Advantages of a Pillow Top Mattress
1. Comfort: Pillow top mattresses come with a luxurious, soft and padded pillow top layer that acts like an additional pillow, providing unparalleled comfort and pressure relief. The thick layer of foam gently supports your body and helps reduce pressure points, allowing you to relax more fully.
2. Longer Life Cycle: Thanks to the extra layer of padding, the mattress will last longer, helping to increase its longevity.
3. Supportive: Pillow toppers are designed to provide a medium-firm to medium-plus feel, making them ideal for those who need additional support without feeling like they’re sinking too far into the mattress.
4. Motion Isolation: The pillow top mattress is designed to help keep motion localized and contain it so that it doesn’t travel easily across the mattress. This is especially beneficial for couples who sleep together, as one person’s tossing and turning won’t be felt all the way across the mattress.
Disadvantages of a Pillow Top Mattress
1. Overheating: The extra materials and padding found in a pillow top mattress can make you feel warm, especially in the warmer months.
2. Limited Support: The thick layer of foam found in a pillow top mattress does not provide even support throughout the bed, which can result in some uncomfortable areas.
3. Cost: Pillow top mattresses are typically more expensive than other types of mattresses due to their additional layers of foam.
4. Unsuitable for Heavy People: Pillow top mattresses aren’t suitable for heavy people, as the additional layers of foam will not give the necessary level of support.
Who is a pillow top mattress good for?
Pillow top mattresses are particularly good for back sleepers, as they provide extra cushioning and help support your lower back. The pillow top layers are typically soft, so they can be beneficial for those who like a softer, more luxurious feel.
People with sleep disorders such as sleep apnea who need a very plush mattress may also find these types of mattresses beneficial. A pillow top mattress can also help to reduce pressure points, which can give you a more restful sleep.
Additionally, the pillow top layer can add extra body contouring and may help reduce motion transfer, so if you share your bed with a partner, it can help reduce disturbances in your sleep that their movements may cause.
Is it better to sleep on a hard or soft mattress?
It is not a straightforward answer as to whether it is better to sleep on a hard or soft mattress. Different people have different sleep preferences and the type of mattress that works best for them can vary.
Generally speaking, those with existing back or spinal issues may find that a firmer mattress helps them to maintain a neutral spine position and avoid additional discomfort. Individuals who weigh more may be more comfortable on a soft mattress that offers more cushioning and support.
People who sleep on their stomach or side may also prefer a softer mattress, as a firmer surface can cause discomfort in the hip area. People who sleep on their back may find that a mattress with medium or firm support relieves pressure from their shoulder and lower back.
Comfort and sinkage. Ultimately, the best mattress for any individual depends on personal preferences, body type and sleeping habits.
Are pillow tops good for side sleepers?
Yes, pillowtops can be a great choice for side sleepers. Pillowtops usually feature a thicker top layer of foam, which can provide more support for the neck and head, which side sleepers need in order to stay comfortable and maintain proper alignment.
This thicker layer can also serve to relieve pressure off the hip and shoulder, which are the points of contact when sleeping on your side. Additionally, a pillowtop can offer extra cushioning and contouring that can give extra comfort while sleeping.
It’s important to keep in mind that the firmness of the pillow should be chosen based on the individual’s weight and sleep position. Pillowtops come in different firmness levels and densities, so if you’re a side sleeper, make sure to choose one that’s best suited for your needs.
How many years does a pillow top mattress last?
The average lifespan of a pillow top mattress is 7-10 years. Pillow tops can be quite a bit more expensive than other mattress models, so you want to make sure you are getting maximal use out of your investment.
A few things can influence the longevity of your mattress, such as environmental conditions (humidity, etc), frequency of use, and how well you take care of it. Regular maintenance, including flipping and rotating your mattress to ensure even wear and tear, will help ensure more extended use.
As a general rule of thumb, if you find yourself needing to replace your mattress more than every 7 years, you may have chosen one that is not built well or not suited to your needs.
Are hotel beds firm or medium?
The firmness of hotel beds varies from hotel to hotel and can also depend on the type of mattress and the setup of the bed. Many hotels provide beds with medium firmness, while some have softer beds and others provide whiter, firmer mattresses.
If you have any preferences, it is best to read reviews or contact the hotel directly to ask about the bed’s firmness. Generally speaking, though, many people find that the firmness of a hotel bed is somewhere between medium and firm.
