What Does A Mattress Topper Do?

A mattress topper is a 2-5cm thick cushioning layer that can be placed on top of a mattress for additional support, comfort or insulation. 

If you’ve fallen out of love with your mattress, a topper may be the perfect solution to patch up your relationship again. Available in a range of fillings and firmness, there is a topper for every situation.

Mattress toppers will work with you as you sleep to add what your mattress is lacking. If you’re struggling to get your 40 winks each night, a topper can help to reduce your tossing and turning and get you settled in for a good night's sleep. Find out more about the benefits of mattress toppers in this guide.

If you have just bought a new mattress that is not quite right for you, maybe it's too hard or too soft, the addition of a topper can help to change the level of support that you’re getting. If you’ve had your mattress for a while, that started out perfect but has begun to lack what it once had, and you’re not ready to say goodbye, a topper can help bring it back to its original glory.

By adding a topper to your mattress, you can alter it to work with your sleeping habits and give you a much more personal night's sleep. If you were looking to soften up a firm mattress, a thick and fluffy microfibre topper like our Soft As Down Topper offers a layer of springy and comfortable support. 

If your mattress isn’t quite offering you enough support, a firm memory foam topper would help, molding to your shape and giving a highly responsive level of support. 

If you share a bed and you and your sleeping partner run at different temperatures, the addition of a Wool Topper can help to maintain the optimum warmth as it regulates your temperature simultaneously.

Aside from support, there are a few other mattress topper benefits that can all help to aid a good night’s sleep:

If overheating at night is something that keeps you up, then introducing a temperature regulating topper such as wool or silk into your bed may well be the perfect solution for you. A breathable filling will help to wick away moisture as you sleep leaving you cool and refreshed when you wake up, ready to start your day.

Equally, If you’re struggling to keep warm, then a synthetic topper can help to keep the heat in. A thick and soft microfibre topper will not only help to offer more of a soft level of support, but will help to keep the heat in, keeping you toasty all night long.

It's easy to think that you might have to choose between additional support and temperature regulation when looking for the right topper for you. However, you can have it all with the right choice. A microfibre topper with the addition of silk offers thick and bouncy support that also helps keep you comfortable and cool all night long. 

If that doesn’t sound like it would work for you, then consider layering a natural filled goose down topper with a wool on top to create a custom layer of support and temperature control. The possibilities are endless

It's always a great idea to protect your investment, so popping a mattress protector over your topper is the best chance it has to survive any accidental spills and stains. If you’re using a topper for its temperature regulating properties, then it is important to choose the right protector to pair with your topper. You want to look into purchasing a natural and breathable protector to make sure that it doesn’t hinder the performance of the topper. 

By washing or professionally cleaning your topper every 6-12 months, you’ll ensure that it stays in the best shape possible. Take care to follow the instructions on the label carefully as each topper will vary. Try to shake and air out your topper every time you change the sheets to keep it fresh in between washes.

Depending on the use and the filling, the right topper can last for years. As long as you follow the proper care instructions, and give it a good shake every time you change your bedding, you can lengthen the topper’s life.

When shopping for your mattress topper, you should keep the following factors in mind: 

Depending on your sleeping position, you may need to choose a mattress topper to support you while you sleep. For example, side sleepers often require some support to keep their spine and neck aligned in the side position. If you feel like you need more support from your mattress topper, look for a densely filled down topper like this Soak&Sleep Duck Feather Topper. The feather fill makes it nice and soft but it’s packed tightly enough to provide support at the same time.

When you sleep, you produce moisture. It’s important that your topper should be able to release this moisture so that your bed stays dry and does not encourage the growth of bacteria. Breathable mattress toppers also release heat in the summer, keeping you cooler. Mattress toppers with natural fills and cases like this Luxury New Zealand Wool Mattress topper are breathable.

Keeping your mattress topper clean will be much easier if you can easily wash it and air dry it. Mattress toppers can go yellow over time as they pick up sweat and oils from your body, so it’s important to try and wash them regularly. Some toppers can be washed in the washing machine, and also toppers like this Super Soft Hollowfibre Mattress Topper can be professionally cleaned by a dry cleaner.

You want your mattress topper to stay in the right position on your bed through the night, so look for toppers with elastic straps which help hold your topper in the right place.

If you suffer from allergies, it’s possible to buy synthetic mattress toppers which replicate the softness of feather and down, like this Soft As Down Hollowfibre topper which will provide the softness that a side sleeper requires but will not cause any issues with allergies. If you prefer a naturally filled product look for something like this Luxury New Zealand Wool topper made from wool which is also hypoallergenic.

So, there you have it. An extra layer of softness, extra warmth in the winter or a breathable, cooling layer, a mattress topper may be the solution to many of your sleep problems! Shop our mattress topper range today and wake up to better sleep today.

For even more tips on how to select the best mattress topper for you, check out our Topper Buying Guide.