A gel mattress pad or topper makes memory foam feel cooler. Memory foam mattresses utilize body heat to conform to your body as you rest. After resting on it a while, the mattress may feel a little too warm for comfort, especially if you prefer cooler sleeping conditions. While there are several ways to reduce the warming sensation of sleeping on memory foam, cooling the mattress is often a matter of placing a cooling material between your body and mattress, but this may also change the feel of the mattress itself. Cooling with Cotton A cotton cover over the mattress -- between the mattress and fitted sheet -- keeps the mattress a bit cooler than not using such a cover. Cotton breathes and feels cool against the skin; pair the cotton cover with 100 percent cotton sheets for even more cooling properties. Synthetic materials such as polyester blends trap heat and moisture in, rather than wicking body perspiration away. Woolly Wonders A wool-based mattress pad or blanket beneath the sheet also helps keep the heat of the foam away from your skin.
While wool offers warmth in cool weather, such as with a wool sweater, wool also has cooling properties because it draws moisture away from the body. A wool blanket or pad keeps your body from feeling clammy atop memory foam. Wool mattress covers or pads are also washable. Air Cooling A bed fan -- a special fan designed to blow air beneath the covers -- offers a cooling sensation no matter what type of bedding is used. This type of fan draws air from beneath the bed, transferring it through the vertical body of the fan through a vent that extends over the mattress, beneath the top sheet and blanket. The vertical portion of the fan body adjusts to the height of the bed. Under Covers The type of pajamas worn while in bed also affects your comfort level in terms of feeling too hot or too cold. Warm materials such as fleece or synthetic fabrics may cause sweating, warming the body more than you'd like. Swap the pajamas out for thin, breathable fabrics, such as cotton to help ensure you feel cool enough for a good night's rest.
Any blankets and comforters should also be made of breathable, natural fabrics to avoid trapping in too much heat. /Getty Images Suggest a Correction Solutions for Cooling Down My Memory Foam Mattress? Q: I have Graves Disease and that makes me generally warm, I have a memory foam mattress, and sleeping on foam is ridiculously warm. I wake up so over heated I have to get out of bed and cool down. It's really impacting my sleep. I want to buy a new mattress, but don't have the money so I thought maybe there could be some sort of mattress pad that might insulate me from the foam. I bought one, but despite the claims, it doesn't insulate any better. Editor: Please share your ideas and suggestions with Wolsey in the comments below - thanks! • Got a question? Email yours with pic attachments here (those with pics get answered first)Finding the right bed sheets and buying a mattress that works for you are important to a good night's sleep. However, sometimes a well-appointed bed is not quite restful enough.
Enter: The mattress pad. Also called mattress toppers, these can range from a thin padded protective sheet to thicker slabs that are almost like a small mattress. Moreover, mattress pads are great for providing extra cushion to a firm mattress and they can often help guard against dust mites. The style, thickness and size of a mattress pad will depend on your personal sleeping habits and your bed. But, if you're looking for one in the market, here are some very general things you should keep in mind.Cotton, latex and wool are commonly used for mattress pads. Cotton ones are usually thinner and quilted, but they are machine washable. Latex and wool pads are dust mite and mold-resistant, which makes them more durable than cotton. Almost counterintuitively, wool pads can work for the warmer months -- since they're absorbant, which helps keep you cool. However, natural latex will stand up to the test of time (20 years or more!) because it's derived from rubber trees.Another alternative to materials for mattress pads is memory foam, which molds to your body.
Although it's lightweight and comes thicker than the other options, this option absorbs heat and can sometimes get too hot during the night. However, because of memory foam's thickness, some thicker pads can actually be a good alternative to buying a completely new mattress when you need one. Good to know: If you're often hot when you sleep, the perfect temperature to sleep in is about 65 degrees. In that case, a wool or cotton pad will definitely be a better option than memory foam. Keep featherbeds in mind. These are extremely soft and great alternatives to mattress pads if you're looking for something that's more lightweight and soft. Filled with down, they're great at regulating body heat when you're sleeping, keeping you cool in the summer and warm in the winter. If you're looking for one, go for one with about 200 thread counts, which makes it more durable but still soft. Go for the extra features. If your mattress is not hypoallergenic, a mattress pad that is can make for a simple, affordable add-on.
More recently, odor-eliminating mattress pads that act as a protective layer between you and your mattress have also hit the market. Flip through the slideshow below to see some of our picks for mattress pads in the marketplace now. And, let us know in comments below what are other important things that you look for in mattress pads and featherbeds. Have something to say? Be sure to check out Stylelist Home on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. Back to U.S. Website, APO/FPO FurnitureExtra 15% offSelect Furniture by Christopher Knight*RugsUp to 70% offSelect Area Rugs by Safavieh*DécorUp to 50% offSelect Curtains by Exclusive Fabrics*Bed & BathSave onSelect Bedding & Bath by Laura Ashley & MoreHome ImprovementExtra 15% offHome Improvement*KitchenShop AppliancesOutdoorUp to 50% offSelect Outdoor Furniture by Portfolio*JewelryUp to 50% offSelect Auriya Jewelry*WatchesUp to 50% off Featured Branded Watches*Shop WatchesWomenUp to Extra 15% offClothing, Shoes & Accessories*MenUp to Extra 15% offClothing, Shoes & Accessories*Kids & BabyExtra 10% offKids Furniture*MoreExtra 10% offPet Supplies*
How to Keep Cool with a Memory Foam Topper Published May 11, 2011 | Updated June 12, 2015 You can instantly upgrade your mattress when you add a memory foam mattress topper. Memory foam toppers are made from high-density foam that works with your body heat to mold to your shape. This is great for winter temperatures or people who get cold while they sleep, but when temperatures heat up, you may experience trouble sleeping. Make sure your mattress topper is not deterring you from getting the rest you need. Consider these ideas for keeping your memory foam cool at night. Keep Your Memory Foam Cool: Shop Memory Foam Mattress Toppers ▸ Use a Mattress PadThe simplest solution for cooling down your memory foam topper is to place a mattress pad over it. Look for a cotton top mattress pad, which will help provide a barrier between the topper and your sheets for even more breathability. You may want to consider a wool mattress pad. Although it seems counterintuitive, adding a layer of wool can be helpful for several reasons.
Wool mattress pads absorb moisture for maximum comfort. As an added bonus, wool is naturally mold and allergen resistant -- making it a great choice for people with allergies. Shop for a Gel Memory Foam Mattress TopperIf you know your body temperature tends to rise while you sleep, pick a gel memory foam topper. They have all the great qualities of traditional memory foam. Gel memory foam mattress toppers provide the support that helps you rest comfortably, and they absorb movement, so you can sleep in peace even when sharing a bed. What makes them better is that these gel-infused mattress toppers allow for extra air circulation that will keep you cool all night. Think About Your SheetsMoisture-wicking sheets are your best option if you get hot at night. Because they are specially made to keep you from getting too hot, these sheets are worth the investment if you have a memory foam topper. Even just choosing high-quality cotton sheets, like 100 percent Egyptian cotton sheets, may help keep you from getting to hot at night.