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If there’s one drawback to memory foam mattresses it’s that the foam tends to trap heat, which causes you overheat and wake up covered in sweat. Our team of sleep experts includes multiple hot sleepers, and they came up with multiple techniques for cooling down your memory foam mattress. In this article we aim to help hot sleepers in particular get better and cooler sleep on a memory foam bed.
Tips for making a memory foam mattress sleep cooler
Unlike polyfoam or latex which both have interconnected air channels, memory foam is denser and has disconnected air channels which limit air circulation. Combine this with its ability to sink and contour to your body and you have the recipe for trapping body heat and getting uncomfortable night sweats. That being said, sleeping cool on a memory foam mattress is not impossible and here are several methods to do it.
Change your foundation
The first thing you have to consider is the type of bed frame that you’re using. This could be a problem especially if you’re using a solid platform bed which constricts airflow and prevents heat from dissipating. Aside from retaining heat, this type of bed base also traps moisture which could lead to mold growth and an unhealthy sleep environment in the long run.
To help your memory foam mattress sleep cooler, we would recommend using a slatted base which will promote air circulation and clear out accumulated heat. Regardless if it’s wooden or metal, the slats should not be more than 3 inches apart for durable support and stability.
Manage your bedroom temperature
Controlling your room temperature is important especially in the summertime. Turn on the air conditioning or lower the thermostat. If not, you could try opening your window or turning on a fan for better ventilation. These steps might be obvious but they help keep your memory foam mattress cool and create a better overall sleep environment.
Add a mattress pad or topper
Adding a pad or topper to your memory foam mattress is an effective and affordable way to cool it down. Mattress pads that are made of natural materials such as wool or cotton are great at regulating temperature and wicking away moisture. You can also opt for a mattress topper that’s made of gel memory foam which aids in dissipating body heat and also provides extra pressure relief.
Mattress pads also provide extra protection for your mattress from spills and stains. Keep in mind that mattress toppers have more material thus they are typically more expensive than mattress pads.
Use bedding made of breathable materials
Synthetic bedding such as polyester sheets and pillows can limit airflow and make your bed feel stuffy. If you have this type of bedding, we recommend replacing it with more breathable materials such as cotton, linen, or bamboo. You’ll also want to get a pillow that has temperature-regulating materials such as shredded memory foam, bamboo, cotton, or buckwheat.
Consider getting a new mattress
If you still sleep hot after trying out all the tips above, then you might want to consider getting a new mattress altogether. You could check out innerspring mattresses which are known not just for their excellent support but also for their cooling properties. Hybrid mattresses also promote lots of airflow but they usually still have a foam comfort layer that might retain heat.
Though they are usually pricier than other models, latex mattresses also provide great ventilation due to their open-cell structure. However, if you are really set on a memory foam mattress, then you should try looking for a cooling memory foam mattress. Some examples are those made with copper, graphite, or gel-infused memory foam.
Gel foam helps absorb heat and wick away moisture from your body while also offering great pressure relief and contouring.
Additional ways to stay cool at night
Aside from changing your foundation and managing your room temperature, there are other measures that you can take to avoid sleeping hot.
Take a shower before bed
Taking either a cold or warm shower before going to bed can help lower your body temperature and prevent sweat buildup while you sleep. You’ll also fall asleep easier because you’ll feel clean and fresh after taking a shower.
Wear light sleepwear
If you wear polyester or silks pajamas in bed then chances are you’ll be sleeping hot. Instead, go for pajamas that are made of breathable fabric such as cotton or bamboo. This should add extra breathability especially if you’re sleeping on a memory foam mattress.
Switch off lights and electronics
Your bedroom light as well as the light from devices such as laptops, computers, and TVs all generate heat. Turn all of these things off before bedtime to prevent your room temperature from rising and causing you to sleep hot.
FAQs
These mattresses are hot because memory foam contains disconnected air bubbles which limit airflow. When a sleeper lies down on one the foam gets compressed and the air bubbles are displaced. This further limits air circulation and results in body heat retention.
Yes it does because it means that there’s more than one source of body heat for your mattress to absorb. If your mattress is made of memory foam then the effect might be more noticeable due to its heat-retaining properties.
Today, many brands are manufacturing memory foam mattresses that feature cooling technology. Some of these cooling features are open-cell foam structures, cooling gel beads, and copper or graphite infusions. All of these help dissipate body heat instead of keeping it trapped like traditional memory foam does.
Hot sleepers will experience the best results with mattresses that have great cooling properties and materials. Some good examples of cooling mattresses are those made of gel memory foam, open-cell foam, plant-based foam, or hybrid mattresses that contain a blend of coils and cooling foam.
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