Mattress Overlays (toppers): Frequently Asked Questions

Memory foam mattress toppers or natural latex or convoluted egg foam ... which one should I buy?
Can I just buy an overlay or do I have to buy a new mattress?
Should I be sleeping on a soft or hard mattress?
Where is the Mattress Overlays manufactured?
What are the standard bed sizes?
What is the difference between a mattress topper, mattress overlay and mattress pad?
What kinds of Mattress Toppers are there?
Is your overlay equivalent to 5lb density foam?

Q. Memory foam mattress toppers or natural latex or convoluted eggfoam ... which one should I buy?

A. Memory foam is a viscous elastic compound that has a similar feel to that of traditional foam, but its temperature-sensitive properties allow your body to mould into it. So it tends to provide very even body support, and cushions the high load areas such as the shoulders and the hips. Memory foam reacts to body heat, and softens where it is in contact with your body. The memory foam density we use for our memory foam mattress toppers is of medium density. It is 'firmish' when you lie on it, but softens within 30 or so seconds when the body’s warmth comes into contact with it. It is not everyone's 'cup of tea' due to the initial firmness, but one tends to quickly get used to it and you will be well aware of the even support it provides your body once you settle into it If your bedroom is not heated during the winter, then you will also be well aware of the initial firmness, but as said this will change when you lie on it.

Natural latex mattress toppers are softer than memory foam, and contain wonderful cushioning properties as well as excellent ongoing product longevity. Natural latex from the rubber tree is comprised of millions of interconnected cells, and this acts to mould and distribute body pressures. Latex is expensive to collect and produce, and that is why it is priced considerably higher. Our latex comes from the rubber trees of Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Thailand. Our Naturelle latex topper also comes in its own quality zippered cover, which is another reason why it will cost you more. To put it in context, our latex toppers have a 'luxurious' feel to them and if your mattress is too hard or too soft, this topper will help to neutralise that problem.

Convoluted egg foam traditional foam mattress topper: We use a high quality traditional foam that will not collapse under the body's weight (unlike those thinner and cheap versions found in department and bedding stores that will quickly collapse under the body's load areas, leaving you without support where it’s needed!). The peaks and troughs of the Body Huggar act to spread the pressure, and you will not feel these peaks once your body settles in and load areas are diffused. Body Huggar convoluted foam topper is a smart alternative to the natural latex and memory foam costs a lot less. May not have that luxurious feel of latex, or that unusual feeling of the body moulding to memory foam, but you will be pleasantly surprised at the results.

Q. Can I just buy an overlay or do I have to buy a new mattress?

A. The answer depends on the condition of your current bed. If your current mattress is basically ok - supportive, no dips, etc - but just too firm, causing pressure points, or just not as luxurious as you would like, than a mattress topper or mattress overlay will make it more comfortable. But if your mattress is old with compressed areas, or is just uncomfortable, then you probably need a new mattress. (Although an overlay could help you put the purchase off for a while).

If you decide to buy a new mattress, then stay away from the pillow top styles. Buy a basic medium-range mattress and then add your own Body Huggar, Memory Foam Mattress Topper or Magnetic Mattress overlay as a pillow top. Then after a number of years, you can replace the overlay rather than having to get a new mattress. You will save a fortune by not paying too much initially for an expensive mattress, and you'll sleep a lot better!

Q. Should I be sleeping on a soft or hard mattress?

A. A soft mattress can cause joint and back pain as the body sinks into the mattress making the spine adopt an unnatural position. An unforgiving hard mattress can also create pain as the body lies on top twisting the spine and putting pressure on the hips and shoulders. The mattress should give way a little under the pressure from the shoulders, hips, and pelvis so that the spine is kept in its natural state. The best solution therefore is a mattress that will contour to your shape, allowing your hips and shoulders to sink in comfortably. This combination can easily be obtained using a medium to firm mattress to support your body AND an overlay such as the Body Huggar mattress overlay or the Memory Mattress Topper would be ideal.

Q. Where is the Mattress Overlays manufactured?

A. All of our overlays are manufactured Australia.

Q. What are the standard bed sizes?

A.
• Single Bed - 92cm x 188cm (3'0" x 6'2")
• Single Extra Long - 92cm x 203cm (3'0" x 6'8")
• King Single - 107cm x 203cm (3'6" x 6'8")
• Double Size - 138cm x 188cm (4'6" x 6'2")
• Queen Size - 153cm x 203cm (5'0" x 6'8")
• King Size - 183cm x 203cm (6'0" x 6'8")

Q. What is the difference between a mattress topper, mattress overlay and mattress pad?

A. The terms mattress topper, mattress overlay and mattress pad are often thought to mean the same thing. The terms mattress topper or mattress overlay refer to something that enhances the comfort level of the mattress by adding an extra soft layer, pad, or overlay on top of an existing, and possibly too hard mattress.

The term mattress pad can refer to both a mattress topper, and to a thinner pad made out of cotton or polyester which is put on top of a mattress to protect it. These mattress pads are also known as mattress protectors.

Q. What kinds of Mattress Toppers are there?

A. Most mattress toppers are made from either memory foam, traditional foam, natural latex or wool.

Memory Foam mattress overlays
These toppers are made from polyurethane, with a different cell structure from traditional foam. This cell structure makes it less ‘springy’ and slower to recover (hence ‘memory foam’ — it ‘remembers’ your shape for a while after you’ve moved).
Sensitive to weight and temperature, it moulds to your body’s form, supporting it evenly, rather than having pressure concentrate at the shoulders, hips and feet. They’re used in some hospitals and nursing homes to help prevent pressure ulcers caused by lying in one position for a long time.
It takes about 15 minutes for the foam to fully warm up and soften, so what feels pleasantly firm at first (or unpleasantly hard) may not stay that way for long.

Traditional foam mattress overlays
The resilience of our Traditional Foam Toppers provides luxurious comfort and plush support.

Natural Latex overlays
Latex comes from the rubber tree, and is naturally durable and resilient. Another advantage is that it is naturally hypoallergenic. It has only one drawback - cost. A good quality latex topper can cost as much as a cheap mattress.
It is also important to keep in mind that by it's nature, latex can have various cosmetic imperfections, small tears, and/or discolorations, none of which will affect its performance.

Woolen overlays
Initially sleeping on a wool mattress pads is like sleeping on a big sheep skin, soft comfortable and with all the advantages of wool. Unfortunately over time they tend to matt down, becoming flat and offering little in the way of softness.

Q. Is your overlay equivalent to 5lb density foam?

A. We use 3lb density for our overlays. We find that it has the right mix of support, comfort, product longevity, and pressure diffusion.The density (poundage) does not reflect product life or support at all. In fact we used to use a 4lb density foam, but it broke down under body load fairly quickly. It all depends on the structure and chemicals used for a particular application of visco elastic memory foam. The one that we are now using does the job beautifully, and we have been using this formula now for over three years and haven’t had one back yet, and we have produced and sold more than a few thousand.

Let’s know if you need to discuss this further with us. But please remember that poundage has nothing to do with comfort, support, and product longevity. Tear strength is the key, and heavier poundages will often break down must faster. That’s what we found a few years back.