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Types of Mattress Toppers: A Quick Guide to Bed Toppers
Mattress toppers are a great addition to a bed because they add many benefits including softness, more warmth, body support, and extra thickness for comfort, depending on which type you select.
A mattress topper is generally not needed if you already have a quality pillowtop mattress, although in some instances, users may find a need to place a topper on these mattresses for specific reasons. There are various types of mattress toppers, with each offering benefits and negatives. Here's a brief guide to the basic mattress toppers available today.
Down Mattress Topper - A goose down mattress topper provides incredible softness and is generally the mattress topper of choice for high end motels worldwide. The best bed toppers are made from goose down that is hand harvested from Canadian or Hungarian farms that provide a safe, humane environment for free range geese.
- Benefits: Superior softness; keeps body dry and wicks moisture away; normalizes body temperature better than most toppers; natural, nontoxic materials are used to ensure a healthy sleep experience; exceptionally helpful for those who suffer from fibromyalgia or arthritis.
- Negatives: Some people experience allergic responses to down; generally should be dry cleaned; down tends to compress and needs to be fluffed occasionally; can be expensive if you purchase the best quality; can harbor dust mites if not maintained properly.
Latex Mattress Toppers - Natural latex toppers are the natural choice for many people who value not only quality, but a healthy sleep experience. The best latex bedding is processed from pure, natural latex that is harvested from rubber tree plants in South American countries. The Dunlop or Talalay process ensures that you will enjoy the best latex bedding available.
- Benefits: Excellent body and spine support; comes in various firmness grades; naturally antimicrobial and antibacterial; resists dust mites; normalizes body temperature in all seasons; easy maintenance; extremely durable and can last for years; does not compress, but retains shape and firmness.
- Negatives: Weighs more than most toppers; sometimes emits a slight odor when first purchased, but will outgas relatively quickly.
Memory Foam Mattress Topper - Foam mattress toppers are not to be confused with natural latex toppers, although many manufacturers may advertise their products as 'latex bedding.' In fact, some products are made with a small amount of real latex blended in with synthetic foam, allowing manufacturers to advertise the product as a latex topper. But remember that all toppers are not created equal! However, a memory foam mattress topper is one of the most popular toppers chosen today.
- Benefits: Good body support; retains shape for years; durable; less expensive than natural latex bedding; various firmness grades; easy maintenance.
- Negatives: Is not natural or organic; synthetic or toxic odors and materials may cause some people to experience health problems; tends to cause uneven body heat throughout the night and some uses complain of feeling too hot at night.
Wool Mattress Topper - A wool mattress topper is a product that many users prefer because of the durability and natural material. Some wool toppers are made from all wool materials, while others are a combination of cotton, latex and wool, making them quite comfortable and healthy on which to sleep.
- Benefits: Wool is a natural flame retardant; wicks moisture away; helps to evenly distribute body heat; lasts a long time and is durable under normal circumstances; resists mold; is generally made from organic, natural fibers.
- Negative: Tends to be more expensive; not as densely soft as goose down toppers; generally cannot be washed at home, but should be dry cleaned.
Cotton Mattress Topper - Organic cotton mattress toppers are great additions to just about any mattress, even if you have a pillowtop mattress, since cotton toppers aren't generally quite as thick as other types.
- Benefits: Organic, natural fibers; hypoallergenic; easily cleaned; reasonably priced, depending on quality; useful for a wide variety of mattress styles; breathes well; very comfortable; comes in various thicknesses.
- Negatives: Can become a bit lumpy, if not very good quality; cotton will eventually wear and tear; must be kept clean in order to avoid dust mites, mold and mildew; washable.
Down Alternative Mattress Topper - A topper made from alternative down is basically made from synthetic material that is derived from a petrochemical source and then processed into fibers such as polyester fill.
- Benefits: Cheap; easy to wash; generally soft; durable; various degrees of quality and thicknesses.
- Negatives: Synthetic material can have an odor especially when new; can cause health problems for some people with chemical sensitivies; does not provide the quality and comfort like some other types of mattress toppers; can harbor dust mites if not maintained well.
Be sure to compare the various types of mattress toppers according to price, quality, design and shipping polices before making a final choice through any online supplier.
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