How to Choose a Memory Foam Topper

Memory foam has an illustrious history dating back to the mid-1960s, when NASA's Ames Research Center developed a similar material, temper foam, for airplane seats to absorb shock and give passengers a smoother ride. The memory foam topper (as well as mattresses), one of NASA's more successful spin-offs, enjoys great success in the consumer market. Memory foam is one of the more distinctive materials used in commercial bedding, as the foam has a slow spring-back quality when body weight is applied and then released. This conforming material is considered ideal for relieving pressure points, which in turn leads to more restful sleep. But not all memory foam toppers are made the same, and some may be more appropriate for your needs than others.

Instructions

1. Make sure your existing mattress is in relatively good condition. Memory foam toppers fit flush against your mattress and won't give the best benefits on a lumpy mattress or one that sags.

2. Consider the density of the memory foam topper. A topper with a 4-lb. density (the weight of one cubic foot of the material) or more will give the topper more "memory" than those with a 3-lb. weight or less---and higher densities are also directly related to the product's durability. The health practitioners who maintain Beds.org, a consumer site that provides objective reviews of mattresses and mattress toppers, cautions that a higher density is often associated with the topper's level of firmness---but not always (see Step 3).

3. Look at the memory foam topper's indentation load deflection (ILD) rating in conjunction with the item's density. ILD refers to the number of pounds it takes to compress the memory foam to one-quarter its thickness. Beds.org notes that an ILD rating of 15 or below in a memory foam topper will generally give an uncomfortable bed more conforming softness.

4. Select the thickness of your memory foam topper. Depending on where you shop, you may find toppers as thin as 1 inch or as thick as 6 inches. A memory foam topper with a thickness of 3 inches is generally sufficient for you to notice a different texture to your bed, while those that are 1 or 2 inches may add a bit of padding.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase a protective cotton cover for your memory foam topper to guard it from stains and spills.

References

• Beds.org: Memory Foam
• NASA: Temper Foam
• Professional Upholstery and Soft Furnishings Group: Foam Cushion Material

Resources

• Beds.org: Mattress Toppers
• Latex International: Mattress Components