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- Memory foam mattresses smell
This can be true especially with a new mattress out of the bag. Viso Elastic Memory foam does have a period of off gassing. This odor in most cases dissipates quickly in usually days or weeks. Simply airing out will speed up the process. There are extreme cases where a customer’s sensitivity requires a mattress exchange. Most people expect new products just like a new car to have an odor they are not used too.
- Memory foam is flamable
It is a polyurethane product which can be flammable.Laws have been put into place requiring all USA beds, including memory foam mattresses to be resistant to open flame. Concerns have been raised that a high level of the fire retardants such as PBDE, are commonly used in memory foam.
- Memory foam creates health problems
Well, this is a tough one. The jury still seams to be out on this one. With the emergence of all natural and organic mattress (competition) these issues have really been pushed to the forefront concerning products like memory foam mattresses and even other related products. It is a polyurathene foam, a synthethic petroleum based product. We will just suggest this tid bit of information, imagine the repurcusions if it is found to be true. Right now there are endless uses for these materials, everything from sofa cushions to car seats. We will simply let the foam industry to defend their use of certain chemicals and how they affect the human body. There are now alternative organic and all natural mattresses on the market to choose from if you are still concerned about possible side affects from synthetic products such as memory foam.
- Memory foam mattress prices are too high.
High cost seems to be the number one issue that holds some buyers back from purchasing memory foam beds, but it is important to remember these mattresses are usually higher quality. There are now some quality less expensive alternive memory foam mattresses on the market to choose from so take the time and compare apples to apples.
- Memory foam mattress compressions or body impressions issues
This is more of a myth than a reality but we thought we would throw it in there. Although all foams eventually break down, Memory foam as a whole out performs and out lasts most of its coiled steel spring competitors. Most stores brag of considerably lower warranty return rates issues with memory foam mattresses and excessive sagging or body impression.
- Memory foam mattresses get softer through use and age.
Memory foam sometimes is said to feel slightly firmer at home compared to the floor sample in the show room. This is because there is a period of time where the foam actually breaks in that floor displays have already gone through, hopefully the store will point this out in advance.
- Memory foam sleeps warmer or sleeps hot
This is a problem that many manufactures have been able to resolve. Several things have been done to address the foam heat issue. Many companies like Campbell’s Isotonic and Englanders Wellness have designed breathable covers that allow air to properly circulate between the body and the foam. Some companies are now even promoting breathable foams. Use of breathable cotton sheets over memory foam beds may also improve heat issues.
- Cold temperatures can affect Memory Foam mattresses
The same molecular design that give this mattress its durability advantage compared to the traditional polyurethane foams used in coil spring mattresses can cause the foam to be sluggish in recovery. For example mattresses that are exposed to cool or freezing climates will feel firmer and are slower to rebound or return to their original shape in places like cool basements, cold bedrooms, or even the sleeper or cab of a semi tractor trailer.
- Makes turning over in the middle of the night or getting out of bed hard
Well yes there is real truth to this, which makes for a slight downside to memory foam. The argument is that the good out weighs the bad because the slow recovery foams reduce pressure on the body so much better than other beds you actually sleep less disturbed for the reason of having to turn over less. With that said turning over or repositioning can be trickier with memory foam beds because of the lack of resistance or opposing pressure to assist you position changes.
- People don’t believe the claims of memory foam mattresses to be real
Memory foam is state of the art sleep technology. It’s cutting edge and is different from the norm (The over 100 year old innerspring industry) and we the people have resisted change for years. Just think of cutting edge technologies that were rejected in the beginning, the tractor by horse people, welding in the framework of buildings by the people who favored rivets, and yes computers because they would replace the need for man. A competing mattress company advertises a slogan of better sleep through science. If using the same 100 year coil springs and changing the padding around a little bit really makes a bed sleep better, then we have to assume that visco elastic memory foam must truly be state of the art space age mattress technology.
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Correction to # 5
Memory foam mattress compressions or body impression issues
This is more of a myth than a reality but we thought we would throw it in. Although all foams eventually break down, memory foam as a whole seems to out perform and out last the majority of low grade polyurethane foams often used for cushioning by its coiled steel spring competitors. Most stores brag of considerably lower rates of warranty return issues when it comes to memory foam mattresses, in particular problems such as excessive sagging, or body impressions.
