View Full Version : Question about memory foam
On the memory foam mattresses/pillows, etc., I don't understand how it can work. If you make a big imprint on the foam with your body, and then change positions, don't you keep falling back into the imprint for awhile, until it comes back up? And if it does "give" when you lay on it, does that mean there's no support?
Thanks.
treehugger
10-18-11, 5:51pm
We got a memory foam mattress topper 2 months ago and it has saved my sleep! It's only a 3" thick topper though, not a whole memory foam mattress, so I can't speak to how those are. Anyway, yes, it contours to your body, but there's no "recovery time" needed. When I switch positions (which I do a lot since I am a fidgeter), it never feels as if there is an imprint left behind to fall into.
Everyone needs different amounts of support, but I definitely feel like it's soft and supportive. Our mattress (that we put the topper on) was always too hard for me, and consequently, I had a lot of stiffness and achiness in the mornings. That is gone.
We got it at Costco for a great price.
Kara
Thanks Kara!
I used to love firm mattresses, but no more.
On the couch, I use a featherbed underneath me and its pretty comfy. Hmmm.....I didn't think about putting that under me in the bed. Maybe I should try that first.
Thanks Kara!
I have a Tempur-Pedic mattress, and I love it. I went to the store and lay on the mattresses w/ varying levels of support, and ended up getting a firmer mattress w/ a pillowtop. Since I had my Tempur-Pedic pillow for over 20 years, I knew I'd be happy w/ the bed, and I am. The Tempur-Pedic brand is very expensive, but worth every penny to me - and the 20 year warranty doesn't hurt either. I will say that I think there is a big difference between "memory foam" mattresses and Tempur-pedics, and to me the Tempur-Pedics win hands down. I even converted my neighbor, who thought all memory foam bed materials were the same until she actually lay on the Tempur-Pedic mattress. I never get hot. The foam gives just the right amount, and while there's a momentary imprint when you roll over, it's quickly gone. Sorry to sound like an ad, but if you have back issues like I do, the Tempur-Pedic mattress feels great.
I've been googling this alot. Lots of queen size memory foam toppers are about $150. The Tempur-pedic was close to $1,000! Not sure I can do that.
treehugger
10-19-11, 11:50am
Our bed is a California King, so we had to spend $165 to get the 3" thick topper. It was a stretch for us, budget-wise, but I am happy to cut back on groceries for a few months to get a good night's sleep.
It's so hard to know for sure what what to purchase, though. You can read and research, but in some ways, it's a leap of faith. Costco has a good return policy, so I felt better about buying from them.
Cathy, feel free to come out to California and lay on my bed to test it out. :)
Kara
Thanks Kara.........I just bought my ticket. :)
treehugger
10-19-11, 12:47pm
Sweet. I forgot to mention that you need to be ok with cat and dog fur on the bed. Not much of either because only one cat gets on the bed and doesn't spend much time there, and the greyhounds don't shed much. But it's there and must be mentioned.
Seriously though, I really hope you find a good sleeping solution. Everything in life is harder to deal with without good sleep.
Kara
Well, I guess that might be a deal-breaker, as I do have an ongoing fur-ball problem. I take olive oil every day and massage my throat, but its so darned persistent. I guess I'll have to get a refund on the ticket. :~)
My sleep is sooooooo much better since I have been using cpap. (2 and 1/2 years). A comfy bed is icing on the cake! (or should I say a comfy couch). :)
(I'm getting my posts mixed up.......I sleep on a very comfy couch now. I'm just feeling a bit weird about it. Have been sleeping there for about 10 years and would really like to go back to a bed. We'll see what I can do.)
treehugger
10-19-11, 1:47pm
Well, I guess that might be a deal-breaker, as I do have an ongoing fur-ball problem. I take olive oil every day and massage my throat, but its so darned persistent. I guess I'll have to get a refund on the ticket. :~)
LOL (really and truly!)! Thanks for that; I needed a laugh this morning!
Psyllum husk powder sprinkled on food works for my older cat's hair ball problem.
Kara
HappyHiker
10-19-11, 10:01pm
Me, I'm not a fan. I tend to sleep hot, and with the memory foam, I felt I was stewing in my own juices all night. It clings, it felt like a skin I couldn't shed...nope, I'm sticking with my ultra-comfortable pillow-top, medium firmness bed...it suits me perfectly.
But, I know others who swear by them. I would say, hot sleepers beware.
rosarugosa
10-19-11, 10:15pm
We just got a new mattress/boxspring yesterday, an anniversary gift from my very thoughtful and generous Mom. :) We went to Gardner Mattress Factory in Salem, MA. We've always gotten our beds from them and have been very happy with them. Love the fact that their products are made right there, since we like to buy locally when we can. Anyway, they did have a Tempurpedic bed in the showroom, so I got to lay on one for the first time. It was surprisingly comfy, and the impression seemed to disappear almost immediately after I moved. But I have heard that they tend to run hot, and since we don't have a/c and sleep on the second floor of a 1.5 story cottage with no attic, that was enough of a dealbreaker for me. I felt that a hotter sleep in the summer would offset any other benefits. Although warmer in the winter would certainly be nice.
We bought a Costco one off craigslist. The owner was in a divorce, and the bed was new, but she was selling her house & moving on. It was a steal! And then we had to haul it... But worth the effort. It's been a fantastic bed.
I've bought foam toppers at Overstock.com for a pretty good price. You might look there and see if they are cheaper than at Costco.
treehugger
10-20-11, 12:31pm
Me, I'm not a fan. I tend to sleep hot, and with the memory foam, I felt I was stewing in my own juices all night. It clings, it felt like a skin I couldn't shed...nope, I'm sticking with my ultra-comfortable pillow-top, medium firmness bed...it suits me perfectly.
But, I know others who swear by them. I would say, hot sleepers beware.
Not at all trying to argue with you, but that hasn't been my experience. I was worried about that because I am a hot sleeper (thanks, perimenopause!), but I haven't noticed this problem. I think newer memory foam is different because people complained about that problem before. All the new ones (the toppers at least, maybe not the mattresses) discuss "neutral temperature" in their features.
By the way, I feel that what's nice about ordering from Costco website is that their prices include shipping and you can return things to the store so you don't have to pay return shipping on a really heavy item.
Kara
From what I've been reading, it sounds like how memory foam is made can make a big difference in its "heat" factor. Some are hot and some are not.
Probably the cheaper ones tend to run hot.
I got a good laugh out of the fur ball thing, too, lol.
My DD has a sleep number bed and just loves it. It can be set differently on each sides. Yes, they are expensive.
Cathy, I spend most of my sleeping time on the couch, too, because it is so soft. DH and I both snore so it works out. I do miss my furry, warm huggy bear, tho.
I have a 3" memory foam topper I bought years ago, and I'm happy with it. It's topped with a wool mattress pad that I sometimes exchange with a cotton one. Really, I have more layers than the Princess and the Pea.
When I finally buy my Dream House, I plan to have a sleep number bed, because the idea of sleeping on air and memory foam is irresistible to me. I would never again have a mattress or support with springs. Heavy and pokey and completely obsolete, IMO.
I've thought about the sleep number bed, but it just seems weird to have a bed plugged into the wall.
...... but it just seems weird to have a bed plugged into the wall.
I'm guessing you never had one of the original waterbeds. You had to keep the heater plugged in or you'd freeze, but boy it sure was comfortable and warm when it was tethered to the wall.
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