I’m sure a lot of us can relate to the frustrations of tossing and turning in bed! Even I had similar problems, to the point I even felt a bit of pain when I woke up. Unfortunately, I couldn’t afford a whole new mattress and my current one was still in great condition.
I realized that it wasn’t really the mattress’ fault, but I needed to change its firmness level according to my side sleeping position. That’s where the best mattress topper for side sleepers came along, helping me with my sleep and overall health. But what else is there to know about these useful sleeping products?
Read on as I show you what you need to know about the best mattress toppers for side sleepers!
What You Need to Know About the Best Mattress Toppers For Side Sleepers
Mattress toppers are exactly how you call it- It’s padding topped for extra cushioning or firmness for your mattress. It’s also a cost-effective solution to keeping your current mattress protected and lasting longer, which I’ll be talking about in the next section.
As a side sleeper, there are many things to know about a mattress topper before getting the first one you see. So from it benefits down to how to choose and care for one, here are what to learn about them!
The Benefits of Mattress Toppers
Mattress toppers for side sleepers don’t only help with your sleeping, but in many areas of the bedroom, too! Here are the following benefits you can reap from it:
1. Protects You From Bacteria
A mattress can be home to a ton of germs, which can cause allergies and irritation that affects sleep! With a moisture-resistant, hypoallergenic, and antibacterial mattress topper, it can protect you and your mattress. That way, there are fewer caches of breathing in mold or bacteria, reducing any asthma and allergy symptoms.
2. Extra Comfort and Support For Better Sleep
This is one of the main benefits a mattress topper has, as it can turn beds into something firmer or plusher as needed. It has you feeling like you’re sleeping in a brand new bed without spending thousands of dollars! They add a bit of a luxury feel and would have side sleepers feel more support.
3. Can Help Relieve Body Pain
Because of the right support based on a side sleeper’s firmness needs, it can relieve overall body pain. Mattress toppers can help maintain the neutral alignment of your spine, so you wake up with little to no back or neck pain.
4. Toppers Lengthen Your Mattress’ Lifespan
When you have a mattress topper, that’s another layer that you put pressure on, rather than the mattress itself. Not only is your mattress protected from bacteria around the air with the topper, but it wears down less. Your topper is taking the brunt of your body weight, thus lessening the wear and tear of your mattress.
5. May Cool You Down At Night
If you have a memory foam topper, you might experience too much heat retention issues. If you choose a mattress topper with breathable properties, it can wick away moisture and keep you cool all night long. This adds to your overall comfort and lessens waking up abruptly to night sweats.
How to Choose the Best Mattress Toppers For Side Sleepers
It’s important to select the right type of mattress topper according to your sleeping position because of comfort and support. With the wrong mattress topper, it can lead to further pain, too soft or hard feel, and less of good sleeping experience. To prevent that from happening as a side sleeper, here are crucial factors to consider when choosing the best mattress topper for YOU:
1. Thickness and Density
The thickness and density work hand in hand with support. Choosing the right density, or firmness level can keep your body comfortable while being supported. For side sleepers, finding middle ground with a level 5 firmness is best.
As for thickness, you may want something at the thicker side for durability and extra plushness. However, the thicker the heavier, so be wary with as to how much weight your mattress can carry.
2. Pressure Relief and Support
Toppers come in different firmness levels, as mentioned above with density. For side sleepers, getting toppers with medium-firmness levels helps, as it cradles their hips and shoulders easily while it contours to their natural body position. This prevents any breathing constrictions and unnatural positions which can cause pain and pressure.
Avoid toppers that are either too soft they don’t offer any support, or too firm to the point it feels rock hard!
3. What’s It Made Of?
For sure sleepers, I highly recommend that you invest in a memory foam mattress toppers. This is more durable than spring mattresses and provides the support side sleepers need.
Feather and wool toppers are great for warmth and breathability, but they can’t relieve pressure points as well as memory foam. Latex is another good choice, though it’s better made for a back sleeper for its firmness unless you’re a side sleeper weighing over 200 pounds.
4. Any Heat Retention?
For those whose mattresses are made of memory foam or other materials that keep in the heat, you may want something cooler.
Invest in a mattress topper with a gel foam or breathable wool, which keeps moisture and heat away. These materials can regulate body temperature well, so you won’t feel too warm or cold. However, if you live in a colder climate, then consider getting memory foam mattress toppers.
5. Durability and Ease of Cleaning
You want to get your money’s worth and it’s crucial to invest in a mattress topper built with quality construction. This means excellent stitching, good materials, and something easy to clean without having to put much effort into it. It’s best to get toppers with washable covers for its durability and ease of cleaning.
6. Your Budget
Of course, you also have to consider the budget, which is based on the material and construction of the topper’s made of. It also depends on the company you’re purchasing from. Remember that you get what you pay for, but you don’t need to spend thousands on mattress toppers, though avoid scrimping.
A good price point is between $100 to $500, which offers high-quality material and something built to last and support you. I recommend that you look into mattress toppers that come from reputable brands with warranties and guarantees for assurance.
How to Clean Mattress Toppers Properly
Learning how to use and care for your mattress topper can lengthen its lifespan, making your investment worth it. Here are the following tips to clean and maintain your mattress topper well:
- Make sure that you place the right-sized topper on your bed well, strapping it in to prevent it from sliding off
- For mattress toppers made of feather and/or down fill, shake and rotate it weekly to redistribute the filling and have it last longer
- Pull back your covers once you’re out of bed to let the topper and bed air out, allowing fibers to breathe and the moisture to evaporate
- If you can, place a mattress protector on the topper, which helps lessen cleaning after accidents ad spills
- When cleaning your topper, make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions before doing so. Some may have different washing temperatures and specific cleaning products to use. As much as possible, I recommend professional dry cleaning or laundering services, doing this every 6-12 months
- When not in use, store your completely dry toppers in breathable bags
- While you don’t need to wash it so often, it’s best to vacuum it weekly to get rid of crumbs, skin cells, hair, and other dirt. Try placing baking soda to let it soak doors and stains before vacuuming
- You can clean a mattress topper by hand with a spray bottle that consists of mild detergent and water. Spray the mixture and blot the areas with a sponge
- Only air dry your mattress topper than to use a dryer or blowdryer, which ruins the viscoelastic properties
Wrapping It Up
Hopefully, this guide on what you need to know about the best mattress toppers for side sleepers helped you out! So don’t wait any longer and find out what suitable mattress topper you need now. If you have any questions or want to share your experiences using mattress toppers, then comment below. All your thoughts are much appreciated!
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