Comment by Doug — January 28, 2008 @ 2:17 pm
I just bought a midrange priced memory foam mattress topper from Target. I am confused as to what I should have expected to come out of the box. What I got is a completely crushed, compact, hard, warped thing. I realize that it’s been rolled up and compacted for packaging. No info in the box whatsoever as to what to expect. Will this take days to ‘undo’ itself? It’s completely unusable and I am a little irritated as I spent almost $200 on this thing. It says a full size but it seems more like a twin. I wish there was information provided with the product. I am very disappointed, and I don’t want to have to try to box this darned thing up to return it!
Comment by Robin — May 5, 2008 @ 8:49 pm
Hi Robin,
I am sure people will appreciate your imformation.
I believe the keyword you used was ” Memory Foam Topper”. For over 22 years dad and I have sold people beds. I am pretty sure this will not be what you want to here, but we flat out refuse to take our customers money with cheap quick fixes such as toppers that more often than not don’t work. I wish I had a dime for every time I heard comments like yours. I know that will draw some criticism from people who have had good luck, but we try to go with what works the best and works most consistently.
The reasons most people end up with toppers vary, but these are the common ones.
1. They have a worn out mattress they hope to extend the life of.
2. Their trying to change the feel of one they bought and dislike into something it is not.
3. Lastly they may choose a topper as an alternative to memory foam mattresses, which are more expensive and are simply out of budget.
The truth is, if memory foam mattresses are out of budget do not buy one, wait or buy an inexpensive innerspring to allow you more time to save up for a quality visco elastic memory foam mattress. It is worth it in the end.
Robin, if it was crushed as you say or (damaged) well of course that’s not normal. I am not sure that is the case here? If you are referring to the mattress being vacuum packed like beef jerky in the shrink-wrap or a package of freeze dried food that would be normal. Many memory foam products are shipped in this fashion. When the vacuum is released it should return to its original shape usually with in 24 hours or less. That is why they call it memory foam. If not it will need to be returned to Target. Full size should measure 54 x 75.
I do not want to come across as being critical and I am going to encourage people to learn from your bad experience. That is the great thing about this type of platform people will learn what to do and not to do.
So here is my soapbox. It is my opinion that sadly your confusion was brought on from purchasing from a store that chooses not hire mattress professionals to help you make the correct buying decisions and answer your excellent questions. Target as good as they are, really is a nothing more than a department store, not a mattress store or a furniture store. So the service you may be expecting will be lacking. Their employees keep the shelves stocked and know little to nothing about what is being sold in each department. Department managers really aren’t much better. Stores like Costco, Sam’s, Target, Wal-Mart are masters of nothing but cheep prices in my opinion. If a person does not find the necessary and pertinent information they are looking on the box or in the directions then it in fact should be considered a case of buyer beware. Retail mattress stores pay good money for display showrooms where you can see and feel what to expect while eliminating confusion.
As for the pricing issue I am going to use the Tempurpedic mattress and the one you purchased for this comparison.
A model called the “Original” is the cheapest mattress you can buy from Tempur Pedic and in the Full size runs 999.00 for the mattress only. The prices range up to 2499.00 for the model called the “Rhapsody”. The prices would quite frankly go much higher, if higher end full size mattresses sold better than they do. (Take notice the top of the line mattresses offered from Tempur Pedic are not even available in full size.) Tempurpedic is the brand by which everyone else compares himself or herself to. This is done for a reason they are the best. Now at 200.00 for a topper your purchase price is ½ the typical advertised price of a no name entry-level memory foam mattress. So in comparison take a 400.00 entry-level mattress and a top of the line Tempur Pedic at 2499.00 a midrange priced memory foam mattress in full size should run about 1450.00
If you think taking the mattress back to a store is fun, imagine having to get it into the original box and ship it back to the online retailer, which many of them require.
Thanks for posting your comment and please understand I am not trying to pick on you, but answer your questions and comments honestly while helping others in the process.
Comment by Doug — May 6, 2008 @ 12:23 pm