Buying a memory foam mattress or topper is an important investment that will improve your sleep for years to come. Memory foam is a little different than conventional sleeping surfaces. However when used properly, it has excellent longevity and compares favourably with conventional mattresses. Depending on the density of the foam it can last 5 to 10 years or more, and a good manufacturer will provide a guarantee to cover that time period. Here are some tips to maintaining your viscoelastic foam to ensure it lasts as long as it can.
Preserving the Foam’s Shape
Memory foam mattress pads normally are shipped rolled and compressed. When you receive your mattress pad, you’ll want to unroll it onto your mattress and leave it flat for a few hours before you start using it so that it has time to decompress. To ensure your topper wears evenly, you’ll want to rotate it 180 degrees every few months. Needless to say, if you use your memory foam topper on a futon or folding sleeper sofa bed, you should remove it during the daytime. Rolling it loosely is preferable to folding it during storage or transport. The degree to which the foam loses it ability to expand will depend on its density. Note that if you are extremely heavy then memory foam is probably not an ideal product for you, and you should probably look to more conventional foam pads.
Other Considerations
Cleaning your memory foam should be unnecessary with normal use. Never soak or immerse memory foam with liquids of any kind, as the porous foam will lock in the moisture which will change its memory properties. Cleaning should only be done with a damp cloth. If accidents are a danger, use a waterproof cover. During summer months you can use a cotton pad to make the foam feel cooler and prevent perspiration from reaching the foam. Leave the covers off in the morning to allow dampness to evaporate.
Memory foam overlays should always be used on a solid surface to preserve their longevity. They should never be used on a sagging mattress, which will work against the posture enhancing properties of the memory foam. If your mattress is old, you might consider buying a complete memory foam mattress rather than spending money separately on a mattress pad.