How to Shop Smart and Save on Memory Foam Mattresses

By now, pretty much everyone has heard of memory foam mattresses. Many people, however, continue to believe that memory foam is expensive luxury item reserved for the wealthy. This is simply not true. Due to retail competition, memory foam mattress prices are lower than ever allowing the benefits of a good nights’ sleep to be enjoyed by almost everyone.
When memory foam first came to the bedding market years ago, it was a unique, new technology and held a price tag that put it out of reach for the average consumer. Like all new technologies, it eventually became cheaper and more available. Online, you now find dozens of brands of memory foam offered at discounted prices that are often a small fraction of the cost of Tempurpedic mattresses. Many of these discount mattresses are too good to be true, however, so this article will discuss how to weed out the good deals from the bad.
When buying a memory foam mattress, it is important to make sure that the mattress is only composed of foam. Beds with coils and springs and other materials will detract from benefits of memory foam and are best avoided. Quality mattresses will have a bottom layer composed of high resiliency poly foam with layers of memory foam on top. Many will also have air flow channels in between the foams for venting as well. No mattress will be composed of 100 percent memory foam, since the sleeper would just keep sinking until the bottom. The base foam prevents the sleeper from bottoming out and provides support for the memory foam. For optimal comfort, it is recommended to purchase a mattress with at least three inches of memory foam on top of the base. This will allow most sleepers to be fully supported without pressure points.
Some companies will use 2-3 inch thick poly foam barriers around the perimeter of the mattress, which is unnecessary. These will typically be referred to as side walls or edge reinforcements. The primary purpose for the manufacturer is to reduce the cost of the mattress by reducing the amount of expensive memory foam going into the bed. This is bad for the consumer because they reduce the size of the mattress’ sleeping surface and the cheaper poly foam will break down quicker than the memory foam in the middle, meaning this mattress will need to be replaced faster than others.
Also, be sure to check the density of the memory foam as this is the most telltale sign of quality. A memory foam mattress should have a density of at least 5 lbs per square foot. The density is not a measure of firmness, but rather how tightly packed the cells are in the foam. High density foams will last longer and wear better over time and the tightly packed cells provide the floating on air feel. Many discount retail chains and websites sell beds with densities that can be as low as 2.5 lbs, so make sure you check the density prior to purchasing the bed.
With these guidelines in mind, you should be able to find a mattress comparable to Tempurpedic beds without the high price tag. A good night’s sleep should not be reserved for the wealthy, and by shopping for memory foam mattresses online, consumers can save hundreds to thousands for true peace of mind.

Memory Foam Mattresses- Names aren't everything

While a Tempurpedic bed is probably considered to be one of highest quality mattresses available today, the majority of us can barely afford gas, let alone a multi-thousand dollar mattress! Lucky for us, there are companies who sell products that are nearly identical in make-up and durability for much less, but there are also poor imitations.

While you should still expect to spend a little bit more then you would for a traditional mattress, you can rest a lot easier knowing this investment will last you 20 years or more, compared to the average 5-10 year lifespan of a pillow-top innerspring bed. So what features should you look for when picking a good memory foam bed, and which ones should be avoided?

Density is probably the most telltale clue of the quality in memory foam. The density refers to the weight of one cubic foot of foam. The density of the classic tempur foam is about 5.3 lbs, so foam in the range of 5 lbs.- 6 lbs. will be most comparable. Foams in the 3-4 lb. range are considered okay but will have a shorter lifespan, probably 10 years. 4-5lb is acceptable but may not feel quite like the real thing. Foams over 7 lb. are considered high density and have a viscose feel. It is best to have this layered with some mid-density foam for comfort.

Construction is another big factor. Tempurpedic mattresses consist of at least one layer of memory foam over a layer of base foam. The memory foam layer should be at least 3” thick for optimal support. The base foam will usually be polyurethane foam. Mattresses with the convoluted base layer will have a little better air circulation. Beware of anyone that tells you their mattress is “all” memory foam. The mattress should have a removable, washable, water resistant cover.

Aside from this you can read reviews, make sure you’re buying from a reputable supplier, make sure you have a trial period, and make sure your warranty is sufficient for the quality and price.

Sheets for Memory Foam Mattresses

So now that you have your new Memory Foam Mattress, you may be wondering about linens and sheets. A common question with many consumers ask is if they need special sheets for their new mattress or if there is one type that is better then another. Generally speaking, any sheets can work on a memory foam mattress. Here are a few pointers:

Material: Most sheets are cotton, or cotton/polyester blends. The 100% cotton are going to feel better and will usually breathe better. Most consumers agree that Egyptian Cotton is more durable and better wearing, which has made it a hot item recently. Silk and satin sheets will also work but tend to be less breathable. I have had many people tell me that jersey cotton sheets are a favorite with memory foam mattresses, as they stretch nicely and don’t pull up as much on the sides.

Depth: Make sure you know the depth of your mattress before buying sheets. Most memory foam beds fall within a normal range 10”-13” so sheets won’t be too hard to come by. If you have a low profile bed, like 8”-9” thick, you may want to look for sheets that have 11” or less pockets, as some sheets may be too baggy. If your mattress measures over 13” high make sure you get “deep-pocket” sheets designed to fit the required height.

