Choosing the best mattress filler

In a dream, a person spends about a third of his life, and healthy and comfortable sleep largely determines the quality side of his wakefulness. Many people remember the times when layers of cotton wool and foam rubber were used to fill mattresses, and the structures themselves were spring-loaded. This time has passed, and new, practical and comfortable mattresses with modern fillings have replaced the banal devices for sleeping. Their variety suggests a choice of products in many ways.

Today, mattress fillers are divided into a number of categories according to the types of materials used, respectively, and their characteristics are different:

• on a natural basis, such as batting (cotton or wool), sheep wool, bamboo and others;

• from artificial components, for example, holkon, ecopena, spunbond;

• on a combined basis - "octopus", periotec, struttofiber and so on.

Each type has its own characteristics that determine the specifics of its applicability. Thus, a number of artificial fillers are known for their orthopedic qualities, and therefore are especially valuable for vacationers with articular and vertebral diseases. Certain natural materials cause allergic manifestations and are difficult to wash. As a rule, these are high quality products with a good level of comfort. They are environmentally friendly and provide excellent massage effect.

Combined versions of fillers made on the basis of two types of sources are in significant demand. They are characterized by good orthopedic parameters, long service life and practicality.The combination of several materials in the product allows varying levels of firmness on each side of the mattresses. Such variability in parameters makes it possible to select a product for yourself.

The raw material for latex is foamed juice of hevea (rubber tree). The product is manufactured according to two technological lines (Dunlop, Talalay), based on juice processing. The Talalay method is more modern, allows the production of softer and more breathable foam mattresses that have:

• excellent orthopedic qualities;

• long service life;

• practicality.

For the manufacture of coconut coir, coconut threads are used that remain on the fruit. The collected threads are soaked in salt water and then dried. Further, they are subject to combing out and selection.

Coir Benefits:

• high rigidity;

• excellent strength;

• antibacterial;

• breathes well;

• does not rot or mold.

It is also called Manila hemp. The fibers of the spinning palm leaves are taken as a source. The pre-preparation process is followed by pressing technology. Abacus differs from coconut coir in less rigidity. Plates made of it are resilient, moisture resistant, and allow air to pass through well. In latex versions, they are more flexible and resilient.

Sisal, or cactus coir, is a representative of agave plants. Raw materials (leaves) are more elite than coconut threads. Products with medium hardness are made from it.

Thickened felt. Perfectly retains heat and high loads, breathable. The degree of hardness is medium and higher.

Raw materials from seaweed. To give the product strength properties, algae are braided into a special net. Due to the presence of a significant amount of calcium salts in the content, such a plate effectively resists the growth of various harmful bacteria. Advantages:

• productive resistance to bacteria;

• resistance to putrefactive processes;

• excellent breathability;

• aromatization effect (unstable) with iodine ions;

• medium degree of hardness.

It is an excellent source of raw materials for needle punched products. Sometimes, to impart strength properties, they are impregnated with a latex composition. They are considered expensive, elite products that are useful for people with unhealthy musculoskeletal system (rheumatic diseases). Product advantages:

• strength;

• low dust formation;

• moisture-regulating qualities;

• resistance to various bacteria.

A type of felt made from natural as well as synthetic fibers. The proportions are different, depending on the manufacturer and the specific purpose of the product. The optimal ratio in practice is considered to be 60% of natural raw materials (flax, jute, wool, cotton fabrics) and 35-40% of artificial components (acrylic, polypropylene, polyamides and others). All-natural products are also produced.

In order to make more rigid and durable mattresses, the polypropylene content is increased, and to make them more soft, cotton material is added, which increases the level of hypoallergenicity of the product.

Products made of natural felt material with a high density are used both as an internal comfort pad that protects elastic layers from contact with springs, and to increase the rigidity of manufactured products. Material without harmful impurities, without third-party odors, hypoallergenic. Products are made from different materials, and linen is used for mattresses, which has an optimal level of firmness. Advantages:

• hypoallergenic;

• resistance to significant loads;

• budgetary cost;

• hygiene.

Natural filler, often sheep's wool. Excellent heat insulator, good moisture absorption. Main advantages:

• excellent antistatic properties;

• comfortable softness;

• recommended for diseases of the spine.

There are many options for filling mattresses. The technologies for the production of synthetic products made with organic and inorganic additives to give the fillers the desired qualities are also different. There are even products made from polymer balls, which give mattresses an excellent massaging effect.

In fact, this is the same foam rubber, but a foamy material that has been improved at a modern level, which is considered elite. It was developed at NASA in order to compensate for the overload experienced by astronauts, but it did not achieve the necessary space requirements. But for the mattresses it came at the right time. Consumers are impressed by its ability to adapt to the body of the resting person, without pinching the blood vessels. By supporting the human spine, the product forms extremely favorable conditions for the resting person. The foam has many elastic modifications - Ormafoam, Memoflex, Orto Foam, Memoform, Tempur, Visco-elastic and others.

A relatively new filler made from synthetic fibers formed by an aerodynamic method - prepared fibers are held together by hot air. During processing, a soft substance is obtained that does not absorb water.

It is also called PPU for short, the product is produced during petrochemical processing. Up to 80% of the product consists of air filling the spongy base. The rigidity varies depending on the characteristics of the manufacturing processes. Since the technological features of foaming and further processing have significantly advanced, manufacturers use exclusively materials of reinforced density - highly elastic and viscoelastic foam rubber.

At its core, the material consists of synthetic polyester fibers, stacked in a specific order in special aerodynamic devices. The fibers are connected under the influence of hot air jets directed at a certain angle to the workpiece. The resulting plate is odorless and completely safe. The main qualities are ease of care and hypoallergenic properties.

A type of elastic filler known for its comfortable tactile characteristics. Environmentally, it is not harmful at all, since it does not contain harmful components in the structure. It is unusually easy to contract, comfortably enveloping the shape of the resting person, contributing to excellent recovery after removing the load.

A substance with a porous structure, characterized as environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic, elastic, with memory for the shape taken under load. The popularity of the product was determined by its budgetary cost.

Non-woven type material used as an insulating layer. In this capacity, spunbond is especially strong, which makes it possible to confidently provide the necessary protection for soft fillers from the unwanted influence of spring systems.

With all the current variety of mattress fillers, it is important to focus on the criteria for an ideal product for a bed or sofa. It is important that the product provides uniform support for the back of the person who is resting, since this contributes to the complete relaxation of the body. The mattress, and therefore the filler, should not pinch the veins and soft tissues of the sleeping person, otherwise the body will become numb, the person will often have to turn, trying to get comfortable.

In addition, the parameters of fillers vary greatly in terms of rigidity, elasticity and, of course, in price. Therefore, there is a big difference for whom to buy the product. An adult needs one thing, and a child needs something completely different. However, in both cases, the purchase is for health reasons. In this sense, the thickness of the product, and the parameters of rigidity, and the material, and purely individual preferences are important, taking into account which today it is quite possible to choose the appropriate option.

The majority of the expert opinion is inclined towards the medium-hard options, considering them universal. Natural and safe fillers are of course preferable. The final decision is determined by the state of the musculoskeletal system of a person, his weight, age, individual feelings and budgetary possibilities.