Feeling the cold on your memory foam mattress but don’t know if you will damage it by using an electric blanket?
Although using an electric blanket occassionally is unlikely to permanently damage your memory foam mattress, it will prevent your mattress from moulding properly to your body and may cause issues in the long term.
There are also certain types of heated blanket that you should never use on a memory foam mattress, and others that are perfectly fine to use. Read on to discover which is which!
See also our article on the question, can you use a heated blanket on an air mattress?
Will an electric blanket damage a memory foam mattress?
Memory foam mattresses have become increasingly popular in recent years, as people have become more aware of the benefits they offer. One of the key features of a memory foam mattress is that it moulds to the shape of your body, providing support and comfort. This is due to the fact that memory foam is designed to soften when it comes into contact with body heat.
An electric blanket will prevent this from happening as it provides an artificial source of heat, meaning that the memory foam will not soften and will not be able to mould to your body. Over time, this can cause the memory foam to lose its shape and support, making it less comfortable to sleep on.
In addition, the heat from an electric blanket can make the memory foam mattress hotter to sleep on, which some people may find uncomfortable.
So, while an electric blanket won’t damage your mattress in the short-term, it’s not something that we would recommend using on a memory foam mattress in the long-term.
If you do decide to use an electric blanket with a memory foam mattress, it is important to take measures to protect the mattress. Firstly, make sure that the electric blanket is not placed directly on top of the memory foam as this could damage the material. Secondly, consider using a thin sheet or blanket between the electric blanket and the memory foam mattress to help protect it. Finally, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully and do not exceed the recommended settings for your particular electric blanket. By taking these precautions, you can help to ensure that your memory foam mattress is not damaged by the use of an electric blanket.
Also remember never to try to dry a mattress fast by putting an electric blanket on it, as this can become a hazard.
Fitted heated mattress pads should never be used on a memory foam mattress
If you have a memory foam mattress then you should never use a fitted electric blanket or mattress pad on top of it as this will both heat the mattress and prevent it from expanding. Fully fitted electric blankets are therefore likely to damage the memory foam much more quickly than other types of electric blankets.
Can you use an electric over blanket with a memory foam mattress?
Although a heating pad on top of the mattress is not recommended, if you are really feeling the cold and want some additional heat in your bed, using a heated over blanket will provide some gentle heat for your body without doing damage to your mattress, as it does not provide as much direct contact between the heating elements and the mattress.
These electric blankets generally give off less heat than heated mattress pads as they are designed to be used directly against your body. However, you should still be careful with using any type of electric blankets on memory foam mattresses as long term heat will still soften the mattress where it comes into contact, preventing the mattress from maintaining the shape of your body.
Can you put an electric blanket on top of a memory foam topper?
Just like you shouldn’t use an electric blanket on your memory foam mattress, you also shouldn’t use it on a memory foam topper. This is because memory foam mattress toppers are designed to react to your body heat and allow your body to sink into the topper where the heat softens it. Using a heating pad on the mattress topper will prevent the topper from reacting to your body temperature and will eventually damage the memory foam material.
Does heat ruin memory foam?
Memory foam works by reacting to body heat and gently softening as a response to that heat. Your body weight then sinks into the softer heated parts of the mattress, whilst the cooler parts remain harder. This allows the memory foam to mould to your body shape.
If you use heated blankets or even a hot water bottle then the memory foam material will soften in areas that you don’t want them to. Over time, the direct heat from the blanket can actually damage the fabric of the memory foam by breaking it down, preventing it from bouncing back in the way that it should and shortening the lifespan of your mattress.
Conclusion: Will an electric blanket damage a memory foam mattress?
Electric blankets can damage memory foam mattresses in the long term by breaking down the material and causing it to lose its shape. In the short term, electric blankets can also prevent the memory foam from moulding to your body as it is designed to do. If you do use an electric blanket with a memory foam mattress, it is important to take precautions such as using a thin sheet or blanket between the electric blanket and the memory foam mattress to help protect it. You should also carefully follow the manufacturer’s instructions and not exceed the recommended settings for your particular electric blanket.