Brainstorm on uses for old mattresses and boxspringsHow to Buy an Eco Friendly Mattress Flickr/Agent Magenta/CC BY 2.0This is a guest post from Yo Yehudi, who is somewhat of an expert on mattresses having worked with Mattress Online one of the UK’s leading Mattress Suppliers for a number of years.What to look for in an “Eco-Friendly” Mattress? If you’re looking to get a new mattress, but want to minimize your impact on the environment, you may have a tricky task ahead. A few obvious drawbacks can’t be entirely avoided (transport of a large item, for example), but many can be mitigated or reduced through careful shopping. The not so good: Beds and mattresses are large -- and typically, the better quality they are, the heavier and thicker they are, meaning there’ll be a lot of carbon-emission generating transport.Easiest solution: Try a roll-up mattress.These mattresses can be either pure foam or a mix of foam and springs -- but until you open the vacuum-packaging, they’re very compact and much easier to transport.
Of course, with fire retardant chemicals and VOCs thrown into the mix, this raises another quandary, but if you are going to purchase a foam mattress anyway, roll ups are going to be more transport-friendly, regardless.Similarly, several flat-packed bedframes can be transported in the same amount of space as a single large box spring. As Treehugger has pointed out before, eco-credentials aren’t regulated well, so take ‘green’ claims with a grain of salt and read into them carefully.Materials on the Market: fort: Usually pretty good at easing pressure spots, but can retain built up-body heat.Eco-Friendly?: Avoid memory foam if possible. Latex provides similar comfort properties and may be more eco-friendly.2. Flickr/WildSingapore/CC BY 2.0Not all latexes are alike. Natural latexes are sustainably made from Hevea Brasiliensis (Rubber Tree) sap, while synthetic latex is made from petrochemicals. Cheaper latexes tend to be a blend of synthetic and natural latex, and manufacturers claim it lasts longer."
Dunlop” and “Talalay” refers to the manufacturing method rather than the natural latex content, but 100% natural latex using either method is considered high-end and tends to be expensive.Durability-wise, have a look at this video for a great Talalay vs Dunlop face-off!Comfort: Similar to memory foam, but a lot of people say it doesn’t have the same ‘hot’ feeling that memory foam has.Eco-Friendly?: Check specific products to see if it’s 100% natural or a blend.3. Wool, Cashmere, Silk, Mohair, Horsehair, and Pashmina Flickr/Christine McIntosh/CC BY 2.0These are all ‘premium’ natural animal fibres, so may be unsuitable for vegans or vegetarians.fort: May compact over time, but down to individual taste. Some natural hair mattresses have been reported to shed!Eco-Friendly?: They're not chemical-based, but livestock contribute to global warming too.4. fort: may compact over time unlike resilient foams.Eco-Friendly?: One of the better choices, if it’s organic. Avoid non-organic due to high chemical/pesticide levels.
Recycling your old mattress Recycled mattresses are broken down to component level -- metal springs, wooden bits from box springs, upholstery, foams, etc. Some dedicated recyclers are able to do this -- try Earth 911 to find one in your area, or if your mattress is still in a good shape, you could always try Freecycle or Craigslist.Which grocery store food grains and seeds will definitely NOT germinate due to processing?Boat Mattress & Custom Sailboat Mattress Enjoy all the comforts of a real mattress on your boat with one of our custom made foam mattresses! You can select from genuine PostureSense memory foam, Natural Latex, an all natural foam used in our organic mattresses, or our sailboat mattress foam. Boat mattresses made from any of these premium foams can be constructed with a firm supportive base layer that offers proper spinal support, and a softer contouring top "comfort" layer that increases circulation, resulting in a deeper, more restful night's sleep. These foam mattresses come with excellent warranties and can last 20 years or more without losing (more than 10%) firmness or forming depressions.
We can help you design and customize a boat mattress that will offer years of comfort and deep sleep. The thickness of a boat mattress is often restricted to 4"–6" (10–15 cm) and will often serve the dual purposes of sleeping and sitting. Therefore, the best performing, and most comfortable, option involves the combination of a firm, supportive base layer that is usually 3" (8 cm) topped with a comfort layer of 2"–3" of higher quality softer foam. At your request, we will bond the layers together to prevent shifting.Perhaps your boat mattress is too hard or just old and in need of some upgrading. In that case, try one of our foam toppers. We can customize any standard sized mattress topper for an extra $10–$25 labor (simply make this request by using the "Add comments" link found in the shopping cart). This cut-to-size option is important since it is often less expensive to order a standard sized foam cut down to size. This particularly applies to our natural latex foam and memory foam toppers.
