Home And Gardens

Packaging something for shipping can be as simple as wrapping old newspaper around an item and sending it on its way. Other times, storage and shipping requires a more delicate touch, and the amount of care required is usually tied to the value and fragility of what’s being sent. For situations where run of the mill packing sheets won’t be able to safely get items to where they need to go, DIY pick and pluck foam can give you customized foam packaging without technical expertise.

The usefulness of this foam is a product of its pre-scored, perforated structure that allows the user to easily pull away the ½ inch cubes into a custom shape for the item being shipped. These squares can be sliced away with a knife or cleanly and easily pulled apart by hand without damaging the foam. Mat foam sheets of pick and pluck are made in various thicknesses, whether you need 1 inch foam or 10 inches of foam. The layering of multiple sheets allows you to pick and pluck away different levels of the stack for 360 degrees of protection around an intricate and irregularly shaped item. The only rule to abide by when dealing with pick and pluck is to tear or cut away cubes to a size slightly smaller than the item. This will ensure the foam will compress against the item, holding it in place. This unique material is made in multiple foam densities for customizing your insert to lighter or heavier products and is even made in an anti-static version for protecting delicate electronics.

The level of customization that pick and pluck foam provides for packaging makes it a perfect shipping product  because you can quickly have a one-of-a-kind insert that will safely hold your goods and absorb impact and shock.

When compared to many consumer products, furniture has a relatively long functional life. Because furniture lasts so long, wear is always slow and gradual, making it hard to tell when something is finally beyond use. Instead of realizing things like cushions are starting to age and replacing them proactively, we often have the experience of going to sit down at the end of the day and realizing the couch or chair cushion is way too worn out to be comfortable any longer.

Fortunately, keeping in mind how long particular items should be expected to last can help us avoid a situation where we’re stuck without a good seat in the house. The age of a furniture cushion is the easiest factor to consider. For a cheap seat, the foam materials used are lower quality and will probably need to be replaced in as little as a couple years. Conversely, high quality furniture uses high quality materials, and these foams can last as long as a decade if not abused. Another credible method for assessing your seat cushions and furniture is the eyeball test. Foam is supposed to be full looking and expand against its covers for a plush, overstuffed appearance. If patio or seat cushions look saggy or wrinkly, the foam inside has worn substantially and needs to be replaced.

Making an objective evaluation of the cushion’s feel can be difficult, but it is the most important factor in realizing that they need be replaced. Because wear happens so gradually, we are always used to how a couch or chair feels. The only way to overcome this is by considering how you feel when you’re relaxing on the foam pads, or even how they felt when they were brand-new. If you’re sitting on a couch that was once supportive but is now giving you a sore back, it’s time for replacement. Keeping these tips in mind should help you stay ahead of the game and know when it’s time to get a replacement cushion before your furniture is completely unusable.

It is said technology moves at the speed of light, but sometimes it feels like the everyday things we use and own are often passed over in pursuit of the next world-shattering innovation or discovery. Textiles and fabrics are one area where it sometimes seems like the most recent revelation was the polyester jumpsuit from the 70s. Standing contrary to this belief is microfiber, a utility material that can be used for everything from cleaning, to upholstery, to clothing.

Microfiber, in particular micro suede, is a synthetic material mimicking more expensive and delicate suede leathers. It simulates a feel millions of people love for a fraction of the cost, and provides superior durability and functionality at value. Most popularly used in upholstery as a couch cushion fabric, micro suede can be dyed into any color under the sun, giving you a vibrant couch or a subdued cushion to unwind on. It’s stain resistant and does not discolor, making it a top choice for many selecting patio furniture fabric. It has also become incredibly popular as an alternative to vinyl bean bag covers, which lack the aesthetics many desire and can be uncomfortably hot.

Outside of the comfort and support sphere, many DIY audiophiles and acousticians have found micro suede useful in their builds. Bass traps using fluffy insulation materials can be covered in micro suede to help reduce low frequency issues while covering panels with a fabric that creates a customized, attractive installation in your listening room or workspace. With its durability, micro suede can be dusted or cleaned easily, with nothing more than a lint roller. So if you’re looking for a fabric that combines durability, comfort, and aesthetics, look no further than micro suedes.

Kayaking has become one of the most popular ways to enjoy the water, blending exercise with a new perspective on the world; looking out from the water for once, as opposed to looking out to the water. For the most experienced kayakers, their vessels are like an extension of their bodies. The better the fit, the more control they possess over the kayak, and when done correctly, the more comfortable they are as well. But with kayaks generally formed from generic molds, few people fit perfectly into these cookie-cutter shapes for a perfect fit.

