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Memory Foam: Is it all the same, or different?

February 25, 2014 by Admin

There seem to be a lot of different types of memory foam these days. For example, one retailer may advertise their SureSleepTemp memory foam while another has their SureTempSleep foam. Both of these will likely have a little trademark™ to add legitimacy, but this still leaves a huge question.

Is there really a difference between types of memory foam? If so, how do I tell?

The quick and short answer is that most memory foam is very similar. This is in both structure and material because it’s almost all visco-elastic memory foam. That said, there are some differences that can affect the quality, comfort, and cost of a mattress.

One good explanation that we found was over at Sleep Full Nights, a store that sells memory foam mattresses. They call the memory foam layer the “money layer,” because it is both the most expensive part of the mattress and the part that is most important. The money layer is affected by two main factors, density and thickness. The density is measured in pounds per cubic foot of material and the thickness is in inches. This is what we refer to when we say Money Layer:

explanation of memory foam mattress

Money Layer Density

The density of memory foam is hugely important for a number of reasons. It determines the comfort, cost, and longevity of the mattress more than any other component. The higher density of the material, the more support and higher level of comfort it can provide. Conversely, lower density memory foam will have more airflow. Here’s a quick breakdown of the different density ranges:

1. Low-density memory foam (1.8 – 2.7 lbs./cubic foot) is the cheaper end of the spectrum. It has more space between the foam material and allows for more airflow, which can allow it to sleep cooler. The flip side of this less dense material is that it isn’t as resilient as higher density foams. This means that over the long run, the foam won’t return to form as completely after you get up off of it.

2. Medium-density memory foam (3.0 – 4.5 lbs./cubic foot) is mid-level foam. It combines some of the breathability of lower density foam while also having some of the resiliency and longevity of high-density memory foam.

3. High-density memory foam (4.5 + lbs./cubic foot) is the luxury, high cost end of the spectrum. This is the foam that goes into top of the line mattresses. Although it doesn’t have the breathability and airflow of lower density foams, it tends to be more resilient, last longer, and provide better support to the sleeper.

4. Over 6.5 lbs./cubic foot starts to feel like you’re sleeping in pudding. It can lead to the mattress working like an incubator and making it hard to get out of bed (in a bad way).

Thickness: Money Layer thickness affects the longevity of a mattress. Generally, thickness can range anywhere from 1-6 inches or more. A rough rule of thumb is that you’ll get 3-5 years of optimal performance per inch of Money Layer. Keep in mind that this can vary with usage and that the resiliency is affected by the density of the memory foam.

Is Base Foam memory foam?

No. Base foam refers to a different type of foam. Polyurethane foam is a more rigid and firm type of foam that has a lower density than almost all memory foam. It doesn’t change the price of a mattress much while providing the rest of the mattress volume to get it to the right 8, 10, 12, or more inches tall.

What’s the deal with Gel Memory Foam?

Gel memory foam is one of the most popular new technologies. The memory foam is infused with billions of micro-gel beads during the foam pouring process. This creates a combination of cooling features because it’s generally a lower density material that allows for more airflow and the micro-gel beads have been shown to improve the temperature regulation of sleepers, helping them to stay cooler.

What else is good to know?

The main things to consider, as stated above, are the density and thickness of the Money Layer because most of the other advertised features are fluff. Organic memory foam may have a nice sound to it, but it won’t have any affect on how well the memory foam supports your body while sleeping. Same thing with all natural memory foam. Nice to know. Doesn’t affect the quality of sleep much.

Also beware of specially branded names of memory foam. DormiPureTech Memory foam likely isn’t anything special beyond a name. In fact, some less than honest retailers may use a fancy trademarked™ foam name to try and justify higher prices. Keep your eyes out for this and be sure to focus on what’s important: the density and thickness of the Money Layer.

