please help w/ DIY mattress
Nov 28, 2009 4:18 PM
Joined: Nov 28, 2009
Points: 5
I've been reading and reading these forums, what a wonderful group of people here!  I hope some will be willing to give me some advice and knowledge.  I have a 3.5 yr old S bed.  It sags and is extremely uncomfortable.  We put a folded blanket under the sag months ago, bought a (latex I think) topper, and we've again reached the point of not sleeping well.  I'm 5'5 130 lbs (and growing for the next 8 months or so ) normally a side and stomach sleeper, and DP is 6'2 150 lbs side and maybe back sleeper.  I have some back problems.  I'm seen flobeds and sleep like a bear and others.  As much as I agree with the great policies and product, it's just not in my price range.  No bed is actually in my price range and due to several other factors, they won't be months from now either, plus we're hurting too much to wait much longer.

I'm looking at the 7" extra firm M grade foam from overnightmattress as a starting point.  I like their return policy and the price.  But what is M-grade?  What does it mean in terms of firmness?  Would I be better or comparable with the Lux from foamdistributing?

Is the 7" M grade enough for the base?  Is it possibly enough to get a 2 inch latex topper from Foam by Mail then the 1" topper I already have and this might be enough to start?

Last set of questions - can we test this out on the floor or the current box spring, then if it works buy or build our foundation?

I realize this is a very trial and error thing and everyone is different, but I need to start somewhere and I'm getting overwhelmed.  Also considering mattress surgery on our guest bed, which we are assuming has at least a chance of the springs not being shot.  However, DIY projects move VERY slowly in our household, so no telling when that will be done (or even started).

Thanks so much for any advice!
Re: please help w/ DIY mattress
Reply #1 Nov 29, 2009 3:46 AM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
My advice: take an exacto knife and cut off the top of the guest bed, and then order the foam you need (2x 1" latex and one x 1" soft latex) and then put them on. Then, if that doesn't work, you already have your overnightmattress toppers and you can order that 7" core.

I did some research on M-Grade foam and the foam MANUFACTURER out here on the west coast (Carpenter) has never even heard of it. It must come from a strictly east coast supplier and/or a very small supplier. In any case I tried it and it is excellent foam. I can't say how long it will last but I found that it felt very good, better than HR foam, imho. You have nothing to lose with overnightmattress.com IF you keep the mattress squeaky clean. If you return it, go over it with a fine tooth comb. They will charge you if they even find one hair on it. But I think it's something like 10-15% - read their return policy. However, they did return mine and I found them reasonable to deal with. So you really can't go wrong if you are just careful to keep it clean. I'd put a fitted sheet over it and LEAVE it over it the entire time you have it, maybe even one on each side so it has total protection from hair or other things that tend to stick to foam, on both sides.

Once you have the foam toppers for your pre-op mattress, it really only takes about 30-45 min. to cut it open. Then it's a really easy matter of just pulling out the old foam and putting in the new. Whole job only takes about an hour!

http://www.whatsthebest-mattress.com/forum/mattress-surgery-performing-foam-ectomy-my-englander-mattress-w-photos/6161-A-1.html
When you look at this thread make sure you click "ALL" so you see ALL the posts, including the slide show and link to posts of others' surgeries.
Good luck!
This message was modified Nov 29, 2009 by jimsocal
Re: please help w/ DIY mattress
Reply #2 Nov 29, 2009 9:06 PM
Joined: Nov 28, 2009
Points: 5
jimsocal wrote:
My advice: take an exacto knife and cut off the top of the guest bed, and then order the foam you need (2x 1" latex and one x 1" soft latex) and then put them on. Then, if that doesn't work, you already have your overnightmattress toppers and you can order that 7" core.

Thank you Jim, this sounds like a good plan.  As I said to DP this morning - it's not like there won't be another sale at overnightmattress, right?  And we do have 2 cats so keeping something that clean is difficult to say the least.  I think pet hair is somehow attracted immediately to any surface that is not already affected by it!

My only question is where you say 2x 1" latex .... would that be 2 sheets of 1" *firm* latex?
Re: please help w/ DIY mattress
Reply #3 Nov 30, 2009 3:11 AM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
What you want to do is buy various ILD's or firmnesses of latex in 1" thickness so that you can vary them to try to get the right adjustment for you and your husband.
Example: 1" latex at 28-32ILD (medium), one 1" latex at 36-40ILD (firm) and 1" latex at 18-22ILD soft.
That way you can use one of those, 2 of those or all 3 of those, the firm on the bottom, the firm in the middle, etc. to get just the right firmness. You could get by with just buying 2 layers of 1" (like one 32ILD and one 22ILD) but if you can afford the extra layer it will give you more to work with to get it right. My idea is to get the maximum choice of firmness layers.
This message was modified Nov 30, 2009 by jimsocal
Re: please help w/ DIY mattress
Reply #4 Nov 30, 2009 9:54 PM
Joined: Nov 28, 2009
Points: 5
Oh, I see, thanks so much!