How to Create a Mattress

Homemade mattresses are comfortable and inexpensive.

Traditional mattresses are doused with flame-retardant chemicals and can house a variety of allergens such as dust mites or dander. To avoid these problems, homeowners can create their own mattresses. Creating a mattress allows you to make a bed of your preferred firmness, out of your preferred materials. Once you create the mattress, you can easily disassemble it and change out the materials for more comfortable or weather-appropriate ones.

Things You'll Need

• 3-inch latex slab
• Memory foam or eggcrate foam
• Knife
• Mattress topper
• Mattress cover

Instructions

1. Lay a 3-inch thick slab of latex on the flat surface where the bed will go, such as the floor or bed platform. Latex is available in a variety of firmness levels, so select the one that suits your mattress needs.

2. Top the layer of latex with a piece of memory foam or eggcrate foam. Lay the foam on top of the latex base. Use a sharp knife to cut the piece of foam so it is the same size as the base.

3. Lay a mattress topper on the foam layer. You can use cotton, wool or down for a mattress topper.

4. Cover the layers with a fitted mattress cover. Pull the elastic ends of the cover over the layers and tuck it under the latex slab.

References

• How to Make a Memory Foam Bed: Visco Elastic Foam Mattress -- Make Your Own
• Apartment Therapy: How To: Make Your Own Mattress