Memory Foam Mattress Toppers |
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What is the main benefit of sleeping on memory foam?
Memory foam is, quite simply, considered the most effective substance for relieving pressure points caused by the weight of the human body in its relaxed state.
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How does pressure form in the first place? When you lie on an ordinary mattress, whether it is pocket sprung, coil sprung or regular foam, your own body weight pulls you down. The springs or compressed air reacts by pushing back against you, exerting an upward force. As a result pressure builds up in your body, most specifically around the areas where there is most contact with the mattress, such as your shoulder blades, elbows, hips and heels. The pressure on these points causes reduced blood supply and inevitable discomfort. All in all, the reason we toss and turn at night is simply our body’s way of trying to get more comfortable. For some, this movement may even cause them to wake in the process. |
A memory foam mattress or mattress topper, however, has no spring-back force (there’s no spring pressure or air pressure to push back against you). This is simply because air pressure is efficiently distributed from one open cell to another, until completely eliminated. Every curve of your body lies cradled in the comfort of the heat-responsive memory foam, which has softened at body temperature. The support, comfort and ability to relieve pressure points provided by sleeping on memory foam can reduce your need to turn during the night by up to 80% resulting in a deeper, more restful night’s sleep.
What does it actually feel like to sleep on memory foam?
As you lie down and relax the memory foam responds to your body shape and temperature. You initially experience a gentle sinking feeling, followed by that of support as the natural hollows of your neck, shoulders, back and knees are cradled by the memory foam. Once your whole body, including your joints and muscles become totally relaxed, you achieve a wonderful sense of comfort and support as you drift off to sleep.
What are the origins of memory foam?
An imperfect version of this revolutionary material was originally developed by NASA 30 years ago. The new type of foam could mould to any individual’s body shape and relieve the tremendous pressure exerted on the astronauts as they departed and returned through the Earth’s atmosphere.
This new foam proved so successful that it was perfected for use in hospitals, nursing homes, burns units and sleep clinics in order to relieve the pressure on the patient’s bodies as they lay in bed for long periods of time.
It is only recently, however, that the manufacturing process became advanced enough to develop memory foam products, such as mattress toppers that are durable enough, comfortable enough, and more importantly affordable enough for the consumer market.
Why should I consider buying a memory mattress topper rather than a memory foam mattress?
If you already have a fairly new, firm mattress that doesn’t show signs
of sagging, why go to the expense of buying a memory mattress when your
body indents only inches into your sleep surface. At a fraction of the price
both the and the Memory
Foam Mattress Topper and the Breathable
Memory Foam Mattress Topper, available from The Fine Bedding Company,
are made from the same high density visco-elastic memory foam as used in
the top layer of a memory mattress. So, transform your existing bed into
a bed that fits you perfectly, providing both comfort and support, using
the very latest sleep technology.
Memory foam toppers are one of the softest foam toppers available. Toppers made from foam are, however, firmer than other types of mattress toppers.
Softer styles of mattress toppers consist of the Perfect Comfort Mattress Topper, filled with loose fluffy polyester fibre clusters, the Dual-layer Goose Feather and Down Mattress Topper or the Duck Feather and Down Mattress Topper, all from The Fine Bedding Company.
Memory foam softens with use. This is completely natural, but is does not indicate wear as long as adequate support is properly maintained.
What do I look for when choosing a memory foam mattress topper?
Check the density and the thickness of the memory foam mattress topper as this will give you an indication of its quality.
Memory foam mattress toppers made of high-density visco-elastic memory foam have a greater number of smaller open cells. High-density memory foam offers more support, conforming to your body shape only where softened by body heat, with the rest of the topper keeping you well cushioned. Higher density visco-elastic memory foam toppers also have a longer lifespan than those made from cheaper, lower density memory foam. Closely-knit cells, inherent in good quality memory foam, support each other for a longer period of time so that it continues to regain its original shape over and over again.
A thicker memory foam mattress topper will last longer than a thinner one simply because when the cells at the top wear out, there are more cells below to take their place and provide support.
Can you feel the difference between various densities of memory foam when you lie on a memory foam mattress topper?
Yes, high-density memory foam, as used in the memory foam mattress toppers from The Fine Bedding Company, provides more support, conforming to your body only where softened by body heat, with the rest of the topper keeping you well cushioned. By comparison, a low-density memory foam topper may feel lovely and soft as soon as you lie on it (due to the speed at which the air spreads to the adjoining larger cells), but without the right amount of good support and cushioning you will just keep sinking, often right to the bottom!
