Upon contact with heat, memory foam softens and moulds to the shape of your body for individualised comfort and support. Then, when you get out of bed, the foam springs back to its original shape.
Memory foam also returns relatively slowly to its original shape when force is removed–on average, around 5-10 seconds. During this recovery period, energy from the impact is absorbed and dissipated.
It's not typical for a high-quality memory foam mattress to show significant sagging after just one week of use. Memory foam is designed to contour to your body, providing support and comfort, but it should return to its original shape when not in use.
Most standard mattress will start to expand as soon as they're unrolled, however we recommend not sleeping on it for the first 24 hours. This gives the mattress some time to expand, and you'll likely notice that your mattress is almost at 100% capacity once 72 hours have passed.
Sun Exposure: Sunlight is a natural revitalizer for memory foam. Place your topper in direct sunlight for a few hours. The sun will help to evaporate any moisture trapped in the foam, which can be a cause of lumpiness.
On average, a memory foam mattress lasts about 8 to 10 years, but it depends on a few factors.
Your memory foam mattress may not feel as soft as the mattresses you tried out in shops, or what you expected from the descriptions you read online when you were looking to purchase a new one, but don't worry! Most memory foam mattresses will get softer over time, usually about two to four weeks.
Spray foam insulation usually cures in 12-24 hours. The exact time depends on the product and the environment. During this time, it off-gasses VOCs, affecting indoor air quality.
Most companies ask you not to sleep on your memory foam mattress before 24 hours after you've unboxed the bed to ensure the quality of their product is at its fullest potential when you sleep on it for the first night.
Retention of Heat
One of the most common complaints about memory foam mattresses is that they trap heat and become uncomfortably warm. Memory foam, particularly traditional memory foam, can become quite warm due to its design to respond to body heat and the density of the material.
Although memory foam is generally considered safe, it may pose a problem for certain people, such as those who suffer from allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions. Memory foam may also bother you if you are very sensitive to smells.
Most complaints about memory foam mattresses such as Tempur, Eve, Emma, Leesa and Nectar are that they make sleepers incredibly hot and can sag quickly causing both body indentations and back pain for some sleepers.
If a memory foam mattress is too soft and lacks support, you'll sink too deeply into it. This may lead your back to arch uncomfortably, causing poor spinal alignment. Poor support also affects pressure points in the lumbar region, which may contribute to back pain.
Memory foam works by becoming soft enough to mould around a person or body shape. This happens when the high-density, low-resilience polyurethane foam reacts to body heat. When the pressure is removed, it returns to its original shape.
Despite the many benefits of using memory foam mattresses, some disadvantages exist. Retain Heat: The main drawback of these mattresses is the heat retention problem. The traditional memory foam without technological add-ons tends to get very hot through the night and may become uncomfortable.
Foam however, like most materials, is not immune to unwanted microbial growth or the problems that accompany it.
Typically, it can take between 5 and 60 minutes for the foam to become tack-free. Full cure may be reached in a time range of about 8 to 24 hours, depending on the product and site conditions. Consult the product label and instructions regarding cure times.
Like all mattresses, memory foam isn't immune to the tests of time. Over the years, it can lose some of its firmness. By adopting measures to maintain and boost its firmness, you can also extend its lifespan, ensuring you get the most out of your investment.
If you have a memory foam mattress or a hybrid mattress with a foam layer, we'd recommend trying to warm your mattress up before sleeping. Memory foam, in particular, responds to heat and becomes more malleable when warm, which means it will be softer.
Sleeping on a mattress before it has expanded shouldn't alter the shape or comfort of the bed. The reason mattress manufacturers recommend avoiding sleeping on your mattress before 24 hours after you've unboxed it isn't because they think you may damage it.
Diisocyanates, the chemical reactants needed to make polyurethane foam, can cause respiratory irritation. Toluene diisocyanate (TDI), a known carcinogen, is a common reactant used to make memory foam that can cause skin and breathing problems.
There's no need to worry! The initial hardness won't last forever. Providing you with the time and patience to decompress, you will eventually find the mattress becomes the comfortable sleep aid you envisioned when you first purchased it.