What’s a mattress topper?

A mattress topper is a pad that sits on top of a mattress and ranges in thickness from 1 to 3 inches. It’s not to be confused with a mattress pad, which is a cover for a mattress that is protective and frequently waterproof. The purpose of a mattress topper is to improve comfort.

Different materials are used to make mattress toppers. One of them is Dunlop latex, which can be synthetic or natural. Natural Dunlop latex may contain fillers and is derived from the rubber tree. In order to create synthetic Dunlop latex, the manufacturers mix natural latex with fillers and chemicals.

 

  

Other materials for mattress toppers include:

• Memory foam. Memory foam mattress toppers are made of a plush polyurethane material, however they can be smelly and heated to the touch. Some memory foam mattresses, according to the Federal Trade Commission, produce gasses that are bad for your health.

• Blends of polyester. While polyester mattress toppers start off soft, they may eventually lose their fluffiness and compress. They don't smell and they are affordable. Blends of polyester can also make their user feel warm.

• Wool. These mattress toppers offer comfort that is supple and permeable. They don't conform to the body like memory foam mattress toppers, though.

• Feathers. While feather toppers are fluffy, they might not offer the body much support. Feather toppers might not be ideal for hot sleepers or people who are allergic to feathers.

 

Whom would a latex mattress topper be useful for?

A latex mattress topper may be advantageous for people with any type of sleep disorder owing to its cooling qualities, according to a research from 2018.

According to one research published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, using a latex mattress topper may also assist elderly persons with restricted mobility to avoid pressure sores. The results also imply that latex could be advantageous for those with arthritis and other joint disorders.

 

What qualities a latex mattress topper should have?

When picking a latex topper, people may want to take the following factors into account:

• Price. Mattress toppers made of latex are often more expensive than those made of other materials. Latex toppers do, however, often last longer.

• Height. Latex mattress toppers come in all types of thickness. When making a mattress purchase, it’s important to think about how high one’s bed should be.

• Size. It's crucial to get a topper that fits a person's current mattress properly.

• Allergies. It's crucial to make sure that no one using the mattress topper has a latex allergy or a reaction to any of the other ingredients it contains.

 

 

Latex mattress toppers: advantages and disadvantages

Benefits of latex mattress toppers:

1. The Journal of Chiropractic Medicine's study comparing latex and memory foam mattresses indicated that latex mattresses performed better at relieving pressure points in all sleeping positions. The authors pointed out that this advantage may improve sleeping comfort, and they advised hospitalized patients who were at risk for bedsores to utilize latex mattresses.
2. Compared to memory foam, which has a modest rebound, latex is springy and has a strong rebound. According to the 2018 study, a high rebound mattress topper lowered body temperature during the first stage of sleep more than a low rebound topper did. The researchers came to the conclusion that this suggests a latex topper could enhance restorative sleep during the first stage of sleep.
3. No smell. Unlike memory foam, natural Dunlop latex does not release smells. However, due to the additional chemicals it includes, synthetic latex could have scents.
4. Firm. When compared to memory foam, latex is firm. This is advantageous for someone who wants a firm topping, but some people could find it to be excessively firm.

 

Drawbacks of latex mattress toppers:

1. Cost: Latex is often a pricey substance. This could be justified by its longevity and durability.
2. Allergies: A latex allergy is a possibility. In this case, one’s immune system responds as though it had come into touch with a poisonous chemical or creature. However, less than 1% of Americans are allergic to latex.

 

Body temperature and sleep

According to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), a person's body temperature decreases when they go off to sleep. And it’s easier to get to sleep and stay asleep in a cool freshly aired bedroom. The NSF continues by stating that the ideal bedroom temperature is between 60 and 67°F (16 and 19°C). 

According to the Frontiers in Neuroscience research, a person has a greater probability of getting adequate sleep if they sleep in a colder environment. People who use latex mattress toppers may sleep better overall because they don’t absorb heat.

Improved sleep has significant effects on everyone's health. According to the Office for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, obtaining enough sleep helps with:

• controlling infections
• fostering the prevention of diseases including type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease while increasing productivity