Risk #1: There is a variety of memory foam mattresses and toppers which are made in other countries where the regulations are not as stringent as in America. Manufacturers take advantage of this fact and use low-quality raw material. And cheap chemicals like formaldehyde in the manufacturing process which can cause allergic reactions and/or unpleasant smells.

Tip – Buy your mattress or topper from a reputable American manufacturer that does not use dangerous chemicals to produce their foam.

Risk # 2: Cheap or low-quality foam breaks down quickly leading to flaking and crumbling before it even leaves the shelf. This may not be apparent when you buy it but will soon start appearing to your horror. This is simply a result of low-quality materials and low-tech production techniques. This may be hazardous to the health of people using them.

Tip: Again, buy from a reputed company. The high quality foam lasts longer, up to 20 years long. The low-quality foam starts breaking very soon, maybe in a few weeks itself.  It is worth paying a bit more to ensure that you are buying a good quality, durable and reliable product so that you have sleep comfortably.

Risk # 3:  Many of these low quality foams are created on large sheets something like cookie sheets. Liquid foam is poured in and allowed to settle as it cures. This produces inconsistencies in density, as gravity acts on the foam, drawing more material to the bottom. The result is foam with unpredictable densities; foam that is labeled as having a “4 pound density” may really only be 3 lbs. There are even some high-priced “mall brands” that still use this outdated process.

Tip: Always buy from a reputed manufacturer which uses more advanced processes to product these foams. There are a few manufacturers like Sleep-Aid which use a very modern technique called vacuum injection. In this method, liquid foam is injected into a sealed chamber filled with nothing but vacuum which helps in negating the effects of gravity. This ensures that the density is even throughout the foam. This method is also environment friendly since it produced less fumes.

A full memory foam mattress is the ideal sleep system, and only a full memory foam mattress will provide all of the benefits of memory foam. In addition to being the healthiest sleep systems available, memory foam mattresses are also far more durable than traditional inner-spring mattresses, lasting up to twenty years without flipping.

A good memory foam mattress has between two and three layers of foam of various densities that are designed to work with each other. More than just the sum of their parts, these various layers provide the perfect balance of support and body-conforming softness.

Three layer mattresses are typically better than two layer mattresses; however some companies are now producing up to six layer mattresses. Anything more than three layers is mostly just a marketing gimmick, and won’t provide any extra benefits for sleep. Mattresses with numerous layers also have more seams to tear and more layers to break down. For these reasons, a simple two or three layer mattress is usually the best bet.

Topper Selection
Toppers are an affordable alternative to a full memory foam mattress. A topper is a layer of memory foam designed to fit over an existing conventional mattress. They come in a variety of thicknesses and densities, and are capable of providing many of the same benefits as a full mattress at a fraction of the cost of a full mattress.

Memory foam mattress topper pads are great at making a firm or overly firm mattress much more comfortable. They also work very well with a mattress that seems fairly comfortable, but causes aches or pains or just isn’t giving you the kind of restful sleep you want. The most important thing to remember about memory foam toppers is that they are only as good as the foundation they’re sitting on. If your old mattress has sags or other inconsistencies, this may cause your memory foam topper to sag as well. This can diminish the topper’s ability to provide the support that memory foam is famous for. As a general guideline, if you’ve had your mattress for five years or more, you should look into a full memory foam mattress system, rather than just a topper.