What Goes Into A Mattress? Mattress Fillings & More | Dreams

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What goes inside a mattress?

Last updated: February 2024

Here at Dreams we stock a wide range of mattresses so that every type of sleeper has plenty of choice. Our high-quality mattresses are made with various types of fillings, each selected for the different benefits they can offer. If you’ve ever wondered what goes inside a mattress, this article will reveal all.

The three most common layers in a mattress

• Support
• Comfort
• Cover

1. The support layer

The support layer of a mattresses makes up the core and sits beneath the comfort and cover layers. This is where the support for your spine is upheld, along with helping the comfort layers to distribute your body weight. Support layers are most often made from springs or foam.

Springs

Either made with traditional or pocket springs, this type of support layer helps to hold your body up from edge to edge.

Foam

A foam support layer is usually high in density for extra strength and durability. They are also often made with hypoallergenic properties.

2. The comfort layer

The comfort layer forms the middle section of the mattress – the part that gives you cushioning and luxuriousness. If your mattress is double sided, you’ll get two comfort layers on either side of the mattress. Comfort layers are most often made from memory foam, latex, gel, natural, or synthetic fibres.

Memory foam

Memory foam is what gives you a soothing, sinking-in feeling when you relax into the comfort layer. It adjusts to the contours of your body for pressure relief.

Natural

There are many different types of natural fillings, but our most popular comfort layer fibres include: cotton, silk, wool, mohair, hemp and cashmere. Fibres such as these contain natural temperature-regulating properties and luxurious softness.

Latex

Latex is a natural material that’s responsive, hypoallergenic, resistant to mould, mildew and even dust mites. It also helps ease pressure points.

Gel

Our Gel mattresses contain a comfort foam layer that’s infused with gel for a cooling experience and a relaxing sinking-in feeling.

Synthetic

Synthetic comfort layers are mostly made of polyester. Polyester is our budget friendly option but with great durability, breathability, and it can be recycled too.

3. The cover

The cover layer of a mattress makes up the top layer – the sleeping surface. Covers are typically hardwearing yet soft to the touch and can sometimes be removed for machine washing.

Damask covers

A majority of our mattresses are finished with a Belgian damask cover that’s made from viscose. This plant-based material is breathable and woven with a soft-to-the-touch finish that doesn’t bobble or stretch.

Knitted covers

Knitted mattress cover provide a cosy and soft finish with breathability at the same time, thanks to the open-weave structure.

Cover finishes

These extras provide added comfort and durability.

Quilted

Quilting provides a soft and tactile finish that’s smooth to sleep on.

Handtufted

This traditional method of finishing a mattress ensures that the layers remain in tact and aligned. It also gives the mattress a bouncy, contoured finish. Tufting pulls together each layer throughout the mattress and then binds it at the top, usually with a fabric petal.

Pillow top

Some of our more high-end mattresses come with an added layer – a pillow top. This is a cushioned piece on top of the mattress for extra luxuriousness.

Compare mattress types

This helpful guide will show you the key differences between our popular mattress types and which type is best for you.

What is memory foam?

Considering a memory foam mattress? Our most common questions are answered here.

Which mattress is best for your sleeping position?

Choosing which mattress is best suited to you depends on your sleeping position. Discover the most comfortable mattress for you.

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