Most of the people prefer memory foam mattress as they are comfortable and easily conform to our body, guaranteeing a good night’s sleep. However, there are certain limitations to these mattresses.
Sometimes, they may keep you awake all through the night. They could be hard to turn over and often become too firm during winters.
These are some of the problems associated with memory foam mattresses. If you want to know the solutions for all these, then this article is for you.
In this write-up, we shall address all the common issues one can face with memory foam mattresses. Also, we shall learn how to resolve those effectively.
Let’s roll in!
Memory Foam Mattress Problems & Solutions
Let us have a look at some of the most common problems that we often face with a memory foam mattress. We will discuss each of them one by one and try to get a possible solution for them.
Problem 1: Memory Foam Gets Warm
Sometimes, you may observe the mattress getting warm and find it too hot to sleep. As a result, you will be tossing and turning on the bed all through the night, staying awake. This could be because of the following reasons. Let us explore each cause and try to find out a perfect solution for it:
a) Closed-cell Memory Foam
One reason could be the closed-cell memory foam. Unlike the open-cell foams, this kind of memory foam does not keep the sleepers cool. Instead, they increase the build of heat inside the mattress, retaining your body heat. They do not have proper ventilation and are hence used as a base to support the other layers of the mattress. However, some inexpensive mattresses use this material as a comfort layer. And a result, your mattress starts causing overheat and keeps you awake through the night.
b) Soft Mattress
Another possible reason could be the soft material of the mattress. Usually, when you sleep on a soft mattress, your body tends to sink deeper into the layers. Because of this, the mattress absorbs the heat from your body, traps it inside, and preserves it. As a result, it retains more heat from your body.
c) Old Mattress
Another contributing factor could be the age of your mattress. If it is an old mattress that you have been using for quite a long time, the upper layers tend to lose their resilience. Consequently, the material gets soft, and your body sinks deeper into the mattress. This eventually results in retaining more heat from your body.
Solution
Let us try to get a solution for the above causes. Below are some of the recommendations to follow depending on the scenario:
a) Opt for Open-Cell or Gel-Infused Foams
If you are using a closed-cell memory foam mattress, switch to an open-cell or gel-infused foam. Such kind of material allows for trapping less heat and dissipates it evenly. It keeps you cool longer.
b) Choose a Firm Mattress
If you feel the mattress is soft, this is what you can do. Choose one having medium firmness. This will not let your body sink deep and guarantees proper sleep. However, it will still give you the required contouring for your body when sleeping. Additionally, it will keep you cool and hence, a good option.
c) Add a Mattress Topper
If your mattress became old or is worn out, you can replace it with a new one. However, if you are not ready to replace it yet, this is what you can do. Purchase a firmer mattress topper and add it to the existing one. This will allow your bed to gain uniformity and also, alleviates the heat from inside the mattress when sleeping.
Problem 2: Strange Smell From The Memory Foam
The smell from the memory foam can be too strong that it does not allow you to sleep. This is because after the foam gets manufactured, the manufacturers prepare a mattress from it and pack it immediately for shipping. This will lock the distinct smell of the chemicals inside and may stay for a long time if you do not allow the mattress to breathe.
Solution
The most suitable solution for this problem is to let your mattress breathe. Uncover the mattress first and leave it for some time for the air. Make sure you leave the doors and windows open. This allows the gas odour and other strange smells from the mattress to air out. After you notice the smell dissipate, cover it and make your bed.
You can repeat this process for a few days for the best results.
If you do not want to do anything as such repeatedly, you can purchase a mattress encasement for your mattress. This helps in locking the odour inside without causing any trouble to you.
If you are highly sensitive to odours or feel the smell is too strong to tolerate, you can try this. Opt for a return of the product. However, ensure you read all the instructions concerning the guarantee period of the mattress.
Problem 3: Premature Sagging
The other potential problem associated with a memory foam mattress is it wears out before the guaranteed time. The average shelf life of a foam mattress is around 7 to 10 years. The cheaper ones tend to wear off easily below the mentioned life span. A worn-out bed will no longer facilitate a good spine alignment when sleeping. Therefore, your spine will not get the required support, and you may experience severe aches in your body. You may even lack proper sleep because of these issues.
Solution
We have the solution for this, as well. Here is what you can do to increase the lifespan of your mattress:
a) Rotate the Mattress
You may flip or rotate your mattress every six months to prevent wear on the surface. This will further ensure even wear of the mattress.
b) Use a Supportive Bed Base
You can invest in a suitable bed foundation to add support to your bed. This bed case will be capable of dealing with dynamic loads and augments the supportive properties of your mattress.
c) Add a Mattress Topper
You may even try adding a firm mattress topper over the existing one. This can be of great help if your mattress is too saggy and you have difficulty sleeping over it. The topper adds an extra layer of cushioning to your mattress and helps it gain uniformity.
