Think mattress pads are just a required cover for your bed? Well, you’re partly right—every mattress does need a cover to protect from typical wear and tear. But the right mattress topper can do more: Some protect mattresses from dust, dander, and spills, some help the bed stay at a comfortable sleeping temperature, some reduce how much the bed moves when a sleeper tosses and turns, and some can even make a so-so feeling mattress a fabulous place to sleep. If you want to find the right mattress topper for you, this guide can help. Why do you need a mattress pad? Most people buy a new mattress pad because they either have a new mattress that they want to protect or because they're looking to make their bed more comfortable. What are you protecting your mattress from? Everyday wear and tear A basic cotton mattress pad A waterproof mattress pad Allergens like dust, dust mites and pet dander A mattress pad enhanced with anti-allergen properties
A mattress protector with bedbug barriers What would make your mattress more comfortable? Temperature control: A mattress pad that stays comfortable relative to how hot or cold I am in the night. Mattress pads filled with natural fibers like cotton, wool, or down. A bed that adjusts to my body: I'd like a mattress pad that makes my bed feel more custom-fit to me. A down-filled mattress pad, which is fluffy and comfortable-and will help keep the temperature even while you sleep. (If you're concerned about allergies, you can also opt for a down-alternative mattress pad.) A Visco Elastic mattress pad (aka, Memory Foam ) can also conform better to your body-these synthetic pads respond to body heat, getting softer in the spots you press the mattress most, and staying firm elsewhere-so they feel like they're supporting you where you need it. And if you opt for a cotton mattress pad, look for one with a higher fill count, which will feel softer. More firmness: I'd like my mattress to feel a little firmer than it currently does.
A latex mattress pad or a Visco elastic pad can add more firmness to the mattress for a more supported feeling. Reducing motion: I need a way to make my partner's tossing and turning less jarring to me when I sleep. A mattress pad made with Memory Foam or latex will reduce the transfer of motion, meaning one side won't move as much when the other one does. Mattress pads and mattress toppers are often confused. Here are the most common types of bed toppers. Type of mattress toppers Mattress Protector (a non-padded mattress covers) Non-padded mattress covers (sometimes called encasements) are designed to help protect a mattress from exposure to things that might damage it-like water, dust and dust mites, mold, pet dander, and other allergens. Non-padded mattress covers can be made of cotton, vinyl or super-tightly woven polyester fabric, and they usually zip up to totally surround the mattress. (You can get these encasements for box springs, too.) A fitted mattress pad works like a fitted sheet-a ring of elastic around its bottom edge helps secure it to the bed.
Unlike a sheet, however, a fitted mattress pad is quilted on top to provide a comfortable sleeping surface-and to circulate air to help sleepers' body temperatures stay more even during the night. Fitted mattress pads are a good match for most standard-size mattresses. Because it has a quilted top, a guaranteed-to-fit mattress pad helps make a bed feel more comfortable. It also offers better temperature regulation. The side panels of a guaranteed-to-fit mattress pad are made with an elasticized fabric that helps it attach securely to deeper mattresses, usually up to depth of 24". (These mattress pads are sometimes referred to as Tailor Fit or Expand-a-Grip.) Visco Elastic Mattress Toppers These mattress toppers, sometimes called memory foam, are designed to provide additional support to sleepers. They conform to the body because they're made with a temperature-sensitive material that contracts more where the body is warmer, but stays firmer where the body is cooler. These mattress toppers can also dampen motion when a sleeper moves.
Visco elastic mattress pads are placed on the bed underneath the fitted sheet. These mattress toppers are essentially mattress-sized pillows designed to create a more comfortable sleeping surface. Fiberbeds and featherbeds cradle body areas that don't come into contact with the mattress. These stuffed pads are made with natural materials like down and cotton or with man-made materials, and can be placed underneath or on top of a fitted sheet. Also referred to as egg crates, these dimpled foam pads are designed to improve body weight distribution. They add support, help reduce tossing and turning, and add a layer of cushioning to the bed. These mattress pads are electric and come with warming controls. Some come with dual controls that let you have different warmth settings for each side of the bed. The cover's fabric content: 100% cotton covers will provide superior comfort and durability over cotton/polyester blends; many are treated with fabric protection that makes them stain- and water-repellant as well as anti-microbial.
