[Expert-supervised] What makes a breathable mattress different? Features and how to choose one

To keep your mattress comfortable and hygienic, it needs to be highly breathable. However, Japan's climate is humid, and the rising temperatures in summer can make you sweat easily.

• "I wake up in the middle of the night because I get hot easily..."
• "I'm worried about mold on my mattress because I sweat so much."

This page is for those who are concerned about the above, and will introduce the characteristics of breathable mattresses, recommended mattresses and bed frames, and other moisture prevention measures.

If you are looking to choose a mattress with good breathability, please read to the end.

[Author introduction]

Senior Sleep Health Instructor (No. 733). An expert on mattresses and sleep. Purchases and tries out over 50 mattresses a year. Helps many people choose bedding and mattresses from the perspective of sleep quality and QOL. →Good Sleep Hacks

When choosing a mattress, you should pay attention to the following points:

• Does it have a durability that is commensurate with the price?
• Is the mattress elastic enough to allow you to turn over easily?
• Can you maintain a natural sleeping position?
• Whether you like it, are used to it, or can use it without any discomfort
• Has it been designed to be easy to store?
• Is it breathable enough to be used comfortably and hygienically?

Just as important as durability and comfort is breathability. While mattresses can be made less stuffy with sheets and mattress pads, some heat and moisture will still build up inside the mattress.

If you use a mattress that is not breathable, it can cause you to feel stuffy and uncomfortable, or it can make you feel hot and wake up in the middle of the night, disrupting your sleep.

In addition, heat and humidity trapped inside can cause the mattress to wear out, the coils to rust, and mold to form, which is detrimental in terms of its lifespan.

Therefore, it is important to choose a mattress that is highly breathable to allow heat and moisture to escape as much as possible.

To choose a breathable mattress, check the following points:

1. Types of filling that contain a lot of air
2. Inner material processing to enhance breathability
3. Highly functional fillings
4. Cover material and fabric with excellent moisture absorption and release properties
5. Ventilation holes to let out internal heat

We will now explain the above five points in detail.

There are various types of fillings used in mattresses, and each type has different breathability. Please refer to the following for information on the types of fillings that have good breathability.

△: Not so good, ○: Good, ◎: Very good

We will explain in detail the breathability of each type of filling and the reasons for this.

Bonnell coil mattresses are known for their breathability.

Coil mattresses are relatively breathable, but bonnell coils are especially breathable because the springs in a bonnell coil mattress are connected in a continuous fashion, with hollow spaces between the coils.

The airflow through the cavity allows for excellent ventilation. However, because the coils are padded with urethane foam, it is necessary to take measures against mold, even though the airflow is good.

Pocket coils are also more breathable than urethane materials, but they are slightly less breathable than bonnell coils.

Unlike bonnell coil mattresses, which have all the coils connected together, pocket coil mattresses have coils that are individually wrapped in nonwoven fabric and spread throughout the mattress.

Because it is wrapped in nonwoven fabric, it has less breathability than bonnell coils. Also, just like bonnell coils, you need to take care to prevent moisture and mold from building up in the filling.

Prime Support Hybrid Mattress, Pocket Coil, Low Rebound, 33cm

A hybrid mattress is a mattress that combines several materials, such as low-resilience and high-resilience. The disadvantages of each material can be covered by the other material, resulting in a more comfortable sleep.

In the case of hybrid mattresses, breathability varies depending on the types of materials combined. However, because the hybrid structure is used to take advantage of various functions, most tend to be relatively breathable.

It is recommended that you check the product page and choose a mattress whose inner material has been treated to increase breathability.

Memory foam mattresses are not very breathable. While memory foam mattresses are known for their ability to fit snugly to the body, they also have the disadvantage of reducing the number of times you turn over in your sleep.

When you turn over less in your sleep, moisture tends to accumulate in one place. Urethane is a high-density material that is inherently poor at breathing, and once moisture accumulates in one place, it can no longer be released.

[Expert-supervised] How to choose a mattress → Click here!

Urethane, which is neither low-resilience nor high-resilience, is often used in inexpensive mattresses. Because of their low price, they often lack functionality such as resilience and fit.

