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Memory foam mattresses are a very popular choice for many when choosing a new mattress and with good reason too. They’re supportive, very comfortable to sleep on and you don’t have to break the bank to get a great night’s sleep either.
In our guide we’re taking a deeper look at what memory foam mattresses bring to the table and answer many of the frequently asked questions surrounding this type of mattress.
What Is Memory Foam?
Originally referred to as ‘slow spring back foam’, memory foam is a viscoelastic polyurethane foam that reacts to body temperature, allowing it to change shape and mould to your body to provide comfortable support night after night.
Memory foam actually has a very interesting origin too, with it originally being designed for use by NASA to help keep their test pilots safe by providing cushioning during flights. Since then, its ‘commercialisation’ has led to it being included in the designs for sports equipment such as NFL players helmets, fashion items such as trainers and more commonly, within pillows and mattresses.
Alongside this commercialisation, memory foam has also been developed further and in 2006, the third generation of memory foam was created. This included the fusion of gel particles and the visco foam to reduce the instances of trapped body heat which in turn helped to make the mattress that use this technology feel much softer and enabled it to spring back much quicker than before.
This has since evolved even more (other materials have been added to provide additional benefits such as reducing odours or providing soothing smells whilst you sleep) but the infusion of gel into the foam was the last major step forward for the technology.
What Does Viscoelastic Mean?
Memory foam is essentially both viscous and elastic. The word viscous describes something that has a thick, sticky consistency that falls between a solid and liquid state, think lava or golden syrup. So if something has high viscosity, its consistency is much like those.
Whilst something that’s referred to as elastic is able to resume its normal shape spontaneously after either being stretched or compressed. So when you combine the two words, you accurately summarise the consistency and behaviour of memory foam. The viscous ‘syrup-like’ consistency of the memory foam supports the contours of your body, whilst the elastic properties ensures it returns to its original shape when you move or get out of bed.
What Is A Memory Foam Mattress?
So we’ve established what memory foam is, but how exactly is the technology utilised within a mattress? Well, there’s actually a variety of memory foam mattresses on the market and the use of memory foam differs between the various types.
For example, there’s memory foam mattresses that are made up of solely memory foam, hybrid mattresses that provide a comfortable combination of memory foam and pocket springs and various other types of mattresses that utilise memory foam in different ways, either as a ‘mattress topper’ of sorts or as one of the comfort layers within the mattress.
The memory foam mattress industry has consistently evolved and there’s no longer one hard and fast rule when it comes to what a memory foam mattress is. But often if it’s described as such and you find it within the memory foam mattress category on the manufacturer or sellers website, chances are, it’ll predominantly feature memory foam within its construction.
If it’s more of a 50/50 situation when it comes to the technology within, it’ll often be referred to as a ‘hybrid mattress’. Either way, you’ll be taking advantage of the supportive and comfortable properties of memory foam to provide you with a good night’s sleep time and time again.
What Are The Benefits Of A Memory Foam Mattress?
Memory foam mattresses have many benefits, which makes them such a popular mattress choice. Let’s take a look at some reasons to buy…
They’re Really Comfortable
It’s probably the only time you’ll want to experience ‘that sinking feeling’ but sleeping on a memory foam mattress is truly a unique experience.
You’ll feel yourself slightly sinking into the mattress as the memory foam moulds to the contours of your body, it almost feels like your mattress is giving you a hug! It’s really comfortable and an experience like no other when it comes to mattresses.
They Can Help With Aches & Pains
The supportive, contouring nature of memory foam mattresses can help to ease general aches and pains you may be experiencing upon waking.
The memory foam technology eases pressure points in common areas such as your head, neck, shoulders and hips due to the way it cradles and supports each of them throughout the night as you sleep. The mattress also promotes neutral spinal alignment too, working with your body, rather than against it.
Reduces Motion Transfer
Memory foam mattresses are a great choice for couples too as the technology helps to reduce motion transfer. So if your sleeping partner often tosses and turns throughout the night, a memory foam mattress can help to ensure you aren’t disturbed as they move.
This benefit is definitely more present in thicker memory foam mattresses though, so if you do opt for a thinner memory foam mattress, you may not benefit from this feature as much.
They’re Hypoallergenic
Generally, memory foam mattresses are hypoallergenic as dust mites and other allergens find it hard to penetrate the dense structure of the memory foam itself and as such don’t end up causing symptoms such as itchy skin, runny nose and sneezing.
This makes them a good choice for anyone with asthma or who suffers from allergic reactions. However there are mattresses on the market designed to actively prevent the build up of dust, mites and other allergens, so if you’re very susceptible to symptoms, it may be worthwhile looking into those mattresses too.
What Are The Disadvantages Of A Memory Foam Mattress?
Memory foam mattresses are a fantastic choice if you’re looking for a comfortable, supportive sleep. However there are some potential ‘cons’ to think about, which may or may not be relevant to you.
They Can Make You Feel Hot
As memory foam mattresses absorb your body heat to make their technology work, they can make you feel hot throughout the night. Whilst older memory foam mattresses certainly retained more heat than newer models, they still retain some body heat, so if you’re a ‘hot sleeper’, a memory foam mattress may not be the right choice for you.
