Tag Archives: density

How To Make Your Memory Foam Mattress Pads Last

by in memory foam mattress

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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5 Reasons Why The Memory Foam Mattress Topper gets Bad Reviews

by in memory foam mattress

To quote from Aesop’s fable ‘please all and you will please none’, the memory foam mattress topper does not please everyone but it does a wonderful job (if you do take the time to look around for customer reviews at various reliable sites) at pleasing a significantly high percentage of its customers. The few bad reviews generally seem to result due to the following reasons.

The wrong thickness:

Most of the bad reviews seem to be from people who bought their memory foam mattress topper without considering the thickness. A thickness of 1 inch is inexpensive but will do absolutely nothing. Even a 2 inches thick can be a little too less for most people. A recommended memory foam mattress topper should be at least about 3-4 inches.

The low density:

The density is the weight per unit volume. Simply put, it is the weight of the memory foam mattress topper. Higher density implies that the foam retains its unique property to mould for a longer time and also supports the body weight properly. Low density foams are cheaper but tend to breakdown fairly quickly. An ideal density is about 5-6lbs.

High temperature:

Memory foams have the tendency to retain heat very well. Therefore depending on the type of climate where the customer lives it can be an asset or a liability.

Not giving it time to air out:

To quote agent Smith in the movie The Matrix ‘it’s the smell’. Memory foam mattress topper does make a bad first impression due to its smell. However the smell is non toxic and safe but it is recommended to let it air out for a few days, preferably in an airy or shaded open space. But most people do not have the patience and jump straight in and end up developing a poor opinion.

Dust mites resistant encasing:

Although open-cell memory foam mattress toppers do not promote dust mite nesting nor do they serves as a food source but it does not mean that they will not host dust mite. Therefore dust mite resistant covers for memory foam mattress topper is recommended.

Shipping and warranty:

This also tends to be a major cause of bad reviews although not directly related to the nature of the product itself. The important thing here is to remember to read the fine print and understand it before making the purchase. Also checking out the repute of the vendor is important to ensure quality in terms of both product and service.

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Introducing The Latex Memory Foam Mattress | Actually A Comparison Of Latex And Memory Foam

by in latex foam mattress, memory foam mattress

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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Memory Foam vs Latex Foam

by in memory foam

There is a lot of talk about memory foam – the discussions are in all the media from magazines to television.  Memory foam is now an integral part of many bedding products, but how does it compare with other types of bedding material?  Let’s have a look at the difference between memory foam and latex foam, specifically in mattresses.

Memory Foam

Memory foam mattresses are perhaps the more pliable of the two, as memory foam is temperature reactive, which means it becomes softer as you use it, as the temperature of your body warming up affects the foam, it becomes quite viscous in form, hence why it is often called visco-elastic foam. Just as it warms from your body temperature and softens, so memory foam becomes firmer when cold.

Quality is determined by density. And density is proportionate to the cost. The denser the memory foam,  the more it will cost and the longer it will last. If you buy cheap memory foam, your mattress will be full of air, and will break down in three to five years, perhaps sooner. If the memory foam mattress is too thin it will leave you lying on the high resilience foam base material, which will be uncomfortable.  The density affects the support too.  Too thick again, and it will be too soft. The ideal depth for a memory foam mattress should be between 3.5 inches to 6 inches thick.

Memory foam spreads your weight evenly over the surface your body is touching. This is what gives memory foam its comfortable label. It will reduce tossing around to get comfortable at night. On any other mattress pressure points build up around the shoulders and hips and circulation is cut off to these points. This sends a signal to the brain telling you to turn over. This turning is eliminated with memory foam mattresses.

Latex Foam

Latex is produced from the sap of the rubber tree and is a natural product harvested like a syrup, then processed.  These products produced from latex are varied and range from pillows and mattresses to tyres. Latex mattresses are quite firm, and have more ‘give’ than memory foam mattresses. Latex  is viewed as a healthier product because it is natural, biodegradeable, anti-microbial, and hypo-allergenic, and repels mold, fungus and dust mites.  It is an excellent choice for sufferers of allergies from dust and other microbes. Under normal circumstances, latex will last indefinitely. Check the label when buying a latex foam mattress as you get two types of latex; natural and processed.

The best way to see if your mattress if giving the correct support is to lie flat on the bed, then try sliding your hand under the small of your back. You must lie flat doing this. If you can get your hand in easily between the mattress and your back, then you need to replace your mattress.

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