All Latex Mattress - Mattress Protector affecting feel?

[phoenix]

Hi wssviper,

I don’t really understand much about the mattress protectors, but can they really change how a mattress feels significantly?

Yes … I’m not sure of the specifics of your protector but based on your description it appears to be one of the thinner membrane type of protectors. A protector can certainly can change the feel of a mattress … some more than others … but the post you referred to has more information about how each one can affect the feel of a mattress.

I don’t want to order a new mattress protector and find out it too affects the feel of the Latex and is making it softer.

As dn mentioned … a mattress protector will normally be somewhat “neutral” or make a mattress feel firmer not softer because thicker protectors can reduce the ability of the latex to contour to your body to some degree and protectors that are less stretchy and fit tightly across the surface can create a “drum effect” on the mattress surface both of which most people would perceive as feeling firmer. I don’t know why you would perceive the mattress as feeling softer with the protector because this certainly isn’t the norm but what each person feels on a mattress can be unique so the “why” isn’t as important as the fact that you do. As dn also mentioned your sheets can also play a role in how a mattress “feels”.

Of course if your protector is more of a mattress pad (that is padded with foam or fiber) than a thinner protector then this could explain why it feels softer to you but I suspect that this isn’t the case with your protector.

What would you recommend doing? Should I buy a recommended mattress protector from Post #89 (one of the three types) and try to see if it still feels the same as without the protector? OR should I go ahead with the exchanging it with the firm mattress?

You already seem to have one of the three types (the thin membrane type although it may be helpful if you could link to the details of your protector). Is the surface stretchy at all or does it have any padding? I would probably tend to sleep on your mattress for a little longer (about 30 days if possible) so you can go through the initial break in and adjustment period which would give you a better sense of what may need to change in your mattress if after than it’s still too soft or if you are having any pressure or alignment symptoms on the mattress (or even if it’s just the “feel” you want to change). Typically the type of thin membrane protector that you have will not have as much effect on the feel of the mattress as it seems to have for you so I’m not sure if you would feel the same thing with another type of protector that is similar.

If it does turn out to be too soft after 30 days or so and you have pressure or alignment symptoms (or still don’t like the “feel”) then it would make sense to exchange it for a firmer version if that’s an option that is available to you.

I purchased a platform bed with slats installed 3" apart. In the store, I had tried the mattress on a KD Foundation with slats 2" apart. Is there any chance that may be contributing to the feel of the mattress at home and possible any variance in the feel there?

It would depend on how much the slats were bending in comparison to each other but if they were both rigid and non flexing foundations then this would normally have less effect than some of the other factors that can affect the firmness/softness of a mattress. You could always try the mattress on the floor which is the firmest possible support surface and doesn’t flex at all to see if it makes any significant difference compared to your platform bed which would help you identify any effect your platform bed is having and then decide what to do accordingly.

@ The_brooke,

Please correct me if I am wrong, but isn’t one of the benefits of latex that you don’t really need a mattress protector (i.e. it’s very durable)?

As dn mentioned … a mattress protector is to protect the mattress and keep the sleeping surface clean and hygienic as well as to make sure you don’t invalidate the warranty with a stain on your mattress. While latex is a very durable material … it’s always a good idea to use a protector on a mattress. There are also some things that can soften or break down latex prematurely (you can see a list of them here)

Phoenix