However, all is not lost, as there are memory foam mattresses on the market that provide cooling technology to keep you cooler throughout the night, so you can take advantage of all the benefits a memory foam mattress brings, whilst keeping cool and comfortable.
Initial Chemical Odour
When you receive your new memory foam mattress, you may detect a chemical like smell. This is due to a normal process called ‘off-gassing’ where volatile organic compounds (VOC’s) are released from the mattress. This is completely normal and the smell will dissipate within a couple of days to a couple of weeks as the mattress airs out.
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Potential To Dip & Sag Over Time
As with most things, with time and use, they don’t retain their initial properties. This is common across the entire mattress market, with the general rule being that you need to replace your mattress every 7-10 years to ensure you’re being properly supported as you sleep. This timescale of course varies by mattress type, bed type and even a case by case usage basis.
Whilst you may experience some sagging or the mattress may dip in parts, memory foam mattresses on average last as long as other types of mattresses, so you shouldn’t see or feel any negative effects until the ‘usual’ time that you would. So memory foam mattresses aren’t any better or any worse
Memory Foam Mattress FAQ’s
Let’s take a look at some of the most common questions people have when it comes to memory foam mattresses.
How Long Does A Memory Foam Mattress Last?
Memory foam mattresses typically last between 7-10 years, much like many other types of mattresses, however there are variables that can make your mattress last longer or need replacing sooner. Higher density foam mattresses generally last longer than less dense memory foam mattresses for example, whilst regular cleaning and upkeep of the mattress can also help to elongate its life. How much weight the mattress experiences and how that’s distributed can also affect its lifespan too.
How Does Density Affect A Memory Foam Mattress?
Memory foam density refers to how heavy the material is in relation to its size. Memory foam mattresses are available in a variety of densities and the density of the mattress affects the behaviour and feel of the mattress. Higher density mattresses have more material tightly packed within the mattress and features less air pockets, this results in greater support, a more durable mattress and a slower response time to pressure. Whilst memory foam mattresses with less density have more air pockets, a softer feel and a quicker response time.
The density of a memory foam mattress is usually measured in pounds per cubic foot (PCF) and the way this is calculated is by dividing the weight of the mattress by its size. For example, a mattress that weighs 200 pounds and measuring in at 30 cubic feet would have a PCF of 6.6 (200 divided by 30). Generally any memory foam mattress that has a PCF of 3 or less is a low density mattress, those with a 3-5 PCF have a medium density and those with over 5 PCF are mattresses with high density.
How To Clean A Memory Foam Mattress?
It’s a good idea to keep your mattress clean to ensure your sleeping environment is nice and clean, further reducing the possibility of any irritants or allergens and to elongate the lifespan of your mattress. Generally, to clean your memory foam mattress, you’ll want to take the following steps
1) Use your vacuum cleaner to clean away any dust and debris that may be present on the mattress
2) For any stains, you’ll want to spot clean them with soapy water and a cloth, ensuring to dab the spot and leave to dry before wiping away any residue. For more stubborn stains you may need to use a combination of baking soda, washing up liquid and potentially white vinegar too.
3) Baking soda can also be used to deodorise the mattress too as it naturally absorbs odours.
4) Be sure to make sure your mattress is aired out and dry before putting fresh bedding on it.
Also be sure to check out our guide on caring for your new mattress which is full of various tips to extend the lifespan of your mattress and keep it nice and clean.
Can You Use Electric Blankets With A Memory Foam Mattress?
Yes, it’s perfectly safe to use an electric blanket with your memory foam mattress, however you must be aware of the effect the extra heat may have on the mattress and its performance. Whilst the electric blanket shouldn’t damage the memory foam mattress, the additional heat will likely heat up the mattress even more than usual, especially when combined with your body heat too. This may result in the mattress feeling softer and less supportive.
You could look to prevent this somewhat by either using a mattress protector and putting the electric blanket on top of that or using a heated ‘over blanket’ rather than a fitted electric blanket instead.
Can You Flip A Memory Foam Mattress?
No, you shouldn’t flip a memory foam mattress as they generally aren’t designed to be flipped. They often include a top layer of comforting foam and a supportive base layer underneath, so if you flipped it, you’d be sleeping on the wrong side. However there are dual sided mattresses that feature memory foam on the market that are designed to be flipped either as the seasons change (with a hot and cool side) or to help extend its lifecycle. But these are the only types of mattresses that should ever be flipped.
Do Memory Foam Mattresses Have Springs?
Mattresses made solely of memory foam don’t feature springs within their construction. However hybrid mattresses which combine memory foam with pocket spring technology do feature springs and the two technologies work with and complement one another to provide a comfortable, supportive sleeping environment. You’ll find a mix of both within our memory foam mattress collection.
Memory Foam Mattresses: Sink Into Your Sleep
Hopefully our guide has helped you to further understand the properties of memory foam mattresses, the many benefits they bring and can now make a decision as to whether a memory foam mattress is the right choice for you. However if you do have any further questions, please be sure to get in touch with our team of experts who will be more than happy to help.