How to Choose a Mattress Topper

Every bedding stockist worth its salt will offer a mattress topper as part of a complete bedding set - and it's not simply a trick to get you to part with more of your cash. A mattress topper serves multiple purposes - from making your bed more comfortable and keeping it clean and allergen-free, to even reducing aches and pains in your daily life.

Before buying a mattress topper, it is important to know how they function fully, and what different types of mattress topper can offer. Here's your handy guide to the product - for side sleepers, back sleepers, and beyond.

As the name suggests, a mattress topper is an additional top layer placed over the mattress and underneath a fitted sheet. This creates an extra barrier between the top sheet that you lay on and your mattress. In some ways, its an extension of the mattress, adding a more mobile, comfortable layer while protecting the notoriously hard to clean mattress.

A mattress topper is a little fraction of bedding material that goes a long way. While something so small can seem inconsequential, there are several reasons why they are essential for any and all bedding sets.

• Cleanliness: protects the mattress from spills and stains that are hard to remove from such a large, thick surface. The mattress topper can simply be removed and thrown on to wash with the other sheets
• Hypoallergenic: its easiness to clean can help easily remove dust mites and other allergens from the bed and prevent them from penetrating the thick mattress that is more difficult to clean thoroughly
• Comfort: Depending on your preferences, a mattress topper can help make your mattress firmer or softer, offering extra support. The mattress topper also adds an extra layer of warmth
• Longevity: the protection of the mattress will help you go longer between replacing mattresses because they become too dirty or uncomfortable to use. This also helps sleepers save money in the long run

As with purchasing any piece of bedding, its best to research the options available to you before committing to sleeping with something every single night. The biggest factors to consider when purchasing a mattress topper is if whether you fit into one of the following categories:

• side sleeper
• back sleeper
• chronic back pain sufferer
• allergy sufferer

Side sleepers should consider purchasing a mattress topper that is firm and offers bodily support, to avoid injury from elevated pressure in the shoulders and hips.

A firmer, denser mattress topper would better suit a back sleeper. Too soft a layer for the back would result in poor spinal alignment and posture while sleeping, potentially causing pain, discomfort, and the creation or worsening of chronic back issues.

People with pre-existing back problems should also consider a firmer mattress topper for proper support and spinal alignment during sleep. Latex material and memory foam toppers are also great for providing comfort that adjusts and moulds to your body, providing support at the pressure points that require it the most.

Just like any other bedding type, allergy sufferers should research hypoallergenic materials available, such as:

• Wool
• Bamboo
• Eucalyptus 
• Organic cotton 
• Silk

This is especially the case for a mattress topper. The ideal mattress topper should block pet hair, dust mites, and other allergens from becoming embedded in the mattress, wicking away these irritants as well as moisture to prevent a reaction. Choosing a topper from one of the materials from the list above plays a big role in ensuring your bed stays allergen-free.