A memory foam topper is a pad that is generally one to four inches thick and is made from visco elastic memory foam. It is placed on top of your bed’s mattress to provide an additional layer of cushion and is designed to help you get a more comfortable and better night’s sleep. The extra cushioning can help make an overly firm mattress more comfortable.
A visco elastic memory foam mattress topper has special properties that provide many people with a superior night’s sleep. This type of open foam conforms to your body’s shape when you lie down, resulting in a reduction to your body’s pressure points while at the same time providing support. A memory foam bed topper is also temperature sensitive. When you lie down on the pad, your body heat causes the foam to become more elastic. This is what causes the memory foam to conform to the unique shape of your body.
Benefits Of Memory Foam
Memory foam is also hypoallergenic, and resistant to dust mites, which is particularly important for those who suffer from allergies. Because memory foam toppers contour your body, they relieve pressure points and allow for a more comfortable night’s sleep. Many individuals who have back pain and other types of chronic pain, as well as individuals suffering from fibromyalgia and osteoporosis have found a mattress topper cover to be very beneficial in the relief of pain and discomfort. An even better alternative for those who suffer from severe chronic pain might be a double memory foam mattress. It can provide even greater support for the major joints in the head, neck and back, even helping to soothe your pain and improve circulation while you sleep. These mattress are also hypo-allergenic and have a solid core that resists dust mites or even bed bugs that might be found in ordinary mattresses.
The Visco elastic foam technology found in the double memory foam mattress was developed by NASA and was designed originally to protect the body from G-forces and control body pressure. Although it was designed for scientific use, it was soon in demand for consumers, and, with slight changes, it is now reported to be the most comfortable mattress on the market today. The combination of memory foam and reflex foam provides customers with the feeling of being “cradled”, allowing for a more refreshing sleep. The mattress automatically adjusts to both your body weight and your body heat, providing just the right temperature for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Selecting A Topper
When shopping for a memory foam mattress topper there are several important considerations to keep in mind. One is the thickness of the pad. As a rule, toppers range in thickness from one to four inches, sometimes thicker. The thicker the pad the more cushioning there is, although a two to four inch thickness is considered by many to be the most comfortable. Anything thicker and you could start to lose some back support.
The density of your memory foam bed topper is another important factor. Density is measured in pounds per cubic foot. The most common density range for memory foam is somewhere between 2-6 lbs. per square cubic foot. Higher density foams over 6 lbs. will be more expensive but also may actually turn out to be less comfortable. The mattress pad’s density is important as it directly relates to how much cushion the foam provides. If it is too soft there won’t be as much cushion or “memory.” The most comfortable foam will generally have a density somewhere between 3-5.5 lbs. per cubic foot.
A less expensive alternative to traditional memory foam toppers are latex foam mattress toppers. Like memory foam, it molds itself to the contours of your body, helping to reduce stress on joints, although some feel that it does not provide the same neck and back support as memory foam. Both latex and memory foam can reduce the disturbance to sleeping partners from tossing and turning as well. Latex foam mattress toppers are hypoallergenic as well, and, because latex is a natural product, it breathes easily and therefore does not absorb body heat. The all-natural latex is also biodegradable, which makes it an excellent choice for eco-conscious consumers. Another advantage over memory foam is that it is virtually odorless.
Latex toppers are also available in synthetic blends, which will last slightly longer than the natural latex. Keep in mind, however, that the latex mattress toppers may tend to lose some of their elasticity over time and will no longer bounce back as easily after use. The latex foam mattress toppers vary in thickness from 2 to 4 inches and the natural toppers tend to be slightly more expensive than the synthetic brands.
Pillow top mattress toppers, which fit on top of a mattress to provide extra cushioning, are a good alternative for prolonging the life of a mattress that is already in good condition. There are two types of pillow toppers: standard and euro. The difference between them is the stitching: the standard has a gap around the edges while the euro has piping that runs between the pillow top and the mattress. Pillow top mattress toppers can consist of various materials, such as feathers, down, cotton, wool, or, in the latest innovations, memory foam. If you suffer from allergies, look for a hypoallergenic or anti-bacterial topper that resists dust mites and mold
Choosing A Pillow Top Mattress
When choosing a pillow topper, you will generally need to decide between comfort and support. A feather or wool topper will provide softness, but not support. If you are looking for something with greater support, you would want to consider the latex or foam models. Latex and foam also tend to transfer less motion, so are a better alternative if you want to consider the rest of a sleep partner.
Durability and maintenance are two important factors when purchasing a pillow top mattress topper. Latex and foam tend to last longer and retain their shape but are difficult to clean. Wool and feather types will compress after a while and will need to be steamed or shaken to restore their thickness. In most cases they can be steam or dry cleaned. Some of the newer models are now machine washable, making them an excellent choice for easy maintenance.
When shopping for the perfect mattress topper, it is important to make sure that you buy from a reputable manufacturer. Unfortunately, some that are manufactured overseas may have fill or be made from inferior materials. Conducting some research upfront is highly recommended as well as checking consumer reviews to find the best quality memory foam toppers. Remember the old adage “You get what you pay for”. A cheap memory foam mattress topper may not end up saving you money if it doesn’t last or doesn’t provide you with the comfortable sleep that you are looking for.