Memory Foam Mattress Pads – A Better Choice
A comfortable mattress is essential to a good night’s sleep. We spend one third of our lives asleep and look for our resting spot to be as comfortable as possible. Comfort is on the forefront of the consumer’s mind when they are shopping for a mattress and mattress makers know this. It is for this reason that we have seen the booming sales of mattresses toted by major hotel chains, and luxury mattress makers. Whether you are in the market for a twin, queen or king size mattress, you have probably seen and tested every mattress type from the most common coil mattress to the ever popular memory foam mattress pad.
Memory foam mattress pads have become the most popular alternative to the coil mattresses because they are very comfortable as they conform to your body’s shape and have been reported to be a helpful sleeping aide to those individuals with back problems. They can also be extremely costly, with prices well over one thousand dollars, so before you invest in a new mattress, it is best to do your research, after all, an educated consumer gets the best for his/her dollar!
You may find it hard to believe that the creation of the memory foam mattress pad actually originated with NASA. Back in the 70s, NASA was funded to develop a material that would help the g-force experience that the astronauts felt during lift-off. They came up with the notion of foam because of its ability to conform to a person’s shape and basically give them cushion. Regular foam wasn’t quite enough to do this so NASA created a foam material that contained visco-elasticity and allowed the foam to contour the astronauts shape and adapt to body movement. Of course mattress companies caught on to this idea and introduced it to consumers in the form of the memory foam mattress pads by the early 1990s.
Mattress companies are also selling a foam mattress pad or topper for those who are not necessarily in the market for a new bed but just want the comfort of the foam. While the topper is a less expensive choice, only you can make the decision as to whether you require a completely new mattress or not.
Whether you choose to buy a memory foam topper or mattress, you must choose them based on the same criteria; solidity, density and thickness. Solidity or softness is going to important when you test it to measure what level of softness is comfortable to you. The Indentation Load Deflection (ILD) rating on the mattress indicates how soft it is, the higher the ILD, the firmer the foam. You don’t want a mattress that is too soft or too firm because both conditions may cause lower back pain. Density is also very important when choosing your memory foam mattress. Foam density ranges from 2 lbs to over 6 lbs. The lower density is not usually recommended as it lacks support and may return to its original shape quickly. Mid grade foam (between 3 to 4.5 lbs) is usually the marker where you should start. The ideal density (the most expensive) ranges from 5 to 6.2 lbs, this range has been reported as the best body support. Thickness goes hand in hand with density and again you should test out each mattress before making that final purchase.
Memory foam mattress pads generally have a shorter life span then their coil counterparts so you want to get the best return on your dollar. One way of making sure of this is to review what type of warranty comes with the mattress. Also some companies allow you a free trial period. This is an excellent opportunity for you to test before you drive so to speak; getting the right feel and comfort level before making that final purchase.
Reading reviews of memory foam mattress pads is a great way to learn about the company’s products before you make your investment. Temper-Pedic dominates the market of memory foam mattress pads, offering a variety of mattress types and price ranges, but they are not alone in the market. Other companies such as Bergad, Sealy, Sears-O-Pedic, Serta, Simmons and Leggett offer competitive prices and products. Almost all consumers note the “chemical smell” on first opening their mattress, but note that it dissipates completely within a couple of weeks. Reviewers also unanimously noted that their mattress was firm upon receipt but after a few nights actually did conform to the body’s shape. There is also a temperature adjustment that buyers warned of, the foam starts out warm but eventually like the contouring reaches a comfortable temperature. Overall, those who have reviewed their memory foam mattress pad loved them and stated that it relieves the aches and pains from previous mattresses completely.