# What is a good idea for a temporary mattress **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 28, 2012, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028 "2012-01-28T23:32:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/1 "2012-01-28T23:32:17Z")
I will be needing a temporary mattress soon until I can get a new bed. However I can’t use air mattresses because I get severe insomnia and/or back problems when I sleep on anything that is too soft. I can’t even sleep on mattress toppers due to that. I can sleep on mattresses fine, but a topper gives me serious problem. However if I put a mattress topper on the floor I can sleep on that (though it can be hard). Folding it in half can be better, I did that for a day when I was staying at a friends house. So folding a mattress topper in half and putting it on the floor could work. A futon is another idea, they sell those used on craigslist. But with bedbugs making a comeback I don’t know if I want to buy used furniture. Does anyone else have personal experience with this? I suppose all I really need is a fairly soft mat that is 2-4" thick and at least 6’ long. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2012, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/2 "2012-01-28T23:37:34Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > Does anyone else have personal experience with this? I suppose all I really need is a fairly soft mat that is 2-4" thick and at least 6’ long. In that case, what about a couple of yoga mats stacked up? You might want to put a blanket over the top of them though or you’ll probably be pretty sweaty in a few minutes. They tend to be made out of foam rubber and aren’t going to breath or wick away moisture at all. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_Downtown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Mr\_Downtown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr_Downtown)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/3 "2012-01-29T00:26:12Z")
Doesn’t TempuPedic have a 45-day return policy? ---
**Author:** ![drachillix](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/48db29/32.png) [@drachillix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drachillix)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/4 "2012-01-29T00:32:54Z")
Airbeds [http://www.walmart.com/cp/Sleeping-Pads-Mats/133174](http://www.walmart.com/cp/Sleeping-Pads-Mats/133174) a few examples. Some of them even have internal pumps, unfold, press button, bed inflates. Bunch of the SCA folk use the hell out of these. ---
**Author:** ![FlyByNight512](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/82dd89/32.png) [@FlyByNight512](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FlyByNight512)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/5 "2012-01-29T04:56:25Z")
Futons are usually good and firm. [Walmart](http://www.walmart.com/ip/Full-Size-Futon-Mattress-Black/10247112) has some [cheap](http://www.walmart.com/ip/Mainstays-Silver-Metal-Arm-Futon-Black-Mattress/11996205) ones that might suffice. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/6 "2012-01-29T05:11:05Z")
I’ll second a futon if you can’t use and airbed. There are also some foam fold out couches and chairs. They used to sell them at Ikea. I’ve seen them other places as well. ---
**Author:** ![sugar\_and\_spice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e8c25b/32.png) [@sugar\_and\_spice](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sugar_and_spice)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/7 "2012-01-29T06:07:15Z")
Around here you can get a new no-name-brand twin mattress for $99. Just look for local stores that sells mattresses or cheap furniture. Also I have seen ‘bed bug protection’ bags/mattress covers at the hardware store, so you could combine that with a used mattress from craigslist. I suppose it’s reckless on my part but I’ve bought twin mattress sets on craigslist for $20, including box spring and frame. ---
**Author:** ![JustinC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justinc/32/8083_2.png) [@JustinC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JustinC)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/8 "2012-01-29T07:16:24Z")
Bedbugs are killed by heat, so either a steam cleaner (rented or bought for long-term use) or a kettle with a hose attached will both do the job. I bought a futon second-hand and never had any problems with bugs. I’d have thought hotel beds would be more likely to be a problem. ---
**Author:** ![BeaMyra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/2bfe46/32.png) [@BeaMyra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BeaMyra)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/9 "2012-01-29T07:24:10Z")
Yes, heat kills bed bug eggs, unless you miss one, then you’re gonna spend a lot of money and time to get rid of them. It’s not worth the risk of buying second hand stuff. It’s not the bed bugs it’s the eggs. Alcohol will kill a bed bug, it won’t kill their eggs and the eggs can stay dormant for 18 months. I would never buy second hand anymore. If you must make sure you clean it and buy a certified bed bug proof mattress cover and do not remove it ---
