For the first post in this series, click here:
Replacement Tips for Your Mattress Pt. 1: It’s Too Old!

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Tip 2. It’s Difficult To Move

Stay mindful of movement on your memory foam

Unless you have a proclivity for sleeping in a bean bag chair, most people expect their mattress to be solid enough for them to climb in and out of without issue, while offering enough cushion for a comfortable sleep. But as previously stated, we use our mattresses so often, it’s hard to notice any perceivable change from one night to the next. If you begin to notice you’re having difficulty moving freely in your bed, problems getting out or getting comfortable, or you’re forced into the same spot every night, your mattress isn’t providing the performance it should.

Over months and years, the areas on a mattress that have to support our bodies will receive much more use than unused areas. This will stress those spots more, and cause them to lose support more quickly. This is a particular issue for people who sleep in the same spot in the same position every night or move very little during the night. It is likely to be even more noticeable if you share a bed with a partner. You may enjoy sleeping close to your partner, but you probably don’t want your bed pressing you together at the bottom of a low spot. Also, if even the slightest movements are enough to wake or disturb your partner, your mattress is losing its resilience. A solid mattress shouldn’t make you feel like you’re on a waterbed when you or your partner moves.

These areas of constant use will eventually lose their resiliency and support, softening and sagging. As this happens, the mattress won’t be able to provide the firmness and pressure support you need to roll, turn or prop yourself up and out of bed, instead caving against the slightest amount of pressure. The areas of stronger support around the worn spot will continue to push you into the soft area, as it provides the least resistance against your weight, possibly even forcing you into the same position every night in extreme cases. The inability to find your most comfortable position can lead to uncomfortable pressure points or numbness, the inability to fall asleep, or restless sleep during the night. So if getting out of bed matches your morning workout in terms of exertion, it’s time to get a new mattress.

Check back Tuesday for the next post in our mattress replacement tip series!

And just as we grow, change and age, our mattresses do the same. No matter how much you pay or what materials are used, a mattress will never last forever while providing a quality sleeping experience. However, many people overlook their mattresses as something that will eventually wear out. This is unfortunate, because a worn-out mattress or one that isn’t right for you can have a major impact on your life, during both your sleeping and waking hours. Having the right mattress, on the other hand, can make a huge difference, from giving you more energy to waking up free of discomfort.

For some people who have never experienced a mattress that’s right for their body, they may think tossing and turning is just the way things are. Perhaps you’ve been debating whether you should invest in a new mattress but aren’t sure if it’s what you need. Maybe you’ve never considered the impact of a new mattress on your life. Whether you fall under any of these categories or have your own set of sleeping issues or questions, we here at Foam Factory have created a series of suggestions to help you decide if it’s time to get a new mattress and the best sleep of your life.

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Tip 1. It’s Old

Custom Layered Comfort

Do you wake up in the same bed you did during college, or even worse, the one you grew up with? Were you the recipient of a mattress, given to you by parents, relatives or friends after they invested in their own new bed? Do you have to break out a calculator to figure out when you purchased your current mattress? If you answered “Yes” to any of these questions, consider buying a new bed.

You should be looking to replace your mattress approximately every seven years. This may seem like overkill, since an old mattress may look and feel fine despite its advancing years. But for perspective, imagine seeing someone every day for 10 years. More than likely, you aren’t going to notice as a wrinkle or gray hair appears. Now imagine running into that same person after not seeing them for 10 years. Their changes since your last point of reference would be dramatic; you may not even recognize them! A mattress works similarly. You sleep on it every day and may not notice as it loses a sliver of comfort and support every few weeks. But imagine you bought two identical mattresses, slept on one every day for a decade and never used the other. The second you climbed into the unused bed after spending 10 years in the other, you would immediately notice the wear the daily-use mattress went though.  Mattresses are going to wear out, and there is no way around it.

Some mattresses will hold up very well over their lifetime and can even extend up to the 10 year mark based on their quality, the user, and his or her sleeping patterns. On the flip side, a mattress may fail in as little as four or five. But even mattresses that remain structurally sound can become a breeding ground for dust mites and other organisms that survive and accumulate in mattresses. Even in a comfortable and supportive mattress, their presence can be an irritant that keeps you awake or prevents you from getting your best sleep.  Because of that, 10 years is generally regarded as the ceiling for a mattress’ life, given the deterioration factors that add up over the years.  Be they innersprings, water or airbeds, latex or memory foam or fiber-stuffed pads, all bedding materials will eventually wear out. Clothes wear out, cars wear out and we’ve all seen furniture like couches or futons wear out. Now you know beds wear out too, so be sure to replace yours like you would any other product past its prime.

