Memory foam mattress causing nighttime warmth? Learn solutions to cooling it down.
Struggling to sleep cool at night? It could be because your memory foam mattress is retainin' all that heat. But don't worry, the best memory foam mattresses have ya covered!
Now, I gotta tell ya, not every memory foam mattress is gonna make you sweat like a watermelon on a hot summer day. The ones we've tested this year are packed with special coolin' tech to ensure you stay comfortable all night long.
That being said, some memory foam mattresses suffer from poor airflow due to their dense structure, trapping heat and makin' it hard for you to find that elusive cool spot. Let's dive into why this happens, some tips to cool it down, and the materials you should look for if you're shoppin' this month's mattress sales.
Why Your Memory Foam Mattress Might Make You a Sweaty Mess
It's All About the Material: Synthetic Materials and Heat
Unlike natural fibers like wool and cotton, which have airy structures, synthetic materials tend to trap heat. Memory foam mattresses are mostly made of polyurethane, a synthetic material with strong heat retention (great for insulation, not so much for a mattress in the summer). Other synthetic materials, like polyester and latex, are also commonly used and, while natural latex has naturally good airflow, synthetic latex can be just another dense foam that cuts off airflow.
Dense Structures = Heat Retention
Think of mattress foam like a sponge—it soaks up air and moisture around it. With little air flowing through the dense foam, heat from your body and the bedroom gets trapped within your mattress. This results in poor heat dissipation, which can contribute to night sweats and a clammy feeling.
How to Sleep Cool When Your Memory Foam Mattress Is Cookin'
Select the Right Bedframe
A bedframe with good ventilation is key to keeping your memory foam mattress cool. Look for one with slats rather than a solid surface, as this allows air to flow freely beneath the mattress for better cooling.
Add a Cooling Topper
You can add a cooling layer to your memory foam mattress with a top-rated mattress topper. Toppers with cooling gel and breathable materials like natural latex and wool can counteract the heat-trapping tendencies of memory foam.
Use Breathable Bedding
Sweaty sheets? Not cool. Choose cooling bedding, including pillows, pillowcases, sheets, comforters, and mattress protectors, made of light, breathable fabrics that can wick away sweat and help air circulate. Cotton, bamboo, and down are all great options.
3 Things to Look for in a Cooling Memory Foam Mattress
Copper or Graphite
Look for mattresses with foams infused with copper and graphite particles. These metal parts serve as heat conductors, removing heat from the mattress surface and keeping it cool to the touch.
Phase Change Material (PCM)
These materials are infused in mattresses and change from a solid to a liquid state, removing excess body heat while you sleep. They act like a thermal reservoir, absorbing heat when you get warm and releasing it when you cool down.
Cooling Covers
Cooling covers for any mattress type (hybrid, memory foam, spring) are essential for hot sleepers. Choose covers made of breathable fabrics like cotton, wool, or Tencel, which wick away moisture and promote airflow. Cool-to-the-touch fabrics like GlacioTex are also a good option for added cooling comfort.
Memory foam mattresses, primarily made of synthetic materials like polyurethane and latex, tend to trap heat due to their dense structure and poor airflow, leading to discomfort during sleep. However, the best memory foam mattresses available in this year's sales are equipped with cooling technology to maintain a comfortable sleeping temperature.
To combat the heat retention issue, consider selecting a bedframe with good ventilation, adding a cooling topper to counteract the heat-trapping tendencies of memory foam, or using breathable bedding materials such as cotton, bamboo, or down which promote air circulation and wick away sweat. Additionally, look for mattresses with infused copper or graphite particles, phase change materials, or cooling covers made of breathable fabrics to help maintain a cool sleeping environment.