The cover's thread count: This number stands for the number of threads per square inch of fabric. A higher thread count of a better quality yarn will provide a mattress pad with greater resistance to wear and tear (it will feel softer, too). The mattress pad's fill: Most mattress pads have a polyester fill. As you'd expect, thicker fill provides more cushioning. Down-alternative fills, which are made of super-fine gel fibers, provide extra support and comfort. All mattress pads are machine washable. The general rule is to launder them less frequently than you wash your sheets, but more frequently than your comforter.Here are the most frequent questions I have received on how to buy a memory foam topper. I hope they help you make a good decision. at the bottom of this page, you can ask your own questions. also share your own comments or experiences with memory foam. You can also see the questions other people have asked. All it is is a block of memory foam, anywhere from two to four inches thick, the size of your current mattress.
It sits on top of the mattress you already have. For example, if you have a queen size bed, you need a queen size topper.To determine what thickness you should buy, here are some guidelines: Two questions people frequently ask are: If you have a bad back, you have to be careful when buying a bed topper to make sure it has good support. For support, the term you need to be aware of when shopping is memory foam density. High quality toppers will have a density of four pounds (4lbs) or five pounds (5lbs to 5.34lbs). If you have a bad back, your best bet is to get a bed topper that has a density of at least four. A density of five or more would be even better. As for the second question, is memory foam bad for your back? I wrote a detailed article about this called What is the Best Mattress for Back Pain? You can read my article by clicking the Best Mattress for Back Pain box you see on the right up above. If you have any kind of back, neck, or shoulder pain, you're going to want to read that article.
You may read comments on websites that have memory foam mattress topper reviews about how a topper can turn any mattress into a luxuryThis is simply nonsense. That's like saying you can put a fake fur jacket on a pig and turn it into a purebred dog. See, in order for the topper to work, you have to have a good mattress already that the topper can sit on top of. If your mattress is getting into that seven to ten-year-old range, a topper may not help you get a better night's sleep. You may need to be thinking about replacing the entire mattress. Just take a good honest look at the mattress you have. If it's seven years old and still decent, you might be able to keep that mattress going for a few more years if you put a topper on it. However, if your mattress is already worn out, and sagging in the middle, the foam topper will sag too. It's a waste of money because the topper will conform to the underlying foundation. It's probably safe to say you're looking into a topper because you want memory foam... and you also want to save money.
Perhaps you just can't pony up the substantial money (often up into the thousands) needed to buy a memory foam mattress.Just keep in mind that along with what I said above about back pain, a topper is best for the following: If you buy a cheap memory foam mattress topper, you'll be lucky to get a couple years out of it. Poor quality memory foam will quickly lose its support. In fact, you might find the foam is not expanding and remains indented. On the other hand, top quality mattress toppers may last up to about ten years if you take good care of them, although ten years is a stretch. It all depends on how often the topper is used. If you get five years out of your topper and use it all the time, consider it a good investment. Also keep this in mind: a foam topper with a density of at least four pounds will usually last longer. However, they are slightly more expensive. In my part two article, Where to Buy the Best Memory Foam Topper, we'll look at one very important health question about memory foam—toxic chemicals.