For the next posts in our series, click here:
Replacement Tips for Your Mattress Pt. 2: You Can’t Move!

Poly Open-Cell Packaging Foam

There are standards for practically every material used in manufacturing, each one different depending on the industry and the traits of materials being used and created. Some organizations have purchasing power and needs large enough to create their own set of material definitions, with one such group being the United States Department of Defense. Given the importance of the products they use, they utilize their own highly regimented system to establish exactly what is needed so orders can be right the first time, every time. One of these regimented standards is MIL-PRF-26514, a governmental listing that pertains to rigid and flexible polyurethane foam for product packing materials.

While they are often referred to in blanket terms as standards, there are variances in what each regulation means and what it covers. There are actual “standards,” the most widely-recognized regulations, as well as lesser known regulations such as specifications, product specifications and more. MIL-PRF-26514 is a foam performance specification, detailing the functional requirements and use guidelines for the materials or products desired. This is opposed to engineering or technical requirements which are their own type of regulation and cover different material aspects.

While all are very detailed documents due to the importance of materials being ordered as well as the often large-scale size of the order, they can help even a casual observer understand and interpret a product’s characteristics through a standard’s listed requirements.

With MIL-PRF-26514, polyurethane foam sheet materials, also widely known as open-cell foam, are the material being covered. There are two types of this material included in the performance specification; Type I foam, basic polyurethane foam, and Type III, specially formulated anti-static foam. A Type II classification formerly existed but revisions to the regulation eliminated the need for this classification. To avoid the confusion of changing one classification’s title to mean what another once did, Types I and III remained the same for the sake of continuity moving forward.

Beneath each Type specification, two Classes are listed. This tiered-style of classification is common in standards regardless of the industry, because it provides an easy-to-follow, yes or no methodology to answering product questions. Class 1 materials are rigid polyurethane foam, also able to be thought of as non-resilient materials. An example would be flower foam, a material that yields to pressure without returning to its original form after pressure is removed. Class 2 materials are flexible polyurethanes, which are the classic, squishy foam materials you think of being used in chair and couch cushions. These compress for comfort but return to their original form when pressure is released. The performance standard also includes another subsection for classification. For example, Class 2 materials have a restriction on the tolerable amount of compression creep that can occur in the material.

Custom-Cut Charcoal Packaging Foam

The final stipulation for MIL-PRF-26514 is Grade. Grade breaks down the materials into color segments, depending on the Type of material being evaluated. Type I standard foam’s Class A material is blue, Class B green and Class C is charcoal foam. For Type III anti-static foam, Class A material is yellow, Class B red and Class C brown.

Having this sort of regimented structure simplifies transactions for both the buyer and the seller of foam packaging by reducing margin for error and providing both parties with the same basis of reference. A material simply will or will not qualify for a stated Type, Class or Grade. This not only prevents incorrect materials being sold intentionally, it also prevents accidental sale of a material that doesn’t meet a specification, which saves both parties time, hassle and money. This kind of coding also allows easier storage and inventory to be kept, as materials can be classified and stocked in the same way they will eventually be sold. Requests for materials often follow specifications so, for example, an individual may request a Type I, Class 2, Grade C Material. Because of the standard, the purchaser knows exactly how to ask for what they want (a standard, flexible, charcoal polyurethane foam), and the seller knows exactly what is being requested, as well as where to find it.

This article is a summary of an in-depth military performance specification, intended only to give readers a general overview of a highly-detailed document. It does not cover every aspect of the specification and should not be treated as such. There are many performance and engineering requirements within the standard that must also be met before a material is fully compliant.

Bed Bridge's Deep, Space-Filling Wedge

Manufactured from soft but supportive open-cell poly foam, Foam Factory bed bridges are inserted in the gap between two side-by-side mattresses to create a smooth surface that doubles a mattress’ width. With a 78 inch length, a bed bridge can have the three excess inches trimmed off for twin-size mattresses, while it will fill all but 2 inches of the gap in XL-length beds. The wedge that extends into the gap between the two beds is 3-1/4 inches long and tapers at its end, ensuring that the gap is filled with enough material to prevent sagging, but not so much that a bulge forms in its place. To ensure a comfortable, gentle transition from mattress surface to the bed bridge, the product is 10 inches wide from top to bottom. By spanning the edges of the mattresses, the bridge creates a more natural surface feeling, rather than feeling like a plug with a different feel and firmness was inserted. A custom-size mattress can even be created by combining two different mattress sizes.

