See how it all works here.Do I need a mattress pad or mattress protector for my new Casper, Tuft & Needle, Leesa, Saatva, or other online mattress? This is by far one of the most common questions I receive on my blog, and it’s long over due for a quick question and answer post. First off, it’s important to note the differences between mattress pads and mattress protectors. A mattress pad is a relatively thick piece of quilted material that sits on top of your mattress, but below your sheets. A mattress pad can help to protect your mattress to some degree from general wear and tear, and help reduce allergens, but in general you’d purchase a mattress pad to add comfort to your mattress. The primary reason I would suggest buying a mattress pad is because you’re unhappy with your current mattress and a mattress pad can be a nice short term solution to add comfort to an older or uncomfortable mattress. If you’re buying a brand new mattress, whether it’s foam, innerspring, or otherwise, there is really no need to purchase a mattress pad.
Mattress toppers would be a similar option if you’re seeking a temporary solution to add comfort, but that’s another blog post. A mattress protector also sits directly on the surface of your mattress, but below your sheets. It’s similar to a fitted sheet in the way it covers the mattress. They are generally made from cotton, polyester, or other materials, and are designed to help repel liquid and prevent other sources of damage (dirt, dust, allergens, etc). The most common use for a mattress protector is simply as a liquid resistant protector. In the event you were to spill a drink, have an accident prone child or pet, or have a sexy-times accident, the mattress protector will help to ensure your expensive mattress stays fresh, clean, and unsoiled. I would highly recommend a mattress protector to anyone who is purchasing a new mattress, or already owns a mattress without a mattress protector. They are an inexpensive way to ensure your mattress stays nice for years.
Most mattress protectors are fairly thin. They don’t have to be thick to do their job if they are made well. As such, they have very little impact in terms of the feel and comfort of the mattress they are on. My wife and I have been using a pretty good and inexpensive mattress protector we purchased from Amazon when we bought our mattress. We’ve slept several times with it off to get a sense of the feel and I cannot tell any noteworthy difference in feel, comfort, or sound when the mattress protector is on vs. with it off. In addition to protecting your mattress from damage, liquids, etc. they can also aid in reducing allergens, dust mites, and asthma issues. If you have an older mattress that you’re not terribly happy with I would recommend a mattress pad. Mattress pads are an inexpensive way to add a little life to older or otherwise uncomfortable mattresses. If it’s a new mattress, there is no need to purchase a mattress pad (assuming you are happy with the mattress).
A mattress protector on the other hand is all but required. It’s inexpensive, protects your investment, has no visible impact, and shouldn’t dramatically change the way the mattress feels. In my book it’s a no brainer. Below are my favorite mattress protectors and mattress pads:How To Adjust Tempur-Pedic Mattress Tempurature Few mattresses require as much adjustment from consumers as a memory foam mattress does (be it Tempurpedic or other brand). So why would you change how you sleep, even if just for the length of the free home trial, for the sake of a memory mattress? And if you are willing to compromise, just what can you do to make sleeping on a Tempur mattress as comfortable as possible? Tempurpedic Mattress Foam Formula And Heat Problems The way Tempur-Pedic mattresses respond to heat is the number one reason consumers choose them over other brands but it is also the number one reported reason of most returns according to the countless consumer opinions we have read online.
A large proportion of people who return their memory bed or mattress and then say they are uncomfortably warm to sleep on. But many go the other way and say it is too cold and firm. How do we know? Because many people for whom this mattress does not work have expressed their dissapointment in online reviews and comments. Depending on your unique body chemistry, you may find sleeping on a memory foam mattress too hot or too cold. Having said that, you may really like the feeling of memory foam and you really do see yourself sleeping better on a Tempur mattress, if only you could adjust the temperature to make it more comfortable. It's also important to remember that for every consumer who says Tempur feels too hot or too cold there are many others who don't have this problem. The question is figuring out which group you fall into. The strange thing is that visco elastic memory foam mattresses are supposed to absorb body heat and breathe it out through millions of tiny air passages within the memory foam mattress.
For many people though, these next two factors are overpowering and counteract that ability. Memory foam mattresses trap heat well because they: Use high density memory foam Heat responsiveness improves body contouring (better body contouring results in more skin touching the mattress instead of being exposed to air to cool off) The following tips apply not just to Tempurpedic but to any other heat-responsive memory foam mattress. How To Make Your Tempur-Pedic Mattress Cooler While you cannot alter Tempur foam density, you can change how the memory mattress reacts to body heat. If the Tempur-Pedic bed didn't react to heat as well as it could, there would be less contact with it and more exposure to air (which causes cooling). Tempur-Pedic mattresses come with a breathable terry cloth cover which acts as a light barrier between you and the viscoelastic memory mattress. The cover solves the heat problem for many people but for many others, it doesn't. If the Tempur-Pedic mattress sleeps hot even with the cover on, use an additional pad or cover over it to insulate the mattress from the body.
The thicker the insulation, the longer it takes body heat to reach the Tempur foam layer. It becomes, therefore, less responsive to heat. But sadly, there is a trade-off. Insulation means the Tempurpedic mattress cannot react the best it possibly could to body temperature, The end result is a somewhat firmer memory foam mattress that won't soften to become more gentle. Some suppliers use pillowtops or fiberfill padding over the visco foam mattress to make it cooler to sleep on. To make up for the reduced heat responsiveness, they use lower density foam to allow better body conforming. Their attempt to recapture the gentle feeling visco elastic mattresses are best known for, however, results in less support and shorter longevity. Other suggestions for making sleeping on Tempur-Pedic-style mattresses more comfortable without losing support or gentleness include: Using fewer blankets to cover yourself Keeping several terry cloth towels close by Sleeping in a cooler environment (less than 65F) by airing the room before going to sleep or keeping windows open.
How To Make Your Tempur-Pedic Mattress Warmer There are significantly fewer people who say Tempur-Pedic beds feel too cold. Cold memory foam mattresses also feel somewhat firmer. Here are some suggestions to make a Tempur mattress warmer and softer. First thing to try would be to make sure the memory foam layer within the bed or mattress reacts the best it possibly can to body heat. Try removing any pads or covers and sleeping directly on the Tempur-Pedic mattress. This should increase heat responsiveness, improve body contouring and allow more contact with the mattress. Less exposure to air equates to warmer Tempur mattresses. Other suggestions for warming up and softening the foam include sleeping in a warmer environment (more than 65F) by heating the room before going to bed and walking or laying on the mattress for 20 minutes before actually going to bed. Using electric blankets or heated pads to warm the Tempur-Pedic bed is not recommended as they may damage the viscoelastic foam layer.
There are many compromises you may have to make if you really like the feel of memory foam mattresses, be it from Tempur-Pedic or others. Unfortunately, only your own body chemistry can tell you if and just how much adjustment you may have to go through before being completely comfortable sleeping on a memory mattress -- not too hot and not too cold. And the best way to find that out is a mattress home trial. My Foam Mattress Has Memory! A Critical Eye On The Latest Mattress Technologies 3.5 lb vs 5.5 lbWhich to choose from a 3.5lb foam toppers versus 5.5lb Tempur-Pedic bed topper comparison? Higher density alone does not make a quality sleeping surface. The formula behind the best sleeping surface uses best quality, high-density foam that responds to body temperature. Known BrandsWhat is the secret behind Tempur-Pedic mattress technology and why is it in the top 5 most popular brands alongside the likes of Sensus, Isotonic, Bergad and Sealy? The answer is that it uses good quality, high density, heat responsive foam.