Bed Mattresses and Memory Foam

Memory foam bed mattresses are a fairly popular choice in modern-day bedding. They are available in a variety of sizes and thicknesses to meet the needs of just about every consumer. But what is this space-age foam product and where did it come from? Keep reading and we'll tell you all about memory foam and its use in the bedding industry. Suffice it to say, memory foam is a mattress choice that is well loved by millions of people.

Memory Foam Basics

Memory foam is a polyurethane product to which additional chemicals are added during the manufacturing process. These chemicals increase memory foam's density and viscosity to form a product that responds well to heat and pressure. It is memory foam's density that causes it to mold around the shape of the individual laying on a mattress; it's the viscosity of the foam which allows the mattress to return to its natural shape once weight has been removed.

The term "memory foam" comes from the speed at which the foam returns to its natural state. This is known in the industry as "recovery time"; a property that ends up being a great selling point for memory foam mattress manufacturers. Whether true or not, the outstanding recovery time often leads consumers to believe that a mattress is a high-quality product.

Memory Foam History

In the 1960s NASA scientists were working feverishly to construct the first capsules that would carry mankind into outer space. One of the issues they were struggling with was finding a material for seat cushions that could withstand the extreme g-forces of takeoff and would, at the same time, protect the astronaut by conforming to his body as closely as possible. They needed a foam product that was heat sensitive, dense, and durable all at the same time.

While scientists were experimenting with polyurethane foam products, one individual decided to inject a specific gas mixture into one of the recipes to see what happened. This gas mixture created an open cell structure that appeared to be perfectly suited to the needs of America's astronauts. After rigorous testing and further development, NASA adopted this foam product and named it Temper Foam. It became the product used for NASA's seat cushions well into the 1970s and beyond.

Commercial Availability

NASA decided to release the formula for memory foam to the general public in the early 1980s. There weren't many takers for the product until a Swedish company by the name of Tempur World began manufacturing its signature Tempur-Pedic Swedish Mattress line using it. Their success was so profound that other manufacturers jumped on board within a relatively short amount of time. Today memory foam is widely used throughout the furniture industry in everything from bedding to furniture cushions.

The Benefits of the Memory Foam

Memory foam is most beneficial as a mattress material for individuals who require both softness and support. In fact, the combination of those two properties is what sets memory foam apart from the competition. While other polyurethane and synthetic latex mattresses provide more firm support, they are not as soft and forgiving as memory foam. On the other hand, natural latex rubber tends to be just as soft as memory foam but it is not as supportive. In memory foam you have the best of both worlds combined into a single product.

The density of memory foam makes it a great mattress choice for patients suffering from various kinds of arthritis. Arthritic joints tend to do very well when they are fully supported and enveloped by as much support as possible. That makes the body hugging properties of memory foam very appealing to arthritis sufferers. Some consumers with back pain also find memory foam attractive for the same reasons. However, there are those back pain sufferers who find it difficult to get in and out of bed with a memory foam mattress. They are more likely to choose polyurethane foam or a coil spring mattress.

The Downsides of Memory Foam

Lack of rigidity is perhaps the biggest complaint associated with memory foam mattresses. When you settle into memory foam it sinks to a certain extent as it heats up. This sinking characteristic is something many people find annoying. Those who prefer more rigidity and less softness tend to prefer other types of foam.

Another common complaint with memory foam is that it "sleeps hot." This simply means that users experience higher ambient temperatures due to the memory foam readily absorbing body heat. Some experts suggest that the difference in ambient temperature between memory foam and a coil spring mattress could be as much as 2°. On a hot summer night that could prove quite uncomfortable. There are mattress toppers that can act as an insulator, but that would defeat the purpose of using memory foam to begin with.

Finally, the last notable complaint about memory foam mattresses is the fact that they have a unique odor that some people find offensive. People with a disorder known as multiple chemical sensitivities (MCS) are among those who find the smell of memory foam too irritating. They may develop headaches, dizziness, and even a certain level of congestion as a result. MCS patients typically prefer natural latex foam, air mattresses, or hypoallergenic natural mattresses.

Choosing Your Memory Foam Mattress

Because memory foam is now in the public domain it has become very popular as a manufacturing choice. Unfortunately, the formula is not tightly controlled which allows some overseas manufacturers to create inferior products. When you choose your memory foam mattress you would be wise to purchase only products manufactured in the United States, Canada, or Europe - if you want the highest quality product.

Manufacturing standards in those three regions are such that it's unlikely you'll get a poorly made mattress. On the other hand, manufacturers in the Far East and South America are not held to such standards. They are more prone to mixing fillers with their foam as a means of keeping costs lower.

When you're shopping you should always read mattress tags and make sure you understand the language. If it is too technical for you, ask a salesperson to explain it to you. If you're still not sure, you can always look up the product online to see if the salesperson was being honest with you. Just make sure you know exactly what's in your mattress before you walk out the door with it.