With large mattresses, prices can extend into the thousands of dollars, while creating a large bed with two twin mattresses and Foam Factory’s bed bridge can translate to huge savings. In almost every case, purchasing two twin mattresses plus a Foam Factory bed bridge will be cheaper than purchasing a company’s similarly sized king-size mattress. Having extra room to stretch out can make the difference between a restful night’s sleep and an evening spent tossing and turning. The comfort and cost benefits a bed bridge provides to an individual, while major, increase 10 fold for individuals who share beds with a partner.

One of the biggest issues for couples who share a sleeping surface is the difference in opinion as to what constitutes a comfortable mattress. There isn’t a right or wrong answer since it isn’t really a personal decision, as your body dictates what it likes and what it doesn’t. One person may get their best sleep on a super-soft pillow top mattress, while another may prefer an ultra-firm surface. This can lead to compromises as both parties sacrifice comfort to please their partner. This is a noble thing to do, but in truth, nobody wins when neither person is having their comfort and support needs met. This lack of rest can put a strain on the relationship, as well as have a negative impact on overall health, since you aren’t getting your best sleep. Couples who have been unable to find a balance that satisfies both people frequently switch to a two-bed system that, while providing the right surface for good sleep, sacrifices the closeness they may desire. A foam bed bridge is able to solve all of these issues.

Two completely different mattress styles can be placed side-by-side, and by using the bed bridge to join them, are transformed into a single bed that provides each person the comfort they need without separating them. Dual-comfort beds have been created, particularly using air mattress technology, that combine bed types into a single mattress. However, these mattresses cost thousands of dollars and still feature a middle seam with the same lack of transition between the two sections. For hundreds of dollars less, two individual mattresses can be bought along with a bed bridge foam wedge to meld them into one, for economical, custom comfort.

Foam Factory’s bed bridges can be used on any mattress type, not just foam. For water beds, innerspring and air mattresses, bridges can be placed directly on the mattress, and covered with your sheets, pads and toppers. Bridges can also be placed on top of an individual mattress’ bedding and covered only with the top sheet encasing the two forms. With these mattress materials, use can be dictated by what an individual finds to be the most comfortable. With foam beds however, Foam Factory suggests keeping a sheet or mattress pad layer between the foam body of the mattresses and the bed bridge. The foam mattress and bed wedge generate foam-on-foam friction through normal use and can cause either material to break down prematurely. By simply keeping a fabric layer over the mattress as a buffer between the two forms, this issue is negated.

Gentle Bed Bridge Taper

Bridged mattresses are usually able to be held together by using snug, fitted sheets that wrap both mattresses at once. For people who still feel their two beds aren’t secure enough under sheets, a ratchet strap wrapped around the outside edge of your bed can hold the two forms snugly in place.* To prevent damage to the bedding, a strap should only be tight enough to keep the two beds from moving apart without visibly squeezing their shape.

Whether you’ve decided it’s about time you got to stretch out and relax in bed or if you and your partner have tried everything under the sun to give you both the sleep surface you need, a bed bridge from Foam Factory is the affordable, common-sense solution.

*Note: It is important not to over-tighten straps as this can damage a mattress of any material. This is especially important with foam mattresses, as over-tightening can compact the corners of mattresses affecting the fit of sheets, or even cut into a foam core if severely over-tightened. Foam Factory suggests using straps no smaller than 3 inches in width to evenly spread pressure along the edge of the foam.

As people focus more on their health with fun, exciting ways to stay active, rock climbing has become a particularly popular recreational activity over the last few decades. As the number of people participating in this hobby increases, it makes sense that the potential for injuries is greater than ever before, based solely on numbers. Combining that increasing number of climbers with their inexperience, it’s not hard to see why injuries connected to this activity are on the climb as well.

Lux-R Crash Pad Core

Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to enjoy yourself while staying safe as you take on the challenge. The simplest and first step to take in rock or wall climbing is to give yourself plenty of time to get used to even the most basic climbs and to always practice with others, while listening to the advice of more experienced climbers. This is more common sense than anything, though it can prevent a majority of accidents. When you’re prepared to take on a greater commitment to climbing, one of the first things that should be done is to add fall protection equipment to your gear, in the form of a crash pad. These protective cushions are made from layers of foam, allowing a bouldering crash pad to provide a forgiving surface that softens tumbles and reduces the chance for broken bones, bruises and sprains. Fall pads can be expensive however, especially for people still deciding how involved they want to become in their new hobby. For these people who enjoy climbing but also like not breaking the bank (or their bones), Foam Factory, Inc. has the foam materials to assist in the construction of your own individualized crash pad.