Problem 4: Memory Foam is Either Too Firm or Too Soft
Choosing a memory foam mattress of proper density is essential. For that, you need to understand the foam density, the range, and the durability standpoint. You need to do appropriate research on the above before purchasing the right mattress for you and your family that ensures comfort. Else, you may end up choosing a mattress that is either too hard or too soft. Let us see what you can do about this.
Solution
The only way to solve this problem is by researching the mattress. Whenever you go to any bedding store to purchase a mattress, make sure you try it there. This will give you a fair idea of the mattress, the comfort you can expect from it, and if it is suitable for your body or not. Once you get complete knowledge of the mattress type you are looking for, you can purchase the same online at a better price.
You may say that you already purchased one and are using it currently. Do not worry. We will tell you what to do about it.
a) Mattress is Too Soft
Let us say you already have a mattress at home that is too soft. You should always keep in mind that, over time, it will get even softer. Nevertheless, you can replace it with a new one if you want. However, if you do not want to go for a replacement, we have a solution for you. This is what you can do. Purchase a firmer mattress topper and add it to the existing one. This will ensure a toughened or firm surface.
b) Mattress is Too Hard
What if the mattress is too hard? We have a solution for that, as well. You can try making the bed a little flexible. Yes, we heard what you are thinking and will tell you how to do that. As the first option, you can increase the temperature in the room. There is another option, too. Get on the mattress and knead it with your knees to soften it a little.
Problem 5: Your Memory Foam Mattress is Uncomfortable
You may be complaining that your memory foam mattress is not comfortable, and it is keeping you awake all through the night. One reason could be that you are new to sleeping on such material. It will take some time for your body to adapt to it. Similarly, the mattress also requires a certain period to soften completely, and conform to your body shape. Initially, you may face this issue with the mattress and may experience a little discomfort. This problem, too, has a solution. Let us have a look at what it is.
Solution
a) Longer adjustment period of mattress
All you can do is allow your mattress for a longer adjustment period until it softens fully.
b) Adjust yourself to the new mattress
You can even allow yourself a couple of weeks to get used to sleeping on the new mattress before you decide to dismiss it completely.
Problem 6: Incomplete Inflation
While this is a rare phenomenon, it is entirely dependent on the mattress, its quality, size, and other parameters. You do not have to consider this as a serious memory foam problem. However, we will still try to have an amicable solution for this. The incomplete inflation is possibly due to the following reasons:
a) Cheap mattress
Inexpensive beds typically make use of low-quality foam for preparing mattresses. As a result, the foam will have less resilience and does not expand as it should.
b) Big mattress
Sometimes, a king-sized mattress will collapse because of its own weight and refuse to inflate to its complete height.
c) Cold weather
Let us say you purchased your mattress in cold winter. There are chances that your mattress will not inflate immediately. It may take some time because of its vulnerability to the temperatures.
Solution
You can follow the method of airing to this problem also, similar to the issue of odours. This will help your mattress to expand and give the results. This is how you can do:
a) Apply pressure
Apply pressure on the mattress with your hands by kneading it or walk on it. This will cause your bed to respond to the pressure applied and allow it to bounce back to its original shape. If your mattress consists of polyfoam material, this option will work out the best.
b) Use heat
You can use warm air with the help of a heater to accelerate the expansion of the mattress. For better results, turn on the fan and keep the heater at a certain distance from the bed. Remember, do not bring the heater closer to the bed, as the heat may damage the mattress.
Problem 7: Mould and Mildew
We all know that memory foam is not waterproof. Therefore, any accidental spills on the mattress may sink deep into the layers and result in mould formation. If there is a series of such activities happening, you may expect the mattress to get stinky and damaged, because of the mould and mildew.
Solution
If you want to prevent mould formation or build-up of mildew, it is advisable to use a waterproof mattress protector. Make sure you start using it from the day of purchase.
We recommend purchasing a mattress encasement, as it will protect the mattress from all sides. This is excellent for people living in humid regions.
Conclusion:
I hope this article gave you complete insights into the problems one may experience with a memory foam mattress. Also, the solution provided for each problem should be of great help to you. If you encountered any of the issues cited in this article, you should definitely try implementing the solutions provided. You will see the results for yourself.
Write to us in the comments section below if your find this article informative. Let us know if you tried any of the above solutions and share your experiences with us. Please feel free to add your inputs to this article. Also, do not hesitate to let us know if we missed out on anything. Your feedback matters to us, and we would love to hear from you.
Stay healthy and stay safe!!!
