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"I feel like my mattress no longer suits my body." "My old mattress is starting to sag, but I'd like to use it a bit longer." As you use a mattress, its condition gradually changes.
With so many options available, it can be hard to find one that suits your body, so you probably want to keep using a familiar mattress.
However, mattresses naturally deteriorate with use. A mattress topper can delay or improve the deterioration of such a mattress.
This time, we will explain the benefits, usage, and how to choose a mattress topper.
By reading this article, you can make your mattress last longer and save tens of thousands of yen!
1. What is a mattress topper? A review of basic information
When you hear "mattress topper," some of you might not know what it is. It is indeed an unfamiliar term.
First, we will explain what a mattress topper is, its benefits, usage, and shape in detail.
1-1. Purpose of use: Changing sleeping comfort and extending mattress life
A mattress topper is a support bedding used to change the sleeping comfort of a mattress and extend its lifespan.
It is made of materials such as high-resilience (low-resilience) urethane, high-resilience foil, high-resilience fiber, and bonnell coils, and in appearance, it is very similar to a very thin mattress.
Some products can be used not only on mattresses but also on futons. The names may also differ depending on the manufacturer, such as "mattress topper," "overlay," or "mattress pad," so keep that in mind.
Using a mattress topper can suppress mattress deterioration. If you've bought an expensive mattress and want to use it for as long as possible, it will be very useful.
It can revive a sagging mattress and delay age-related deterioration. It's also recommended if the comfort of your bed has worsened due to aging or changes in body shape.
1-2. Thickness: Thinner than a mattress
The biggest feature of a mattress topper is that it uses the same material as a mattress but is thinner than a mattress.
While a typical mattress is 10cm or more thick, a mattress topper is about half that, at 3-5cm thick. This means that even if the material is the same, the thicker one is a mattress, and the thinner one is a mattress topper.
However, it is thicker than a bed pad or a fitted sheet. While bed pads and fitted sheets feel like thick sheets, a mattress topper looks like a thin mattress, and the difference is visible.
Mattress toppers are thinner than mattresses, so they are cheaper, with an average price of 10,000 to 30,000 yen.
1-3. How to use: Layer on top of a mattress
Mattress toppers are used by layering them on top of a mattress.
They are rarely used alone. For example, if a mattress is too firm, a mattress topper made of a softer material is used to adjust the sleeping comfort. If a mattress sags due to age, a mattress topper is layered on top to compensate for that.
This allows you to change the sleeping comfort or restore a comfortable feel. Therefore, it is important to clarify any dissatisfaction or problems with your mattress before choosing a mattress topper.
For example, if your mattress is too firm or too soft, choose a topper made of the opposite material to adjust it.
If the firmness is fine but the elasticity has diminished, it's good to purchase a mattress topper of the same material to restore elasticity.
Mattress toppers are used by layering them, but using a fitted sheet or similar to cover both will prevent them from shifting and ensure comfortable use. If the mattress topper moves on top of the mattress, you won't get a good night's sleep. The same applies when layering on a futon, so keep that in mind.
2. How to maximize the effect of a mattress topper
The effectiveness of a mattress topper, which adjusts mattress issues, varies depending on how it's used.
If you're going to use it, it's better to use it more effectively to minimize damage to the mattress. In this section, we'll explain how to use a mattress topper to its maximum potential.
2-1. Replace it while considering its lifespan
The average lifespan of a mattress topper is 2 to 3 years. This is short compared to the average lifespan of a mattress, which is 7 to 10 years. Mattress toppers are thin, so they are more susceptible to the effects of body weight and sag more quickly.
Therefore, it is recommended to replace them more frequently than mattresses. Replacing a 50,000-70,000 yen mattress once is less economical than replacing a 10,000-20,000 yen mattress topper twice.
A sagged mattress topper will have reduced effectiveness. After about two years of use, check its condition and consider replacing it.
2-2. Be mindful of moisture and air it out frequently
A mattress topper is placed on top of a mattress. Therefore, even if a fitted sheet is used, moisture can easily accumulate inside the mattress topper due to sweat from the body and moisture in the air. The surface that touches the mattress tends to trap moisture with nowhere to go.
As a result, mold may grow between the mattress topper and the mattress, or the texture of the mattress topper may worsen.
