Introduction
Did your mattress stop wanting to support you and you decided to change it? Do not worry, you are about to enter the jungle of the types of mattresses that the market offers. The risk is that, at the end of the day, you will probably be more confused than before.
Learning to understand how to choose the right mattress is an art that can be learned! In this article we will clarify the peculiarities of two materials that are often confused in the mattress field: MEMORY and LATEX.
The common feature is that both are the raw material of a springless mattress, which adapts to the shape of the body in order to distribute pressure points and properly support the spine. So what are the real differences between these two materials? On the surface, a memory foam mattress plate and a latex mattress plate may look similar but in reality the former is synthetic and the latter is predominantly natural.
I Materassi Memory Foam
Memory Foam is a particular polyurethane that can be produced in thousands of different pieces from each other. It’s a bit like saying “wine”… There is a more or less rigid memory, more or less welcoming, more or less lasting, more or less transpiring. Being a synthetic material plays in its favor making it anti-mite and antibacterial and gives it a minimum weight for a mattress. The sub-distinction to be made is between memory and foam.
They are both polyurethanes but the first is thermosensitive, i.e. sensitive to heat and pressure, while the second is not. Usually the memory composes the upper part of the mattress (reception) and the foam the lower part (support). The memory, thermosensitive, is a polyurethane foam designed for the aerospace industry, with the aim of obtaining the maximum distribution of the load in conditionsstatic or dynamic. This foam adapts perfectly to our body in every position, creates a perfect support surface, and prevents pressure points from being created; all this promotes a regular and beneficial blood circulation.
Here are the main features of the memory foam mattress
- follows the shape of the body
- gives an immediate feeling of comfort and well-being
- antidecubitus: avoids the formation of pressure points
- prevents spinal and joint pathologies
- contains non-toxic synthetic foams
- it has a very open cell structure and therefore ultra -breathable , where the air is free to flow and the humidity is expelled easily
- creates a balanced microclimate, hostile to dust and mites
Latex Mattresses
Even in the case of latex mattresses we can associate the example of wine. A latex mattress can be defined as natural if it is made up of at least 85% natural latex. Only in this way can the indication “natural origin” be reported. If the memory is thermosensitive and tends to accept, the latex is pre-differentiated into zones (larger or smaller hole to make it weaker or more resistant) and tends to reject! Latex is a material that needs constant maintenance to keep its properties unaltered. It is advisable to remove it and let it air at least once every 10 days, to favor the evaporation of humidity and prevent the onset of mold. The mattress can also be rotated head-to-toe and upside-down at least once a month, to facilitate ventilation and padding.
Here are the main features of the latex mattress
- breathability: the structure with communicating microcells as in a dense network of channels allows air to circulate freely
- hygiene: latex has bactericidal, germicidal, fungicidal properties, which determine absolute hygiene and anallergicity
- elasticity: latex can undergo huge deformations without breaking
- it has the ability to recover its original shape almost instantly when the load is removed
Latex mattresses: find out how it is processed
The latex, once extracted in nature, is processed and foamed through high pressure air jets and then poured into special molds from where it comes out ready for drying and then for coating. During processing, the latex is drilled to create different supports: the larger holes ensure greater softness, while the smaller ones (present in the pelvis area) offer greater support. This material has a repelling effect, while still managing to accommodate the body, to optimally distribute its weight and to support it at the same time.
Latex or Mermory mattresses: here are the Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Precisely for this reason the mattress needs constant maintenance, to be turned upside down and head to foot and put in the air. These attentions allow the material to maintain its characteristics of elasticity and comfort. This type of mattress is not recommended in humid environments; it is not ideal for beds with box or on frames with too wide slats; it is not suitable for people who have heavy sweating.
What maintenance does a memory mattress require, unlike latex?
This type of mattress does not need to be aired often; it is however recommended to do it every now and then to give an exchange of air inside the same. Furthermore, it is sufficient to turn the memory head to foot and never upside down because, being a product made in layers, it has its own direction.
Is it true that memory is more breathable?
It depends on the quality of the product and the raw materials used. A good memory mattress is designed in such a way as not to retain moisture and to facilitate its transpiration. In this regard, products are made with materials that offer excellent thermoregulation and a pleasant sensation of comfort in both summer and winter.
How long does a memory mattress last? And a latex one?
There is no precise answer to this question as the duration can vary from several factors. However, if upon waking we start to feel pain in the back and neck or if the mattress is more than 8 years old (average life span of a mattress), then it is time to seriously consider replacing it with a new one.