Size: Know your bed size! Memory foam beds are available in a wide array of sizes and adjustable bed mattresses often use abnormal sizes, so it is important to know what you need. Here is a guide:
• Twin- 38-39” W x 74-75” L
• Twin XL- 38-39” W x 80” L
• Full- 54” W x 74-75” L
• Full XL- 54” W x 80” L
• Queen- 60” W x 80” L
• Expanded Queen- 66” W x 80” L
• Split Queen- (2) 30” W x 80”L units
• Eastern King- 75-76” W x 80” L
• Split Eastern King- (2) 38-39” W x 80” L units (2 Twin XLs)
• California King- 72” W x 84” L
• Split California King- (2) 36” W x 84” L units.

Thread Counts: The thread count of fabric determines how soft and luxurious it is and how well it will wear. Lower thread counts feel less silky and will show wear faster then high thread counts. Under 250 TC is typically considered “low”. 300-400 TC are suitable for most people. High thread counts would be anything over 500, and anything over 1000 should be of the most luxurious quality. Ultra soft sheets soothe the senses and can definitely add luxury to your bed. Definitely a worthwhile splurge.

What is Memory Foam all about?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you have probably heard of Memory Foam Mattresses, also referred to by the brand name Tempurpedic mattresses and their purported benefits. Many of are naturally skeptical of the ‘next big thing’ that is supposed to improve our quality of life and naturally beg the question “Is it really worth it?” or “What can memory foam do for me?”

With the vast and expansive amount of information available on the internet, one can gain a better understanding of the product and make an informed decision based on personal needs. First off, what is memory foam made of? Memory foam is actually polyurethane foam with a special additive that adds heat sensitive and elastic like capabilities. What this means to you is that the memory foam mattress will respond to the heat of your body and contour to your shape.
The heat and weight sensitive foams mean your heavier areas will sink further into the bed to keep your spine in a straighter, more aligned position. In a coil/spring mattress, the hips and shoulders are forced up at an unnatural angle that places most pressure on the lower back which is where most people report discomfort. In the foam beds, the design allows the hips and shoulders to sink in, while supporting the lower back.

Perhaps the most proven and lauded benefit is the pressure reducing capabilities of memory foam. This is the only benefit that has been medically proven and is very significant. Memory foam was first utilized in the health care industry for this very reason. Side by side studies comparing visco-foam, basic foam, coil, and air mattresses and their relative ability to reduce pressure sores on the bedridden put visco foam (memory foam) in first place. The unique cell structure distributes pressure evenly across the surface of the bed, not placing all the strain on hips and lower back.

Another common concern seems to be heat retention in the mattress. This was a problem with earlier memory foam as they were designed in a closed cell, flat slab design that allowed no air flow. Now mid-layers are usually convoluted which allows air to circulate. Using a platform style slatted foundation can also improve air flow if that is a concern for you.

While no one mattress is going to satisfy everyone, the quick popularity and high satisfaction ratio combined with today’s lower prices certainly make it an option worth considering. Remember, 4 lb-6 lb densities are considered the best value and just make sure you have a return period if you are new to memory foam. Then, rest easy and enjoy the newest mattress technology!

Tempurpedic Pillow review

I was wondering around the mall and I walked into a Tempurpedic Mattress store there. My boyfriend has not been able to sleep lately and I was hoping that if I got him a new pillow - that combined with our new mattress - it would help him sleep and make my life more enjoyable. The pillow is really heavy. I bet it weighs 8 lbs. I have done quite a bit of research on these pillows and mattresses. Apparently Memory foam is getting more popular every day. There are a ton of links to good sites about it. Wikipedia has a page for it. I have to admit I think it lives up to all the hype. It really makes my boyfriend sleep better. I would like to test other types of memory foam though. I was very happy with the support and service I got from Sleep Masters in Mesa, Arizona. We will probably end up getting some Tempurpedic Mattresses for the other rooms in our house.

Sleep masters is not associated with Tempurpedic and does not sell their products. They use a comparable Memory Foam that has the highest density on the market.

My first Tempurpedic Post

I recently bought a memory foam pillow at a mall in Mesa Arizona. After a few nights’ sleep I have to admit I have never slept so well in my life. How does this stuff work? I wonder if I bought a tempurpedic mattress or tempurpedic mattress pad if I would sleep much better? There are so many mixed reviews of how this stuff works and what is good and what isn’t. There are also a few buying guides about it and one states:

“The Key To Tempurpedic Mattress Success:

High Density Foam Has More Body And Longer Memory. Memory foam density ranges from 2.5lb to 5.9lb. (density is measured in pounds per cubic foot). Tempurpedic foam used in memory mattresses is 5.3 lb which means that a cube of Tempur material, one foot in each direction, weighs a whopping 5.3 lb. But how does this relate to comfort and support? Mattresses made of the higher density foam are much better quality and perform better over their expected lifetime. Here’s why.In high density foam like Tempurpedic’s, there are billions of small, open cells (bubbles with holes in them), tightly packed together. When you lie down on a Tempur mattress, air flows slowly between the bubbles giving it time to gently cradle the natural hollows of your body, distribute your weight and relieve pressure..”

I am wondering who sells the highest density memory foam though? It would seem like if you got foam too dense it would be like sleeping on a rock right? I also wonder what’s next? A bed or pillow made of gel? Maybe I’ll sleep on it.