For snug comfort that allows them to kayak better and longer, people have turned to foam materials to customize and form-fit the shells to their bodies, giving them better control and support than a stock shell can alone. One of the biggest parts of a custom kayak is the seat, which dictates how high or low you sit, as well as the angle at which you sit. The seat will impact stability and comfort, and in the wrong position, a ride is unsteady and uncomfortable. Custom seats are often made of blocks of cross-linked polyethylene, an extra-firm foam. This foam 4 inch thick block is easily carved and sanded to meet the contours and support needs of your body. A major benefit of creating your own seat over buying one is that you can test as you go. Feel like you sit a little too far forward? Make an adjustment. The seat’s a bit too tight around the thighs? Trim off a little bit. All sides of the foam can be shaped, so you can carve and sculpt the bottoms as well, to fit tightly in the kayak and give you custom-comfort you would pay 10 times more for from a manufacturer.

Foot, hip, and knee padding is important for kayakers too, for comfort as well as control. A loosely-fitting kayak is more difficult to keep control over in a dangerous situation than one you can adjust with leg and body weight movement. Thinly cut sheets of the closed-cell cross-linked polyethylene can add a cushion that makes a kayak more comfortable, and is easy to trim and cut the way you want. Total outfitting of a kayak will result in better maneuverability, and ultimately, better safety. Having the most control over your kayak possible, while being as comfortable as you have ever been, adds up to the best kayaking experience.

Public seating requires more durability than virtually any other product in the comfort industry. Furnishings like restaurant booths, bar seating, and church pews are roughly and constantly used, but still expected to last for years with minimal maintenance.

While the covering fabrics on seats mainly take aesthetic abuse, the condition of the padding inside is what ultimately determines when a seat is beyond use. If a seat looks a little rough around the edges but still feels good, people won’t care how it looks once they sit down, and all is forgotten. But if things like a barstool cushion or pew cushions have padding that’s worn and uncomfortable, it doesn’t matter how fancy they look; people will not like sitting on them. Because of this, it’s important to get durable, top-quality seat cushioning materials for public seating applications.

When it’s brand-new, any foam product is going to feel comfortable and resilient, whether it was made to be soft or firm. But quality of foam varies by design, with some materials made to be long-term products, and others made to be occasional-use, affordable solutions. For commercial and public seating, open-cell bonded foam is a product designed to last, made from shredded product remnants or recycled foam, held together with adhesive. This foam ends up being very firm and durable, making it perfect for use as carpet padding underlayment. It’s also excellent when used under vinyl-covered seats in bars and restaurants, or even as a replacement patio chair cushion on a bistro porch.

Another option for even more durability is to utilize closed-cell foams, such as gym rubber. These materials don’t have as much softness as open-cell foam varieties, but still provide cushion while offering superior durability. These materials are perfect for bar stools, where any padding is an improvement over a hard, wooden surface. Whether open or closed-cell foam is utilized, selecting high-quality and durable padding for commercial and public seating is an investment that will last through years of use and abuse.

When summer is in full swing, the last thing people want to do is hunker down inside, like they did all winter. Even if it’s only laying out, looking out over your backyard, or sipping a cold drink, when the weather is warm, nothing beats unwinding outside. And to get the most out of your summer relaxation, patio furniture gives you comfort without the hassle of dragging furniture in and out every time you want some fresh air.

Custom patio furniture exists in virtually every style imaginable, to match your home or your personal preferences. You can go from the most basic folding chairs to elegant wicker seat cushion furniture or chaise loungers. People end up spending more time outside than inside when they have a patio set they enjoy, because of the comfort they offer.

Many outdoor furnishings are made of treated metal, wood, or plastic that can withstand rain, wind, and dirt. These aren’t comfortable on their own however, so the majority come with soft foam cushions to pad and comfort the user. Some are made of traditional materials, which require storage during weather so they don’t absorb water and rot. If this is the case for your patio set, many manufacturers will make a replacement patio chair cushion and can even use the original fabric covering.

Other styles utilize specialty outdoor foam that does not rot or absorb water. These materials allow water to drain through their forms and are dried by air, so they can be left outside without worry. You don’t have to waste space in your home storing cushions when they aren’t in use, or try to juggle the cushion with the snack, drink, or book you’re carrying with you outside.

If you don’t have outdoor furniture, even the simplest folding chair, consider all the relaxation you’re missing out on.

While NASA is credited with inventing what we now know as memory foam, the application it has been most utilized in is in the medical community. Memory foam, with its heat-activated body contouring, was implemented in a medical setting as bedding, due to its pressure reduction and weight-spreading capabilities. People who are recovering from surgeries or are confined to bed are prone to bed sores where the pressure of the body greatly reduces or cuts off circulation to an area. Moving patients periodically was one of the few ways of coping with this issue at the time. The introduction of memory foam as a medical foam product has made a difference in that capacity and others.

Cervical bed wedge pillows are one of memory foam’s current applications, for people who have neck pain or injuries. The visco-elastic material contours to the head and neck for pressure-free comfort and keeps the neck and spine aligned at a more comfortable angle. Even for people without serious structural issues, an improvement in alignment can offer them a much more restful night’s sleep.

Mattresses made of memory foam offer the same pressure reduction as their hospital use, even though we don’t have to worry about pressure sores from a single night’s sleep. We will, however, toss and turn if we’ve gotten into a position where we’ve cut off circulation or landed on a pressure point. The body will identify this and wake you up to re-situate, snapping you out of a sleep. Better circulation means better comfort and sounder sleep. Memory foam also makes great mattresses for back pain sufferers, as it forms to support contours and helps the body’s natural alignment. Things often work out well in ways they weren’t originally intended to, and memory foam as an important material in the medical and health world is a prime example.