Regular urethane is often used as the base layer for thick urethane mattresses, but be aware that the thicker it is, the more difficult it is to prevent moisture.

High-resilience urethane (high elasticity) is slightly more breathable than low-resilience urethane. However, the urethane material itself is not very breathable, so overall it is not very breathable.

Unlike coil mattresses, there are not many cavities in the material, so breathability is inevitably poor. This is especially true if the outer fabric is 100% polyester.

If you want a urethane mattress that is breathable, it is best to choose one with an "open cell structure" where the air bubbles are connected and allow air to pass through easily.

Latex is a material made from the sap extracted from rubber trees. It has the softness and elasticity that is characteristic of rubber, and is gaining popularity mainly in Europe.

Latex material is not very breathable. Synthetic latex, which has a lower percentage of natural rubber, is particularly less breathable than 100% natural latex.

Although the material itself is not very breathable, most latex mattresses have countless tiny holes called "pinholes" that allow air to pass through, so they are designed to maintain breathability, although not as much as coil mattresses.

Fiber is a material made by solidifying resins such as polyethylene and polyester. It is made using the same technology used to make fishing line, and looks like a complex tangle of fishing line.

Its three-dimensional structure creates a lot of space, making it the most breathable mattress material. Its breathability is so good that some people find it a little cold in the winter.

Cheap mattresses, in particular, tend to be colder due to their low density. Due to the nature of the material, they are not suitable for use with hot water bottles or electric blankets, as they are not resistant to high heat.

In the case of materials with poor breathability, the following treatments may be applied:

This processing not only improves the breathability of the mattress, but also helps to release heat that tends to build up inside.

In addition to breathability, you can also expect a good fit and relief from pressure points. For example, whole-cut mattresses allow you to adjust the amount of sinking depending on the area, which will help distribute body pressure evenly and allow you to sleep comfortably.

The "filling" of a mattress is mainly used in coil mattresses, and refers to the "material stuffed between the springs and the cover" to prevent the spring feeling from being transmitted to the body.

The materials used for filling are usually urethane foam or cotton. The type and quality of the filling material will affect the breathability of the mattress.

Some mattresses use polyester filling, which has excellent antibacterial, deodorizing, and dust mite-resistant properties. (Polyester filling is polyester fiber processed into filling, and has some cushioning properties.)

Coil mattresses that use high-performance fillings generally have better breathability.

The moisture absorption and release properties can be improved by changing the cover material and fabric. We will explain the cover materials and fabrics that have excellent moisture absorption and release properties.

The main materials used for mattress covers are:

△: Not so good, ○: Good, ◎: Very good

Cotton is a material with excellent moisture absorption. It is not very good at releasing moisture, but it feels nice against the skin and makes for a comfortable sleep. However, it is not often used as a cover material.

Rayon is a material with excellent moisture absorption and release properties. It is soft and feels good against the skin. It is also reasonably priced, so it is often used as a cover material.

Polyester is the most commonly used material for mattress covers. It feels nice against the skin, but it has poor moisture absorption and release properties. If you are looking for a comfortable sleep, it is better to choose a material other than polyester.

Next, regarding the mattress fabric, the different types of fabric are summarized below.

Among the above fabrics, mesh is the most breathable. Even covers made of polyester, which is not breathable, can have good breathability due to their mesh structure.

However, mesh does not absorb sweat well, so it is best to avoid using mesh on the parts that come into contact with your skin. Some mattresses only have mesh on the bottom or the back of the cover.

Also, although breathability is not the primary purpose of quilted fabric, it makes you feel less stuffy.

"Ventilation holes," also known as ventilators, are holes on the sides of the mattress. They are small, about the size of a button, but they help improve ventilation in the lateral direction.

This is a processing method that is often used in coil mattresses in particular, and is often seen in high-end mattresses.

The Air-Flow design used in ZINUS GreenTea Luxe improves breathability by creating small ventilation holes in the foam.

Another feature is that the fabric is made of breathable knit fabric. The jacquard woven cover is soft and breathable, and is also highly durable. This will eliminate the problems of poor breathability, such as stuffiness and discomfort when sleeping.

