sleep arena logo

Why Does My Memory Foam Mattress Get So Hot?

Why does my memory foam mattress get so hot?

Nothing is more detrimental to a full night’s rest than a bed too heated to sleep on. Unfortunately, the prospect of a heated mattress seems to be a regular source of fear for most individuals! Particularly during the summer months.

Memory foam mattresses have numerous advantages.

As this particular brand of mattresses has become increasingly popular, this has been attributed to their capacity to conform to the body’s curves. Hence spreading body weight and pressure throughout the whole mattress area for increased comfort. These mattresses provide pressure and discomfort alleviation and motion isolation, which makes them ideal for side sleepers.

However, memory foam mattresses have become particularly infamous for their ability to retain heat and cause night sweats. But why is that? To know more about why your memory foam mattress gets so hot, read on.

What is memory foam?

The vast majority of these foams are formed of a substance known as a viscoelastic polymer. It is both absorbing and soft, and it conforms to the body due to heat and pressure applied to it.

These are intended to appropriately distribute body mass to avoid the formation of pressure areas while alleviating pain. Once you have sore spots in the body, those areas produce extra heat, which the mattress reacts to by conforming to the body shape and size.

Today, this type of foam is available in various firmnesses that better handle different types of pain conditions.

What Makes Memory Foam Mattresses Hot?

Because memory foam mattresses are of such a dense material, it has a hard time holding body heat. There are no associated air ducts on all these beds either. After the heat is transferred into the mattress, it is difficult to expel it.

It’s usual for a memory foam mattress to overheat due to its structure. However, some mattresses are overheated because they’re partnered with warmer bedding or perhaps an unsuitable mattress foundation.

The Foundation

Your memory foam mattress can overheat if you sleep on an unsuitable foundation. A mattress with rather no slats, like your bedroom floor or perhaps a solid plywood panel, prevents heat from escaping through the surface of the mattress.

Trapped Body Heat

When you sleep in a hotbed, it might be not easy to get asleep and stay asleep. Memory foam will not provide as good a level of ventilation as some other materials. As It retains body heat rather than dispersing it out, which might cause you to wake up in the middle of the night with sleep disturbances and night sweats.

Due to a lack of airflow

As it is commonly known, memory foam mattress is just a synthetic version of polyurethane foam. Because of the compacted foam particles, it is dense and therefore does not allow air to travel freely. It also does not absorb moisture efficiently. This results in the sleepers becoming overheated as the heat reflected on them.

Contouring properties

The heat generated by the body activates the contouring characteristics of memory foam mattresses, and it softens the foam. Because of the density of the components, heat is retained well, resulting in an uncomfortable hot mattress.

How Do You Cool Down on a Memory Foam Mattress?

Don’t panic if the memory foam mattress you have gets too hot too often; there are inexpensive fixes. Try these simple solutions to cool down the mattress before buying a new one.

Make Use of a Proper Bed Frame

You will need to have an open, sturdy bed frame if you’re going to reduce heat retention. Cantilevered mattresses would be a popular pick because they provide a solid support structure. The slats promote airflow through the base layer of the mattress, which helps remove heat from the body. Avoid using a bed frame with such a strong base.

Try not to set the mattress directly onto the floor because this will trap heat underneath the mattress and make sleep miserable.

Make use of a Mattress Topper

Mattress toppings or protectors are placed on top of mattresses to provide additional comfort and cooling.

To improve heat absorption, use a mattress topper comprised of permeable materials like cotton, wool, and latex. In between you and the memory foam, this extra layer acts as a barrier by which air can circulate & heat can be wicked away.

Additionally, a mattress protector seems to be an inexpensive option to assist keep heat retention from occurring.

Make Room for Breathing

Altering the way air flows in a mattress is not something that can be done, but you could modify how air flows beneath the mattress. Air can become trapped beneath it, causing your body temperature to rise and remain elevated.

Your discomfort will be exacerbated as a result of this. If the bed is built on either a firm foundation, like plywood, the lack of air circulation is the cause of the excessive heat generated by your mattress.

The best advice we could give would be to remove whatever is currently under your bed frame. You could utilize slats instead of solid wood; else, you could replace your rack with one that allows for more airflow. A firmer mattress also allows more airflow, which is beneficial if you have a hotter room.

Maintain the temperature of your room

Keep the house at a reduced temperature by regulating the thermostat, turning on the fan, or opening a window, to help circulate air and draw heat away from the mattress.

In addition, turning off all the electronic devices or heaters will help reduce heat buildup and keep the room’s temperature more manageable.

Choose the Right Bed Sheets and Blankets

Bedsheets, as well as coverings, can cause temperature problems. A significant down comforter could work as insulation for both the mattress and you, keeping you warm and comfortable. On the other hand, natural material sheets and blankets can enhance airflow and soak away moisture, resulting in a more comfortable night’s sleep.

Conclusion

Memory foam mattresses are one of the most relaxing and comfortable platforms you can put in the bedroom, and they are highly durable. Due to the many types and modifications available, making a decision may become so complex that you may overlook the importance of thermal insulation.

Keep the temperature in your room between 61 and 66 degrees Fahrenheit. This will prevent you from sweating in our bed. You could also use the techniques and tricks listed above to assist you in dealing with the problem.