Mattress topper - what is it and why buy it?

The sleeping place must certainly be comfortable to ensure healthy sleep. A mattress topper serves just such a purpose. This sleeping accessory is a cross between a regular mattress and a mattress topper. It is important to choose the right topper; only in this case will it fully perform its function. When purchasing, pay attention to the filling and upholstery. You need to select a topper taking into account its size, shape, and degree of hardness.

What is a topper?

The topper is not a mattress as such; its thickness is much more modest. Buy this bedding as an addition to make your sleeping place more comfortable. The topper can be used both for a bed and for a sofa where you spend the night. If you translate the name of this item into Russian, in a literal translation it will sound like “from above.” This suggests that the accessory does not play a main role, but an auxiliary one. It can be safely called an overhead mattress.

How is it different from a regular mattress?

The main difference is the thickness.Toppers are not made thicker than 5-6 centimeters. A full-fledged mattress has a thickness of 15 cm, since it bears the main load. The “filling” of the topper is also simpler. It consists of a homogeneous material, while the structure of the mattress involves multi-layering.

Expensive models may use 2 or 3 fillers, but what you will never see in a topper is a spring block. Manufacturers always provide the product with elastic bands so that it can be securely fixed to the sleeping place. The mattress does not have such fastenings, since this is not necessary.

Differences between a topper and a mattress pad

A mattress protector is simply a removable cover designed to protect the mattress from dirt. Often this accessory is made of water-repellent fabric so that it does not let liquid accidentally spilled onto the bed. The topper has a non-removable cover, which, as a rule, is not resistant to dirt.

The thickness of the mattress cover is smaller, it is more like a blanket or a thin blanket; this bedding accessory can be washed in a washing machine. The topper is dry clean only. Mattress covers are used not only on mattresses, but also on toppers.

Topper purpose

A topper is purchased if the old mattress no longer performs its functions properly, and it is not yet possible to buy a new one. Still, buying a full-fledged mattress is an expensive undertaking, because it can cost tens of thousands of rubles. In this situation, the topper is a real godsend. It will make the bed comfortable again and you can forget about bad sleep and back problems. This accessory will help out in other situations:

• when organizing a sleeping area for guests;
• on a trip to the country;
• in a rented apartment.

You can also use a topper to make the main mattress last longer. They also buy bedding if the sleeping place is uncomfortable for the person sleeping on it. Among the variety of toppers, you can always choose an accessory that fully suits your individual requirements.

Structure and properties

The properties of the topper depend on its structure, which is determined by the composition of the filler and the quality of the upholstery. Among the manufacturers on the market there are leaders whose products you can trust. Today, thanks to the ability to access the Internet, reviews of any product spread very quickly.

Fillers

When choosing a topper based on filler, you need to focus on the properties of the material that provide the level of rigidity. An overhead mattress can be:

1. Soft. Such products are made from low-density polyurethane, polyester and special memory foam. Such a topper can smooth out the unevenness of a sleeping place well only with a thickness of at least 5 cm.
2. Medium hardness. In such products, the “filling” can be Hollocon, artificial or natural latex, or denser polyurethane. Such toppers, as a rule, are not made too thick (3-4 cm). They can be folded together with the bed, without choosing a separate storage space.
3. Tough. In rigid products, the filler is made of high-density and rigidity polyurethane. There are also models made from pressed coconut fiber (coir). These overhead mattresses are not suitable for a folding sofa, and you can’t roll them up either, which means you need to think about storage options.

They select products not only for furniture, but also for themselves. Medical indications may play an important role.For example, a soft pad is best used by older people and those who have diseases of the vascular system. Hard toppers will ensure sleep in spartan conditions; overweight people, teenagers and children should choose them. This will help get rid of spinal problems in the distant future.

Upholstery

The cover for an overhead mattress can be made from various materials. The properties of upholstery fabrics must be taken into account:

• cotton - the fabric has the ability to allow air to pass through well, is durable and inexpensive;
• linen - most often covers are made from linen fabric with the addition of synthetic fibers; the material provides comfortable sleep in the heat and has antiseptic properties;
• silk - you will have to overpay for such upholstery, but the fabric looks elegant, expensive, and gives a pleasant tactile sensation;
• satin is an option for expensive upholstery, suitable for allergy sufferers, lasts a long time, and has an attractive appearance.

There are also budget options for materials for cases, which significantly reduce the price of the finished product. We are talking about fabrics made from synthetic fibers. It is worth purchasing such mattresses for rare use, for example, when guests stay overnight. Toppers like these won't last long.

Manufacturers

Recently, there has been a boom in overhead mattresses. The Russian market today offers products from Western and Russian manufacturers, some of which have already won the trust of buyers. Among domestic companies, the ranking is headed by:

• “Mr. Mattress";
• "Lonax"
• "Rollmatratze";
• "Promtex-Orient";
• Mildex.

Their products are sold at a reasonable price and at the same time have decent quality, fully performing their functions. Companies produce different types of overhead mattresses - for beds and for sofas.The models have different upholstery and filling options and vary in thickness.

Criterias of choice

When choosing sleep accessories, the consumer expects to purchase the most suitable and comfortable product, characterized by durability and an attractive price. Of course, first of all you need to take into account the size and shape, otherwise it will be impossible to use the topper.

Rigidity

If you are choosing a topper for a young man who has no health problems, it is better to choose a model with a filler made of coir or hard polyurethane. Middle-aged people without severe chronic diseases will benefit from a medium-hard mattress that can provide them with the most comfortable sleep.

For older people, it is more useful to sleep on a soft topper; at this age, the spine should be in a comfortable position during sleep. There are double-sided models, one side of which is stiffer than the other. It is advisable to buy such mattresses if you plan to use them by different family members, for example, in the country. Everyone will be able to choose an option for themselves.

Size

The mattress cover must fully correspond to its dimensions. In addition to standard models, there are modifications on sale with other parameters, suitable, for example, for the size of a large sofa. If you have upholstered furniture that is uncomfortable to sleep on, you can order a custom-made topper with the required length and width.

Form

Beds are easier in this regard. They use a classic rectangular topper. If you plan to make a radial or round sofa more comfortable for sleeping, you need a mattress of the appropriate shape. You will have to order it and wait some time until the manufacturer produces the product.

How to store a topper so it lasts a long time

Once you start using a thin mattress, the question of storing it immediately arises. Toppers are divided into two types based on the type of construction. Some can be rolled, others can be folded like a book. If the topper is temporarily not in use, it is put away in a closet or a special linen drawer.

Modern beds are often equipped with a pull-out storage compartment for bedding located underneath. You can put a mattress pad there. If used very rarely, it is better to pack the product in a large plastic bag to protect it from dust. Of course, you should not roll up a hard topper, as this will immediately render it unusable.

A topper cannot be considered just a nice thing that is not urgently needed. In some cases, such a mattress is simply irreplaceable, because our health directly depends on the quality of sleep. The choice of product should be approached carefully, paying attention to its design, size, upholstery and filler composition. These parameters determine how convenient the topper will be and how long it will last.