Memory Foam

[Mrs Mitchell]

Who has a memory foam mattress?

Which one do you have and what do you think of it? I need a new mattress and I'm driving myself insane trying to figure out if memory foam is a) the best thing in the world or b) the work of the devil. Or possibly c) somewhere in the middle....

I had a spinal fracture a few years back (lower vertebrae) and get a little bit achy with a regular mattress, so I'm tempted to try memory foam, but it gets such mixed reviews. I have natural latex at the moment, but it hurts my back and has a dip at each side where we lie.

Help? Any advice or opinions?

[oldmancoyote]

We have had a Tempur mattress since 2000. Would not change it with anything other than another Tempur. Only disadvantage is the price! However, 11 years on it has no dips (though it's softer and the memory effect in the middle is less pronounced), and it's still more than comfortable. We will probably change it in another couple of years.

Pillows - different matter. I need to alternate between an orthopaedic (memory foam) pillow and a normal latex one, otherwise I get significant pain in the neck.

[greeneyedbass]

I bought one of the memory foam mattresses a few years ago, and hated it. I returned it within their time frame of money back guarantee. That thing was as hard as a rock. Even the dog didn't like it, and the dog liked to lay on the tile floor.

[Mrs Mitchell]

Hmmm. See, this is exactly my problem - for everyone who loves it, there's someone else who hated it with a passion.

I'm leaning towards either tempur (expensive, but seemed really comfortable in the store when Amelia and I bounced and napped on it and oh yes, they loved us...) or Ergoflex (because I'm struggling to see the difference, but it's cheaper). John Lewis also sell their own brand, which seemed more comfortable than Tempur but wasn't as padded or luxurious (for much the same price).

I'm confusing myself. I'm also laughing about GEB's dog - that's how you KNOW your mattress needs replaced, when the dog prefers the tile floor.

[clgwli]

I hate them honestly. They make my back issues feel worse and they run hot when you sleep on them. We opted for a Sleep Number bed and love love love it.  My husband will never look at anything else again.  I personally like that I can adjust it depending on my poor back's needs.  Not the same as having a fracture, but I have a slew of my own bad issues.

My brother has a latex foam matress and loves it. I use a latex foam pillow and think it is fabulous... my cats do too... I bought them their own so we wouldn't keep sharing.  That is the only foam topper I would consider getting if we ever did get one.

[Mrs Mitchell]

I have a latex mattress at the moment and it's ok, but it has a bit of a sag in the middle after about 5 years.

Sorry the foam hurt your back - that's just the worst feeling in bed, when you should be at your most comfortable and relaxed. Some people with back pain love these beds, others loathe them. I think I need to go for one with the 90 day trial (although I've heard mixed reviews about them, and about how hard it is to get your money back if you don't like it).

[saqsay1]

I bought a thick one 3" on ebay. I am talking about the thing you lay on your mattress, not THE matress. Anyway, the one I have at work is the best quality and I love it (firestation) at home I have a less good quality and still like it. i highly recommend the pads... but have no experience with the actual mattress. hope that helps. Oh, you have to love soft to own one. Otherwise, you won't be happy.

[Mrs Mitchell]

Soft is fine - it's lumpy I don't like!  If the mattress I had was in better shape, I'd go for one of the memory foam toppers to try it out. Unfortunately, it has (and I'm horrified) mould on it! We turn it every couple of weeks, we don't have any dampness in the house, the room is well ventilated so I have no idea how this happened.

I am so unexcited about spending money on a mattress right now. Oh, and naturally, my bed is a non-standard size, so I can either buy a bespoke size, one that doesn't quite fit or a whole new bed and mattress.

[saqsay1]

Well, I have never owned the mattress, but I think if you buy a thick pad you will be getting the same thing. I have heard that they have a memory and eventually collapse in the areas the body lays on... but like I said I only have the pad. I paid $90.00 for the 3" pad on ebay for my bunk at the firestation and it has been 2+ yrs. so far so good. At home I have a king size bed with a 3" pad and there is a definite dip. Still enjoy it, but I suppose it is a matter of the quality of the memory foam. I bought both on ebay and it was supposed to be random, the quality.Both times the same seller, but totally different quality. I would advise keeping what you have and buying the pad. All reviews I have read say there is a breakdown over time......and a dip. Maybe better to change the pad then the mattress.... Just a suggestion, and a guess. Personally I like my pillow top mattress and there is no sign of wear on the mattress itself , under the pad. I paid $1000.00 for the king mattress set, and its been 10 yrs. Hope this helps.