Climbing is not a one-size-fits-all activity, so the creation of your own do-it-yourself pad is often a sensible decision. Every climber has their own preferences in climbing, so it only makes sense that they have their own requirements for what they need in a cushioning fall pad as well. Foam Factory’s inventory of open and closed-cell foam materials provide a broad selection of feels and support to help you create a crash pad that fits your exact specifications.

Made from layers of cushioning material with both closed and open-cell foam in their construction, crash pads combine foam types to achieve a balance of stability and cushion for climbers. The use of multiple types of safety foam is necessary to the performance of the product. Combining closed and open-cell foam provides a pad that functions much more safely than a pad made of any single material.

Tumble pads often stick to the same basics in design, with variations based upon a climber’s preferences and usage style. The typical design of a pad entails a 1 or 2 inch thick section of closed-cell foam layered atop 2, 3 or 4 inches of shock absorbing open-cell foam. Occasionally, designs add a third layer of closed-cell foam on the bottom to protect the pad against terrain and add height.  The materials used in each layer are where the customization of bouldering pads takes place.

Closed-cell top layers in crash pads are imperative because of the stability they provide in a landing, combined with the dissipation of energy from the fall. That stability of closed-cell foam and foam rubber is important because many falls are controlled falls. When you are prepared to fall, you want a surface you can land on feet-first, without rolling ankles. The firmness of the closed-cell layer provides that while still having enough give to make these controlled falls easier on your joints.  Polyethylene foam is the most popular foam material for this use. Resilient and shock absorbing, it easily handles the weight of a climber without giving them a jarring impact. It spreads the impact force through the material, so the material lasts longer as well. Polyethylene can be cut in solid thicknesses from ¼ of an inch up to two inches and sheets of polyethylene foam can be laminated together to create thicker, custom sections. Foam Factory suggests 2.2 pound density for all-around performance at a great value, but high density foam varieties are also always available with values of 4, 6 and 9 pounds in-stock. Lighter, 1.7 pound density is also available for individuals looking to create different material combinations. Sheets are offered in dimensions of 54 by 24 inches, 108 by 24 inches and 108 by 48 inches.  For an extra-firm top layer, gym rubber is also available in a variety of sizes and thicknesses.

Beneath the pad’s top layer is the section that provides the majority of a pad’s thickness as well as the cushion that provides safety from higher falls. Open-cell cushion foam making up the main body of the crash pad is a necessity, not only for protection when attempting climbs to greater heights, but also for the cushion it provides in unplanned, out of control falls from any height. The firmness of closed-cell foam provides stability, but on its own, it may not be enough to prevent injury in an unplanned fall. The thicker open-cell foam padding in the interior of a bouldering mat is what handles heavy impacts and makes the difference between waking up sore and possibly waking up in the hospital.

To handle falling, full-body weight in repetition, the open-cell interior must be firm enough to support that weight while still having the yield to provide the cushioning it is designed for. Old foam, used foam or even new foam that isn’t strong enough can open the possibility of bottoming out, which carries the same consequence of not having any pad, since you are falling through the cushion to the first resistive surface; i.e.: the ground.

Gray Gym Rubber Landing Layer

To strike that balance of softness and strength, Foam Factory suggests Lux-Regular foam for its ability to stay firm under compression, while cushioning rough landings. Lux-Regular is available in solid sections from ¼ of an inch up to 8 inches and comes in sheets 82 inches wide with lengths of 24, 36 and 76 inches available depending on thickness. While you wouldn’t want a material too soft to protect against a fall, overcompensating with a foam that is too firm can also be a problem. The inability to cushion and absorb makes for a landing area too similar to the ground you’re trying to avoid falling on. Foam like Lux-Regular is the right blend of resilient firmness and cushioning softness with the durability to last and give you safer bouldering falls. In addition to Lux-Regular, Foam Factory also stocks Dryfast foam, a material designed to drain water and resist bacterial, mold and mildew growth that is soft enough for cushioning protection. For extra prevention against rolled ankles and wrists, foam can be tapered or beveled to combat potential injuries caused by abrupt mat edges.

Climbing and bouldering can be exhilarating and challenging and is a great way to stay active. However, safety still needs to be the most important factor when climbing, no matter what. To help you get the most out of your climbs, Foam Factory’s materials will help you create a covered foam crash pad tailored to your exact needs.

NOTE: This information is provided at your own risk. Foam Factory is not responsible for injury, death or loss arising out of the use or misuse of our products.

