We all have likely slept on mattresses our entire lives. Mattresses on the floor, mattresses in beds, mattresses in other people’s homes, and even in a mattress in a box. But how many of us know just what goes into a mattress and how mattresses work? What makes them so comfortable, so much fun to bounce around on, and so wonderful to sleep in?

Well, much like ogres and onions, mattresses have layers and these layers are designed to both support you when you sleep, and they are designed to keep you comfortable. Here are some of the layers that ensure that you get a good nights sleep every single time you lay down on a mattress!

The Support Layer

This layer rests on the bottom of the mattress and can be made up of several different materials depending on the type of mattress you purchase. Some might be made of coils which are designed to flex with your movements and adapt as you sleep through the night. Others might include a layer of foam at the bottom which is designed to provide soft and supportive firmness.

The firmness of the layers are what you need to focus on whenever you are using your mattress, especially as the mattress gets older. If you lay down in your mattress and find that you are sinking and sagging into the bed, then you need to replace the mattress right away.

The Comfort Layer

This layer helps the mattress feel comfortable to lay in and also makes sure that the mattress itself is comfortable to the touch. These layers are designed to conform to your body and give you some support as well. Interspring mattresses will rest against the springy coils of a spring mattress, and they will ensure that you are able to rest on top of the coils comfortably.

Memory foam can also be a comfort layer that is designed to soften when exposed to heat (such as the heat of your body lying on top of the mattress). You will sink ino the memory foam layer as your pressure points are massaged and cradled, and you can also be assured that it will adapt as you move around in the bed.

While many memory foam mattresses have some form of cooling technology to keep you cool while you sleep, the foam can get a bit stuffy if two sleepers are resting together.

Mattress Covers

Finally, all of these mattress layers are placed inside of an outer cover amde from cotton, wool, or polyester, which is designed to protect the layers from debris, and also to increase the temperature and the airflow between all of the layers.