Are memory foam mattress problems keeping you awake? Here are answers to the most common Tempurpedic style bed concerns including smells, bad sex rumors, sweaty sleep, and the effects of sleeping on synthetic chemicals.
Memory Foam Bed Questions:
- Will that new memory foam mattress smell go away?
- Will a Memory Foam Bed Wreck Your Sex Life?
- Will I wake up sweaty in a Visco foam bed?
- Isn’t it hard to turn over and get out of a memory foam mattress?
- Is a memory foam bed too firm in the cold?
- Will you get health problems from sleeping on the synthetic chemicals in a memory foam bed?
(Buying from links on this website sometimes adds a bit of cash to my lumpy mattress fund. It doesn’t cost you more. And helps me spread sweet dreams everywhere.)
Can You Stand the Smell?
Odors are near the top of memory foam mattress problems. They are very common in cheap mattresses that are delivered in compressed vacuum packaging. The mattresses are usually not left to air out at the manufacturer long enough to let off gassing take place completely before they are compressed and sealed for delivery.
If you notice an odor, leave the doors and windows open to let the mattress air out. The odor usually dissipates within a couple of days or weeks.
If the odor really bothers you and it’s not getting any better, exercise the return option on your guarantee. You did read and approve the mattress trial period options in your mattress guarantee, didn’t you?
Will Memory Foam Wreck Your Sex Life?
Sex on memory foam is not necessarily worse, but it is different.
You may be a bit more sweaty than usual afterward. You can solve this memory foam problem by choosing one of the newer models that have a mattress cover or top layer that wicks away moisture.
Your mobility will be reduced a bit. Since memory foam sinks rather than pushes back, you might not be able to roll around as energetically as you are accustomed to. But you can also try almost anything without worrying about a limb falling asleep due to pressure points.
There’s no ‘rebound’ to help you acquire a rhythm and speed but…since the partner on the bottom is going to be gripped or cupped by the mattress, you’ll use less energy and concentration in maintaining your ‘aim’. Now you only need to tie them down if you both enjoy it.
You won’t have to worry about squeaking springs waking kids or neighbors.
Only you and your partner can determine whether you like sex on memory foam. Make sure you get a good return policy because this is one thing the Maniac does not recommend testing at the mattress store.
Will That Hot, Sweaty Feeling Keep You Awake?
This used to be the most common memory foam mattress problem. Because memory foam gets softer and ‘cups’ you where you’re warm, heat can become trapped and cause a sweaty spot. Many newer mattresses have specially designed top layers that dissipate heat more efficiently and covers made with fabrics like CoolMax that wick moisture away from the body.
Is Turning Over and Getting Out of Bed Harder?
This is absolutely true. On the other hand, with less pain and numbness caused by pressure points, you’ll feel less need to turn over and you may wake up fewer times at night.
Can Cold Temperatures Make Memory Foam Uncomfortable?
The same properties that allow visco elastic foam to get softer with your body heat do cause memory foam to be a bit slower to respond in cooler environments. Most people do not notice this effect unless the bed is in a basement, or an RV or semi-trailer sleeping cab in the winter. This is much less noticeable in newer models.
Will Synthetic Chemicals Cause Health Problems?
Some people worry about memory foam mattress problems attributed to polyurethane. The jury is still out as to whether it causes health problems for more than a handful of ultra-sensitive people.
The Maniac’s opinion is that people have been sleeping on polyurethane-based visco elastic foam for about 20 years. You’d think that would be enough time for long-term exposure problems to become evident. If you’re concerned with this issue, there are some newer, so-called natural memory foam mattresses like Tandalay that claim to reduce or eliminate these problems.
Summary
These 6 complaints are the most common memory foam mattress problems. Others, including ‘memory loss’, lack of durability, and cracking used to be common in visco foam mattresses. But now these problems are usually only found in cheap memory foam mattresses. So, if you feel you can live with these possible problems, go right ahead and purchase your new memory foam mattress with confidence that you’ll be getting a great night’s sleep.