What is Visco-Elastic Memory Foam? Visco-elastic foam, also commonly known as memory foam, has been around for about 40 years now. The material was originally invented by NASA to be used in space shuttle seats. It has come a long way since then and is now used in the creation of memory foam mattresses, toppers, and pillows. Types of Mattress Foams There are three main types of foams being used in the mattress industry today: Latex, Polyurethane, and Visco-Elastic(memory foam). Each foam is made from different materials and provides a different sleeping experience. According to mattress expert Sean Fry, foams are a good option for mattresses because they are “able to contour to the shape and curves of your body in a unique way, which significantly reduces pressure points.“ So, what are the key differences between each type of foam? We’ll highlight what each foam is and how they differ: Latex foam: Mattresses made with this foam are known for being natural and durable.
They are one of the most eco-friendly mattresses on the market and they provide excellent support and will outlast polyurethane and memory foam mattresses. Polyurethane foam: This is the most common type of foam used in mattresses and is derived from petroleum. They are considered non-toxic once the chemicals have reacted. It’s one of the more economical choices, but this mattress doesn’t provide as much support as latex or memory foam mattresses. Visco-Elastic(memory foam): This mattress uses the same chemicals as a polyurethane foam, but it also has added chemicals to create that signature foam imprint seen on mattress ads and mattress commercials. Since it is much denser than its counterparts, it absorbs more pressure and offers more support. Due to the materials and chemicals used to make this foam, the mattress tends to sleep hot and it won’t sleep nearly as “cool” as latex. Regardless of which type of foam you choose to go with for your mattress, keep in mind that the higher the density of the foam, the better the overall durability….but also more expensive.
Should I Buy Visco-Elastic Foam? Visco-Elastic foam mattresses are highly rated in customer satisfaction due to their motion isolation and pressure-point relief. Owners also report that sleeping on memory foam has helped ease their overall pain. Here are some of the main benefits from sleeping on visco-elastic foam: Durable—memory foam mattresses have an average lifespan of 7 years. It “remembers” you—memory foam contours to your unique sleeping style and body shape which helps alleviate pain. Less likely to sag — they are 30% less likely to sag or compress than innerspring mattresses. Good motion isolation — since there are no coiled springs, you are less likely to feel your partner’s movements. There are some disadvantages to visco-elastic foam, though: Off-gassing — a major drawback is that memory foam mattresses tend to emit odors and can off-gas for up to a month. Retains heat — due to the chemicals used, memory foam mattresses tend to “sleep hot.”
VOCs come from the variety of resins, catalysts, solvents, and adhesives that are used in the manufacturing process, and they continue to volatilize long after production.Chronic exposures to low levels of VOCs have been linked in the past to infant allergies, asthma, and lung infections, but researchers have now done something different. They have measured the actual quantity of VOCs being emitted in a sleeping baby’s bedroom, and what they found is quite scary.Researchers from the University of Texas, led by environmental engineer Brandon Boor, analyzed 20 new and used crib mattresses made from either polyurethane foam or polyester foam. In a bedroom-sized chamber with a heated steel cylinder to imitate the heat released by a sleeping infant’s body (which would speed up the release of VOCs), they compared measurements of VOCs within the room (10 feet away from the crib) and within the infant’s breathing zone (2.5 cm/1 in above the mattress).According to Chemical & Engineering News, they found 30 different VOCs, including some that are classified as environmental pollutants and developmental disruptors.
New mattresses released four times as many VOCs as old ones on average. But most importantly, they found that VOCs were significantly higher in the infant’s breathing zone than in the middle of the room, which is serious when you consider that many infants sleep 12-14 hours a day in close proximity to foam.The good news is that consumers don’t have to wait around for the industry to fix itself. There are alternative solutions that use latex, natural rubber, organic cotton, eucalyptus fibre, and/or coconut coir fillings, and are coated in organic cotton or wool, which are natural flame retardants. If you’re looking for a crib mattress, start by checking out this helpful list at Inhabitots. If you can’t afford a natural mattress, one of the study’s coauthors recommends setting aside a new mattress for six months before bringing it into the house, giving it time to off-gas sufficiently.Seeing as how we spend almost 1/3 of our entire life lying horizontally on a mattress – one would think it would stand alone atop of our list of regular cleaning duties..
but lets face it, we rarely think about cleaning the mattress. The problem is, once you strip away all the sheets, you’re left with a mattress that has a cover that you can’t remove – it’s not like there’s a zipper and you can simply unzip the cover and throw it into the washing machine – no, the sad truth is – once we pull all the sheets off, we tend to turn a blind eye to whatever nastiness might live atop the mattress itself. Mattresses can harbor spills, stains, dirt, dust, dust mites and worse – so, maintaining a clean mattress is important for several reasons, not the least of which is the fact that your partially clothed body is lying on top of it with only a sheet separating you. This is an important step because it removes the dust, dead skin cells and other debris that lands on your mattress and which accumulates, en masse, over time. Consider doing this every time you rotate your mattress; Now, the important part here is to use a clean upholstery attachment, because remember that your vacuum sucks up all kinds of nasties and you don’t want to be depositing those on your mattress.
