Can You Cut a Gel Memory Foam Mattress? How to Guide

So a lot of people have been asking online if can you cut a gel memory foam mattress. So we wanted to provide the best answer we could in the form of this article.

Given the fact that foam mattresses are one of the most popular in beds for kids or toddlers, it’s no surprise that many people are wondering just that. In this article we will try and help you figure out if you can slice a gel memory foam mattress and how you should actually do it.

Can you cut a gel memory foam mattress? YES? No? Maybe?

Before diving in on how can you cut a memory foam mattress, let’s understand first what exactly is this mattress and why is it so popular. The most obvious reason will be because foam is soft and nice to sleep on right? Let’s get dipper.

What is a gel memory foam mattress

A gel memory foam mattress is very similar to a regular foam mattress, the only difference is that it was injected with gel that provides it another layer of flexibility, it also helps with the mattress pressure relief.

This means that when you apply pressure, like laying down on the bed for a long time like a full night, that’s applying pressure for a long period of time right? So when you get up, the mattress can react faster, and regain it shape faster and better than regular foam mattresses.

Why are gel memory foam mattresses so popular

In general, foam mattresses are really popular because they cancel movements, they provide full body support and they can actually last you for years.

Before we had memory foam mattresses, we slept on very uncomfortable mattresses made from non reactive materials that pretty much meant you were sucked into the bed, and when you got up, the mattress never really returned to its original shape, think of an old couch you used to have, after a while, it’s not staying in the same shape right? That’s the same idea here.

So obviously, when manufacturers introduced the gel memory foam or even the regular foam memory mattress, people were hooked, and pretty much no one buys and other mattress in these days. So here is a recap of why memory foams are so poopular:

1. They are very comfortable
2. They are much better at regaining their original shape
3. They provide full body support
4. They cancel motions

Biggest gel memory foam advantage

The biggest advantage of sleeping on a gel memory foam mattress is the fact that the mattress does not run hot so much during the night. With a foam mattress, your body heat is trapped causing issues for the person sleeping, but with gel foam mattresses, the gel actually increases air circulation so the hot air is able to escape and the person sleeping gets to have a much cooler sleep.

Are there any down sides for gel memory foam mattresses?

Well, gel foam memory mattresses tend to be a little bit more expansive, they also tend to last less time than foam mattresses because of the density of the gel beads.

Also, if you are a heavy person, you probably need a much more dense mattress so that it won’t break or give up on you after a short period of time.

What’s the difference between foam memory mattress and gel memory mattress

There are usually two types of foam mattresses everyone buys, that’s the memory foam and gel foam. The difference is obviously in the materials the two are made of.

Memory foam mattresses are made from a materials called Viscoelastic, the way this materials works is by ” having both viscous and elastic characteristics when undergoing deformation. ” The best way to explain how this material reacts to pressure is to think of honey. When you apply pressure to honey, it reacts, resists the flow and with time strain linearly when stress is pushed.

We all know it’s very comfortable because it made its way into most people bedrooms and you sleep on it every night.

Gel foam mattress is made from the same material but the difference here is that it was injected with gel. The gel helps to provide cooler sleep and also help with pressure relief.

So, getting back on point of cutting a gel memory foam mattress

Let’s see how it’s done shall we? You can definitely cut a gel memory foam mattress with the right tools, the right attitude and some guidance, so follow the steps below and good luck:

Step 1 – Decide on the size of the mattress

Most mattresses come in specific sizes, so your first move will be to decide what size you really need, so you will know where to cut. The standard sizes are usually:

Once you know the size of the mattress you need, it’s easy to decide where to cut.

Step 2 – Place the mattress in a comfortable space

Now take the mattress and place it raised from the ground, either on the kitchen table or counter, or any other area that will give you a raised level so that it won’t sit on the floor.

Step 3 – Mark a line on the mattress

You need to mark a line on the mattress where you want to cut it, you can either use a marker, or even better, use blue painters tape so that the cut will be cleaner.

Step 4 – Cut the mattress

Use an electric knife a scissors fitting to cut thick materials and start cutting along the lines of the marked area. Try and stop every once in a while to make sure you make a clean cut as possible and continue cutting until the end of the mattress.

You can also use a carving knife, which is very similar to the electric knife, the only difference is that you will need to produce the cutting motion by hand. Gently move the knife back and forth and start cutting away trying to get a clean edge as possible.

Here’s a short video showing you how to cut a gel foam memory mattress:

That’s pretty much it for this guide on how to cut a gel memory foam mattress. We hope you got what you need and did it correctly. Check out some of our other guide on exercising during pregnancy and more