by volume. Remember that the base units for densities are given in pounds/cubic feet. Therefore remember to convert the units if necessary. Look for density ranges between 3-4lbs for the memory foam.

Discount memory foam with low density will lose its resilience fairly quickly while a higher density ensures that it is more durable.

Learn about ILD ratings:

ILD (Indentation Load deflection) determines the firmness of the memory foam. Since discount memory foams use generally 2 toppers of different densities and thickness. It is difficult to workout the ILD of a combination. However the important thing you need to know here is the top layer ILD. ILD ranges from 8-20 in discount memory foam mattresses. Tempur-Pedic memory foams are generally near about 14 ILD. Individual preferences differ but if you are unsure, then sticking to near about the 14 ILD is safe.

Learn what thickness is suitable for you:

The discount memory foam mattress comes with a memory foam top layer. To derive the best use out of the memory foam it should be about 4 inches in thickness. This ensures that it provides the required support and you do not bottom out nor pay too much for unnecessary extra padding.

Learn to buy online:

Online vendors offers the most competitive rates for any memory foam mattress products and you also will have the widest range of products to choose from. Just be wary of the many scammers out there. There are various guides online that help you find reputable vendors for discount memory foam mattresses or for that matter vendor for any products online.

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5 Buying Tips For Visco Elastic Memory Foam Mattress

The best visco elastic memory foam mattress for you need not necessarily be the most expensive one as each individual needs differ. The problem with buying memory foam mattresses for most people is because of the huge variety of choices available which makes choosing one difficult. Here are 5 points that you should be your area of focus when buying memory foam mattress.

Density:

This is an important aspect you need to look into before making your choice. The density of a visco elastic memory foam mattress determines its durability. Note that density is measured for memory foams in the units of pounds/cubic feet. In other words any density measurement must be given in lbs.

Response time:

Recommended density for visco elastic memory foam mattress is between 4-5lbs in density. Opting for densities higher than the recommended range may result in the foam being too slow to respond. Going lower than the recommended density may result in the foam being unable to give adequate support and wear out fast.

Indentation Force Deflection (IFD):

Without going into the technical aspects, an IFD rating is an indicator of the firmness or softness of memory foams. IFD is a very useful at gauging accurately the feel of a mattress. Individual preference on the firmness differs widely therefore no recommendation can be given however. Do note that addition of different memory foam toppers/pads can greatly change the effective IFD of a memory foam mattress.

Topper Thickness:

Visco elastic memory foams mattresses come with a base support layer forming the bottom with a combination (in most cases) with memory foam toppers of various thickness and densities to give a variety of feel to the bed. A bed made completely of memory foam is neither comfortable nor practical. Recommended thickness of the topper is between 2-3 inches. This range provides the best in support, response and durability.

Cover:

Always get good quality covers for your visco elastic memory foam mattress covers. A good cover should be waterproof, dust mite proof all the while allow for breathability. The cover should also be soft and absorbent enough to soak up body fluids including saliva.

Overall if you are above average weight always go for the higher limits of the recommended range when shopping for visco elastic memory foam mattresses.

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Reasons Why You Should Use A Memory Foam Topper Cover

Memory foams have been around since the early 1960s when they were first developed for NASA space program. Its use as a domestic product however took several more decades to develop. In modern times memory foams are the cutting edge in mattress technology and despite this they are competitively priced. Most memory foam mattresses come with their own memory foam topper covers, these covers are essential for the purpose listed below.

Physical Protection:

The bed is often not only the place to lie down to sleep but also the center of many of activities of your daily lives. Here the memory foam topper covers forms a physical barrier protecting the expensive memory foam mattress below. It also serves as a soft buffer providing a cushioning between the body and the mattress.

Fluid Absorption:

Your body loses about 2pints of body fluids in the form of perspiration from sweat glands also body oils from your oil glands and in many cases saliva dribble.  All these fluids are conducive to the growth of microbes especially bacteria which can be detrimental to your health. The memory foam topper cover serves as an absorbent and soaks up these fluids to prevent them from reaching the mattress below and makes cleaning much easier.

Fluid barrier:

Accidental spills (wine, water, beverages) occur more frequently than people assume them to occur. Also in families with small children chances of accidental spills are exponentially multiplied and added to this, bed wetting can be a huge problem. Here, memory foam topper covers which are waterproof are essential, as getting rid of urine stain and smell can be very difficult from the memory foam mattress.

