# Memory Foam mattresses and box springs

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-foam-mattresses-and-box-springs/592583>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 13, 2011, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-foam-mattresses-and-box-springs/592583 "2011-08-13T17:10:08Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 7\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-foam-mattresses-and-box-springs/592583/1 "2011-08-13T17:10:08Z")

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My mother wants a memory foam mattress for Christmas.

When I got mine, I bought a platform bed for it - no box springs.

Can Mom use her existing frame and box springs, and just put the new mattress on top?

Or do I need to get her a platform bed too?

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**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-foam-mattresses-and-box-springs/592583/2 "2011-08-13T17:22:26Z")

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According to [this surely non-neutral “blog,”](http://www.myluxurymattress.com/blog/memory-foam-mattress-no-box-spring) a memory foam mattress “cannot do its job” properly on top of a box spring.

I’d say, since you are experienced with how it feels on a platform, install it on the box spring and see if it seems “right” to you, then consider getting a platform or other foundation.

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**Author:** ![postcards](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/8e8cbc/32.png) [@postcards](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/postcards)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-foam-mattresses-and-box-springs/592583/3 "2011-08-13T18:08:50Z")

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My Tem-r-pedic sits on my original boxspring. Works just fine.

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**Author:** ![chaoticbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@chaoticbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chaoticbear)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-foam-mattresses-and-box-springs/592583/4 "2011-08-13T21:11:43Z")

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I just got some plywood cut to size to put where the boxspring previously went on my bed. It’s working fine. My roommate’s mattress is on a boxspring, and it is also working fine. I think as long as the mattress is sufficiently thick, you won’t notice a difference.

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**Author:** ![FoundWaldo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dfb087/32.png) [@FoundWaldo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoundWaldo)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2011, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-foam-mattresses-and-box-springs/592583/5 "2011-08-13T23:16:48Z")

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We’ve had a foam mattress on a box spring for several years with no problems.

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**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\
**Post date:** [December 8, 2011, 11:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-foam-mattresses-and-box-springs/592583/6 "2011-12-08T23:33:16Z")

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Got the mattress set up and Mom loves it. The box spring does not seem to be an issue, as far as I can tell.

Thanks for all the replies.

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**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\
**Post date:** [November 2, 2012, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/memory-foam-mattresses-and-box-springs/592583/8 "2012-11-02T11:03:49Z")

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Zombie spammer \*\*reported \*\*so a mod can shoot it in the head.