**Author:** ![kjbrasda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/74df32/32.png) [@kjbrasda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kjbrasda)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/10 "2012-01-29T08:32:42Z")
Small gym or wrestling mats? Bed sized shag carpet remnant? Stacks of quilts, sleeping bags, fleece blankets, body pillows maybe. I’ve slept very well on an old thick heavy sleeping bag on a concrete floor (both layers, was too hot to sleep in it) This was cotton, very heavy batting, and almost canvas like exterior. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 9:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/11 "2012-01-29T09:06:53Z")
I should have mentioned bubble wrap before. Of course it’s just a type of airbed, and would probably give you the same kind of problems. But way back when we used to grab naps and hide from the bosses on a bed of bubble wrap under the raised floor in a computer room. It was slightly chilly, but unless you were right by a vent, there was very little air movement, and you could use more bubble wrap for a blanket. Sorry for the useless suggestion, but man, we were brazen fools back then. ---
**Author:** ![gwendee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/35a633/32.png) [@gwendee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gwendee)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/12 "2012-01-29T14:55:52Z")
We don’t have a guest room. When we have visitors I give them my room and sleep on a portable hammock. I also don’t do well on air beds. When I wake up from a night on the hammock my back feels pretty good. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 3:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/13 "2012-01-29T15:06:17Z")
> [@kjbrasda](#): > > Small gym or wrestling mats? Bed sized shag carpet remnant? Stacks of quilts, sleeping bags, fleece blankets, body pillows maybe. I’ve slept very well on an old thick heavy sleeping bag on a concrete floor (both layers, was too hot to sleep in it) This was cotton, very heavy batting, and almost canvas like exterior. This is my suggestion. In the South, this is called a pallet on the floor and is an age-old solution to guests in excess of bed space. ---
**Author:** ![Frank](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Frank](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/14 "2012-01-29T15:09:58Z")
> [@Wesley\_Clark](#): > > However I can’t use air mattresses because I get severe insomnia and/or back problems when I sleep on anything that is too soft. Do you mean soft as in the texture or the firmness? I’m sleeping on an air mattress right now (well, not right this second) and I can get it extremely firm. I have to put some more air in every week or so, but it’s got an electric pump so I just plug it in and hold the button for a minute or so. ---
**Author:** ![Maastricht](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@Maastricht](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maastricht)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/15 "2012-01-29T15:18:51Z")
You say an air matress is too soft. What if you pump more air into it, make it harder? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/16 "2012-01-29T17:05:44Z")
> [@Maastricht](#): > > You say an air matress is too soft. What if you pump more air into it, make it harder? That does make it harder. Usually by popping a seam and letting all the air out so you’re sleeping on the floor. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 29, 2012, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/17 "2012-01-29T23:03:30Z")
> [@BeaMyra](#): > > Yes, heat kills bed bug eggs, unless you miss one, then you’re gonna spend a lot of money and time to get rid of them. It’s not worth the risk of buying second hand stuff. > > It’s not the bed bugs it’s the eggs. Alcohol will kill a bed bug, it won’t kill their eggs and the eggs can stay dormant for 18 months. > > I would never buy second hand anymore. If you must make sure you clean it and buy a certified bed bug proof mattress cover and do not remove it Bed bugs are a major concern of mine. Craigslist has used futons for $80 or so vs the $160+ I would pay for a new one however it wouldn’t be worth the bedbug risk. Used furniture is a huge gamble now. ---
**Author:** ![Zulema](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/db5fbb/32.png) [@Zulema](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zulema)\ **Post date:** [January 30, 2012, 12:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-a-good-idea-for-a-temporary-mattress/611028/18 "2012-01-30T00:09:17Z")
If you know someone with a camper you can borrow one of the camper matresses. Or the sofa bed matress from a friend who doesn’t need it for a while.