The Best Pillow: The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Right Bed Pillow

September 23, 2013 by Admin

Looking for the best bed pillow, ever? You should be! It’s estimated that approximately one third of our entire life is spent sleeping. Where else can you spend so little money on an item that you will spend so much time with, one that can seriously improve or hamper your ability to sleep soundly and function properly in the morning?

Here are some great pillow options for various sleeping preferences:

Mattress Jousting? A strange and fun “new” mattress trend.

August 14, 2013 by Admin

mattress jousting collision

When you run a site about mattresses, you tend to pay attention to anything new that you see that’s related to beds.

Recently, I was typing “Mattress j” into Google when I was doing a search, and my trusty Chrome autocomplete spits out, “mattress jousting” as the first recommended phrase.

“Mattress what?” I thought to myself, raising an eyebrow. “Is this some new product that I’ve never heard of?”

Alas, no. Mattress jousting is not a product. It’s more like a “sport.” And when I say “sport” with quotation marks around it, that’s exactly how I mean it.

Evidently, the search mattress jousting became popular as a result of this GEICO commercial (sorry, couldn’t find it on YouTube) that used footage from this original YouTube video. Note that the original video is from at least 7 years ago!

Naturally, after you watch your first mattress jousting video, it leads you down the YouTube rabbit hole of OTHER mattress jousting videos.

My personal favorite mattress jousting video is this one, with an entirely different take on mattress jousting where the jousters slide the mattresses on the slick floor of the dorm hallway and spectacularly collide with each other, getting massive air in the process. The best part is that they are wearing what looks like some kind of helmet, which turns out to be necessary.

What kind of mattress works best for mattress jousting? Looks like a small and lightweight mattress that is easy to carry, but with enough cushioning that you don’t end up with a brain injury when you collide with your fellow jouster.

You’ll also want to make sure that you are in a similar weight class as your opponent, as this guy proves by losing his tooth in a mattress joust.

College campuses are the most popular venue for mattress jousting — particularly in freshman dorms. However, you’ll also find the sport in army barracks, and even as official summer camp competitions with adult supervision.

Have fun, and don’t get your teeth knocked out. As one YouTube commenter so wisely says, “Pillow fights are for little boys. Mattress fights are for men.”

Do you Need a Firm Mattress? Here’s What the Experts Say

January 22, 2013 by mattress1982

CC Flickr photo courtesy of alisdair. You might think you want an extra firm mattress, but you really don’t. If you get one, it will end up feeling like sleeping on this!

People who are unsure when choosing a mattress often buy one that is soft and “comfortable” only to find that they have chosen the wrong one. What they really needed was a firm mattress that will enable them to get a good night’s sleep. Experts in sleep related problems are saying that many people too often rush into choosing a mattress and they go for what looks comfortable but doesn’t give the support needed. Instead these people are waking up sore and even more tired than the night before.

According to the experts at spine-health.com, the firmer the mattress, the less likely you will experience back problems. There are varying degrees in a firm mattress and choosing a mattress that is firm enough for you might be a problem if you are unsure of the degree of firmness needed. Some people who do find their mattress comfortable and do feel as if they get a good night’s sleep can still wake up with lower back pain and feeling sore all over. This is an indication that while the mattress is comfortable, it is not the right mattress for you.

How to Prevent the Back Pain?

The reason why people experience the pain is discomfort in their backs is because there is a lack of support in the mattress that they are sleeping on. In fact, when they sleep on a soft mattress, they are causing the spine to misalign throughout the night. When sleeping on a firm mattress the spine is in proper alignment, which prevents the back and muscles to become sore and uncomfortable. Experts are saying that medium firm mattresses are the best choice for preventing back pain.

Waking up throughout the night with lower back pain can really disrupt your sleep pattern and leave you feeling tired and cranky in the morning. To find out what mattress would work best for you, you can visit an interactive online site such as sleepdoctor.com where you can watch a video that will show you the proper mattress for you determined by the way you sleep. For example, if you are a stomach sleeper you will be given suggestions for what mattresses would work best for you.

Is Too Firm Always a Good Solution When Choosing a Mattress?

