How Memory Foam Changed the Way We Sleep:
A BedInABox® Bed-Time Story “Must-Read”

At BedInABox®, we understand that buying a memory foam mattress can become quite the overwhelming and, possibly even, frustrating process. There are countless memory foam mattress options available, especially online, and each one claims to be ‘different from’ and ‘better than’ the others. Transitioning from a traditional spring mattress to a memory foam mattress is a big decision in and of itself, much less doing so without knowing which type of memory foam mattress you should be sleeping on, or without testing your mattress before buying it. Frankly, we don’t want mattress buying to be so troublesome anymore. That’s why our team at BedInBox® has done the research for you. We want to make the mattress buying process as convenient, effortless and enjoyable as possible. So, along with providing a 120-night sleep trial, we put together this guide with practically everything you need to know about our memory foam and how we can deliver the rest you deserve.

What is Memory Foam?

Memory Foam is a special foam made from polyurethane with various added substances, giving it unique conforming properties designed to gradually mold and contour to our bodies and their precise pressure points, to ultimately achieve an even and equal body weight distribution when we sit or sleep on the material. Originally, memory foam was developed for NASA in the 1970s to provide shock absorbing qualities and crash protection in airplanes for pilots and passengers.

Memory Foam is, specifically, viscoelastic polyurethane foam, or Low-Resistance Polyurethane Foam (LRPu) created from a mixture of compounds to polyurethane. This mixture can easily be controlled to produce a wide range of foam firmness, in order to deliver sleep consistent with your needs. The development of this memory foam is also intended to be resilient, meaning it will return to its original shape after you roll out of bed in the morning.

Memory Foam is also sensitive to temperature fluctuations, such that lower temperatures tend to make it a bit firmer, while higher temperatures cause it to become softer and more elastic.

What Differentiates Memory Foam from Traditional Innerspring Mattresses?

When a person rests on a memory foam mattress, the material contours to the shape of their body, providing a plush, cradling sensation. Unlike a traditional spring mattress, the cells of a memory foam mattress “remember” the shape and density of your body while in use. A standard mattress will almost immediately recoil when the weight of a person or object is removed, whereas a memory foam mattress will retain the shape of an object for a longer period of time, essentially eliminating any concern for eventual sagging, as well. This translates to comfort – on memory foam, pressure is distributed more evenly throughout the mattress, which correlates to less pressure felt on joints and pressure points on your body. You should experience fewer aches and pains sleeping on memory foam, while the pressure of coils in traditional spring mattresses may actually exacerbate them.

What differentiates Memory Foam from Other Types of Mattresses?

Why Choose Memory Foam Over Other Options?

Constructed with dense layers of foam, a memory foam mattress offers firm support, while allowing for body contouring to reduce tension points. Memory Foam mattresses are typically made with polyurethane foam, which creates a ‘matrix’ of air bubbles through which air can move. This matrix allows the material to soften as a reaction to body heat and recoil to its original shape when not in use. Newer memory foam mattresses that incorporate cooling technologies also allow for better cooling, competing with the breathability of latex based mattresses.

Are Memory Foam Mattresses Free of Harmful Materials?

Although memory foam is a lab produced product, the type and class of substances used to manufacture memory foam depend on the foam’s purpose (e.g. substances may be added to foam for flexibility, durability and longevity) as well as the manufacturer’s values and standards. All of our memory foams are CertiPUR-US® certified, which means they are free of harmful materials that may cause cancer or genetic defects, as determined by the GHS (Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals). CertiPUR-US® certified foams, such as those used in BedInABox® mattresses, are guaranteed to be made:

• without ozone depleters
• without PBDEs, TDCPP or TCEP (“Tris”) flame retardants
• without mercury, lead and other heavy metals
• without formaldehyde
• without phthalates regulated by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
• having low VOC (volatile organic compound) emissions for indoor air quality (less than 0.5 parts per million)

BedInABox® memory foam is highly regulated for safety and health precautions, making it safe for use by children and families. You can actually view our foam manufacturing guidelines for usage and protection here.

Memory Foam Advantages

The most prominent advantage that memory foam mattresses have over the more traditional constructions and materials is that they often have a greater comfort level. Memory foam is designed to conform to your body while you sleep, reducing pressure on your spine and helping to avoid tension that might leave you feeling unrested or tense. Memory foam is also better at responding to pressure, meaning that your body is able to maintain better alignment while you sleep since your body weight is distributed more evenly across the mattress. This often helps correct poor sleeping posture. Memory foam is also quiet. This means little to no squeaks or creaks like you might hear with an innerspring mattress. Memory foam also dampens movement and vibration, which is helpful for those who sleep next to a restless partner. Long-term use of memory foam has also been shown to reduce chronic back and neck pain and can sometimes help with chronic respiratory problems, as it eases breathing during sleep.

At BedInABox®, all of the foams (which we make ourselves!) used in our mattresses are CertiPUR-US® certified. This means that you can count on the quality of the materials used to construct our mattresses. Unlike cheaper, imported memory foam, our memory foam mattresses are guaranteed to meet certain standards that promote better health. Our memory foam is free from toxic chemicals, such as formaldehyde, that can cause health issues for people with respiratory or allergy-related health problems.

When it comes to certified memory foam products, BedInABox® offers a very unique mattress. The Eco-Lux® is the only memory foam mattress on the market that is approved by the United States Department of Agriculture. Under their Bio-Preferred® program, this revolutionary mattress is certified to contain 30% renewable material. This is a claim that no other mattress companies can make.

High-Quality Memory Foam

When you buy a BedInABox® memory foam mattress, you really are buying the best mattress on the market. You can sleep comfortably knowing that you have a long-lasting and comfortable mattress backed by a 20-year warranty. You can also sleep better knowing that our mattresses are guaranteed to be well-made because they were made completely by us, right here in the USA!