We have a post and video on how to clean your cleaning tools, which teaches you how to do this. Remember to vacuum the mattress as well as the foundation, if you can manage it. You can fancify your mattress vacuuming by adding another step, and that is deodorizing. I guess with all that sweat, dust and other fun stuff your mattress handles, it can start to develop it’s own unique aroma. To combat this, simply sift baking soda over your mattress, leave for thirty minutes and then vacuum up with that upholstery attachment. Baking soda is a natural deodorizer so it will definitely help neutralize any odours. Note however, that it won’t really clean any stains in this ‘dry’ cleaning method. If you like essential oils, add five drops to the baking soda pre-sift and you’ll get to enjoy that lovely scent for a few nights thereafter. Stains come in 3 varieties (protein, tannin and grease), but only one usually ends up on your mattress – and that would be a protein stain – and the reason we’re only going to cover protein stains here is because blood, sweat, vomit, urine and other bodily liquids are what we usually have to contend with on a mattress.
As with any stain, it’s best to tend to it as soon as possible to avoid the stain setting in. Liquid stains need to be blotted up first with a cool, wet cloth and then excess moisture blotted up with a dry cloth. Remember to use a a pressing motion, rather than a circular motion to lift the stain to avoid further rubbing the stain in. Also remember that heat sets protein stains so only use cold water when handling these. Fresh protein stains can usually be removed with a mixture of salt, baking soda and water. Create a paste, rub it on the area and brush off 30 minutes later. Then, use some cool water on a damp cloth to remove the excess and allow to dry. If that doesn’t work, upgrade your solution and try my favourite homemade stain remover, consisting of 2 parts hydrogen peroxide to one part dish soap. Gently apply the stain remover to the area, gently brush in with a cleaning toothbrush and wipe up five minutes later with a cool, damp cloth. This should also help with any unsightly discolouration.
Some people love using enzyme cleaners to remove protein stains, and you are welcome to try this, they are highly effective. Just remember to use as little liquid as possible and to ensure your mattress is completely dried before using it again to avoid growing your very own mold spores. Placing fans in the room can speed up the process. Some folks swear by deep cleaning or steam cleaning their mattresses. Now, what I know is that mattresses don’t do well with moisture so I don’t use these methods, although I have access to both a deep cleaner and a steam cleaner. I also know that there are professional service providers who do this and those with allergies or very difficult mattress stains can consider using a professional rather than hacking it on their own. These folks are trained and have access to great extraction equipment. I’d trust them over me, particularly when it comes to my most beloved and crucial sleeping tool. Turn and/or flip your mattress so it will wear evenly, do this at the turn of every season and rotate clockwise.
My husband and I have about 100 lbs difference between us, so rotating the mattress means we prolong the life of the mattress and even out the wear. It takes a grand total of 45 seconds to do. No water on your mattress – mattresses really don’t like water, and memory foam mattresses can’t actually handle liquids at all. With memory foam or Tempurpedic mattresses, liquid gets trapped in the cellular structure and has nowhere to go. On that note, never, ever get your memory foam mattress wet. If you need to spot clean, be super stingy with the liquid and blot like a mad man or woman. Use fans to dry the mattress so if that mattress gets wet, use fans to assist in dry time and if you have access to a wet dry vac, use that to help extract moisture. Don’t think about sleeping on mattresses until they are completely dry. We’ve been asked about how to deal with bedbugs. This is a serious issue and should not be a DIY project. Act fast and call a professional.
Have them treat your mattress, room and any other affected areas of the house immediately. If you get – them you want them gone, and these guys know how to do it. Now you may recall at the beginning of this video that I mentioned something about a tip which would save your mattress from spills and stains and the like – well, its not really a huge secret but a mattress protector is one of the best investments for your mattress – there are a few different types, which I have linked below if you are interested in learning more. Luna Premium Hypoallergenic Waterproof Mattress Protector Sleep Defense System – Waterproof / Bed Bug Proof Mattress Encasement Sleep Tite by Malouf ENCASE Mattress Protector – Six-Sided Zipper Encasement But trust me on this one, it’s much easier to take off a mattress protector and throw it in the washing machine then to fiddle around on your mattress trying to remove tough stains or spills. Also it’s important to note that many mattress manufacturers strongly recommend using a mattress protector – because stains on your mattress will void your warranty.