Custom-Cut Foam Gun Case With Eggcrate Lid Liner

One of the first additions to a serious hunter’s repertoire is a hunting blind. These are structures, ranging in scope from shanties to small homes, that conceal movement and noise and allow the hunter to mask themselves much better than if they set up in the open. Whether they’re not much more than a small tent or as ornate as a full-fledged cabin, their purpose remains the same and foam is a product that can help you outfit a blind for the best chance at a successful hunt.

Blinds play a major role in concealing movement, muffling sound and sometimes masking scent if outfitted with the right materials. Even the most basic blinds, homemade or purchased, will be able to mask movement, but noise is often a different issue. If you’ve constructed or installed a permanent blind with solid flooring, your heavy hunting boots can spook prey as you situate or adjust yourself. Nylon fabric blinds can cause a plastic-bag sound underfoot and floorless blinds leave sticks snapping and stones cracking on the ground. Some people put down carpeting in their blinds to avoid this, but brand-new or used, these can carry strong scents and may rot and become rather unappealing. A solution to this is water-resistant, closed-cell foam floor mats.

A sheet of resilient, non-absorbent gym rubber or neoprene floor padding placed on the floor of a blind can muffle any footsteps and movement while providing stable footing to confidently position yourself. Foam Factory can cut either material down to a thickness of 1/8 of an inch for thin noise-deadening rubber floor mats. With permanent blinds, adding some insulating polystyrene foam board can help keep you warmer since you don’t have to tear down and set up every season.

It would be pretty easy to say the most vital equipment to a hunter is his or her firearm or bow, since without one, there isn’t much hunting going on. People spend thousands of dollars on their weapons and accessories, knowing that they can easily last a lifetime if taken care of properly. Routine maintenance and general care goes a long way in keeping a gun or bow around long enough for it to become an heirloom, and the way they are transported is a major part of that. Utilizing foam inserts for a snug fit in a weapon case or bow case is important for ensuring that an item doesn’t get jostled around, damaging itself or damaging other components sharing the case. Because of foam’s compressibility, shock-absorption and softness, it functions as a snug, form-fitting material for keeping hunting weapons in place. Foam Factory stocks open-cell charcoal and Anti-Static foam in styles perfect for outfitting your case.

Bases from 1/2 an inch up to 3 inches provide a solid layer of cushion for your item to lie upon in its casing. For customizing the foam casing to the unique shapes, sizes and layouts that exist, Pick and Pluck foam is the perfect form-fit layer in any protective carrying case. These foam sheets come with pre-scored serrations that allow the user to easily slice or tear away foam to fit the profile of the item that needs storage. Trimming foam to dimensions slightly smaller than the item ensures that it will be held snugly and securely. These pluck and pick foam sections all feature a ½ by ½ inch grid structure to remove foam pieces and can range from ½ an inch to 3 inches in thickness. For deeper materials, multiple layers can be combined and the foam plucked away at different depths for complete 3-D security. Lastly, convoluted/eggcrate topper sheets are manufactured for case lids to serve as a final layer of protection as the case is carried. These eggcrate sheets are available in 1-1/2 or 2-1/2 inch peak varieties. These case foam materials come in three standard sizes; small at 12 by 13 inches, medium at 18 by 20 inches and large at 24 by 26 inches. Custom sizes may also be ordered if needed. Specialty Anti-Static foam is a useful gun foam for moving items with sensitive components as it dissipates any charges generated during transportation.

For waterfowl hunters, one technique that has shown its value over the years is the use of decoys. These floating replicas are used to lure birds into areas for getting off a clear shot. Decoys are readily available for purchase but people have been hand-crafting their own DIY decoys for generations, and the ability to customize decoys to your region and your game offers versatility stores cannot always match. It is often cheaper as well, and the sense of pride in constructing your own is a benefit unto itself. For some people, the creation of these decoys is a hobby just as beloved as the hunting they are made for. Decoys are made from many materials, most commonly wood. However, polystyrene is one alternative material that works for decoy-makers, both new and old.

Charcoal Firm Foam Bow Case Insert

Polystyrene is an incredibly buoyant material and can float easily, even with added weight in the form of a keel or attached movement mechanism, making it great for decoy carving. By purchasing blocks of polystyrene or laminating smaller sheets of the foam together, a raw form is produced that can be trimmed and shaped exactly the way you want. Using handheld hot-wire cutters or carving carefully with sharp detailing knives, custom designs can be sliced out of the foam, which after applying coating, can then be painted for another one-of-a-kind touch. Foam Factory sells four-packs of their 28 by 48 inch foam sheets in thicknesses of 1 to 4 inches and can be ordered in custom sizes as well. Adhesives are also always in stock, specially formulated for bonding polystyrene.