[saqsay1]

In fact, I'll take that back. My single 3" pad I bought on ebay has lasted 4+ yrs. That one is top quality. Apparently there is different quality memory foam pads, don't know about mattresses.

[clgwli]

I think one of the 90 day trials would be a wise idea.  I really think these beds are love it or hate it.  I don't think I known anyone who was just "eh" to it.

I agree you shouldn't ever be uncomfortable in bed.  Fortunately I only tried the bed out for a while and it wasn't something we had to return.  I did buy a memory foam pillow and I hate it.

Sorry about the sag in your mattress.  I thought they would last longer than that... hmm... maybe I'll rethink getting a topper like that.  I so love my pillow and it is about 7 years old now I think.

Good luck deciding.  I really hate spending money on things like that too.  Have you thought of a good standard mattress with a topper?  Might be cheaper and still comfy?  I don't know I am so unexcited about things like that too.  Only time I was excited was when I was getting a king sized bed.  I was so loking forward to the space.

[oldmancoyote]

I have never seen "trial offers" on mattresses in Europe. Not even Ikea offers them: once it's out of the packing, you keep it. So that may be an issue...

[Mrs Mitchell]

Ikea does the trials here, well of a sort -you can return it for a different one within 90 days. Tempur  also allows a return after 90 days in the UK. Ergoflex, which is the one I'm leaning towards, naturally does not...

Saqsay, I can't keep what I have right now unfortunately, it's got a spot of mould on it somehow and gives me the heebie jeebies. I'm sleeping on the sofa bed until I get a replacement. Quite comfortable actually. Maybe I should just get another sofa bed!

[oldmancoyote]

Interesting on the trials; they weren't on offer 10 years ago, and I simply assumed they still weren't. Mind you: with a custom size, there's always the risk that they won't let you return it anyway.

Won't bleach get rid of the mould at least as a temporary measure while you find another mattress?

[clgwli]

Interesting on the trials; they weren't on offer 10 years ago, and I simply assumed they still weren't. Mind you: with a custom size, there's always the risk that they won't let you return it anyway.

Won't bleach get rid of the mould at least as a temporary measure while you find another mattress?

Good thought on the bleach but I would probably try hydrogen peroxide first.  Not as bad if you spill it and not quite as chemical smelling.  At least here they suggest peroxide first for indoors, though many use bleach. 

When we traveled we found some amazing sofa beds so who knows what they do now to actually make them comfortable.  Not sure I'd want that long term but it has to be better than a moldy bed (yuck)

[Trinkette]

My brother and sister-in-law have a Tempur-Pedic and they won't have anything else. In fact, they love their mattress so much that they bought one for my Dad's guest room bed (long story, but brother bought a new Queen-sized bed and gave Dad his old Queen bed which replaced Dad's guest-room twin beds... uh, the "guest room" was my old bedroom, BTW).

Anyway, during a visit to Dad's, DH and I got to spend a couple of nights on Dad's new Tempur-Pedic. We LOVED it (we both had been suffering from a swampy mattress at home and we were in heaven on the new mattress). Yes, it IS different... and when you jump or sit on it, the mattress doesn't "give" like a traditional mattress... felt SO weird at first! Once I got used to the weirdness, I really enjoyed the support the mattress gave me and yet it was still forgiving directly underneath me.

When sleeping on it, one of the best features was that I did not have to "react" to DH's bigger body on the other side of the bed. On a traditional mattress, I tend to roll toward the center of the bed because of his heavier weight. Or, I cling to the side trying to keep from falling into the center. Even if it is subtle, this "fighting the dip" really takes a toll on my sleep. That entire scene did not happen on the Tempur-Pedic... the mattress gives only where there is direct body pressure (underneath you, not in-between you and your partner).

Yes, these mattresses can get "hot" underneath you. I wonder how it would work with a sheepskin pad, or similar, over the top. Would the thickness of a pad wreck the benefit of the body-moulding mattress?

