Guide to the Just Right

Memory Foam Mattress

Watch your wallet

When it comes to buying a mattress, any smart shopper knows that they’ll likely be confronted by salesmen and saleswomen who will push unaware consumers toward buying the mattress that will net them the highest commission. It’s their job to do so and anyone who works does what they have to in order to make a profit and pay the bills.

Help me – please!

But does that mean they don’t often have your best interest at heart and more than forty percent of mattress buyers experience remorse afterwards. Don’t be one of them.

Guide to Buying the Right Memory Foam Mattress

The simple fact is that if you are a consumer and want the best memory foam mattress for yourself then you need to conduct your own research. While it is encouraged that you gather your own facts, we have taken the most important bits of information and put them together in this article so that you can choose the best memory foam mattress that fits your needs.

Memory Foam Types

Note that this outline is designed to give you a leg up on researching but you should take the time to do your own in-

depth fact searching.

To begin with, you need to understand the different types of memory foam that can be used to make your ideal mattress. After all, you’re the one who has to sleep with the choice you make. They all have minor differences in benefits and features, so pay close attention:

Guide (continued)

• Traditional Memory Foam: This type of memory foam is the original, developed by the big-shots at NASA. It provides an ample amount of comfort and support. In the interest of full disclosure, however, it is created from a petroleum base and as such concerns over the release of VOCs have been brought up by consumer interest organizations while other mattress owners have complained about the heat. Look for Eco-friendly memory foam - this uses less chemicals and reduces the amount of VOC's, gases and toxins.

Guide (continued)

Gel Memory Foam: This type of memory foam is relatively new, made by injecting traditional memory foam with gel or applying a gel layer. The pitch is that it reduces the amount of heat trapped within the mattress. This claim made by the manufacturers has been called into question by advertising boards and consumer publications, and a few have been rebuked for it. Think of Dr. Scholl's gel shoe insoles, are they designed to keep your feet cool?

Guide (continued)

Plant-Based Memory Foam: An alternative type of memory foam, it replaces the petroleum base with plant oil and extracts. More than a few studies have proven that this form of memory foam is quite breathable and keeps cool. It appeals to manufacturers who seek to avoid the risk of toxic VOCs and mattress owners note that the plant-based foam has a heightened response time that mitigates the feeling of being ‘stuck in a hole’ that occasionally arises. There are minimal regulations on the amount of plant oil required to be called "organic" or "natural". Some companies add a small amount and call it natural - make sure you ask what percentage of the memory foam is soy based and ask to see the literature on it.

Density Differences

The density of the memory foam is measured by weight per cubic foot and the best brands usually range from 3lbs to 5.3lbs. Anything that weighs less than this range is a low quality, not fit for long-term use, while anything that weighs more is usually too hard and unyielding to be used in thick layers of comfort.

 

It is important to note that the comfort level, durability, and longevity of the memory foam mattresses are heavily reliant on just how dense it is.

Density Differences (cont.)

Some key facts to remember are:

Density is not the sole indicator of the level of firmness, but what affects the sensation of ‘buoyancy’ and how quickly and well the material bounces back over time.

Extremely high density foams create a sensation of being ‘stuck’ in bed, which is rather unpleasant. If you toss and turn a lot, how will it feel if you have a hole where you just rolled out of?

Density Differences (cont.)

Extremely low density foams tend to break down quickly, becoming throwaways that lose the ‘memory’ qualities that you bought them for in the first place. Make sure the memory foam is no less than 3lb. Anything below that, just throw your money away.

The base layer of the mattress will always be a density level different than that of the higher levels. Most base layers are what's called PU foam (polyurethane foam) - this is regular foam and acts as a good support layer. Many companies will add a unique name to it for marketing purposes (we do too) - Support Foam, Flex Foam, Gel Foam, etc. All of these are basically regular foam with cool names.

Temperature Sensitivity

While a number of memory foams are neutral when it comes to temperature, the more sensitive foams have an unique reaction whether the room is too hot or too cold. In the cold the mattress becomes hard and firm, except where body warmth seeps down from the sleeper and makes it mold around you.

Temperature Sensitivity (cont.)

Non-sensitive ones are more reliant on pressure and weight to conform and contour, so just keep in mind:

• Temperature-Sensitive Foams: React to the environment temperature and sleeper’s body heat.

• Temperature-Neutral Foams: Unaffected by the environment temperature and sleeper’s body heat.

Read More

See part 2 for more.

• Choosing the just right firmness

• Mattress Height/Depth

• The best support for memory foam mattress

• Final Tips

After you finish, you will be armed with the right information, but you still need to do your research.

Live you life and Sleep you best!