Homemade Memory Foam Bed – Now Two Years Old
















This little do-it-yourself homemade memory foam bed of mine is now 2 years old. I thought I would give a little update on how it has worked out and how it is holding up. So far It has held up exceptionally well with no signs at all of the memory foam sagging or losing its shape. Below are pictures I took today. There has been a little fading of the color in the center of the top mattress but it is hardly noticeable and has had no effect on its performance.

Homemade Memory Foam Bed – Now Two Years Old

Homemade Memroy Foam Bed-Two Years Old

From the below view you can see there has been no sagging after two years of use.

Homemade Memory Foam Bed – Now Two Years Old

Homemade Memory Foam Bed - Two Years Old - side view

Homemade Memory Foam Bed – no zip cover

One change I have made over time is to get rid of the the zip up mattress cover that held all the layers together as one piece. When I first put this mattress together I was certain a zip up mattress cover was absolutely necessary since these four foam layers were not glued together. Over time I felt the mattress cover was actually interfering with the full action of the memory foam. When I would lay directly on the bare memory foam it felt like it was conforming to the shape of my body much more effectively than when it had a tight fitting zip up mattress cover around it all. Like a trampoline mat pulls from the sides, the zip up mattress cover seemed to be pulling more from the edges of the mattress.

So I took off the mattress cover and instead simply draped a cotton velour sheet over it as shown in the below picture. This is how I have been using this mattress. Is this a good idea? Will it have any impact on the life of the mattress? I am not really sure. All I know is I like it a lot more than when a mattress cover was around it all. I feel I am getting the full effect of the memory foam and I think it makes the mattress even more comfortable. And I have never really had any issues with the layers slipping out of place. Occasionally I have to scoot it up tight to the headboard but that is all.

Homemade Memory Foam Bed – Now Two Years Old

Homemade Memory Foam Bed - cover

Homemade Memory Foam Bed – alternate mattress arrangement

One advantage to having a mattress like this is you can experiment with different arrangements of the layers to test what suits you personally. I realized I never did experiment with this so I thought I would try the following arrangement as shown in the picture below. Starting this month I have removed the 4.5 PCF (pounds per cubic foot) mattress and instead will now sleep with just the 5.5 PCF memory foam as the top layer.

Higher density memory foam seems to be the case for the premium high end mattresses so I want to experience the difference for myself. Having slept for two years with the 4.5 PCF layer on top I will now sleep with just the 5.5 PCF on top. I will post my experience with this after having tested it for at least a good month or two. I have heard that Tempur Pedic now makes a 7 PCF memory foam mattress, so there must be some advantage to these higher density memory foam mattresses.

Homemade Memory Foam Bed – Now Two Years Old

Homemade Memory Foam Bed - alternate arrangement

I have only one regret throughout my experience with this homemade memory foam bed project – had I known how well it would have worked out, how well at relieving my problem with morning back pain – I would have made a more elaborate and better looking headboard, because it does look like this bed is going to last a long time. On the other hand, for a quick inexpensive do-it-yourself home project, you can’t beat it for the price.

Update:

I have now been sleeping with just the three layers (4 inch conventional foam, followed by 2 1/2 inch eggcrate foam, and lastly the 3 inches of 5.5 PCF memory foam) for about 6 months now, with the fourth top layer of 2 inches of 4.5 PCF memory foam removed.

I have to admit, I like the 5.5 PCF memory better than having the 4.5 PCF memory foam layer on top of it. I would say the lower density memory foams are probably best used just for toppers or for children who weigh less than 100 pounds. For adults who are over 100 pounds, and especially if you sleep 2 to a bed, 5.5 PCF memory foam at a minimum is the way to go.

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