The only complaint we had was that the Tempur-Pedic at Dad's – which was just a few days old – had a bad-smelling off-gassing.  I hear this is a well-known phenomenon for foam mattresses, and quite common when they are new. The manufacturer says that anywhere from a few days to several weeks, the noxious smell will dissipate. My brother says he's had no problem with his. I have several pillows of the same material... and they do smell at first, then they are fine. Still, the thought of breathing in unpleasant "fumes," which, honestly, can't be good for you, definitely creeps me out.

Also, I've had a VERY pricey memory-foam topper on a bed. It was fabulous, and gave me some of the same benefits that the Tempur-Pedic did. However, after several years, the foam topper became the very thing we objected to... after we removed it, we slept much better. I am not sure when, exactly, this good thing went bad, and I did not expect it to be the problem, but, it was. So, for me, a memory-foam topper, even a very good one, may not be a worthwhile investment.

In the end, unfortunately, the smell of the new Tempur-Pedic bothered my Dad so much that he followed the salesperson's advice and kept windows open, jumped on the Tempur-Pedic, blew a hairdryer over it... still, it remained stinky. Actually, it is amazing he didn't break his back or burn the house down! So, after several weeks, Dad returned the mattress and replaced it with a traditional, mattress made with natural, organic materials (at my brother's expense, lol). There were no problems (or additional charges) returning the mattress, even after quite some time.

So, just as has been written here... people either love these mattresses or hate them.

Finally, even though I prefer a more "natural" product, both for my overall health and for the environment, my back was so happy on this mattress (as was DH's back) that we plan to override the go-natural rule and purchase our own Tempur-Pedic just as soon as budget allows. Perhaps, we'll plan a timely vacation to coincide with the initial off-gassing...
 
 

[Trinkette]

Now, back to moving. After weeks of rediscovering, tossing, boxing, lifting, packing, cramming into trailers and vehicles, shuttling back-and-forth, stuffing items and furniture into a cottage half the size of the house before, it never seems to end... 

[Mrs Mitchell]

Thank you for taking time out of moving to post! Another yes vote - I see a strong love it or hate it theme emerging here.

The off-gassing is nasty - our current latex mattress did suffer from that (or rather, we did) but it was fine after a couple of days. I'm assuming this would be the same, and it's going to small better than mould anyway.

I could have bleached the mould, but a fraction of a second after I discovered it, I had opened the  window and tossed the mattress into the courtyard below, before any more rational thought had time to intervene. It made me shudder!

[Sanchica27]

We bought a biofirm memory foam mattress.  It wasn't as squishy as the tempur.  We found out very quickly that it was a HOT mattress.  I also needed some extra cushy fluff so I put a fiberbed on top with a cooling mattress pad on top of that and it is just heaven! 

[oldmancoyote]

Now, back to moving. After weeks of rediscovering, tossing, boxing, lifting, packing, cramming into trailers and vehicles, shuttling back-and-forth, stuffing items and furniture into a cottage half the size of the house before, it never seems to end... 

I think it ends soon. Space available, I mean. I know the feeling. 

[clgwli]

We bought a biofirm memory foam mattress.  It wasn't as squishy as the tempur.  We found out very quickly that it was a HOT mattress.  I also needed some extra cushy fluff so I put a fiberbed on top with a cooling mattress pad on top of that and it is just heaven! 

I was just reading about some of the cooling mattress pads and was going to suggest that too to others if they like the bed but hate the heat.  I thought that was super cool!

Good luck finding a mattress soon then Jen.  I think I would have been skeeved out that badly too!

trinkette good luck with moving and packing and stuff.  I don't envy you that...

[Mrs Mitchell]

We bought a biofirm memory foam mattress.  It wasn't as squishy as the tempur.  We found out very quickly that it was a HOT mattress.  I also needed some extra cushy fluff so I put a fiberbed on top with a cooling mattress pad on top of that and it is just heaven! 

Aha! Thanks - biofirm isn't a brand I've come across so far, I'll check them out.

As for the bed being hot, well,  I live in a Victorian house in Scotland. Hot isn't just ok, it's a positive bonus! I won't ever have to sleep in a duffel coat again...

