Car seat cushion
A substantial part of your day is spent in the seated position at home and at your workplace. Some hours are also spent at the steering wheel or in the passenger seats of a vehicle. After spending time in your car, you must have felt a bit stiff, with a few aches here and there. To provide you with a more comfortable ride, there are a variety of car seat cushions. However, you cannot just go and buy any cushion that catches your eye. Remember that you need one that will help relive aches and pains.
Buying & Using A Car Seat Cushion
In the first place, it should be suitable for the activity you bought it for in the first place, that is, driving. Don?t simply use the cushion of your favorite rocking chair for your car seat! You car seat is bucket-shaped and requires a cushion that moulds into it snugly.
You should select the car seat cushion that is just right for your height as well as weight. A heavyweight person will cause the cushion foam to squash up, so such a person needs a thicker cushion than a lightweight individual. A tall person will require a seat cushion with a higher backrest than a shorter individual.
If your car seat has a lot of depth that more or less makes you sink downwards, you need to sit on a cushion to raise yourself. However, you should ensure that subsequently you are not banging your head on the car ceiling! More important, you should not be struggling to get your feet to reach for the pedals.
It is advisable to buy a half-roll support for driving to give you good support for the lumbar region.
A car seat cushion for one vehicle may not necessarily be ideal for another vehicle.
As far as possible, avoid buying a backseat cushion with a bulky frame. You will merely end up staggering around with it, and quite likely end up with the backache that you wished to avoid in the first place!
For those cushions that require straps, you need to check the straps regularly for wear and tear.
Check the warranty features of the cushion you select and confirm that you can return it if it is not the right fitting one.
Now let us have a look at what is available in the market.
Wedges
Foam wedges can be used to help you out with those awkward gaps that are created between the lowest point of your back and the car seat. A foam wedge fits firmly within this curved angle, thereby closing the gap. These wedges are useful for the comfort of other occupants in the car, too, and not just the driver. Prices could start at around $20, increasing with the size required.
Orthopedic Seat Cushion
This foam cushion is designed to reduce pressure placed on your tailbone. There is a U-shaped cutout at the back section, over which the tailbone is suspended. A 13x16 cushion costs less than $40. A smaller variety can cost up to $20.
Thermo-sensitive Seat Cushion
This cushion is designed to reduce pressure on your spine. The foam cushioning supports your back and extends all the way upwards, to the back of your neck. You need to strap it to your car seat. The price could be around $60.
Wide back Support Cushion
This cushion is designed for an individual with a wide back. It is an S-shaped cushion that supports your entire back and generally comes with an extra pad to support the lumbar region. This pad is removable. It costs less than $100. You can also opt for a similar S-shaped cushion with a high back.
Cushion for Extended Sitting
This cushion is designed to support your entire body weight in an equitable way, without putting pressure on any particular point. It provides major support to the pelvis region. You can place it by itself or attach it to the backrest of your car seat. A 2x17could cost less than $80
Swivel Seat Cushion
This cushion is designed to enable you to turn around in your car seat at any angle, without discomfort to the back or hips. An innovative roller mechanism in it prevents the seat from getting bent. It costs around $30.
G-Seat Cushion
This cushion is made from polyurethane gel with a foam base. It has a groove to reduce pressure on the tailbone and the wedge design provides support to the lumbar region. It costs about $60.
Maintenance Tips
Regularly wipe down the car seat cushion with a dry cloth to remove dust and sweaty spots from accumulating.
While washing, use a sponge to gently scrub it down. Don?t just dunk it in a bucketful of soapy water.
If you are not going to use the car for quite some time, store the cushions away in a dry place.
Ensure that the foam has not become lumpy, which will cause considerable discomfort.
Don?t forget to wash the car seat cushion covers! These can generally be washed in the machine, but confirm this on purchase.
It is true that the fluffiness of a car seat cushion can get flattened over a period of time. However, with good maintenance it can definitely survive most of the year.
Besides the obvious comfort reason, a car seat cushion has additional advantages.
It can be easily carried around.
It fits snugly to the shape of the seat
Just remember: your first choice should be the right choice!
Other links
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