The Magic of Memory Foam: How It Works & Best Uses

Memory foam is a polyurethane foam treated to be denser and more viscous, so it softens with body heat and pressure to mould to your shape, then slowly returns to flat. That body-contouring response is what makes it so popular for mattresses and pillows. Here's where it came from, how it works, its benefits, and who it suits.

What is memory foam?

Originally named temper foam, and sometimes referred to as "viscoelastic foam", memory foam was developed by NASA in the 1960s for aircraft, as a way of improving comfort and safety. It soon became a commercially available product that is now famous for its use in mattresses and toppers and pillows. It is polyurethane foam that has been treated with chemicals that increase viscosity and density.

How does memory foam work?

The "magic" of memory foam, and the characteristic it is most famous for, is its ability to soften and mould to the contours of a warm body, retaining a "memory" of their shape (hence the name) and then gradually returning to its original form. A popular image when you search for memory foam is a hand-shaped indentation where someone has pressed into it.

During the foam-making process, gas bubbles are blown into a liquid base, which eventually sets to form either closed-cell or open-cell foam. In closed-cell foam the gas bubbles are completely fixed within the cell walls, whereas in open-cell foam the bubbles burst, allowing air to flow in and out.

The most recent versions of memory foam have the open-cell structure. The result for the end user – for example, someone sleeping on a memory foam mattress – is that the mattress is breathable and has good temperature-regulating properties.

The benefits of memory foam

Memory foam is denser than many other foam types, so memory foam mattresses tend to be heavier, but they often take up less space than a traditional spring mattress. Memory foam pillows are also less likely to bunch up the way feather pillows can. Another advantage over traditional bedding such as spring mattresses and feather pillows is that memory foam may be more resistant to harbouring dust mites, a known allergen for sensitive individuals.

When purchased as bedding, memory foam products will have been treated with fire-retardant chemicals in keeping with current fire regulations. You can explore the options on our memory foam mattress and memory foam topper pages.

Who is memory foam for?

It is not recommended to allow babies and young children to sleep on memory foam, as they are less able to turn themselves over (so it is also not a good option for parents who co-sleep with babies or young children). Memory foam is fine for older children and great for adults of all ages, and it particularly has a reputation for helping those with back pain, neck pain and other pain-related conditions such as fibromyalgia.

Frequently asked questions

Was memory foam invented by NASA?

Yes. Memory foam, originally called temper foam, was developed by NASA in the 1960s for aircraft, to improve comfort and safety. It later became a commercial product famous for mattresses and pillows.

Does memory foam sleep hot?

Modern memory foam uses an open-cell structure, which makes it breathable and gives it good temperature-regulating properties, so it sleeps cooler than older closed-cell versions.

Is memory foam good for back pain?

Memory foam has a reputation for helping people with back pain, neck pain and other pain-related conditions such as fibromyalgia, because it softens and moulds to support the body.

Is memory foam safe for babies and young children?

No. It is not recommended to let babies and young children sleep on memory foam, as they are less able to turn themselves over. For the same reason it is not a good option for parents who co-sleep with babies or young children. It is fine for older children and adults.

Is memory foam good for allergies?

Memory foam may be more resistant to harbouring dust mites than traditional bedding such as spring mattresses and feather pillows. Dust mites are a known allergen for sensitive individuals.