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Mattresses and Sleep

Memory Foam 101: Everything You Need to Know

From memory foam to gel to traditional springs, there are so many choices when it comes to mattresses. How do you know which mattress is right for you? Will you sleep better on a memory foam mattress or traditional springs? Which one will help you wake up without aches and pains?

Don’t worry—here at Leesa, helping you get your best rest is kind of our thing. We have two great memory foam mattresses to help you get better sleep. Obviously, we love our beds (and we think you will, too), but let’s break it down. Yep, we’re talking about the good, the bad, and the ugly of memory foam mattresses so you can find the perfect mattress for you.

What’s the Difference Between Memory Foam and Gel?

First, let’s talk about the differences between memory foam and a gel mattress. Their make-up is pretty easy to figure out based on their names: a memory foam mattress is made with layers of foam, while a gel mattress is a foam material made with gel. Each type of mattress has its own pros and cons.

What Are Leesa Mattresses Made of?

At Leesa, we have two great mattresses that feature memory foam: the Leesa all-foam mattress and the Leesa Sapira Hybrid mattress. The Leesa mattress is a memory foam mattress with three layers of premium foam for body contouring and pressure relief, engineered to promote airflow and keep you cool all night long. The Leesa Sapira Hybrid mattress is a combination of premium foam support layers and individually-wrapped pocket springs for a luxury feel.

If you’re mattress shopping, we’re here to help. Start with our Mattress Buying Guide to find out what type of mattress is right for you.

Pros of a Memory Foam Mattress

Fun fact: memory foam was originally invented by NASA to make space travel more comfortable for astronauts.

So, it makes sense that memory foam makes a great place to rest your head at night. As a mattress, memory foam has many benefits, including:

  • pressure and pain relief
  • excellent spinal alignment
  • low motion transfer
  • hypo-allergenic
  • overall high durability
  • easy to care for

Sounds like heaven? Just wait. Let’s dive deeper into some of memory foam’s benefits.

Pressure and Pain Relief

One of the best things about a memory foam mattress is the pressure relief it provides, especially on your shoulders and hips. Memory foam adapts to your specific body shape while you sleep. So instead of being stuck in a valley or rolling over lumps while you sleep, your memory foam mattress will move with you, doing away with your aches and pains so you wake up well-rested. At Leesa, we call that Universal Adaptive Feel®, which makes our beds great for any body shape and sleeping style. Stomach sleeper? Meet Leesa. Prefer your side or back? Meet Leesa.

Spinal Alignment

Because memory foam provides superior support and adapts to your sleeping style, it will keep your spine and neck aligned while you sleep. If you’re tired of waking up with neck kinks and backaches, this probably sounds great to you. (That’s because it is.) Our mattresses give you the support and comfort you need to sleep better and wake up pain-free.

Low Motion Transfer

Waking up when your partner (or child or fur-child) gets in or out of bed is annoying and keeps you from getting the sleep you need. That’s what’s great about a memory foam mattress—there is little to no motion transfer. Our mattresses pass the Wine Glass Test. When you put a glass of wine on the bed, you can climb in, roll around and jump on the bed without spilling the wine. That means you can truly tune out the world around you, stay asleep longer and sleep better.

Hypo-Allergenic

Thanks to the hypo-allergenic nature of memory foam, a Leesa mattress is a great option if you have allergies. Memory foam has a naturally dense structure, so allergens are less likely to build upon it. This includes dust, mold, and dust mites.

Overall High Durability

Compare memory foam to a traditional spring mattress to see how you can enjoy a long-lasting option with Leesa. How long does a Leesa memory foam mattress last? The answer depends on your sleep habits and mattress care routine.

It would be easy to state that all memory foam mattresses last seven to 10 years. It would be easy, but misleading. Your mattress could last longer or need to be replaced in less time depending on these factors:

  • Whether you use a mattress protector
  • How often do you clean your mattress
  • How your mattress is feeling

Easy to Care for

Your Leesa memory foam mattress is easy to care for, but that doesn’t mean it’s free from maintenance tasks. You wouldn’t wear the same clothes for weeks at a time, so be sure you change your bed sheets regularly. Try to change them once a week, or at least once every two weeks.

Rotate your mattress 180 degrees every three to six months. Don’t flip it upside down, since all Leesa mattresses are carefully layered. Check out waterproof mattress protectors that can prevent spills and stains.

Finally, a vacuum cleaner is a great cleaning tool for your memory foam mattress. Use an upholstery attachment with a HEPA-rated vacuum cleaner to lift out pet hair, dust, and other debris.

Cons of a Memory Foam Mattress

One of the only complaints about memory foam mattresses is that they sleep warmer than gel or traditional spring mattresses. Many memory foam mattresses trap heat between the layers of foam, so your body heat has nowhere to escape while you’re sleeping.

At Leesa, we said no more sweaty sleep: our mattresses are made with a premium, cooling layer of top foam that was engineered to promote airflow while you snooze. Plus, it’s super comfy, so you get the pressure-relieving and body contouring benefits of memory foam and stay cool all night long.

Another complaint that often comes with memory foam mattresses is their price tag. Once again, we set out to combat this.

We offer two quality memory foam mattress options that won’t break the bank. (We also offer financing through Affirm.) We strive to produce excellent products, from our mattresses to our pillow to our foundations, so when you buy a Leesa, you know you are getting a quality, durable product and your best rest.

Ready to get a better night’s sleep? Let Leesa help you upgrade your bed and get your best rest.

FAQs

Is a memory foam mattress good for you?

A memory foam mattress can help relieve joint pain. It can also encourage proper spinal alignment for a comfortable night’s sleep.

Why are memory foam mattresses bad?

For some people, memory foam mattresses may retain too much body heat to be comfortable. Some gel-infused memory foam options are pricey compared to spring mattresses. A Leesa mattress, however, is an affordable option that helps draw away body heat.

Does memory foam smell go away?

Yes, the initial odor will go away quickly. Many memory foam mattresses emit odors, known as off-gassing when they first come out of the package. These chemical smells come from very low levels of gases coming off the foam.