4 Ways to Cool Down Your Memory Foam Mattress

The most common complaint from owners of memory foam mattresses is how hot the mattress gets. 

Due to the dense structure of memory foam, the airflow is rather limited. Heat is trapped and causes a buildup of hotness. 

What makes matters worse is that the memory foam has body contouring, which hugs your body closely. This also causes the mattress to absorb and trap body heat.

Since heat is not a new problem now, manufacturers have been working on technologies and techniques to make memory foam cooler.

The most common is the addition of material cooling gel. Gel absorbs body heat, helping you sleep cooler.

However, gel memory foam has its limits. As the gel absorbs heat, it also warms up to the point where it cannot absorb any more. 

At that point, the mattress begins to heat up. You may feel cool the first couple of hours when you sleep but wake up in the middle of the night, all hot and sweaty.

Another cooling technique is using open-cell memory foam. This type of memory foam has better ventilation and allows more heat to dissipate.

Some manufacturers also puncture the memory foam to improve ventilation.

If you are thinking about buying a memory foam mattress, look for one that uses one or more of these cooling techniques.

Such as Hesperis Mattress which contains 25% coconut fiber, skin-friendly fabric, and high-temperature forged bamboo fiber textile.

The first layer of soft and comfortable memory gel allows the body to experience zero pressure, easily fall asleep, and provides a refreshing and stable sleeping temperature - lower skin temperature by 1.5-2℃. 

The second layer of the high resilience density foam makes the cushion soft and not collapsing, giving the body much more support when lying down and getting up, keeping the spine aligned and healthy.

Another thing you can do is to utilize bedding accessories to improve the overall temperature regulation of your bed. In most cases, this means using a specialized mattress topper, mattress pad, or even new sheets.

1. Mattress toppers/pads

Mattress toppers are a newly added layer on top of the mattress to improve the comfort levels of the bed. Most of the toppers are made of memory foam, polyfoam, or latex, though toppers made of other materials like feathers, down, and wool are also available. They are usually 1-4 inches thick and relatively cheap.  

If cooling is your goal, it’s best to choose a topper that uses gel-infused memory foam, latex, or another breathable and cool material, have a read at our Matratzen Topper.

Choosing mattress protectors made out of natural and breathable materials can lower its temperature to more comfortable levels. Covers will also protect it from being stained and will keep it in pristine condition.

Some of the mattress covers are specifically made for memory foam, and can even draw moisture from the skin and distribute it evenly across the cover’s surface area.

A mattress pad is a thinner fabric compared to mattress toppers. Due to their thin design, they would not change the heat situation significantly but can help with a bit of cooling.  

Always opt for materials that are breathable, soft, and cool such as natural cotton. Some can also help wick away moisture, resulting in a cooler-feeling bed.

2. Cooling sheets/pillows

One simple fix may be new sheets. Sheets act as a buffer between the sleeper and the surface of the memory foam mattress. The material and weave of the sheets can have a significant effect on how cool a mattress feels. Flannel sheets, for example, are a popular choice for winter slumber because they are thicker and warmer than breathable cotton percale sheets.

There are several different kinds of cooling sheets, which have constructions that will help you sleep cooler. These products are generally moisture-wicking, a property that helps wick away sweat to improve comfort and cooling. They will usually utilize a cool-feeling material, such as high-quality cotton or linen.

Another accessory that may be worth replacing is your pillow. Our heads and necks are sensitive to heat, so if our heads feel too warm, our whole bodies will likely feel uncomfortably hot.

Good cooling pillows will generally be lightweight and breathable and feature soft, cool fabric such as cotton or linen. Latex, buckwheat, down alternative, and shredded foam fills all tend to sleep cooler than solid memory foam. Some pillows are made with cooling technologies like cooling panels or gel-infused or copper-infused foams.

Our Morpheus Pillow adds cooling channels to the dual comfort pillow. These channels let warm air out so you can sleep comfortably all night long. 

The complex and unique patented 40 independent partition cutting design, gives the pillow excellent ergonomic support while greatly enhancing breathability. Combined with the gel cooling properties, the pillow can keep the interior dry and comfortable, giving you an all-night good sleep. 

The ventilated design maximizes air circulation for more comfortable sleep conditions. There is no more waking up with sweat with the Morpheus Pillow.

3. Change your foundation

Also, make sure to consider the bed frame your mattress sits on. A solid platform foundation (or the ground) can constrict airflow while contributing to heat and moisture retention. The lack of air circulation prevents the removal of heat and moisture, leading to mold growth and an unhealthy sleep environment.

Switching your foundation for a slatted base will increase airflow by providing more space for air to move around, beneath, and inside the bed, removing warm, moist air.

4. Control your sleeping environment

Last but not least, there are other ways to help improve your sleep experience by controlling various elements of your bedroom environment.

Airflow

Maintaining good airflow in your bedroom is important on warm nights. Consider keeping a window open, or investing in a small circulating fan. 

Airflow is important for your bed itself. If your mattress sits on the floor, consider investing in a bed foundation to improve airflow. Depending on the type of mattress you have, you may also consider switching to a slatted bed frame design to further improve airflow.

Sleepwear

The sleepwear you choose to use at night will have a significant impact on your body temperature. It’s best to choose breathable, lightweight clothing made of cotton or thin wool. Alternatively, many people find it most comfortable (and most cool) to sleep in nothing but underwear.

Use natural fiber bedding

Sometimes the problem is your bedding. Polyester sheets and pillows can stop airflow and make your bed feel stuffy. Non-synthetic bedding will encourage air to circulate your body, decreasing the temperature.

Consider a new mattress

After you’ve tried everything and your bed still retains heat, upgrading to the best mattress to keep you cool is another option.

Keep in mind, memory foam has advanced in recent years. If your old mattress is hot and difficult to change, then don’t hesitate and switch to our Hesperis Mattress with gel-infused foams that guarantee a cool and sweat-free sleep. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you cool down on a memory foam mattress?

Try using cooler fabrics for bedding, such as Tencel, bamboo, or organic cotton. Avoid synthetic blends or wool, since these can trap heat. You could even try taking a warm bath before bed since this signals your body temperature to drop and even helps you sleep better.

What is the best mattress for hot sleepers?

Sleepers who tend to sleep hot should choose mattresses with cooling technologies and materials, such as gel memory foam, open-cell foam, plant-based foam, or hybrid mattresses with a mixture of memory foam and coils.

How do I keep from sweating on my memory foam mattress?

If you experience night sweats on your memory foam mattress, the cause could be a medical condition, such as hormones, anxiety, or even the flu. To ensure your mattress doesn’t make it worse, choose one with a breathable cover and responsive, cooling comfort layers made with open-cell and/or plant-based foams.

What’s the best room temperature for sleep?

Keep your thermostat between 68-72 degrees for the best sleep. If you’re trying to save money on your air conditioning bill, try using a fan or open a window instead.

What are the coolest mattresses?

Innerspring mattresses are naturally quite cool because they have a coil base. The open spaces between the coils allow air to flow through easily. However, innerspring also lose support quickly. Memory foam mattresses made with gel foam or plant-based foam will keep the mattress cool and they won’t lose support.

Conclusion

Memory foam is a great option for those who suffer from back pain or anyone who needs pressure relief. However, you might be concerned about your foam mattress retaining heat!

We have listed 4 main ways to help you control the sleeping experience. And if all the above won’t help, you could always buy a new mattress from us and be worry-free.