How to Shop for Memory Foam

A memory foam bed improves the sleeper’s comfort by perfectly adjusting to his or her body’s shape. This molding effect reduces the individual or partner’s need to toss and turn in order to get comfortable before falling asleep. When purchasing a memory foam mattress, it is essential to select the right mattress size to get the most relaxing sleep.

According to the Better Sleep Council, the queen bed is the most popular mattress size this year. A queen memory foam mattress measures sixty-by-eighty inches and provides about seven hundred fifty additional square inches more than a standard full bed mattress size. Although both king and queen mattress lengths are eighty inches, the width of the king variety is seventy-six inches wide (sixteen inches wider than the queen).

Other factors are involved in the selection of a new memory foam mattress, including:

1. Research. It’s important to read about the different memory foam mattress brands available. However, the best way to determine actual personal preferences involves testing out different selections at a mattress retailer. Sit down on the mattress first, then lie down (stretching to full length) of it. Unlike a coil and spring mattress covered with a soft foam top, the memory foam mattress isn’t bouncy. Rather, the individual or couple at rest feels firm top-to-toe support. There’s a slight ‘give’ from memory foam as it adjusts to the sleeper’s weight and form.
2. Temperature. Some memory foam types tend to trap body heat, according to the 2013 Polyurethanes Technical Conference. Trapped body heat isn’t comfortable in warmer weather, so the mattress should evenly transfer body heat and allow for maximum air flow. An ideal mattress tends to absorb extra body heat instead of returning it to the body. Again, the best way to test the mattress at hand is to lie down on it. Stretch out to full length and remain on the mattress for ten to fifteen minutes to gauge its “temperature” and overall comfort.
3. Inspection. It’s absolutely essential to inspect the cover of the mattress. Memory foam types may have a removable mattress cover–look for the materials tag to identify the products used. For example, the cover may be cotton or cotton-blend, down-filled or quilted. Some are coated with flame retardants and protective moisture repellents. Touch the fabric to decide if it’s thick, soft, and made to last for years.
4. Mattress. Memory foam mattresses can differ in construction. Some aren’t as thick or dense as others. For example, a mattress may be nine inches deep but have less density than a six inch variety. A quick density test measures mattress firmness. If the mattress is firmer than another, it is likely to offer a dense construction. However, not everyone likes a very firm mattress. The only way to determine what thickness and density works best involves stretching out on it.

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Carlo Badalamenti of Canada Foam by Mail specializes in memory foam mattress toppers. Shop a wide selection of foam products online at Canada Foam by Mail.