Enjoying the great outdoors, spending time with old friends and family or, conversely, getting some alone time are just a few of the attractions of hunting. And with Foam Factory products, you can make your hunts more enjoyable and hopefully more successful.

Dryfast Foam Draining Water

The way Dryfast outdoor foam is created plays a major role in setting it apart from other materials in the polyurethane industry. Dryfast begins like any other foam, with cellular walls forming panes in what is often a 12-sided geometric figure. Once the basic form is created, one of two processes are applied to the material to create its uniquely wide-open structure. In one, it is put through a chemical process called quenching. In this method, foam passes through a bath of caustic fluid at set and monitored levels of strength, temperature and immersion duration.  The foam is placed in the fluid long enough for it to break down the thin cell walls, also called windows, leaving the main fibrous-looking structure behind. These parts of the foam are called struts. After emerging, the material is rinsed, dried and ready for use. A thermal method is applied in the other way of creating Dryfast, known as zapping. The basic foam form is placed in a vacuum-sealed container, which is then pumped with a formulated mixture of reactive gasses. An ignition or spark is created in this vacuum-sealed space, which creates a fast-moving but controlled flame that passes through the foam almost instantaneously. The flame melts the thin windows, but is not present long enough to melt the struts as well.

While both produce a reticulated foam, the two methods result in slightly different characteristics between the two materials. Quenching the foam eliminates fewer windows and only partially dissolves some of the thicker panes, resulting in a semi-jagged interior. This can retain debris better due to increased material volume, lending it to filtration applications. Zapping produces a cleaner structure, with the fire leaving cleaner struts, as they are essentially melted smooth. This kind of fast dry foam allows the greatest amount of air and fluid movement through the material.

Foam Factory’s Dryfast foams were created through the zapping process, with its smooth struts and nearly no windows left in the form.  This reticulated foam has many uses, like the aforementioned filtration purposes, but can also be used in a manner much like its conventional foam relatives as comfort and support products. Because of this combination of form and function, Dryfast foam excels as  outdoor chair cushions in a patio seat or for pool furniture, as well as in marine foam uses for a boat cushion or sun pad.

Conventional foams are often considered to be spongy, and this is true both in terms of feel and performance. Foam can hold large amounts of water due to its inter-connected cells, with the capillary effect occurring because of their size. This isn’t always a good thing though, as foam retaining moisture can hasten its degradation as it rots and grows mold, mildew and bacteria. This is why waterlogged cushions are a worry of many boaters and why patio seats can have their cushions ruined by being forgotten outside during a single rainstorm.

Dryfast foam thrives where these other materials would fail. With its porosity, water easily passes through, as does air, making for a cushioning material that will not retain water and quickly dries if it is moistened. Foam Factory’s particular kind of Dryfast foam also touts antimicrobial features that help it further stand up to the effects of trapped moisture in the foam. This is vital, because while the foam is designed to easily dry, externalities can quickly affect this ability. Things like wet towels forgotten on a cushion or it being placed on a surface that doesn’t permit drying airflow can keep moisture from having a chance to evaporate. When this occurs, the antimicrobial makeup of Dryfast won’t allow the growth of irritants that can ruin your custom cushions or even a boat mattress if moisture makes its way there.

Dryfast Foam's Cellular Structure

Utilizing Dryfast also ensures cleaner cushions as well. In addition to not harboring irritants, these materials are much easier to clean when necessary. Traditional foams can trap dirt, dust and other particles, even if it is never exposed to moisture. Once these particles get within the catacombs of a polyurethane foam’s structure, you won’t be getting them out. With Dryfast, however, if you begin to notice them getting a little dirty, they are easily cleaned. Simply remove it from its covering (or use waterproof breathable outdoor fabrics like Phifertex or Sunbrella) and give the cushion a soaking rinse with the hose. The pressure and amount of water can force out the grit and dirt through the wide cells in a way rain cannot. Afterward, the cushion only needs to be placed outside or in a well-ventilated area. Drying should not take longer than a day if placed outside, so there is no issue with direct exposure to the sun to help dry the foam. Fans are useful for drying the cushions indoors. These water-resistant qualities make it perfect for wicker chair cushions as well as a settee cushion in an outdoor bench.

The next time a job requires foam, remember that just like us, every type of foam is different. Because of this, there are very few applications at least one type won’t perform well in. If you require a material that can stand up to long-term outdoor use or last in a wet, marine environment, Foam Factory’s Dryfast foam is that one special material made just for the job.

