The Best Down Alternative Mattress Pads
A mattress pad can improve the comfort and the quality of sleep by providing a bed with additional firmness or softness. When more softness is required, a common choice is a pad made from goose down, which offers both warmth and cushioning. Numerous alternatives to down mattress pads range from synthetic down to natural materials, such as sheepskin---and even a high-tech material that molds to the body's shape. Does this Spark an idea?
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Down Mattress Pads
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Stuffed with feather or down blends from ducks and/or geese, down mattress pads can add extra warmth and softness to your existing mattress without affecting the mattress's support. In addition, down mattress pads can help regulate body temperature while you sleep; since down doesn't react to temperature or retain heat, the pad maintains a cool, comfortable temperature. A major disadvantage, however, is that down is not particularly durable, and eventually becomes flattened and sometimes lumpy.
Synthetic Down Mattress Pads
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In addition to the lack of durability, another drawback to down comforters is that feather down is a common allergen that many people must avoid. Those who are allergic to down, but appreciate its soft, cozy feel, can try a synthetic down mattress pad as a substitute. Using loose, blown synthetic material instead of down, these pads are purported to offer all the comfort and warmth of real down while being completely hypoallergenic.
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Sheepskin Mattress Pads
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A natural alternative to down is sheepskin mattress pads. These can either be a woven product made from wool fleece or actual sheepskin pelts that are sewn together to create an underlay that covers the entire mattress. Pads sold by New Zealand-based Sheepskins Plus are shorn to a uniform pile length, and the sheepskin is backed with wool-filled padding for extra comfort. According to Sheepskins Plus, sheepskin mattress pads support the body and encourage good circulation, and can soothe pain caused by rheumatism and backache.
Memory Foam Mattress Pads
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Memory foam has become a popular choice for mattress pads due to its ability to mold to the contours of the body, a property called "visco-elasticity." The material used in memory foam mattress pads was created by NASA in the early 1970s during research to create a material that relieves the strain of G-forces on astronauts during lift-off. Made from low-resilience polyurethane foam, higher-density memory foam molds to the body by reacting to body heat, while lower-density material is pressure-sensitive, molding to the weight of the body pressing against it.
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References
- Consumer Search: Choosing the Best Mattress Topper
- Allergy Consumer Review: Mattress Pads and Toppers
- Mattress Wiz: Down Mattress Toppers - Pros and Cons of Down Mattress Pads Read more: Down Mattress Toppers - Pros and Cons of Down Mattress Pads http://www.mattress-wiz.com/down-mattress-topper.html#ixzz1HoKkrBk5
- Memory Foam Mattress: Memory Foam Mattress Information, Comparisons and Buying Tips
- SheepskinsPlus.com: Sheepskin Mattress Pads/Underlay
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