If you are unsure of the best option, please contact us. We are happy to help you create the most economical solution.Sunbrella Spectrum Dove #48032-0000 with matching cording (larger image)Sunbrella Spectrum Dove #48032-0000with matching cording (larger image) Bulk Foam PurchasesOur upholstery foam page sells raw foam sheets for any v berth mattress at a substantial discount to custom cut pieces. It's worth comparing prices. For memory foam and natural latex foams visit our foam toppers page and natural foam pages. Also check our clearance section. Price Quotes & Ordering: To generate a quote, all you need are your dimensions and to pick (click on) a shape below. Keep reading below for more great information on making a wonderful boat mattress. If you have questions or need help, please call one of our product specialists at (415) 503-1188 to help assist you in building the boat mattress of your dreams! Latex is a certified 100% natural boat mattress foam and resistant to mold and mildew.
Memory foam is a great top layer for comfort but needs to be used with firm bottom foam for support. Both memory foam and conventional foam cost less than natural latex, but are synthetically derived byproducts from oil. You can also browse discounted boat mattress foams in our clearance section. Boat mattress V berths often need a hinge to allow easy access to the storage below. Our bi-fold hinge mattress provides a simple solution. Our more luxurious hinge option is a quilted top that covers the split in the foam beneath. Preparing a Pattern Shape: Most cushions do not require a pattern if they match one of the shapes above. However, if you want us to design a mattress to fit your boat, you will need to prepare a pattern for us to work from. Take a minute and review how your existing cushions look. This is your chance to correct any gaps and make improvements. Using pattern paper or fabric, simply cut the pattern to the exact size desired. A pattern drawn with precision will result in a more exact fitting cushion.
(For local customers we'll come and template every cushion needed for a $150 fee.) Please indicate the top of the pattern by writing "This side up." Indicate which side(s) should be used for zipper placement and stripe direction. Large v berths and cushions should have a zipper on three sides to make it easier to insert the foam cushion. We recommend placing the zipper on the side facing the boat hull, not under the cushion. This placement hides the zipper from view and prevents it from buckling. You have several options for a pattern ... To place an order, all you need are the largest dimensions (thickness, length, and width) from your old boat mattress or custom shape. Enter the dimensions into our pattern shape. We have the ability to bevel the edge of your boat mattress to match the contour of your boat. Enter the dimensions of the top (larger dimensions). Read our directions for a beveled edge ... Save Money on Your V-Berth Boat Mattress: You can cut foam for a v-berth mattress using less foam.
If you were to simply cut your boat mattress pattern from a large block of foam it would look like this. We sell foam by volume, so using less foam will cost less. You can save foam and cost by laying the v-berth mattress pattern out like this. You must use the larger top pattern if there is a bevel. The center cut out will be seamed together. Separate each half of the v-berth mattress pattern by 1.5". In this example, the finished cut marine mattress foam looks like this. You can see a bevel was done as well. Prevent Wrinkles in the Cover: Fabrics commonly found on older boats were so heavy that you didn't need to worry about visible wrinkles in the material. New fabrics, such as Sunbrella® and Suede, are thinner and show wrinkles. Read about ways to reduce wrinkles ... Ventilate Your Boat Mattress: Add a layer of polyester batting to the bottom of the foam to add a layer of ventilation. This will help prevent the growth of mold. You can select this option during the process.
Sunbrella® is our most popular marine mattress fabric line. Sunbrella® is not susceptible to fading and comes in wonderful upholstery textures like chenille, jacquard, linen, and canvas. Browse this line by choosing a shape above and entering sizes. This 2" thick boat mattress case is a wonderful feeling product. The fabric is polyester quilted with 2" of polyester fiber and 1" of latex foam (after quilting it totals 2" in thickness). This boat mattress case is so heavy it will hide the feel of a hinge in a folding V berth mattress. Under heavy use this case will last 15 years. It is warranted to not form depressions in excess of 3/4". This fabric is thick and soft, and feels like boat mattress material should. It is a machine-washable, poly/cotton blended fabric called a double knit. It is so thick that it will help hide the split if you need a hinge in your berth. We sew matching Sunbrella® to the bottom and hull side of each cover. It will not form a body depression or dip over time.
Boat interiors are frequently moist. This moisture gets trapped between your mattress and the platform below. To help avoid problems with mold or mildew, air your mattresses or cushions outside in the sun every couple of days, but don't remove the covers.When you are not using your boat, store your mattresses vertically in the aisle. For added protection, you can sprinkle anti-fungal powder (found at most drug stores to treat conditions like athletes foot) on the platforms below your boat mattress, as well as on the bottom side of your marine mattress. Most foams may be exchanged if you don't like the density you have chosen. See exact details during checkout. While ordering your boat mattress, you'll have the option to add cording. For the 2- and 3-piece v berth consider adding the comment: "cording should go on the edges and not the center pieces." You may feel the cording in the middle if it's present. Marine mattress material should be good quality. A v berth mattress has the shape of a "V" and is used as a sail boat mattress.