Do more latex layers prevent sleeping hot?

[electracat]

This might be a no-brainer, but i'm not very brainy right now...

My pu foam bed is sleeping hot, even with (and without) a 1" layer of latex on top. Will more layers of latex on top prevent the bed from heating me up?

 

[jimsocal]

Hi, in my view latex is just as hot if not hotter than any other foam, except maybe thick memory foam... Even though the Talalay has holes in it, it's still rubber and rubber is hot, imho.

I really think the only way to dissipate the heat is with wool or something of that nature that will create a layer in between you and the latex. Even a cheap 1/2" layer might be enough to wick the moisture away or create a barrier between you and the latex or other foam(s). So no, I don't think more layers of latex or anything else will make it less hot. Foam is by nature something that creates a certain amount of heat, I think, when it interacts with a human body, especially if that body is prone to be slightly hot.

I know I sound like a broken record but I really think wool is the answer.

If not wool, maybe try putting 3-4 100% cotton sheets of a low thread count in between you and the latex or other foam. That might help also. Low thread count, though, and 100% cotton, because high thread counts sleep HOT. If you have Ross Dress for Less or a similar store near you, they often sell cheap cotton sheets that are a low thread count. It might not work, but it might be worth a try.

 

[sej615]

Jim, I have a latex and memory foam bed that I put together myself. I have the same problem with heat buildup, mainly after 5-6 hours of sleep. I haven't tried a wool topper yet. Do you think that would work with the memory foam? I tried an all cotton mattress pad once, but it was hotter than anything. Can you recommend a wool topper? My mattress combo is quite comfortable except for the heat. Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[jimsocal]

sej615 wrote:
Jim, I have a latex and memory foam bed that I put together myself. I have the same problem with heat buildup, mainly after 5-6 hours of sleep. I haven't tried a wool topper yet. Do you think that would work with the memory foam? I tried an all cotton mattress pad once, but it was hotter than anything. Can you recommend a wool topper? My mattress combo is quite comfortable except for the heat. Thanks for any suggestions.

Hmm. The only wool mattress pad I know is mine. It's made by St. Peter's Woolen and was expensive even on sale ($220 or so). I'd say just find the best price on one that you can find. All that matters is that it's 100% wool with a cotton cover (i.e.; no synthetics, preferably). The thickest you can afford, because it will scrunch under your weight.

I have one concern: If you put the wool on top of your memory foam, it may negate some of the memory foam response. For me, that is a GOOD thing, as I don't like the way I SINK IN to memory foam. I'm not sure how much it will affect that effect, but it may affect it some. I would say, if money is no object try a wool mattress pad on top of your foam. If money is tight, maybe just try a wool blanket and see how that feels. Cotton is much different than wool. Wool breathes, wool feels cool in heat and warm in cold. Wool is amazing.

Also, do you use cotton sheets? What thread count?
A tight thread count (higher number) means it feels luxurious but does not breathe well, holding in heat! Try a medium count cheaper sheet if you are using high thread count sheets. It is likely that could be the problem more than the latex. What is best is a sheet that has just enough threads not to feel stiff and scratchy, but not so high of a thread count as to be too tight, so it can't breathe.

Also use no synthetics in your blankets or sheets - only 100% cotton.
I like the type of cotton blankets that are very loosely woven, like with little holes in between. Even if I have to use 3-4 of them in the winter, that's better than a tightly woven one.

Let me know if you try any of these things..

 

[electracat]

I had that very problem, as you can see from my posts. But right now i have no heat! Maybe it's the colder weather..? I also changed my sheets from knit to the regular 200 thread cotton ones, and that helped. Right now i have a layer of latex over the foam layers, and no cuddlebed (too hot, i think). I'm getting another layer of latex tomorrow, and i hope there will still be no heat.

I've heard good reports of SnugFleece wool toppers, and they're a bit cheaper than others. Sometimes you can find good deals on Ebay, or craigslist, too. That was going to be my next purchase if the heat reappeared!

The most intense heat i felt was when the memory foam was on the top (i've since removed it entirely)...maybe you can rearrange your layers?

