« Mattress Basics | Main | Air Mattress »
Memory Foam Mattress
Memory foam mattresses are the "new" rage because of the foam's body conforming quality. A memory foam mattress is heat sensitive, contributing to the tendency to shape to your body, but that heat sensitivity also means it reflects, so to speak, the room temperature. One question to ask is whether there is off-gassing from the foam that could negatively impact your sleep quality and health. Most people who sleep on a memory foam mattress love it.
After your first time sleeping on a memory foam mattress you will never forget it. It not only has a memory for your body and its shape, but you will remember how well that you slept on it as well. Memory foam was first created for the NASA space program, but it was never used on a space mission. It was then used to help prevent bedsores in hospitals and other health care settings as a mattress topper and wheelchair cover. Now it is one of the hottest selling mattresses that people buy.
Memory foam mattresses are widely available in all different price ranges making it important to learn about the mattresses so that you will know how to choose the one that is right for you. Not all memory foam is created equal, so you will want to know exactly what to look for so that you get the maximum value for your money. What are some things that you need to look for?
The first thing that you need to learn about is the density of the memory foam. The density of the foam dictates how firm the mattress is. The “sweet spot” of memory foam mattresses seems to be 4-lb. density. This seems to be the density that will work for most people. There are foams that are even higher than this, but the price will go up substantially as well. Of course, if you have back problems or your physician recommends an extremely firm mattress for medical reasons, then the cost irrelevant.
Not all memory foam companies are the same. A few ways to find a good company is to ask about a money-back guarantee. Any mattress company should give you some time to use the mattress with no penalty. You will not know how the mattress actually feels until you spend an entire night on it. Lying down on it in the store will give you a basic idea of the feel of the mattress, but a few weeks of sleep on it will be the test. Ask about the warranty on the mattress. The longer the warranty the more confidence they have in their product.
Stay away from no-name companies or companies that do not have years of experience behind them. Their memory foam mattress may feel fine for a few weeks or months, but it may wear much quicker than an established company's mattress will. The little price difference when you purchase it will be well worth it in the years to follow because you will get more quality wear from it. Keep in mind the old adage that if the price seems too good to be true, then it probably is.
One thing that people do not expect is that the foam is very temperature sensitive. This means that in a cold room, the mattress may feel cold when you lie on it and in a warm room it will feel warm. Your body heat will warm the foam so you may find that you need fewer blankets. This temperature sensitivity is not a big consideration though, and you will quickly learn to work around it. And it's the heat sensitivity aspect of memory foam mattress that people are seeking -- the warmed foam softens and conforms to your body, cradling it for the night.
Nine out of ten people who sleep on memory foam mattresses love them. The initial price may be higher than other kinds of mattresses, especially if you want a quality mattress, but the value that you will receive in a good nights sleep and in renewed energy will be well worth it. Your memory will get better following a good night's sleep, the sleep that you will be enjoying with a memory foam mattress.
Comments
I bought a memory foam bed about six months ago and now i can trully say that I Wish i had not. it is a sleepeezee Java, at first in the shop my partner and I felt it was fantastic, on the first night after delivery we slept in it and were unsure about it , it made us very hot and restless and made both our backs and my legs ache even though we are both only average size people and still quite young! we found an effort was required to turn or move on the mattress, it felt very strange almost like being in a mud bath. We both felt that after paying £600 pounds we had better get to like it, we have tried and tried but it just lets us down, we never sleep well on it. Indeed sometimes we get so restless that we get up in the middle and go to my partners house to sleep in her bed, the mattress she has is one from marks and spencer, just a standard type but good quality all the same, we always get a good nights sleep on it. we have come to hate the mattress I paid quite a lot of money for and feel it was a total waste.
it will have to be replaced very soon , it may work for some, but we cant see how and think we cant be alone with that feeling.
your comments would be appreciated. many thanks chris and kay
chris at September 2, 2007 01:19 AM
What guarantee and/or warranty did you have with the mattress? Is it too late to return the mattress or exchange it for something different?
If it's too late to return/exchange it then try putting a wool mattress pad on the mattress. That will at least insulate you from it.
If that's not quite enough cushioning you could also put a down or egg-crate foam pad on top of the wool that will create a nest that will give more.
And if you are still set on getting rid of it, maybe you can find some friends who will love it! Then try a latex mattress -- I sure love mine, topped with a wool pad.
Good luck.
The Mattress Lady at September 2, 2007 11:35 AM
I've just got back from ordering a Sleepezee Java from Dreams myself and just read your post Chris!!
The funny thing is I just paid £900 for a handmade top quality millbrook from Dreams 6 months ago and can't sleep on that with my partner (me being 14 stone and her 9 stone). Unfortunately because I accepted a £50 discount and free delivery my "Sleep Guarantee Exchange" was lost.
This time I have paid full whack for the mattress at £599 so I can exchange in a 40 day period from delivery. I'm getting it right this time, no way am I buying another mattress in the next 7 years! lol
Gregg at January 22, 2008 04:26 AM
