Dunelm Mill Memory Foam Topper Mattresses

...whilst wandering around my local Dunelm Mill shop I spotted Memory Foam Mattress Toppers on sale and went to have a closer look.

Very helpfully they had one on display which meant I could feel it and test out the 'memory' capacity of the foam. They are about 2" thick and are intended to lay on top of a standard mattress. I pressed my hand on to the one on display and then lifted it up and sure enough it left an impression in the ...
...from the newspapers but the Dunelm Mill ones does come with a velour cover that can be removed for washing and a five year guarantee. I thought for a while, it wasn't cheap, and at best it was only an addition to the bed I already had rather than a new mattress. However my existing mattress was firm enough anyway (if you have a bad back and your exisitng mattress isn't supportive there is little point in getting a mattress topper as they won't get ... more

I had seen advertisements around for memory foam and they got me wondering and wanting to know more about it so I set about doing a bit of research to find out more.

What I learned is that memory foam is somewhat unique in the way it conforms to your body and reduces pressure points. However you wouldn't want a whole mattress made just of memory foam because it is just too soft a material and isn't meant to be supportive. So if you look at the expensive brands selling 'memory foam mattresses' you will find that they actually layer it over a firm, supportive material. Because of this you will mainly find memory foam as a 2" or 3" topper to be used on your existing, firm mattress or as a 2" or 3" topping layer in a new mattress.

Memory foam is unique because of the way the memory foam cells deform when under a load. Unlike standard foams that compress, but want to spring back to their original shape immediately, memory foam cells compress fully and spread their air pressure to adjoining cells. This is caused by the open cell foam, which means the cells of foam have holes in them.

Memory foam is also temperature sensitive. At lower temperatures it is harder, and at higher temperatures it is softer and bouncier. Because of this temperature sensitive quality you get a wonderful feeling as you slide down on to a memory foam bed.

Having discovered all of this I have to confess to being very curious about it and I started wondering if it was something I would appreciate. One day, whilst wandering around my local Dunelm Mill shop I spotted Memory Foam Mattress Toppers on sale and went to have a closer look.

Very helpfully they had one on display which meant I could feel it and test out the 'memory' capacity of the foam. They are about 2" thick and are intended to lay on top of a standard mattress. I pressed my hand on to the one on display and then lifted it up and sure enough it left an impression in the foam for a few seconds. I then got braver and lay down on the bed. Yes it did feel soft and comfortable but as I was wearing outdoor clothes to be frank it wasn't especially easy to tell what it would feel like when laying down in bed at home!

I checked out the prices and discovered that for a double they were £99.99, single are £79.99 and the King size is £119.99 - there is a lso a pillow for £19.99. So not cheap and you can buy cheaper from the newspapers but the Dunelm Mill ones does come with a velour cover that can be removed for washing and a five year guarantee. I thought for a while, it wasn't cheap, and at best it was only an addition to the bed I already had rather than a new mattress. However my existing mattress was firm enough anyway (if you have a bad back and your exisitng mattress isn't supportive there is little point in getting a mattress topper as they won't get to the root of the problem) so I took the plunge and bought one and a pillow to go with it.

It was light enough and easy enough to carry home and it was well packaged. I was suprised to find on reading the instructions that you need to let it rest for a while after unpacking to let the foam relax. Mind you as I took off the plastic wrapping I could see why. The foam had been compressed by the packaging and whilst I could open it fairly easily it took a bit of 'coaxing' out of the folds caused by it being packed and it was several hours before it was completely flat. The velour cover was easy to fit as it zips on three sides so once you have unpacked it, let it relax and put the cover on all you need to do is to put it under your bottom sheet and it is ready for use.

Just as an aside the pillow was much more of a problem because the foam was more substantial and it took a lot of coaxing into my pillowcase!

At bedtime I was eager to test it out. As I slid between the sheets it felt lovely, so luxurious, soft but supportive in a gentle way. They do warn you that it might give off fumes for a day or two but I can't say I noticed any although the cats were reluctant to walk on it when it was just covered by a sheet so perhaps they could smell something?

I had the best night's sleep on it I had had for ages. I don't know why - maybe I toss and turn less? I am not sure. I must say I love it. I have had it now for about nine months and recently when I bought a new bed I bought one with the memory foam built in so as you can see I am convinced. I can't say the same about the pillow though - that felt hard an unyielding when I put my head on it. I have however persevered with it and it does provide excellent support and now that I am used to it I do like it but it is definitely an 'acquired taste'.

The memory foam topper is great in use - I haven't found that it moves on the bed (which can be the downside with some toppers). It does make the bed slightly higher, but not much, however that can make a fitted sheet move slightly as it doesn't have quite the same depth on the mattress but that it easily remedied when you make the bed.

Would I recommend it - yes I would providing your exisitng bed doesn't lack support. If you old mattress needs replacing this will not resolve problems of sagging springs etc. It has worked for me, and even now, having used it for nine months it still feels great as I get into bed and I am still sleeping really well on it. 

...less