Many people who are seeking advice about back pain from their doctor almost always ask if it could be due to a poor mattress rather than a seriously medical problem affecting the lower back. Some doctors will suggest that you change the mattress to a firmer, more supportive mattress. This is great advice but getting a mattress that is too firm could cause more problems.

Firm mattresses do not have to be the ones that are rock hard and flat. There is a happy medium between firms and comfortable. Firm mattresses can have padding on the top such as in a pillow top but it is what’s underneath the padding that counts. There must be good support in the springs in a quality firm mattress. These springs take on the pressure of your weight while keeping your spine and back in line, therefore enabling you to sleep well and wake up rested without that unnecessary back pain.

Other Great Resources About Firm Mattresses:

Consumer Reports writes that if a mattress is too firm, it will cause pressure points and discomfort.

Expert Village demonstrates in this YouTube video about why you shouldn’t get a mattress that is too firm.

CBS reports that “medium firm” is a better choice than firm when it comes to a mattress to avoid back pain.

Dust Mites – The Most Dangerous Enemies of a Mattress

January 22, 2013 by mattress1982

Dust mites are microscopic organisms that feed on dead skins cells from humans. Just thinking that these living creatures are thriving inside of your mattress is enough to make you drop whatever you are doing and get a real good mattress cleaning. How do dust mites get into a mattress? Is there a danger to the health of people who sleep on a mattress containing dust mites? True facts about dust mites will answer the questions that surround their existence.

Dust mites are more concentrated in the fall and winter months because people seal up doors and windows in the home during this time. It is important to get a regular cleaning of your mattress since the average dust mite mattress contains from 100,000 to 10 million dust mites. The mites thrive in the warm, moist environments that occur when people are in bed. They get into the mattress from dead skin that is shed by all humans; around 1/5 ounces each week. Carpeting and upholstered furniture also contain dust mites. A good look at a sun beam will reveal dust mites happily floating along its shaft munching on dead skill cells along with other indoor air pollutants.

Allergic to Dust Mites?

As unpleasant as this image may be, dust mites are not harmful to most healthy people. In fact, the allergic reaction actually comes from the skin and feces of the mites. Each dust mite produces 20 droppings every day. The American College of Asthma, Allergy & Immunology reports that about 10 percent of Americans have an allergic reaction from sleeping on a mattress filled with dust mites. Most of these people also have allergic reactions to other substances, such as pollen. Asthma sufferers are also susceptible to reaction from dust mite feces and skin.

Although some people are predisposed to allergy symptoms caused by dust mites, some people develop allergies to the mites after long time exposure. In 2010 the director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Services reported that up to 50 percent of the air in American homes has high enough allergen levels to cause allergic reactions to people are usually non-allergic. This is one reason why it is crucial to have a consistent mattress cleaning even if there are no allergy sufferers in the home.

Dust mites can cause nasal polyps to develop in some people who sleep on a dust mite mattress. Polyps occur when the soft tissue of the lining in the sinus becomes swollen. The tissue expands into the nose forming nasal polyps. Occasionally, polyps will grow large enough to result in breathing problems or affect a person’s sense of smell. Either of these conditions would require medical treatment. Cleaning your mattress on a regular basis reduces the chances of these and other health issues.

Signs that a person has a mattress rich in dust mites include increased allergic reactions or other issues as mentioned above. Homeowners can have their mattress and other furniture tested for dust mites if they are suspected. The good news is that there are several ways to reduce dust mite population in the home. Regular mattress cleaning, whether done by the homeowner or a professional service, is a good line of defense in the fight against dust mite infestation.

Some mattress types tend to be more resistant to dust mites than others. Latex mattresses and some memory foam mattresses like the Tempurpedic are said to be more resistant to dust mites than a traditional innerspring mattress. If you have a new innerspring mattress, you’ll want to cover it with a dust mite resistant cover all of the time. This way, you’ll only need to worry about your sheets and pillows, which can be easily cleaned and rid of dust mites.