Memory Foam Mattress Guide

When you lie on a memory foam mattress, you’ll feel a subtle sinking sensation, which a lot of people find very comforting. It essentially hugs your body and distributes your weight evenly across the surface. Pressure points are eased which means you’re less likely to suffer from stiffness or aches and pains after waking up.

There are lots of pros for choosing a memory foam mattress including:

• Unique sleeping experience

If you and/or your partner tend to move around a lot throughout the night, memory foam will adjust to accommodate and hug your position every time. This innovative material suits all types of sleepers: front, back or side.

• Dense material for relaxation

The denseness is known to help relax restless limbs as it surrounds the contours of your shape – this can result in a deeper and more peaceful sleep.

• Insulating as well as cooling properties

These mattresses are known to retain body heat more than other types of mattresses so they’re good for colder climes, however, if you’re looking to keep cool, there are cooling options such as the CoolTouch range by TEMPUR®.

There are pros for memory foam pillows too. The enveloping foam helps to prevent neck pain by filling the gap between your neck and shoulders – no matter which way you move – and keeping your spine aligned. These pillows can also help in reducing snoring as they prop up your head and keep your airways open for easier breathing.

Potential cons for choosing a memory foam mattress are listed below in three frequently asked questions:

3. Is memory foam safe?

The short answer is yes! There have been concerns in the media over memory foam potentially leaking unsafe chemicals, however, all our memory foam products at Dreams are CertiPUR® certified, meaning they’re independently tested to ensure they contain no harmful chemicals.

Our memory foam mattresses are also hypoallergenic so they’re a good choice for people who suffer with common allergies or asthma. The tight structure of the foam makes it difficult for dust mites to penetrate memory foam mattresses and many styles are treated with probiotic Purotex® to help keep bacteria and fungi at bay.

The dense structure of memory foam not only hinders dust mites but also air flow, too. This can result in making some people feel too warm. The spinal alignment and pressure relief from memory foam also increases blood circulation which raises your body temperature.

If you’re worried about feeling too hot when considering buying a memory foam mattress, here are some simple measures you can take:

• Choose cooling memory foam

At Dreams we have an exclusive range of CoolTouch™ mattresses by TEMPUR®. They’re designed to help keep you comfortably cool. The innovative fabric absorbs excess heat to keep your temperature regulated throughout the night.

• Buy a cooling mattress topper

If your current memory foam mattress is proving to be a little too much on the warm side, investing in a cooling mattress topper could quickly solve the problem. These types of toppers are designed to absorb excess heat.

• Use a lower tog duvet

Opting for a lightweight, breathable duvet can be a great solution to keeping your body temperature regulated with a memory foam mattress. Read more about duvet togs in our duvet buying guide.

• Wear breathable nightwear or sleep naked!

Cotton or linen pyjamas are naturally breathable and cooling. Alternatively, sleeping in the buff will help to lower your body temperature and promote a better night’s sleep on your memory foam mattress. There are also other positive health reasons to sleep in the nude – check out this article.

Some people notice a smell coming from their new memory foam mattress – it’s something known as “off-gassing”. It’s the odour released when you first take a memory foam mattress out of its packaging and is often likened to the smell of a freshly painted room or a new car.

It’s caused by air-tight packaging and compression which causes low levels of gas to build up. As the smell can be a little off-putting, we recommend you disperse it by airing out the mattress before sleeping on it. Place it near an open window with no bedding on it and let it ‘breathe’ for anywhere from a few hours to overnight.

6. How long do memory foam mattresses last?

Providing that you take care of your mattress, such as rotating and/or turning it over as instructed; cleaning it regularly; and shielding it with a mattress topper or protector; you’ll be able to enjoy sleeping on your memory foam mattress for around eight years before you need a new one.

How to look after a memory foam mattress

Memory foam mattresses are to be kept dry – any accidental spillages are likely to cause deterioration of the inner layers, so we recommend a waterproof mattress protector to effectively shield it.

These mattresses are best suited to a solid bed base or one with slats that has narrow gaps – no more than 5cm. This is because the pliable nature of the foam could end up laying unevenly on top of wide set slats.

7. What is the difference between memory foam and pocket spring mattresses?

The main difference between these two popular mattresses is the filling. Memory foam mattresses are made from dense polyurethane foam held together with glue. Pocket sprung mattresses are made up of hundreds – or sometimes thousands – of individual coil springs. Each spring is wrapped in a ‘pocket’ of fabric to provide independent support. The springs are often tied, welded or glued together.

Pocket sprung mattresses are great if you’re looking for firmer support whereas memory foam mattresses are good if you’re after softer support. Both offer outstanding postural support and even weight distribution, but the feeling of comfort differs for every individual. To help you decide what mattress to buy, we offer a quick and free Sleepmatch service in store.