Memory Foam Mattress Pads

Memory foam mattresses are known for their high level of comfort which ensures better sleep. But if you do not want to replace your old mattress, then you can place a memory foam mattress pad over your original mattress to make it more comfortable. Discover more about memory foam mattresses with this article.
Memory Foam Mattress Pads
The general health and well being of an individual depends to a great extent, on the quality of sleep. If you are not able to get proper sleep at night, it can adversely affect your health. Though there can be several reasons behind poor sleep, an uncomfortable mattress is one of the leading factors. So if you are unable to get a proper and restful sleep, you can consider the option of changing your mattress. Memory foam mattress is quite popular for the high degree of comfort and proper spinal arrangement, which is very important to ensure proper sleep and health. But instead of buying a new memory foam mattress, you can avail the same benefits by purchasing a memory foam mattress pad and placing it over your original mattress. But your original mattress should be firm enough to provide the necessary support, as memory foam mattress pads are very soft.

Advantages of Memory Foam Mattress Pads

Memory foam mattresses are known for their high density. They are also more supportive than an ordinary foam mattress. They are made from highly dense solid viscoelastic memory foam and so, can provide the support of a firm mattress and the comfort of a very soft mattress. Both the memory foam mattresses and mattress pads are especially designed to compress fully under the weight of your body. The foam cells of the mattress pads contain holes, which help in spreading the air pressure to the adjoining cells. This explains their ability to mold into the shape of your body in response to the heat and weight of your body. Therefore, they are extremely effective in distributing body weight evenly across the mattress or mattress pad. So using memory foam mattress pads can be helpful, especially in the case of back pain and arthritis. However, this issue is a bit controversial, as many have reportedly claimed that they have not found any such beneficial effects.

But it can't be denied that memory foam mattress pads are very comfortable and long lasting as compared to a normal mattress. They can significantly relieve the pressure points that can cause aches and pains. Another important feature of memory foam mattress pads is that they are temperature sensitive and become a bit firmer at low temperatures and softer at high temperatures. Besides this, dust mites and mildew do not develop easily on memory foam mattress pads and so it is also beneficial for asthma patients. However, the quality of memory foam mattress pads depend on their thickness. So you need to do a little bit of research to find out the mattress which will be most suitable for you.

Disadvantages of Memory Foam Mattress Pads

A common disadvantage of memory foam mattress pads is that people usually experience a slight sinking feeling after lying down on a mattress pad. Many have also complained that they can't move freely on such a mattress. Being a polyurethane product, memory foam mattress pads are highly combustible. Therefore, fire retardants like polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) are commonly used, which may cause several health problems. Besides this, as they come in sealed plastic packages, they may trap odor. But it can be reduced with sufficient airing.

Cleaning this luxurious and comfortable mattress pads can be difficult, especially if they are stained. To avoid such problems, you can place a plastic sheet on the mattress pad to stop it from soaking up any liquid. You can also use vacuum cleaners to keep the mattress pad clean from dust and dirt. If maintained properly, memory foam mattress pads are not only highly comfortable but also durable.

By Chandramita Bora
Published: 7/1/2009
 
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