Full-size Lipstick Color Body Pillow

Foam body pillows are intended to provide the support of many pillows in a single flexible, huggable form that stays with you throughout the night. Side sleepers can especially benefit from a body pillow because they help reduce the stress and pressure placed on the shoulders, back, hips and knees created when they aren’t supported.  Even individuals who don’t experience aches or discomfort from sleep enjoy body pillows, as they simply find their oversize cushioning to be the most comfortable way to sleep. In addition to alleviating some aches and pains for every day users, body pillows for pregnant women are often recommended by physicians to help them with balance and support while sleeping.

Full-body pillows provide many health benefits, including reduced stress on the body and improved circulation. While sleeping on their sides, many people’s knees and hips sag, stressing their joints and back. Body pillows can go between the legs and knees and boost the upper body at the same time, putting you in a more natural, comfortable position. That body support makes for a more natural position, reducing pressure points and helping circulation. Some people attempt to simulate this effect with standard pillows, but they often fall away during sleep. Body pillows however, are resilient forms that can support and align all the problem areas of the body simultaneously, with size that helps them stay where they’re needed.

Foam Factory’s body pillows carry many customization options for tailoring a cushion to your exact needs, with choices for size, foam filling and covering fabric. Beginning at their two fully-stuffed standard sizes, 22 inches by 60 inches and 16 inches by 60 inches, these are excellent forms for people who have never tried a body pillow before or don’t require specific dimensions. For those looking for a long pillow tailored to their individual needs, Foam Factory also has the capability to produce custom pillow sizes; longer or shorter, thin, wide and even tapered.

Along with custom sizes, Foam Factory offers options for pillow stuffing for creating the perfect feel in your pillow. Conventional shredded foam provides resilient, body-forming support that will return to shape and size night after night. Shredded memory foam pillows provide luxurious, temperature sensitive support that hugs the contours of your body as you shift in your sleep. Along with the foam filling, shredded polyester fiberfill is also an option for creating a super-soft feel in a body cushion. Fiberfill is perfect for those desiring extra comfort with less need for body support. A unique benefit of the fiberfill body pillow is that the entire product is able to be laundered, as opposed to just the covers with foam-filled pillows.

Medium-Size Fawn-Color Body Pillow

It is those covers that provide an additional dimension of customization for Foam Factory’s body pillows. With options ranging from color and material type to whether they are removable or not, once you’ve selected a pillow that feels perfect, Foam Factory makes it just as easy to ensure that it looks perfect as well. The simplest covering option is a gray and white striped, non-removable, 50/50 cotton and polyester blend. This ticking fabric is durable at an economical price. In nine vibrant colors, the cozy, 100 percent cotton twill covers can either feature a zipper for easy removal or be sewn completely shut. Available in 12 colors, the 100 percent micro-fiber suede covers have the same zipper or closed hem options in a luxurious, attractive fabric. Even black vinyl is available for maximum durability, with the same finishing choices; either zippered or hemmed. To prevent accidentally being scratched or poked by the zippers, they are encased in welting. For those who desire a removable cover, even more customization options are available. A black, fully sewn twill liner can be added to contain the pillow filling for easily washing the outer cover, or it can open directly to the interior filling contents if you anticipate adding or removing foam in the future.

Whether thinking about purchasing a body pillow to help get through a pregnancy, reduce aches and pains from sleep or simply because you find it the most comfortable way to sleep, let Foam Factory help you create the pillow that’s best for you and your life.

Previous posts:
Extend the Life of Your Mattress: Part I – Keep Your Mattress Dry
Extend the Life of Your Mattress: Part II – Keep Your Mattress Covered
Extend the Life of Your Mattress: Part III – Use Your Mattress Like a Mattress
Extend the Life of Your Mattress: Part IV – Support Your Mattress

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Tip #5: Be Gentle With Your Mattress

Sometimes it’s hard to conceive that a mattress, with its size and strength, is relatively delicate. Though a mattress doesn’t need to be treated like fine china, not treating it like a ragdoll can go a long way in boosting its longevity as well. Considering the situations some individuals find themselves in, coupled with what at the time, they consider to be practical ingenuity, the things done to mattresses while trying to move or transport them can border on the ludicrous. It is wise to avoid what may seem like the easiest route when manipulating your mattress, because while the phrase “work smarter, not harder” applies to many situations, in this case, “a little hard work goes a long way,” is much more applicable.

Usually when a brand-new mattress is purchased, it is delivered by the company it was bought from. It is usually accompanied by a couple of movers who bring it into the home and place it in the room where it needs to be. Because this removes the need for your own hand-crafted solution to moving the mattress, the arrival of a bed is rarely when you need to be worried about damaging it. Foam or air mattresses that arrive in condensed packaging are also easy to safely move to their final destination. But when the time comes to flip it, move it to another room or move it to a new home altogether, that is when the majority of physical damage to a mattress occurs.

