What is A Memory Foam Mattress?

what is a memory foam mattress
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Published Michael Goodwin ⋅ Review Editor
December 11, 2022

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4.6/5 - (20 votes)

Buying a mattress is a significant purchase that you’ll make. A third of a person’s life is spent sleeping, so buying a mattress is not a decision to take lightly. A memory foam mattress can be an excellent investment for people who want to get the most from their sleep and wake up refreshed, ready to conquer the day ahead. A memory foam mattress is excellent for those who suffer from back pain or have difficulty sleeping because they are uncomfortable with traditional mattresses.

What Is A Memory Foam Mattress

Memory foam mattresses are made with a viscoelastic material designed to conform to the shape of your body, relieving pressure on sensitive areas like the lumbar spine. They also provide more support for joints than traditional mattresses. When you lay down on the viscoelastic, the foam instantly moulds around your curves so snuggly it feels like an extension of yourself! This unique moulding feature sets memory foam apart from other mattress materials and makes it an excellent option for joint and back pain relief.

What Are The Advantages Of A Memory Foam Mattress

 

    1. They Relieve the Body’s Pressure Points of Pain – Have you ever woken up with a sore back, neck, or other pain? If so, it was because of your mattress. A memory foam mattress is designed to relieve pressure points on your body by distributing weight evenly. This means no more sleepless nights, tossing and turning all night because you have a sore neck or back from being in the wrong position.
    2. Offer Great Comfort- Memory foam is more comfortable than traditional spring mattresses, with many people reporting that it helps them sleep better at night. It, therefore, offers unparalleled comfort for sleeping and lounging, reducing joint stress.
    3. It is made with Hypoallergenic Materials – Memory foam mattresses are also suitable for people with allergies as they are made from hypoallergenic materials.
    4. They Have a Long Lifespan – A unique feature of these mattresses is that they last much longer than traditional beds; some even offer up to 20 years of warranties!
    5. Memory Foam Is Highly Resilient – This is shown in its temperature-sensitive material that reacts to your body’s heat and weight.
    6. They Help To Alleviate Pain – Memory foam beds have been heralded by people with arthritis, fibromyalgia, and chronic back pain for helping to alleviate all sorts of aches and pains. A big reason is that memory foam has a lower density than traditional mattresses; it doesn’t compress easily under your weight as other mattresses do, so you can be more comfortable without having pressure points or any joints from resting on the mattress as well.
    7. Memory Foam Absorbs Movement – This makes it perfect for couples because it prevents disturbances that would otherwise wake both of them. It ensures neither partner will be disturbed during the night if one tosses and turns on their side on the mattress.
    8. Perfect for Back, Side, and Stomach Sleepers – Memory foam mattresses are versatile. The side, back, and stomach sleepers can use them! The memory foam mattress will mould around your body and offer enough support without feeling bulky. So whether you’re sleeping in a fetal position or sprawled across it lengthwise, you’ll get comfortable quickly. Choose your desired firmness to experience what you need for relaxed body cradling support during your slumber.

    What are the Drawbacks of a Memory Foam Mattress

     

    1. The ‘No Turning’ Of the Mattress Will Reduce Its Longevity – Memory foam mattresses are designed to last longer than traditional spring beds because someone can only sleep on one side. This means that the Memory layer of soft and comfortable material can stay intact while a firmer Reflex Foam sits below it for support. Turning over this mattress will cause wear and tear, reducing longevity and lower-quality sleep! To help prevent this, use a mattress topper to extend the mattress’s lifespan and even wear and tear.
    2. They Retain Heat – When you sleep, the memory foam moulds around you, keeping the heat in all night. This material is known for retaining body heat. This can be an uncomfortable experience for sleepers and lead to poor rest. An easy solution is to replace your foam mattress cover with a temperature-regulated option like the CoolMax fabric. This material can prevent unnecessary heat build-up. You can also use a cooling pad or mattress topper.

    How to Care and Maintain Your Memory Foam Mattress

    Your new memory foam mattress will be a pricey investment, and you want to ensure it lasts as long as possible. Some simple ways to clean and care for your mattress are;

    1. The first thing you’ll need to do when cleaning a memory foam mattress is to strip your bed and vacuum the surface of it. A handheld vacuum cleaner works best, but any standard one will work just as well! This is because most mattresses have elaborate stitching on them, which can attract lint, dirt, and debris – so make sure you get rid of those before they stick to something more challenging or time-consuming than necessary.
    2. For most stains, a diluted fabric cleaner or a mild detergent is all you’ll need to remove them. Dilute it in two parts of warm water for every one part of the solution, and add it to your favourite spray bottle! Make a mixture of ¾ cup tap water with ½ teaspoon baking soda for tough stains that won’t go away.
    3. If you are trying to clean a stain from your mattress, do not apply too much liquid and over-spray the solution. If this happens (and it can happen), there is an increased risk of mould or mildew forming on the bedspread after drying. After spraying with cleaner, wipe in small circular motions using a cloth rag or sponge until all stains have been removed from that area. Now wipe down what was stained with something new to not spread anything else before letting everything dry off completely.
    4. The drying process is essential for memory foam because it can absorb liquid naturally, so dry your mattress correctly. If using a blow-dryer, position the fan around 4 inches from where water droplets remain and then turn on the airflow until they’re dried out. You can also use a fan by positioning it near the damp area and setting it quickly until the wet area feels dry. Next, put on new sheets and enjoy no longer worrying about sleeping in filth!

    Tips For The Best Night Sleep With A Memory Foam Mattress

     

    1. Always Add a Mattress Topper to a Memory Foam Bed – Did you know a memory foam mattress topper can give your old and tired bed a new life? If it’s looking like the springs are starting to poke through, or if the latex is no longer providing cushioning support, adding some extra comfort might do wonders for your sleep. A good quality one will give an additional luxury layer of softness without costing too much.
    2. Rotate your mattress – Foam Mattresses tend to get compressed faster than other materials. To keep yours in the best shape and improve your sleep, rotate your mattress by making the foot side the head side. Do this regularly to reduce foam mattress materials’ natural settlement and compression.
    3. Check your Bed’s Base – Memory foam mattresses need a solid base for maximum support. Place your mattress on a base with extra space beneath it to allow air to circulate. This cools your mattress and gives you a better sleeping experience. If your mattress is dipping, make sure it’s not because you’ve lost some slats on the bed frame that are holding up its weight.
    4. Use Bed sheets made of natural fibres – Unlike synthetic fibres, natural bed sheet fibres such as cotton allow your skin to breathe. Other good quality natural fibres for bed sheets are Percale, Bamboo, Sateen, and Jersey Egyptian Cotton (best if the thread count is 200-800).
    5. Pick the Right Pillow – Sleep with a memory foam pillow with a cooling fabric cover. This will give you the best experience of support and comfort while you sleep. Switch your pillow to one that will suit and rest your head and neck.

    Final Thoughts

    In conclusion, memory foam is an excellent material that reacts to your body structure and weight, moulding perfectly around you as you lay down. This fantastic feature gives it the edge in relieving the pressure and pain of everyday body aches. You will enjoy the best sleep quality with a few cooling fabric or mattress topper tweaks.

What Are The Advantages Of A Memory Foam Mattress

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