And I'll give you three short memory foam mattress topper reviews. However, if you just want to jump in and go shopping right now for a memory foam topper, see below. Nature’s Sleep sells four different topper thicknesses so you’re sure to find something that suits you. These are all certified pure by CertiPUR-US.Their 3-inch 4lb density topper is especially nice. toppers ship for free. I recommend reading the topper comments from buyers on their website. Click here to check out Nature's Sleep memory foam toppers.The Nature’s Sleep toppers I just told you about are plush, top-of-the-line toppers. They cost a little more too because they are first-rate. example, on the Nature’s Sleep website their best seller is the 3 inch, 4 pound But what if you have a limited budget, yet still want a really good topper and can’t afford their excellent best seller? Well check this out. and type in memory foam topper into the search box, Nature’s Sleep does not come up (at the time of me writing
Not unless you go to the much deeper pages. However, Nature’s Sleep has put two toppers on Amazon that are not listed on the Nature’s Sleep website. These two toppers are typical superb Nature’s Sleep quality, yet priced to sell big time. I’m not sure why Nature’s Sleep is doing this. know if this is a limited promotion to get people over to their website. know however that you can get a great price on these toppers if you grab one of You can get a 2.5 inch topper with a density of 3.5 pounds. Or you can opt for the 2.5 inch memory foam topper with 4.5 pounds of density. Both of these are a fabulous bargain. For those with a smaller budget, finally, a top-notch memory foam topper you can afford. Here are the links to Nature's Sleep at Amazon: 2.5 inch 4.5 pound density 2.5 inch 3.5 pound density A good topper will run you several hundred dollars, depending on whatHowever, for just a little more money, you can get a
complete luxury mattress that has memory foam in it. you can get an ultra deluxe queen, online, for only $899! great company that won an award from the Better Business Bureau forA premium mattress of this quality would cost you at least $2,000 in a mattress store.Before you spring for a topper, do yourself a favor and read my article, Maverick Mattress CEO Answers the Question, What is the Best Mattress for You? You can read this article by clicking on the What is the Best Mattress box you see on the right up above. also learn what mattress stores don't want you to know. And, why a top sleep doctor replaced his $2,800 Tempur-pedic with this luxury discount Ask A Question or Share What You KnowAbout Memory Foam and Toppers Add your questions, comments, or experiences with memory foam or a memory foam topper. Tell the world what you know. Enter Your Title (Example: My Memory Foam Topper Experience) Click here to see the rest of the form and complete your submission.
What Other Visitors Have Said Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page... Latex Mattress Topper for Scoliosis Back Pain I have a son with bad scoliosis. He is living in the dorm at college. I bought him a mattress topper but he says it makes him feel like he is sleeping … Water Proof Mattress Pad on Memory Foam Topper? Do I need a water proof mattress pad on my new quality memory foam topper? I’m just wondering if a mattress pad and foam topper will be okay together or … Putting mattresses with memory foam on a box spring Would it be a good idea to put my memory foam mattress on a box spring? I haven't found an answer for this question anywhere I have looked. Best memory foam mattress for breathing problems? Here's my question: Is memory foam safe if you have emphysema (i.e., breathing in the fumes)? It depends on the quality of the memory foam. Memory foam topper on top of memory foam mattress? Is it comfortable to put a 3 inch memory foam topper on top of a 8 inch memory foam mattress?
There are two reasons … Will a memory foam topper cut down on tossing and turning? I found your site in a Google search on memory foam topper. I'm recently married and my wife has trouble sleeping because I toss and turn. Can a Memory Foam Mattress Topper Freeze? I love my memory foam mattress topper. I also bought one for my camper. The sleep my boyfriend and I get is great. Do have a question. Can the memory … Don't Buy a Memory Foam Mattress? Watch out people if you buy a memory foam mattress. I have two that have sagged either side, leaving a hump in the middle. Our newish bed, super king, … Memory Foam Topper on Top of a Futon We've put a memory foam topper on top of our futon. It's not working out ideally. Is it because we need a better foam topper, or is it because you can't … 7 Memory Foam Topper Tips Question: I am thinking seriously about purchasing a memory foam mattress topper and I don't really know what I'm doing. I am overweight so I need something …