Because mattress toppers are thin, they are easier to move and air out than mattresses. Take measures against moisture, such as occasionally drying them on a balcony. Regular care will help them last longer. It would be a waste if mold grew a few months after purchase!
3. How to choose a mattress topper
A mattress topper is unfamiliar, making it difficult to decide which one to choose. In this section, we will explain how to choose a mattress topper. Mattress toppers come in various materials, thicknesses, and functions. We'll give you tips on how to choose one that suits your body!
3-1. Breathability: Prevents mold growth
As mentioned earlier, mattress toppers tend to accumulate moisture. If you are away from home all day and don't have time to air out your mattress topper, it's not uncommon for mold to grow without you realizing it. In such cases, choose one with the best possible breathability.
For example, those wrapped in mesh fabric will have good breathability. Good breathability allows moisture to escape, helping to maintain a mold-resistant condition. During humid seasons like the rainy season, running the air conditioner in dry mode will further reduce mold growth. Of course, if possible, frequent airing is essential.
If mold grows on your mattress topper, you cannot send it for cleaning. You will have to remove it with alcohol or fabric bleach. If it doesn't come off, you will have to dispose of it, so it's important to check the breathability thoroughly before purchasing.
3-2. Recovery rate: Keeps its shape and lasts longer
The recovery rate is important for mattress toppers, just like for mattresses and pillows. An adult woman weighs at least 50kg. A mattress topper with a low recovery rate is insufficient as a support tool.
It will also sag quickly, so choose one that maintains its shape well. While there are inexpensive mattress toppers, those that cost a certain amount tend to have a higher recovery rate.
It's a matter of balancing with your budget, but not holding back will likely be more beneficial in the long run.
3-3. Price: Consider cost-effectiveness compared to a mattress
A mattress topper is a consumable item that needs to be replaced every 2-3 years. However, even inexpensive ones cost over 10,000 yen.
Depending on the price of your mattress, it might be more cost-effective to replace the mattress than to frequently replace the mattress topper. For example, if a mattress that cost nearly 100,000 yen is too firm or too soft, it's worth spending 10,000-30,000 yen on a mattress pad to adjust it.
However, if you have an inexpensive mattress around 30,000 yen, it might be more economical to just buy a new one.
Also, if a mattress that has been used for a long time has sagged, it becomes difficult to adjust it with a mattress topper. If you buy a mattress topper and it doesn't improve much, and you end up buying a new mattress anyway, it would be wiser to buy a mattress from the start.
Therefore, consider whether it's worth spending over 10,000 yen to adjust your sleeping comfort before making a purchase.
4. How does a mattress topper differ from a bed pad or fitted sheet?
Similar to mattress toppers are bed pads and fitted sheets. As mentioned earlier, these two are like thick sheets. They are used to protect the mattress from dirt and improve the feel, and they do not have the effect of adjusting sleeping comfort.
Therefore, their prices are relatively low. Some can be bought for a few hundred yen, making them easily accessible. For usage, it's recommended to layer them in the order of mattress, mattress topper, and then fitted sheet (bed pad).
Also, fitted sheets can be used to enhance coolness or warmth. In summer, using one made of linen material will provide a smooth feel and improve sleeping comfort. In winter, using one made of fleece or brushed material will help you sleep warmly.
In other words, they can also be thought of as items used to further improve sleeping comfort. A mattress topper cannot replace a bed pad, and a bed pad cannot replace a mattress topper.
Summary: Use mattress toppers wisely for long-lasting use
You should now have a much deeper understanding of mattress toppers, which are not commonly heard of.
The effects, purpose, and selection of mattress toppers are surprisingly simple, making them easy to incorporate.
Finally, here's a summary of this article:
- A mattress topper has the effect of preventing mattress deterioration and restoring its feel.
- The materials are often the same as mattresses (high-resilience (low-resilience) urethane, high-resilience foil, high-resilience fiber, bonnell coils, etc.).
- The typical thickness is around 3-5cm.
- Using a mattress topper can extend the life of your mattress.
- It is recommended for expensive mattresses that are worth using a mattress topper, or for newly purchased mattresses.
- It has a different purpose than bed pads and fitted sheets.
A mattress topper is not necessarily essential bedding. However, it is a capable piece of bedding that can be very useful if you have it. Used wisely, it can save you hundreds of thousands of yen.
If you've never used one before, why not give it a try?
