About Memory Foam Beds

Jumping into a nice soft comfortable bed that cushions but at the same time it is firm is exactly what a memory foam bed is like. The term "memory" does not mean you have to get into a dent in the bed from where you slept the night before. It simply means that once you apply pressure to the foam, it stays that way for a while. It is especially comfortable if the layer of foam beneath the memory layer is extra firm, otherwise it can get too soft.

Features

The top layer of a memory foam bed should be several inches thick for the full effect. If you are buying a memory foam mattress ask the salesperson how much of it is memory foam. If you are making your own mattress, then look for at least six inches in depth for your top layer and maybe more if you need more support. The other layer should be a stiff hard foam at least four inches thick that will support the soft memory foam. If you choose to layer smaller-sized pieces of memory foam to make up the six to eight inches of memory foam necessary, then you will need to get a mattress case to hold them together. A mattress case is like an empty mattress that needs filling. It wraps everything together and zips closed, leaving you with a professional-looking mattress.

Benefits

The benefit of getting a memory foam mattress is less stress on your back and pressure points and better support for your spine. You should wake up in the morning with less if not any stiffness since your body does not have to mold to the bed, rather the foam conforms to your body. If you are able to assemble your own layers of memory foam then your bed will cost a fraction of the cost of commercial mattresses. The way the foam molds to your body also means more warmth as your body heat will not escape so easily. One other factor to remember is that the memory foam will last longer than the traditional spring mattress, as the foam is denser and heavier so any cost involved will be defrayed over a longer period of time.

History

Memory foam has been around since the 1970s when it was introduced as a cushion to be used in the US Space Program to resist the effects of G-forces on the body. It was remarkable in that the individual cells of the foam could be pressed and would stay that way initially but then slowly revert to their original shape. The product degraded too quickly and so it was never used. For the next ten years, a Swedish company, Fagerdala, worked the concept realizing the potential in the mattress industry and by the late 1980s, were marketing under the division of their company called Temper-pedic. Expensive at first, the memory foam mattresses started selling quickly so that by the 1990s, the division broke away and became its own private company. Today, the name Temper-pedic is still the most recognized in the industry, although new brands are working their way into the market.

Function

Memory foam has been integrated into many different uses besides mattresses. It is used in car seats, in pet mattresses, in pillows, wheel chair cushions, computer cases, and basically any application that needs cushioning, especially conforming cushioning. Mattress toppers are a huge industry for people who have already paid for good mattresses but would like the extra softness on the top of their bed. Sizes vary as much as prices do from brand to brand, depending on the quality of the foam used and the products used in the manufacturing process.

Considerations

Looking into the purchase of a memory foam mattress is a challenge as there are many factors to consider. As a consumer, you should remember than the foam is porous and therefore dander, dust, dirt, and hair can work its way into it if you are not using a good cover. It is also sensitive to UV rays. For best longevity, memory foam should be inside a good-quality mattress cover.