One of the first mistakes made with mattresses, particularly innerspring mattresses, concerns the use of the handles on the side. Despite popular thought, handles are actually not designed for carrying a mattress. Instead, their purpose is only for positioning the mattress on its foundation. So, before complaining to a manufacturer about handles popping off, if you were doing anything other than adjusting the mattress in its frame, they’ll say it’s your fault and your problem. This also includes the attempted circumvention of stairs in multiple-story homes and apartments by using the handles to hoist it onto a balcony or through a window with ropes. Unless you have a forklift handy to gently place it where it needs to go, you’re better off calling a couple friends and hauling the mattress up the stairs the old-fashioned way.

Other mattress styles offer a little more flexibility in terms of transportation. Foam mattresses, while weighing about the same as traditional varieties due to the solid material consistency, can be manipulated in ways others can’t to get them where they need to go. For instance, a foam mattress can be folded and rolled to transport it, provided caution is taken to not tear the product. The majority of foam mattresses are vacuum sealed for their initial delivery, attesting to their resilience. As long as you don’t use thin straps or ropes that can cut into the foam when tightening or carrying it, foam can be made to fit nearly anywhere. It’s also important to not grab at the mattress by fistfuls or at the corners, given the overall weight of the product. Air mattresses are the most easily transported bedding since they can be deflated, but special care needs to be taken when opening or packaging them, as a single puncture or tear can ruin the entire product. The same goes for waterbeds. Another suggestion is to never use the tag to help carry the mattress. If it tears off and is then lost, the product warranty is voided in many cases.

And with that, our series of suggestions for getting the most life out of your mattress is concluded. Hopefully you didn’t find any of them too difficult. And if you’re able to abide by these suggestions, your effort will be rewarded with a comfortable bed for years to come!

Previous posts:
Extend the Life of Your Mattress: Part I – Keep Your Mattress Dry
Extend the Life of Your Mattress: Part II – Keep Your Mattress Covered
Extend the Life of Your Mattress: Part III – Use Your Mattress Like a Mattress

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Tip #4: Support Your Mattress

A solid foundation is important for any mattress

Just as you expect support from your firm mattress, a mattress should be able to expect a degree of support from you. Be it a box spring, a platform frame or bed slats, having a support system, and one that’s right for your bed, will help retain proper support for years to follow.

With the pressure and weight a comfortable mattress carries every day, it also needs a degree of support to maintain structural integrity over its expected lifetime. A poorly supported bed can bow and sag under its occupant and when placed on the floor, areas supporting the hips and shoulders can’t relieve downward pressure, creating a push back into the user. Every mattress, even with a box spring, should have support that runs across the outer edge of the frame as well as across the body of the mattress. Many mattresses can be supported properly with only head, foot and midsection cross-beams. Properly balanced support is even more important in heavier innerspring mattresses where the weight of the mattress alone can cause bowing. Just using a box spring helps absorb and dissipate the movement and pressure a mattress must endure from its user.

Physically keeping a mattress off the floor, even if you prefer a low bed, is very important as well. Simply being farther away from dust and dirt on the floor improves your air quality while you sleep. One solution to that is a platform queen bed or any other bed size, as this setup doesn’t require a box spring. This bed style has a low profile, and even though they go directly on the bed’s base or slatted frame, a platform mattress isn’t any different than any other kind of mattress. They can even be built to be storage beds to boost their utility. Keeping a bed off the ground, even by a little, makes it more difficult for possible vermin or insects to access you and your bedding. It isn’t a pleasant thought, but it is a reality in some places. Utilizing an elevated support system also provides another benefit, one that people rarely realize until it’s too late.

As stated in our first tip, moisture from your body and the environment can be harbored in a mattress. By using a bed frame system that allows airflow under the mattress, you are helping with the drying process, keeping your mattress usable longer.  Some people who have placed mattresses directly on the floor have gone to flip or reposition them only to find mold and mildew growing on its underside. This can be a result of a handful of factors, but one of the most typical is that mattresses do not have an opportunity to air out when resting directly on the floor. In some homes, moisture can even be drawn out of the floor depending on the environment and conditions present in the building. For basic health reasons, these mattresses must be disposed of.

Using a supportive frame, even a very low one, can permit the necessary airflow under your bed to prevent it from retaining moisture and rotting out from underneath you. Because that’s not something we would want, is it?

For the final post in our series, click here:
Extend the Life of Your Mattress: Part V – Be Gentle With Your Mattress