Investing in a mattress is a major decision, both financially and for what it means to your health and well-being. When you do find that perfect mattress, it’s important to do everything you can to keep it in top shape and get the longest possible life out of it. To help with that, here are a few suggestions on getting the most out of your mattress:

• Add a mattress pad. It’s entirely possible your comfort preferences have evolved since you purchased your mattress. But if it still happens to be structurally sound, there’s no reason to waste the money replacing it. To get the comfort you want from a mattress that offers the support you need, adding a foam bedding mattress topper can add comfort and years of life to a mattress you would otherwise replace.

• Be gentle. Because of its soft, springy feel, it’s hard to resist the urge to use your bed as a relaxation or play area with the kids or pets. Even with a thick mattress pad, it’s important to remember that a bed’s only purpose should be to provide a great night’s sleep. Using it in any other way can cause it to prematurely wear down, especially if used roughly. Roughhousing can tear foam, break springs, and puncture air and water-filled mattresses.

• Keep it dry. Nobody would intentionally pour water on their bed or leave the window open during a rainstorm, but given all we have to do on a daily basis, accidents can happen. When a mattress gets wet, it is very hard to completely dry, which can lead to mold and mildew growing in the mattress. It’s a good idea to use water resistant mattress covers and adhere to a personal rule about no eating or drinking rule in bed, just in case of a spill. Many companies will not honor a warranty on a stained or water damaged mattress even it’s only a surface flaw and it fails structurally, so it’s important to keep it in returnable condition.

Since we sleep on our bed day in and day out, year after year, it’s hard to recognize when it has deteriorated to the point it needs to be replaced. A mattress that may seem comfortable enough because your body has adjusted to the changes would seem terrible when compared to a brand-new bed. Unfortunately, comparing our current mattresses to a “test-bed” isn’t something we do often, if ever, so here are a few tips for identifying when it’s time to replace your bed:

• It’s uncomfortable. This is by far the easiest quality to identify, but it also means you’ve waited too long. When you wake up every day stiff, sore, and tired, your mattress is lacking comfort and structural support that soft mattress pads or foam bed toppers can’t remedy. Sleep should be refreshing and invigorating, and if you wake up feeling the opposite, your bed may be to blame.
• It’s old. We may wish it wasn’t so, but mattresses have a life span. Whether it’s a foam bed, waterbed or conventional mattress, they all wear out, and at a certain point, it’s time to replace your bed due to wear and tear and the potential allergens it has collected over the years. A good rule of thumb is to replace your mattress every seven years. Some may last longer depending on use and some may fail sooner, but right around that mark is a good time to start looking into a new bed.
• Allergies. As previously mentioned, mattresses can become a warehouse for potential allergens like dust mites, mold, and mildew. This can detract from your sleep and impact your energy and health during the day. Some materials, like a polyurethane foam mattress or waterbed are better at resisting allergens if taken care of properly, but it’s also important to make sure you aren’t allergic to the materials used in the construction of the mattress itself.

Do-It-Yourself projects have never been more popular, as they are a great way to save money and add a personalized touch to your home. With its versatility, foam is a material that lends itself well to the DIY world, whether it’s being made into a custom bed pad for softening a rock hard mattress, or replacing a worn couch cushion on a favorite piece of furniture.

As with any DIY project, the most important work is the preparation. Dealing with foam is no different and knowing how to manipulate and cut it is vital. Open-cell foam, the soft, squishy type used in foam mattresses and comfort products, is relatively light and fluffy. Because of this, it can be difficult to get clean cuts without knowing how to do it properly. Additionally, each variety of foam needs to be approached differently when cutting. A closed-cell gymnastic foam material, or something similar, should be cut differently than a couch cushion material.

There are two ways to cut memory foam and other open-cell varieties for best results, as well as one thing that should never be done that applies to both methods. Never squeeze or compress the foam trying to get a quick cut. This will result in jagged, uneven edges as a result of imbalanced pressure and cutting strokes.

The easier of the two open-cell cutting methods is done with an electric knife, just like the ones used for carving turkey. After measuring and tracing your cutting guide lines, these knives can make straight, even cuts easily. When cutting with an electric knife, never force the blade through the foam form. It will work its way through at its own pace, resulting in cleaner, straighter cuts.

The other method is to use a serrated blade and cut by hand. This sounds daunting but is quite doable and can result in beautiful cushions, as long as an individual takes his or her time. Using a gentle sawing motion, start at the edge of the sheet of foam and slowly work the knife back and forth like slicing bread. For this method, as well as the electric knife method, it’s important to always cut on a safe surface that won’t be damaged and to use a blade longer than the foam’s thickness to ensure you don’t have to cut into the foam from both sides. A little preparation can go a long way with DIY projects and knowing how to cut foam for yours is a great tool to have in your belt.