How often should you replace your pillow top mattress?
Generally, you should replace your pillow top mattress every 7-10 years. This is a good benchmark to follow because after 7-10 years, your mattress may have lost its support and thus, become less comfortable and not give your body the rest and pressure relief it needs.
If you sleep on the same areas of your mattress night after night, those areas will start to wear down sooner. In this case, you may need to replace your mattress sooner. It’s also important to keep an eye out for any strange odors, as this may be an indication that there’s something wrong with the mattress.
If you can no longer get comfortable on your mattress, then it’s probably time to replace it.
In addition to replacing your mattress every 7-10 years, you should also be sure to rotate it once a month, as this will even out regular wear and tear. This can help extend its lifespan and keep the mattress in better condition for longer.
Is a 20 year old mattress too old?
While there is no hard and fast rule for when a mattress should be replaced, as a general rule, it is usually recommended that mattresses be replaced every 7 to 10 years. After this point, mattresses will usually begin to degrade in support and comfort.
While a 20 year old mattress will not necessarily be unsafe to sleep on, it could be less comfortable than newer mattresses and may not provide the same level of support. Additionally, it could contain allergens, dust mites and other bacteria that could cause health issues, such as respiratory problems.
Ultimately, it will depend on the quality of the mattress, how well it has been maintained, and the individual’s own preferences. If an individual is dissatisfied with the comfort and support provided by the mattress, it would be advised to research options for a replacement mattress.
What is the difference between a pillow top mattress and a regular mattress?
The main difference between a pillow top mattress and a regular mattress is the added layer of cushioning or padding on top. A pillow top mattress typically has a cushiony layer, usually made of memory foam, latex, or other cushioning materials, that is sewn directly into the mattress.
The addition of the pillow top layer gives extra cushioning for comfort and shock absorption, as well as added warmth during colder months. Regular mattresses, on the other hand, do not have an additional layer.
This means that the mattress may feel firmer and not provide as much cushioning as a pillow top mattress. Pillow top mattresses are ideal for those who prefer a softer sleeping surface and don’t mind the added cost.
A regular mattress is ideal for those who like a firmer sleeping surface or have a limited budget.
Can a pillow top mattress be flipped?
Yes, a pillow top mattress can be flipped. Just like a traditional mattress, you can flip a pillow top mattress over to help even out the wear and tear and maintain its support properties. When flipping the mattress, you should start with the non-pillow side first, then alternate the sides every few months.
However, pillow top mattresses, due to their extra cushioning, require more frequent flipping than a traditional mattress––every one to three months––to ensure the mattress remains balanced and in good condition.
Additionally, due to the design of a pillow top mattress, you should take extra care while flipping, so you don’t accidentally damage the pillow top layer. To help ensure a smooth and safe flipping process, you should enlist help from another person, use a strong mattress base, and make sure the area around the mattress is clear of any obstructions.
Finally, after flipping, you should rotate the mattress head-to-foot every month or two to help spread out the wear and tear.
Can you put memory foam on pillow top mattress?
Yes, you can put memory foam on a pillow top mattress. Memory foam is designed to complement the cushioning and comfort of a mattress, and when added to a pillow top mattress, can help provide additional support and pressure relief.
Memory foam can also help to maintain the pillow top shape better over time, and it can add extra cushioning which may be beneficial for side and back sleepers. When adding memory foam, it is important to make sure that it is the correct thickness for the mattress and to avoid using too much memory foam as this can lead to the mattress feeling too stiff.
Additionally, it is important to ensure that the memory foam is properly ventilated and that it is compatible with the existing mattress.
How can I make my pillow top mattress more comfortable?
Making your pillow top mattress more comfortable depends on the type of pillow top mattress you have. If yours is a latex foam mattress, it is important to make sure that it is adequately ventilated and to rotate and flip it regularly to avoid indentations.
If you have an innerspring mattress with a pillow top, you may need to add a mattress topper or a layer of foam or padding, as pillow top mattresses tend to sag over time. If you have an all-foam mattress, you may need to purchase a new one; after a while, these mattresses can wear down and they may need to be replaced.
Additionally, you may want to consider purchasing a memory foam mattress, as this type of mattress can be very comfortable and may last quite some time. Finally, you should also make sure that you are using the right bedding for your mattress; a mattress may need mattress pads and toppers to make it softer and more comfortable, or the right type of sheet may be needed to provide the right amount of support and comfort.
