Feather Bed Vs. Memory Foam
Choosing a good mattress is essential for improving sleep quality. Feather beds and memory foam beds are popular consumer choices and the final decision on whether to invest in a feather bed or memory foam mattress will depend on individual requirements. Comfort, quality and durability are key considerations According to Clete A. Kushida, MD, Ph.D, director of the Stanford Center for Human Sleep Research in Stanford, California and a spokesman for the American Association of Sleep Medicine, the best way to select a mattress is to try it out for yourself and buy it from a store that offers a 30-day refund policy. Does this Spark an idea?
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Feather Beds
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A feather bed is placed over an existing mattress for extra comfort. It is filled with goose or duck feathers or a combination of down and feathers. The main advantage of a feather bed is its comfort and softness, achieved by adding a layer of extra comfort to the firmness of the underlying mattress. It will also maintain body temperature which helps muscles to relax and aids restful sleep. It will stay comfortable in summer if used with light bed clothing. The cushioning layer provided by a feather bed helps support the spine. Most feather beds are 4 inches thick, and stitched together using a baffle box design.
Memory Foam
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Memory foam is a visco-elastic foam originally developed by a Swedish company for NASA. The main advantages of a memory foam mattress is that it will adjust itself to your body's shape and evenly distribute your weight across the whole mattress. Memory foam mattress toppers are also popular with consumers. Memory foam mattresses vary in quality and price, depending on the density of the foam and thickness of the mattress or mattress topper. Memory foam mattresses are available for all types of beds. Foam is also sensitive to temperature, which makes it softer under the warmer parts of your body and firmer when it is cooler.
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Back Health
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Memory foam molds itself to the body and reduces pressure points, which is why physicians sometimes recommend memory foam mattresses or toppers for people with back pain. Feather beds will also provide good back support if placed on top of a firm base mattress, as it will adapt itself to your individual body shape. A feather bed placed on top of a sagging mattress will not provide good support for your spine. If you suffer from back problems, test a mattress for comfort and support before buying.
Allergies
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Obviously, people who are allergic to feathers would be advised to avoid feather beds. Asthma and allergy sufferers should use hypoallergenic bedding materials to cover feather beds and foam mattresses. Ensure that the feather bed comes encased with a quality, tightly-woven fabric and has a high thread count. Open-cell memory foam mattresses do not promote dust mite nesting, nor are they a food source in themselves but they can and do host dust mites, why is why it is important to invest in good quality bed covers.
Care
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Feather beds should be regularly aired and fluffed to retain loft and freshness. The filling may become uneven, otherwise, as they adjusts with the sleeper's movements. Feather beds should be dry cleaned. Memory foam mattresses can be spot washed by hand with warm water and mild detergent. Rinse and gently wring out, allowing product to air dry before using again.
Durability
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A quality memory foam mattress should last about 10 years. The lifespan of a feather bed will depend on the quality. Generally, the higher the fill power the longer it will last. Memory foam mattress toppers will have a shorter lifespan than a memory foam mattress because the cells at the top crumble and there is less foam underneath to replace them and support the body. Viscoelastic foam topper will have a typical lifespan of between 18 months to five years depending on the density and quality of the foam. People who use electric blankets should also consider that this can reduce the lifespan of memory foam mattresses.
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References
- Photo Credit bed image by Kirsten Alexander from Fotolia.com
