Mattress pad

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A mattress topper on a boxspring mattress Mattress topper atop a boxspring mattress.webp
A mattress topper on a boxspring mattress

A mattress pad, mattress topper, or underpad is designed to lie atop a mattress. Made from a variety of materials including wool, cotton, memory foam, feather and latex, [1] its function is to provide an extra layer of comfort, especially when the existing mattress is worn or uncomfortable.

Contents

Physically, it is a thin mattress, usually 5–10 centimetres (2–4 in) thick. [2] Stand-alone mattresses of this size exist, including futons, and floor beds. Similarly, traditional European beds were made of a stack of mattresses of this size. In contrast, mattress toppers are usually sold for use on top of boxsprings (secured with straps or elasticated cloth corners [3] ). They are used to extend the life of the more-expensive boxspring, make a bed warmer [2] or cooler (with airflow, [4] or heat-conductive materials), [5] [6] make a firm bed softer, [4] and for travel and dorms, as they are portable, [2] [4] especially if they are low-density. [7]

Like a mattress protector/mattress pad/mattress cover (a thin, generally unpadded layer not designed to improve comfort), [5] [4] mattress toppers can be used to protect the mattress from the sleeper or vice versa. [4] Some mattress toppers are machine-washable; [6] covers and fillings are made from a range of materials. [5] [7]

Common types of mattress toppers

Pillow-top mattress toppers

Pillow top mattress toppers are filled with natural fibers such as cotton or down, or synthetic options such as microfiber. [8] The filling is usually segmented into pockets which help it to stay in place. This is similar to quilts, though mattress toppers are usually 4 inches or thicker. [9] Most hotel beds use this type of topper, which gives them their plush feel. [10] Eggshell mattress toppers claim to extend the life of an older bed. [11] [12]

Memory-foam mattress toppers

Visco-elastic foam toppers are made from visco-elastic polyurethane, also known as "memory foam", a type of material that exhibits both viscous and elastic characteristics when undergoing deformation. Viscous materials, like water, resist shear flow and strain linearly with time when a stress is applied. The foam used in the construction of memory foam toppers reacts to both pressure and temperature. This, combined with its greater density, are properties that give them their characteristic "weightlessness" sensation. Memory foam mattress toppers are touted to optimize support and promote proper spinal alignment during sleep. [8] They are also regularly used in medical institutions to relieve pressure.

Latex mattress toppers

Latex is derived from rubber tree sap [13] and feels springy as well as responsive. [8] There are 2 main methods of manufacturing latex:

Dunlop Latex

Dunlop latex is heavier on one side than the other due to sedimentation during the foaming process. As such, it is primarily used for support layers of a bed. [13]

Tatalay Latex

Tataly Latex is flash frozen, which results in a lighter, fluffier foam. It lacks support and is used primarily as a comfort layer. [13]

Others

An electric mattress pad is made of heavy fabric with heating filaments woven into it. In the UK and Commonwealth countries this is called an "electric blanket".

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sleeping pad</span>

In camping, a ground pad, sleeping pad, thermal pad, sleeping mat, or roll mat is lightweight pad, common among hikers, backpackers and budget travelers, often used in conjunction with a sleeping bag. Its purpose is to provide padding and thermal insulation. All types currently available use air as their primary form of insulation.

<i>Futon</i> Traditional Japanese bedding

A futon is a traditional Japanese style of bedding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Air mattress</span> Type of mattress

An air mattress is an inflatable mattress or sleeping pad.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upholstery</span> Covering of furniture with padding, springs, webbing, and fabric or leather

Upholstery is the work of providing furniture, especially seats, with padding, springs, webbing, and fabric or leather covers. The word also refers to the materials used to upholster something.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pillow</span> Cushion for the head

A pillow is a support of the body at rest for comfort, therapy, or decoration. Pillows are used in different variations by many species, including humans. Some types of pillows include throw pillows, body pillows, decorative pillows, and many more. Pillows that aid sleeping are a form of bedding that supports the head and neck. Other types of pillows are designed to support the body when lying down or sitting. There are also pillows that consider human body shape for increased comfort during sleep. Decorative pillows used on beds, couches or chairs are sometimes referred to as cushions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mattress</span> Large soft sheet for laying on to sleep

A mattress is a large, usually rectangular pad for supporting a lying person. It is designed to be used as a bed, or on a bed frame as part of a bed. Mattresses may consist of a quilted or similarly fastened case, usually of heavy cloth, containing materials such as hair, straw, cotton, foam rubber, or a framework of metal springs. Mattresses may also be filled with air or water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bedding</span> Bed covering fabrics

Bedding, also called bedclothes or bed linen, is the materials laid above the mattress of a bed for hygiene, warmth, protection of the mattress, and decorative effect. Bedding is the removable and washable portion of a human sleeping environment. Multiple sets of bedding for each bed are often washed in rotation and/or changed seasonally to improve sleep comfort at varying room temperatures. Most standardized measurements for bedding are rectangular, but there are also some square-shaped sizes, which allows the user to put on bedding without having to consider its lengthwise orientation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bed</span> Piece of furniture used as a place to sleep or relax

A bed is an item of furniture that is used as a place to sleep, rest, and relax.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foam weapon</span> Padded mock weapon

