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- What is Memory Foam?
Memory foam is a common name for visco elastic foam. It has a fascinating history:
it was initially
developed by NASA for the space programme to help shield astronauts from
high G forces. It is now used for bedding materials such as mattresses,
pillows and mattress pads.
- Is All Memory Foam the Same
All memory foam does the same job, however as with all things there are
differences in quality. Different brands on the market vary
according to their resilience and "bounce". This is reflected in the density of the
foam from different suppliers - most of whom will tell you that their product is the best
compromise between price and quality!
These differences are important for commercial or professional
health applications, however for the average home buyer the variation between grades and
brands can be marginal.
That said, you usually get what you pay for. If you buy the cheapest, unknown
brand then you might get a bargain - or end up being disappointed.
More information: Grades, Premium
- What Does memory Foam Do?
Memory foam moulds itself to the contours of your body, giving a uniform
level of support. It is a good compromise between the comfort of a soft
mattress and the support of a hard mattress. Some people - such as myself - find it the
best way to answer the question of how to get a good night's sleep.
- Why Not Use Memory Foam?
Memory foam is not for everyone. In particular if you have a back problem
or other medical condition
you should consult your doctor for information and advice. In addition some people are more
sensitive to the smell of memory foam than others.
- Does Memory Foam Smell?
Yes - at first. When new, memory foam gives off an unpleasant chemical smell.
You will probably want to leave it to air for at least a couple of days before using it.
Some people are
more sensitive to the smell than others and find it unpleasant even after a few weeks.
See: memory foam smell
- Do I Need to Buy a Complete New Mattress?
No. If you need to buy a new mattress anyway, it might be a good investment. However if
you already have a good, ordinary mattress then another alternative is to think about
buying a memory
foam mattress pad / topper. That's what worked for me.
- Do I Need to Rotate My Memory Foam Mattress or Pad?
Memory foam will spring back into shape during the day, however as with all things
it does slowly "tire". For this reason it is advisable to rotate your memory
foam bedding every so often as you would with a conventional mattress.
- Where Can I Buy Memory Foam Products?
When memory foam was first introduced it was too expensive for the average home bedroom. As
it has become more affordable it has also become more easily available.
You can now buy it from most specialist bedding stores or shop online.
- Can I Buy Memory Foam in the UK?
Yes. A few years ago it was difficult to find - I remember trying. It's not a lot easier to
get hold of and memory foam products are frequently featured in magazine and on home
shopping TV channels. And, of course, there are many UK based suppliers online.
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