A mattress topper is a soft layer of material that is placed on top of a mattress to provide additional comfort. A mattress topper is usually made from foam, wool, feathers, or cotton and can be used for both therapeutic and decorative purposes.
Some people use a mattress topper as an alternative to buying a new mattress on the box spring. However, a mattress topper should not be used alone on the box spring as the thickness of the topper is not enough to provide a cushion against the hard box spring.
A mattress topper is usually added to the mattress to enhance comfort but is not designed to replace the mattress. A mattress topper is usually cheaper than a mattress but it cannot replace the mattress.
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Why Do You Need A Box Spring?
A box spring is needed to lift the mattress off the ground and provide support to the mattress. Box springs are usually made of a wooden frame or metallic frame with coiled metal springs inside and covered in cloth.
The box spring may at times not have springs inside but instead, have slats and then covered in cloth.
Standard box springs have heights of 9 inches to 12 inches and will help lift the bed off the ground. The added height will make it easier to get in and out of the bed compared to when the mattress is on the ground.
The support provided by the box spring makes sleeping more comfortable and enjoyable. It will also help those with back pains by providing the necessary support.
Why Do You Need A Mattress Topper?
Mattress toppers are usually put on top of the mattress to enhance its comfort. A mattress topper will give the old mattress a new lease of life by making it more comfortable at a fraction price of the mattress.
In addition, the mattress topper can be used on a new mattress as it protects the mattress from heat, body pressure, stains, and other forms of destruction.
Due to the various materials, dimensions densities, and thicknesses used to make the mattress toppers, they can easily change the look and feel of your bed without incurring too much cost.
Support provided by the mattress can be altered by the use of a mattress topper.
The topper can make the bed softer or firmer, it can affect the airflow hence regulating the temperatures of the mattress thereby making sleeping more comfortable.
Is It Safe To Use The Mattress Topper Directly On The Box Spring?
It is tempting to use a mattress topper directly on the box spring as the mattress topper may seem an ideal replacement for the mattress.
This is not the safest option as the topper is designed to enhance the mattress and add comfort by making the mattress softer or firmer but not replace it.
A mattress topper may seem thick replacing the mattress will not make sleeping firmer but harder. Sleeping hard will cause body aches and may result in insomnia.
A topper on the box spring will not eliminate the hardness. It will only make it a little comfortable.
The box spring does not have the structure and make to support sleeping on its own but is designed to support the mattress on it.
The box spring will neither provide warmth nor support for comfortable sleep.
However, the mattress topper can be used for temporary sleep on the box spring like a day or two but can not be used for the long term.
What Are Mattress Toppers Made Of That Prevent Direct Use On The Box Spring?
Mattress toppers can be made from a variety of materials such as latex, memory foam, polyester blends, feathers, and wool.
The very nature of the materials used to make mattress toppers prevents the mattress topper from replacing the mattress and being used directly on the box spring.
Here we look at some of the materials.
1. Latex
Latex is made from a liquid tapped from rubber trees. However, many synthetic latex materials are used to make the mattress topper. Latex mattress toppers are not the softest and will give hard sleep.
They tend to retain heat. Coupled with the flat box spring, this can make the latex very hot, especially during the hot months, and very uncomfortable. Latex is also not so cheap.
2. Memory Foam
Memory foam is polyurethane with chemically enhanced density. The thickness and density will vary greatly but the topper cannot provide full support to the body weight.
The foam is not breathable and will tend to get hot. Though it is soft and comfortable on top of the mattress, it can be hard and unsupportive on the box spring.
3. Polyester Blends
Polyester blends are the cheapest mattress topper material but offer the least amount of support.
If you like the feeling of feathers but are allergic, try polyester blends. They have the same cozy feel without all the allergens.
While they might be comfortable at first, these mattress toppers start to squash down quickly, meaning you get little support and comfort from them.
4. Feathers
These toppers are like duvets that are stuffed with feathers. They are soft and add comfort but will provide support to you.
The feather shafts can poke through the fabric and make it uncomfortable, noisy, and crinkly.
Over time feathers will compress and you need to keep shaking them to keep them free. This lack of support means you cannot use the father mattress topper alone on the box spring.
5. Wool
Natural wool mattress toppers are not easy to find but when you do, they provide soft and luxurious padding to the mattress.
Wool will provide little support and therefore you will sleep on the hard box spring. Natural wool mattress toppers are expensive and rare to find.
Final Thoughts
While a good mattress topper will add comfort and luxury to the mattress for a good night’s sleep, the same cannot be said of a mattress topper on a box spring.
It will provide little to no comfort and if you continuously use the mattress topper on the box spring, you will likely suffer sores and other discomforts associated with sleeping in a hard place.
Invest in a mattress to be used on the box spring before adding the mattress topper for greater comfort.
