When to replace your memory foam topper or pillow
June 2, 2009 – 2:26 pmMost people think that the memory foam toppers should last as long as the full mattress. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Not even the best toppers (like from Tempur-Pedic) can last as long as the mattress counterparts. The reason why the toppers cannot last as long are:
Thickness of the topper – The toppers are usually thinner than the actual layers used inside the mattresses. If the toppers are too thin, they wear out quickly because when the cells at top deteriorate, the foam doesn’t have many cells beneath them to take their place and provide support. That’s the reason; it is advisable to buy a bit more thicket toppers.
Overlay – Memory foam toppers are usually laid over an existing bed or mattress. The condition of that mattress or bed plays an important part in the lifespan of the topper. If the bed is already worn out the topper will not last long. If the mattress is sagging, the topper will follow that same contour.
Weight of person on the topper – If obese and overweight people sleep on the topper, it may speed up the process of wearing of the topper by adding extra pressure to the foam. While a memory mattress is held up by a highly resilient core, the topper is held up by air, springs or whatever else the bed is made of. Extra weight also makes the open cells crumble quicker than they would under the average person.
Memory Foam Toppers
Most visco-elastic toppers are not usually made of the same quality grade material as memory foam mattresses are. That is the reason they don’t last as long. Visco-elastic material is very expensive to make and usually used to make only mattresses. Memory foam toppers are generally much cheaper and using Tempur-style foam of the highest quality would make it economically unrealistic for manufacturers. Tempur-Pedic brand mattress toppers or overlays, however, are made of the same NASA-evolved foam technology as Tempur mattresses. There is little information to indicate whether or not other mattress companies use the same grade foam in their toppers.
Bottom line is that, a visco memory foam bed topper will continue to provide support and comfort without sagging for 18 to 36 months, as long as it’s:
- Made of high density (Temper-style memory foam)
- Used over a solid foundation
- Reasonably thick.