Are memory foam mattress toppers recommended for larger people?
In general, a memory foam mattress topper made of a higher density of material, placed on top of a firm existing mattress will last some years. The lifespan of any memory foam mattress topper is, however, affected by body weight. Larger bodies apply greater pressure on the cells in the memory foam causing them to wear out quicker than they would under a smaller person.
In order for the memory foam mattress topper to remain supportive and comfortable
we therefore recommend the Breathable
Memory Foam Mattress Topper, with a thickness of 5cm, as the most appropriate
choice of memory foam mattress topper for the larger person.
I tend to get rather warm at night. Will a memory foam mattress topper help this at all?
Memory foam mattress toppers have a unique open cell structure that allows air to circulate freely around the body. They do, however, also have the ability to retain body heat more efficiently than when lying directly on top of a conventional spring mattress. This, along with the fact that less skin is exposed to air, a factor which normally aids cooling, are why you feel warmer when you sleep with a memory foam mattress topper.
For total comfort we recommend:
Are memory foam mattress toppers resistant to dust mites?
Yes, memory foam mattress toppers are resistant to dust mites.
But what does this actually mean? Dust mites are the tiny creatures that are present in visible dust and anything soft, such as pillows, mattresses, duvets etc. The problems associated with dust mites and your bed relate to the fact they feed on discarded skin cells. Sadly the truth is this cannot be prevented by any type of mattress, or topper.
What is the best way to prevent allergy provoking dust mites getting into your mattress topper?
We recommend you fit an Anti Allergy Mattress Protector over your mattress topper and mattress. This specialist protector provides an impenetrable barrier between you and your mattress topper. It may also be washed at 60°C, the temperature that kills dust mites.
What factors affect the longevity of memory foam mattress toppers?
In order for memory foam mattress toppers to relieve pressure and provide restful sleep they must be:
Unlike other types of mattress topper, memory foam toppers should not be laid over a worn out mattress that shows signs of sagging, as a memory topper will simply follow that contour and make the sag even more pronounced. Such sagging in the mattress and topper will not only affect the lifespan of the memory foam mattress topper but also keep your spine out of alignment during the whole night.
Good quality foam in the Memory Foam Mattress Topper and Breathable and Memory Foam Mattress Topper, available from The Fine Bedding Company, is already quite dense with densities of 55 kilograms / cubic metre, compared with some as low as 25 kilograms / cubic metre. They are therefore suitable for the larger person (14 stone +). In general, however, the lifespan of memory foam mattress toppers is affected by body weight. Larger bodies apply greater pressure on the cells in the memory material causing them to wear out quicker as a result.
A thicker memory foam mattress topper, such as the Breathable
Memory Foam Mattress Topper, with a thickness of 5cm, will last longer
than a thinner one.
Can we use our electric blanket with a memory foam mattress topper?
Memory foam is naturally temperature sensitive. We do not recommend combining the use of a memory foam mattress topper with that of an electric blanket as the heat from the electric blanket will deform the visco-elastic foam. This, ultimately, will reduce the body moulding capability of the open cell structure.
Should I turn a memory foam mattress topper?
Memory foam mattress toppers don’t sag like conventional mattress toppers. They therefore do not require turning. They may be rotated, if required.
Why does memory foam discolour with age?
An inherent characteristic of memory foam is that is turns yellow with age. This occurs as the memory foam oxidizes, it is completely normal and does not affect the properties of the memory foam material in any way.
Are memory foam mattress toppers washable?
We do not recommend washing memory foam mattress
toppers as it takes time for the foam to dry. However, both the Memory
Foam Mattress Topper and the Breathable
Memory Foam Mattress Topper, from Fine Bedding Company, are fitted with
zip off covers that may be washed at 40°C.
What sizes are available for the mattress toppers available from The Fine Bedding Company?
The Memory Foam Mattress Topper:
Single: 90 x 190 x 3cm
Double: 135 x 200 x 3cm
King size: 150 x 200 x 3cm
The Breathable Memory Foam Mattress Topper:
Single: 90 x 190 x 5cm
Double: 135 x 200 x 5cm
King size: 150 x 200 x 5cm
Do memory foam mattress toppers from The Fine Bedding Company have covers?
Yes, both the Memory Foam Mattress Topper and the Breathable Memory Foam Mattress Topper are fitted with zip off covers that may be washed at 40°C.
Can I use a memory foam mattress topper on it’s own?
Yes, you can. They are often used by campers or can be used as a spare mattress for guests.