Solid barrier:

Dropping crumbs of food on the bed may not be much of a problem to get rid of but the real problem lies in the fact that when you sleep, the body sheds millions of dead skin cells. Without a memory foam topper cover to serve as a barrier for their collection and removal these dead cells encourage microbial growth.

Aeration:

Memory foam topper covers serves as channel for aeration between the body and the memory foam mattress. Increasing breathability eliminates heat retention which is one primary problem with memory foams in warmer climates.

Overall, the benefits a memory foam topper cover provides is not limited to memory foam mattresses but also with other forms of mattresses. It can provide a new lease of life to an existing older mattress.

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Knowing When It Is Time To Throw Out Your Memory Foam Cover To Get A New One

The Memory foam cover does, literally what the name suggests and it covers the memory foam mattress. The cover, apart from serving as a soft interface between the memory foam and the body, also performs several functions such as protecting the mattress from accidental spills, urine stains, tears or wears and aiding in aeration to dissipate body heat buildup as well as absorb moisture.

It is very important that memory foam covers are replaced when they are worn out as an old memory foam cover will not be able to perform its protective and other essential functions. Therefore knowing when its time to throw out the old cover is important. Here are some certain signs that should let you know when to get a new replacement.

Sagging or flaccid memory foam covers:

Memory foam cover takes the full brunt of the hard body contours and provides a protective cushioning to the mattress underneath therefore it gets damaged first. Remove your memory foam cover and check for sagging areas, if it has become prominent it should be replaced.

Repeated washing due to staining:

Memory foam covers are washable but repeated exposure to water or moisture greatly reduces its life span. Therefore if you have washed it a considerable amount of time. After washing, drying and sleeping over it for a night always check to see for appearance of any signs given above.

Heat build up:

If you do notice that your memory foam bed seems to be hotter than usual it is probably because the memory foam cover is worn out and is unable to carry out aeration to eliminate heat build up. Just make sure it is not because of the temperature though.

Tears or breaks in the cover:

If your memory foam cover is torn at places it is recommended to have them replaced. Note that this is not because it will reduce its functionality by any discernable degree but more so because it will lose its ability to resist water (in case it is water proof) and will also be no longer dust mite proof.

With memory foam covers taking the major brunt of wearing effects and facing the elements, they tend to wear out relatively fast. Therefore it is essential to get good quality covers.

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Knowing When It Is Time To Throw Out Your Memory Foam Cover And Get A New One

The Memory foam cover does, literally what the name suggests and it covers the
memory foam mattress. The cover, apart from serving as a soft interface between
the memory foam and the body, also performs several functions such as protecting
the mattress from accidental spills, urine stains, tears or wears and aiding in
aeration to dissipate body heat buildup as well as absorb moisture.

It is very important that memory foam covers are replaced when they are worn out
as an old memory foam cover will not be able to perform its protective and other
essential functions. Therefore knowing when its time to throw out the old cover is
important. Here are some certain signs that should let you know when to get a new
replacement.

Sagging or flaccid memory foam covers:

Memory foam cover takes the full brunt of the hard body contours and provides a
protective cushioning to the mattress underneath therefore it gets damaged first.
Remove your memory foam cover and check for sagging areas, if it has become
prominent it should be replaced.

Repeated washing due to staining:

Memory foam covers are washable but repeated exposure to water or moisture
greatly reduces its life span. Therefore if you have washed it a considerable amount
of time. After washing, drying and sleeping over it for a night always check to see
for signs given above.

Heat build ups:

If you do notice that your memory foam bed seems to be hotter than usual it is
probably because the memory foam cover is worn out and is unable to carry out
aeration to eliminate heat build up. Just make sure it is not because of the climate
temperature though.

Tears or breaks in the cover:

If your memory foam cover is torn at places it is recommended to have them
replaced. Note that this is not because it will reduce its functionality by any
discernable degree but more so because it will lose its ability to resist water (in case
it is water proof) and will also be no longer dust mite proof.

With memory foam covers taking the major brunt of wearing effects and facing the
elements, they tend to wear out relatively fast. Therefore it is essential to get good
quality covers.

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