A foam weapon, also known as a boffer, padded weapon, or latex weapon, is a padded mock weapon used for simulated handheld combat. Such weapons are used in simulated battles called battle gaming and in some live action role-playing games (LARPs).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bed sheet</span> Rectangular piece of cloth or linen cotton used to cover a mattress

A bed sheet is a rectangular piece of cloth used either singly or in a pair as bedding, which is larger in length and width than a mattress, and which is placed immediately above a mattress or bed, but below blankets and other bedding. A bottom sheet is laid above the mattress, and may be either a flat sheet or a fitted sheet. A top sheet, in the many countries where they are used, is a flat sheet, which is placed above a bottom sheet and below other bedding.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Box-spring</span> Type of bed base

A box-spring is a type of bed base typically consisting of a sturdy wooden frame covered in cloth and containing springs. Usually the box-spring is placed on top of a wooden or metal bedframe that sits on the floor and acts as a brace, except in the UK where the divan is more often fitted with small casters. The box-spring is usually the same size as the much softer mattress that is placed on it. Working together, the box-spring and mattress make up a bed. It is common to find a box-spring and mattress being used together without the support of a frame underneath, the box spring being mounted directly on casters standing on the floor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Memory foam</span> Component primarily utilized for making cushions or mattresses

Memory foam consists mainly of polyurethane with additional chemicals that increase its viscosity and density. It is often referred to as "viscoelastic" polyurethane foam, or low-resilience polyurethane foam (LRPu). The foam bubbles or ‘cells’ are open, effectively creating a matrix through which air can move. Higher-density memory foam softens in reaction to body heat, allowing it to mold to a warm body in a few minutes. Newer foams may recover their original shape more quickly.

Underlay may refer to flooring or roofing materials, bed padding, or a musical notation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sofa bed</span> Form of sofa that converts into a bed

A sofa bed or sofa-bed is a multifunctional furniture typically consisting of a sofa or couch that, underneath its seating cushions, hides a metal frame and thin mattress that can be unfolded or opened up to make a bed. A western-style futon differs from a sofa bed, although sofa beds using futon mattresses are common.

Sorbothane is the brand name of a synthetic viscoelastic urethane polymer used as a shock absorber and vibration damper. It is manufactured by Sorbothane, Inc., based in Kent, Ohio.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Foam latex</span>

Foam latex or latex foam rubber is a lightweight form of latex containing bubbles known as cells, created from liquid latex. The foam is generally created though the Dunlop or Talalay process in which a liquid latex is foamed and then cured in a mold to extract the foam.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mattress protector</span> Bedding product

A mattress protector is an item of removable bedding that sits on top of, or encases, a mattress to protect it. Some mattress protectors also provide protection to the person sleeping on the mattress from allergens and irritants such as dust mites, bed bugs, mold, and dead skin.

An adjustable bed is a bed which has a multi-hinged lying surface which can be profiled to a number of different positions. Common adjustments include inclining the upper body and raising the lower body independently of each other. Other common features include height adjustment and tilting the bed to raise the upper body or the lower body into the Trendelenburg or reverse Trendelenburg positions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bed base</span> Component of a bed that supports the mattress

A bed base, sometimes called a foundation, is the part of a bed that supports the mattress. The bed base can itself be held in place and framed by the bedstead. In the United States, box-spring bed bases are very common. In Europe, sprung slats are much more common.

Shifman Mattress Company is a manufacturer and distributor of handcrafted sleeping mattresses. The mattresses are made using hand-tufting techniques, eight-way hand-tied boxsprings and natural materials. In addition, Shifman Mattresses are two-sided. The company's headquarters are located in Newark, New Jersey.

References

  1. Megan, Barber (November 11, 2020). "All You Need To Know About RV Mattress Toppers". RVing Trends.
  2. 1 2 3 Staff, HappyDIYHome (12 December 2021). "16 Great Mattress Alternatives". Happy DIY Home.
  3. Plumridge, Jo (18 January 2022). "The best mattress toppers 2022: supreme sleep comfort is here". TechRadar.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Casey, Bibek (7 April 2023). "Mattress Topper FAQs". Bed Time Buzz.
  5. 1 2 3 Ullman, Michelle. "Add to the Comfort of Your Bed With the Right Kind of Mattress Topper". The Spruce.
  6. 1 2 Rabideau, Camryn. "After 2 Days of Testing, Here Are Our Favorite Mattress Toppers of 2022". The Spruce.
  7. 1 2 "Mattress Topper Types - Materials, Thickness, Density". Mattress Nut. 9 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2022.
  8. 1 2 3 "How To Choose The Right Mattress Topper". SleepWiz. Retrieved 2019-07-12.
  9. "Step-by-Step Guide to A Luxury Bed". The Spruce. Retrieved 2019-07-12.
  10. "Hotel at Home: Bed Makeover". ABC News. Retrieved 2019-07-12.
  11. Shop, Foam. "Eggshell Topper". The Foam Shop - Canada. Retrieved 2019-08-14.
  12. "Bed Makeover" . Retrieved 28 March 2013.
  13. 1 2 3 "Dunlop vs. Talalay Latex Mattresses: What's the Difference?". Tuck Sleep. Retrieved 2019-07-12.