 

[sej615]

Thanks for all the tips, I will seek out those things. I actually found the latex to be hotter than the memory foam. I think I'm wired up backwards from most people or something. I didn't like the memory foam at first, but now I like it. A friend of mine has a tempurpedic, which feels totally different than my memory foam that came from Mark's a few years ago. Just can't justify the big bucks they want for those tempurpedics! I don't get hot on it, though. I've only got about 4 inches of latex under my memory foam, then a firm foam under that. It's pretty comfortable except for the heat. I do have cotton sheets, but the thread count may be high--like 400 or so. I will look into the wool. Thanks again!

 

[cloud9]

I really can't see putting fleece on top of memory foam. Most MF is temperature sensitive. It has to warm up to do it's job. Otherwise you can end up sleeping on something that feels like a cold slab of clay. It might be okay on 4 or 3 lb MF that is less temperature sensitive, but you will still lose the true feeling of memory foam. On the other hand, if you WANT to lose the feeling, it might work perfectly!
On latex that doesn't need to warm up to perform wool fleece should be fine but it will still interfere with the true latex experience... which might also be a good thing...
Adding more latex is not going to make the mattress feel cooler. It will probably make it feel warmer since you will be sinking into yet another layer of foam. Lose the jersey sheets. Look for cotton sateen (that's sateen, a smooth cotton with a slight sheen, not satin, which is slick, slippery and usually synthetic ) that sleep cool and get a mattress pad with just a minimal amount of batting. This should make the bed feel cooler.

 

[jimsocal]

cloud9 wrote:
I really can't see putting fleece on top of memory foam. Most MF is temperature sensitive. It has to warm up to do it's job. Otherwise you can end up sleeping on something that feels like a cold slab of clay. It might be okay on 4 or 3 lb MF that is less temperature sensitive, but you will still lose the true feeling of memory foam. On the other hand, if you WANT to lose the feeling, it might work perfectly!
On latex that doesn't need to warm up to perform wool fleece should be fine but it will still interfere with the true latex experience... which might also be a good thing...
Adding more latex is not going to make the mattress feel cooler. It will probably make it feel warmer since you will be sinking into yet another layer of foam. Lose the jersey sheets. Look for cotton sateen (that's sateen, a smooth cotton with a slight sheen, not satin, which is slick, slippery and usually synthetic ) that sleep cool and get a mattress pad with just a minimal amount of batting. This should make the bed feel cooler.

Yes, actually I think losing the Jersey sheets is what made Electracat's bed cooler. Jersey sheets are VERY hot!

Cloud9, I have to ask this: I always thought the Sateen sheets, although very luxurious (and expensive) were a very tight weave, and so hotter than, say, a 300 thread count cotton sheet. No?

I agree that adding more latex will not make the bed cooler, although replacing memory foam with latex may well make it cooler.

I am one of those who is finding that burying my memory foam BELOW the top layer, under my latex topper and under my wool mattress cover, works very well. I do not LIKE the feel of sinking into memory foam. Actually I DO like it, but I find that sleeping on it makes my arms go number than if I don't, and I have a problem with my arms going numb to a nerve problem at my shoulders. Seems like sleeping on a soft layer like memory foam would help it, but it actually makes it worse, maybe because I tend to stay in one position too long?

 

[electracat]

Jim, I also found that putting MF under some layers is a nice alternative. Definitely gives the bed some softness without that 'sinking' feeling. Although, in the end, i realize that i just don't like a soft bed...i prefer a thin layer of latex on the top to give it some resilience.

 

[cloud9]

jimsocal wrote:
Cloud9, I have to ask this: I always thought the Sateen sheets, although very luxurious (and expensive) were a very tight weave, and so hotter than, say, a 300 thread count cotton sheet. No?

Sateen isn't always expensive. Actually my favorites came from the late lamented Mervyns where they always had great sales-- 40, 50 even 60% off on bedding. They were the Vintage Luxe line. Only 425 thread count. Perfect weight for summer, since I was finding all my 600 and 800 thread count sheets way too dense and hot for summer. These sheets are so light and silky they almost seem to float over my body. When Mervyns was going out of business I bought 2 extra sets so I'd have a nice supply.