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Ultimate guide for memory foam mattresses
The sleep after a long, long day... The sleep knowing your to-do list is empty tomorrow and you have the whole day to yourself... The sleep on a much-welcomed night away from the children... Don't just look forward to these nights once in a blue moon, make every evening live up to your best.
Sleep affects far more than just our tiredness – with your appetite, cardiovascular health and immune system pressure being at risk from consistently poor sleep. To help you ensure you’re getting the best night’s rest possible, we’re answering your FAQs regarding all things mattresses...
So, what is a memory foam mattress?
Combining different layers of foam with or without springs, a memory foam mattress uses your body’s heat and pressure to create a ‘mould’, giving your body maximum support in all the right places. This comfort isn’t going to fade either – over time, the foam will “remember” your body’s shape, sleeping positions and support levels, meaning every night’s rest can feel as great as the first.
It’s not just your average night’s sleep that can benefit from choosing memory foam – in fact, it was originally engineered by NASA to support the extreme pressure that pilots and astronauts went through to offer comfort that’s (quite literally) out of this world.
How long will my memory foam mattress last?
When you're sleeping on the same mattress night after night, you want to know it’s going to keep both its shape and comfort.
The common lifespan of a memory foam mattress is around 5-8 years, with this number depending on its quality and your care. Your mattress is supposed to help you relax and recover, so as soon as you notice any signs of this not being the case, it may be worth looking into a replacement.
At Sleep8, we take pride in ensuring every product of ours is built to last – for example, our Tech Mattress is tested under a 150kg roller, passing 50,000 rolling cycles in the lab (equivalent to 30 years of use!) to ensure it can withstand any body pressure and tests of time.
Do memory foam mattresses have weight limits?
A weight limit may be determined based on the density of the foam of the mattress you choose. However, we won’t leave you in the dark to find this information. If you need assistance in deciding on your new mattress, speak to our customer service team of experts who will be happy to advise.
If you want to feel the most supported, why not consider our Tech Firm mattress? With no weight limit, you can benefit from all the lightness of an innovative foam mattress combined with firm support.
How often should I turn my mattress over?
It is commonly recommended you turn your memory foam mattress once or twice a year. As tiring as this process may feel – it's for a good cause! By flipping your mattress, you are constantly changing the areas where your body is putting pressure on, reducing the wear and tear.
This process is dreaded by many, but not for much longer... Our products are built with convenience in mind, with Turn-Free technology allowing you to sleep on one side of the Tech Mattress without any side effects for as long as you own it.
Do memory foam mattresses smell?
If you’ve owned a memory foam mattress before, you may have noticed within the first few days it emits a chemical odour. Although this process (called “off-gassing”) is completely normal, if you find the smell too distracting you may want to wait before you begin sleeping on your new mattress.
However, at Sleep8, that problem is now far behind us. We’ve removed the chemical smell you get when you first use your mattress, so you can enjoy a blissful night’s sleep from delivery day onwards, without the worry of unpleasant odours.
Can bed bugs live in memory foam mattresses?
For those of you concerned about bed bugs, a memory foam mattress might just be your perfect pick.
Thanks to the high density of the foam, it can become harder for bedbugs to live – however to prevent them from finding a permanent home it is recommend you go the extra mile to seal your mattress with a zipped cover. Regular cleaning will also help prevent any issues before they arise.
To give you peace of mind, our Tech range comes with its own removable cover, perfect for zipping on and off – meaning you don’t just feel protected from bedbugs, but also cleaning spills and stains feels like a walk in the park.
Do memory foam mattresses make you feel hot?
There’s nothing worse than lying in bed on a summer’s night, sweaty and unable to sleep. Luckily, foam mattresses are developed to combat this. With modern, hybrid, and gel foam mattresses, heat is distributed so you can say goodbye to disturbed rest and hello to a cooling foam layer to keep even the warmest of sleepers feeling their best.
We also recommend pairing your choice in bedding to your mattress choices – if you’re concerned about overhearing at night, why not consider a thinner duvet paired with a Tech Mattress - a great combination to keep all sizes of beds (from single to super king) from overheating.
Is memory foam good for any sleeping positions?
Whether you’re a side snoozer or front facer, memory foam mattresses are great for suiting most sleeping positions out there. For side sleepers especially, you can benefit from your shoulders, hips and ankles being cushioned while you rest – protection which other mattresses don’t always offer.
Back sleeper? Memory foam mattresses can still benefit you, with several products in the Sleep8 range designed to offer all the comfort, with spinal alignment still in mind.
What's the main difference between memory foam vs. other types of mattresses?
Unlike other mattresses which may be designed to meet specific needs but disregard the rest, memory foam is a great all-rounder choice.
Whether you’re a light sleeper or quickly drift off, prefer a firm or softer mattress, wake up in the same place you fell asleep or are always switching sleeping positions throughout the night, a memory foam mattress can support a wide range of requirements.
Do you and your partner have a weight difference? Don't let this get in the way of enjoying sharing a bed. The individualised support system in our Tech mattress for instance can allow you both to rest without disturbance, meaning you can both enjoy an undisrupted night’s sleep.
How do I clean my memory foam mattress?
Whether it’s breakfast in bed, muddy paws or makeup stains, mattress stains often show at the worst of times. It’s important to steer away from any harsh cleaning products, but spot cleaning by dabbing any affected areas lightly with a weak mixture of laundry detergent and water is a commonly advised tip to clean any marks.
We recommend our Simple or Terry mattress protectors to fit your Sleep8 mattresses, but they also fit any type of mattresses.
It is always recommended to also keep a protective cover on your mattress, meaning you’re just a wash away from stain removal, alongside regular vacuuming of the mattress to catch any loose crumbs, hairs, or general dust. The Tech Mattress from Sleep8 comes prepared for any eventualities, with a removable cover that can be taken off and washed at your convenience.
Will my memory foam mattress get softer?
One huge plus of memory foam mattresses is that all you need to do is sleep on them to soften them. As the foam understands your body, it will soften in these specific areas. As the sleep experts, we also must stress... Jumping on your mattress is NOT a suggestion to soften it up!
We want to make you feel your most rested self, which is why we also offer a range of firmness options on all our mattresses; meaning you can select your ideal requirements ahead of time and enjoy a good night’s sleep from the word go.
So, why choose Sleep8?
We believe that good sleep is the foundation of happy, healthy living, and a new mattress might just be what you need to discover this. That’s why we offer products which include:
- Turn-Free technology: you won’t have to turn your mattress but can still enjoy comfort as great as the first time you experienced it.
- A cooling first-layer: whether you’re a warm sleeper or struggle to make it through summer nights, you can feel your most rested.
- Long-lasting service. We’ve put our products through their paces to ensure they can stand the test of time.
- Low-odour mattress: we’ve removed the chemical smell often released when you first open your new mattress, so you don’t have to experience any unpleasantness in your first week.
- Optimal comfort, tailored to your body. Whether it’s pressure relief, distributing body weight, or supporting any number of sleeping positions.
Ready to discover your best night’s sleep? Browse our website to discover our wide range of options from the experts, or visit our stores in London to see the power of good sleep for yourself.
January 07, 2024
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