Hello all- just wondering if anybody has some suggestions for my first DIY build.
I bought a lousy Allswell mattress (way too firm for me) a few months ago. I got a refund for the purchase, and the things is still sitting around (they told me to just throw it out rather than return it to them). I have decided that I could cut it open, get rid of the poly foam in the mattress, and then just keep the individual pocketed coils layer, and put some new layers on top.
I have an old wool mattress cover laying around from a previous mattress I had years ago that can cover a 10 inch mattress, so I figured I’ll make use of that as well!
The allswell coils total 6 inches, so I have about 4 inches to work with. I was thinking of getting 1 layer of memory foam, and 1 layer of talalay latex. If I put the latex on top of the memory foam, would that work? I was thinking 1 inch of latex on top of 3 of memory foam. Does anybody think I would need some kind of firmer “transition” layer in between the memory foam layer and the pocketed coils??
I plan on trying to just have fun with this project, above all. I have had plenty of miserable mattress purchasing experiences over the last 4-5 years, and I don’t want to turn this into one of those types of experiences. If I buy a latex or foam layer for this project and it doesn’t work out…oh well,! At least I am enjoying a good DIY experience and not taking the bait of buying (and returning) yet another mattress.
This is a great approach to a DIY! I think your spirit of adventure will prove successful in creating your best custom fit.
Yes, this would work. Why do you want to layer them that way, any particular thought process? (I’ve seen people do memory foam atop latex and vice versa, but I’m always interested to know what drives a person to make the decision). 1" of latex might be kind of hard to find, but not impossible! A softer 2" layer atop a medium/firmer 2" memory foam layer may be easier to find. I don’t know your height/weight/sleeping position(s) so I couldn’t say for sure if 4" would be enough for you in particular, but it is generally enough for most people.
Hi Nikki. Thanks for your welcome and your response!
I’m 5’11, 175 lbs male,. I’ve got a bit of a “bony” build. I’m a combination of a side sleeper/back sleeper. I really like the option of being able to sleep on both side and back, but that has presented difficulties in terms of mattress satisfaction. I need the softness for sleeping on my side, but the margin of error for also being able to sleep on my back seems slim. If it’s too soft, I wake up stiff and twisted like a pretzel. On a firm mattress, I have a hard time falling asleep.and staying asleep. That’s a far more miserable experience (and one I’d like to avoid) then my softer mattress experience.
As for your question about the layers: I tried a casper wave mattress once and liked it, so I thought I might try to imitate it. That mattress has 1.5 layer of latex over 1.5 of memory foam(with a high resiliency foam below that, which I could also throw in there instead of 3 inches of memory foam).
Additionally, I tend to sleep deeply on memory foam. I tried a latex topper once, and it was a little firm for me (though I’ve never tried talalay latex), so I’m hesitant to go overboard with the latex. I would be concerned about losing the pressure relief that my body seems to require to fall asleep if I moved away from foam. I feel like the latex may mitigate some of the postural/alignment concerns, though, so I definitely would like to integrate it into this DIY somehow. That’s why the DIY is appealing in the first place, I can mess around with it and try to adjust as needed, as opposed to buying and having to return (yet another) mattress.
Given your build, I’d say 3 - 4" is likely plenty foam in the comfort layer to get you the support and comfort you need.
The upside to your DIY adventure is that you can try the latex atop the memory foam and vice versa to see which you prefer on top which is so nice. DIYs are so flexible!
Do you know the firmness you’re aiming for for your top and middle layers already?
Agreed! It’s great to have flexibility. Just have to get layers that are returnable, in the case that it doesn’t work out.
I was thinking 14 ILD for the talalay latex. I really don’t want something too fir. I’m also thinking 2 inches latex to 2 foam now, instead of the original 3 to 1.
Might check out Magic Sleeper Mattress in Pottstown Pennsylvania this weekend to try a few of their mattresses for information gathering. They’re a trusted TMU partner, I’ll let them know I found them thru TMU!
It went well. Mark at Magic Sleeper was very helpful. I ended up ordering 1 inch of soft poly foam and 2 inches of memory foam from him (he also told me the story of Phoenix and TMU, which I appreciated!).
I also purchased 2 inches of 28ild talalay from Latex Mattress factory. The plan is for that to go over the coils and serve as the transition layer.
Hoping it feels good, but in all honesty somewhat expecting it to be a little too firm (due to the coils pushing upwards). Looking to be ready to adjust as needed.
