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How to Create a Mattress

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
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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.