[Diamondsbylauren]

I hate them honestly. They make my back issues feel worse and they run hot when you sleep on them. We opted for a Sleep Number bed and love love love it.  My husband will never look at anything else again.  I personally like that I can adjust it depending on my poor back's needs.  Not the same as having a fracture, but I have a slew of my own bad issues.

My brother has a latex foam matress and loves it. I use a latex foam pillow and think it is fabulous... my cats do too... I bought them their own so we wouldn't keep sharing.  That is the only foam topper I would consider getting if we ever did get one.

Squig- that's an air mattress right?
We've been doing some work around the house and have been sleeping out of the bedroom.
A 7 day project that's turned into a three week project.....another story

Anyway, the air mattress we bought at Bed Bath and Beyond is actually very comfortable.
Are you afraid of punctures.....does DS love to jump on the bed?

One part that's not that great is if you sit on the edge- but maybe that's because we have it on the floor....

[Mrs Mitchell]

I hate them honestly. They make my back issues feel worse and they run hot when you sleep on them. We opted for a Sleep Number bed and love love love it.  My husband will never look at anything else again.  I personally like that I can adjust it depending on my poor back's needs.  Not the same as having a fracture, but I have a slew of my own bad issues.

My brother has a latex foam matress and loves it. I use a latex foam pillow and think it is fabulous... my cats do too... I bought them their own so we wouldn't keep sharing.  That is the only foam topper I would consider getting if we ever did get one.

Squig- that's an air mattress right?
We've been doing some work around the house and have been sleeping out of the bedroom.
A 7 day project that's turned into a three week project.....another story

Anyway, the air mattress we bought at Bed Bath and Beyond is actually very comfortable.
Are you afraid of punctures.....does DS love to jump on the bed?

One part that's not that great is if you sit on the edge- but maybe that's because we have it on the floor....

You aren't related to Jamie, are you?

[clgwli]

I hate them honestly. They make my back issues feel worse and they run hot when you sleep on them. We opted for a Sleep Number bed and love love love it.  My husband will never look at anything else again.  I personally like that I can adjust it depending on my poor back's needs.  Not the same as having a fracture, but I have a slew of my own bad issues.

My brother has a latex foam matress and loves it. I use a latex foam pillow and think it is fabulous... my cats do too... I bought them their own so we wouldn't keep sharing.  That is the only foam topper I would consider getting if we ever did get one.

Squig- that's an air mattress right?
We've been doing some work around the house and have been sleeping out of the bedroom.
A 7 day project that's turned into a three week project.....another story

Anyway, the air mattress we bought at Bed Bath and Beyond is actually very comfortable.
Are you afraid of punctures.....does DS love to jump on the bed?

One part that's not that great is if you sit on the edge- but maybe that's because we have it on the floor....

It is an air mattress but NOT like the portable ones you are probably using right now (hope you get your project can be completed soon).  I've slept on air mattresses before and didn't like them.  The Sleep Numbers do have air chambers but they are nestled under some foam, cushioning and fabric.  Ours IIRC is about a 15" pillowtop mattress.  I like it because there are two air chambers in them.  One for my side and one for my husband's.  We get to pick our level of firmness and it sleeps wonderfully because of that.  

DS jumpes all over this one and our cats sleep on it too.  I think this king sized one has been in our possession for about 7 years now?  We had a queen before and about a year after we moved I said no more to that and made him upgrade to a king.  

It also sits on a regular bed frame.  It has the mattress part as well as a kind of box spring to it.  Set up you would never know it is not a normal bed at all.  

I sound like a commercial for them, but we bought the first one about 10 years ago or so when a traditional bed did not work for the both of us.  Then we upgraded to the king and gave the queen to my dad.  He's hooked as well.  If he ever replaces that bed for something smaller he'd buy another.  We really are huge fans of these beds.  I used to wake with neck pain all the time and this helped.  Also when going through PT for back issues, I was really able to fine tune this bed to perfection.  Really the best investment we've ever made.  My dad's bed still is in great shape.  They really do last longer than traditional mattresses IMO too because there are no coils to worry about breaking down.  Also the air is easy to replace so that will never lead to saggy parts.  

They have ones with temp balancing and massage features in them now and I would only replace this one to get some of the high tech features they've added