It's not only breathable, but also has excellent fit. The body is divided into seven zones, and each zone is made of a material with the appropriate firmness. This fine zoning allows you to sleep comfortably without any gaps.

This mattress is recommended for those who want both premium comfort and breathability.

For more information on ZINUS "GreenTea Luxe," click here

To improve the breathability of your mattress, it is essential to use a bed frame. If you place the mattress on the floor without a bed frame, the moisture trapped in the mattress will not escape, which can lead to mold and dust mites.

Here we will explain about breathable bed frames.

Wanda Upholstered Bed Frame with Headboard and Ottoman Storage, 36cm

To improve ventilation, we recommend a slatted bed frame. The part where the mattress is placed is made of slats, which allows for excellent ventilation.

The slats reduce the area that the mattress touches and allow air to flow, allowing moisture that accumulates inside the mattress to be released through the gaps in the slats.

Wooden slatted bed frames are common, but recently resin-coated slatted bed frames have also become available.

Here are two recommended bed frames:

ZINUS's "Lottie Bed Frame Fabric with Short Headboard" is a bed frame that not only has a slatted base for good breathability, but also has a quilted headboard that creates a modern atmosphere.

The headboard is not too large, so you can use the space in the room more spaciously. The floorboards are made of wooden slats, which allows for excellent breathability. Furthermore, it is highly durable, so you can use it for a long time.

Click here for details on the ZINUS "Lottie Fabric Bed Frame with Short Headboard"

The ZINUS Suzanne bed frame has a headboard made from a brown wooden board combined with a black painted steel frame, giving the whole piece a refined look.

Like the previous bed frame, the floor is made of wooden slats, which are highly breathable, making it comfortable to sleep on even during humid seasons.

For more information on the ZINUS "Suzanne Bed Frame, Steel & Wood, with Headboard, 18cm" click here

A breathable mattress is important, but subsequent care and maintenance are also very important.

From here, we will explain five moisture prevention measures other than using a bed frame.

Heat and moisture that gets inside the mattress or on the bottom is difficult to escape, so you need to stand the mattress up regularly to allow it to ventilate.

If you have a thick mattress, ideally you should lean it against the wall once a week, or at least once every two weeks. If you have a foldable mattress or other mattress that can be placed on the floor, it's best to stand it up every day to let it air out.

Also, if the weather is good, we recommend putting screens on the windows to improve ventilation.

After waking up, your body is still hot and humid due to the long period of sleep.

If you leave the duvet covering the entire bed, it will be difficult for heat and moisture to escape, so it is recommended that you lightly fold the duvet and place it next to your pillow.

However, it is preferable to allow the duvet itself to breathe, so if you have a large space, spread it out in another place instead of folding it.

Dehumidifying the room itself is also a very effective method on humid days such as during the rainy season.

By using an air conditioner or dehumidifier to keep the humidity at around 40-50%, you can create a comfortable environment for both the mattress and your body.

Mattress pads and dehumidifying sheets are effective dehumidifiers with minimal maintenance.

A mattress pad is a piece of bedding that is placed on top of a mattress to absorb sweat, while a dehumidifying sheet is a piece of bedding that is mainly placed under a mattress to absorb moisture.

It is also relatively inexpensive to purchase, making it cost-effective.

A futon dryer is also effective in preventing moisture from building up in your mattress.

Simply insert the futon dryer between the mattress and duvet as usual and turn it on to use heat to dry out the moisture inside the mattress.
However, it will become very hot, so please be careful if you are using a mattress material that is sensitive to heat.

We've explained mattress breathability from various angles. Moisture is the enemy of mattresses. It can lead to mold and dust mites, as well as cause mattress wear. It can also make your mattress feel stuffy and uncomfortable to sleep on.

Therefore, it is important to look carefully at the material and cover fabric and choose a mattress that is breathable. Try to find a mattress that suits you by considering not only comfort but also breathability and durability.

In addition to choosing a mattress with good breathability, proper maintenance is also important for long-term comfort. Be sure to incorporate the moisture prevention measures explained on this page to extend the life of your mattress.