Foam rubber questions

[QC]

Mrs. QC wants to start making doggie beds to sell. She's also made a few couch/chair cushions recently and they're coming out pretty good and experience is gaining. I am trying to help her with materials and I have a couple of foam rubber things to consider:

1) What's the right type? I did a little reading and it appears that Polyurethane or Polyfoam is the typical stuff for this application. Comments?

2) Re" #1, what about for boat cushions?

3) Little torn up pieces may be the best way for these doggie beds. What's the most cost effective way to buy it? Big chunk and then rip up the pieces by hand? Are there scrap pieces available? Could we use chunks of carpet padding for example. Maybe pick it up for nuttin' at a carpeting outfit. Dunno

I admit I haven't done a lot of searching yet, but always curious what you guys [and gal(s)] have to say. Somebody here will have gone through this . . . Thanks.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Foam rubber questions

Don't know about California, but in Manhattan (NYC), there is the textile district in SOHO. In, and all around the textile district, are foam shops. They sell hundreds of different types of foam for many different purposes. If you can find places like that in California, which I'd imagine you can, you can score some really heavy discounts on remnants and closeouts. These places throw so much product away, that you may find places willing to just give what they discard. Good luck.

 

[JB]

Re: Foam rubber questions

I never had a dog that would have anything to do with foam; or cat, for that matter. Maybe the right fabric covering would make a difference, but they all seem to prefer cotton batting.

 

[QC]

Re: Foam rubber questions

Good idea on the foam source. And good comment from you JB. I'll check our existing doggie beds for their filler as the dogs love them. We were actually thinking about adding cedar sawdust or similar for odor too.

 

[64osby]

Re: Foam rubber questions

My wife just brought home a new bed for our dog today. It is 100% polyester filling. The cover is also. Very nice and our dog loves it. Washable and ecofriendly.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: Foam rubber questions

Before my dogs passed away, I purchased several different types of beds for them to no avail, the only thing these picky dogs would sleep on was a piece of Bison(Buffalo) hide that a friend of mine gave me..from the Bison he hunted!

 

[veritas honus]

Re: Foam rubber questions

Good idea on the foam source. And good comment from you JB. I'll check our existing doggie beds for their filler as the dogs love them. We were actually thinking about adding cedar sawdust or similar for odor too.

If you use cedar sawdust, make some cheesecloth bags to contain it within the cover, this way, none will find its way out, as it will, if not contained. The purchasers of these beds would not be happy unzipping the cover to find a load of loose sawdust inside.

The cedar has another great benefit in addition to scent. It repels insects (including fleas and ticks). You can offer replacement bags of the cedar sawdust to replace the ones which will of course, lose their scent, and usefullness after less than a year.

Good luck with your venture!!!

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: Foam rubber questions

Cedar shavings are more practical than sawdust.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Foam rubber questions

Foam prices are tied to the petroleoum industry and right now the prices of foam are skyrocketing. When I have to buy sheet foam for seat cushions, I pay (for a 52"x86"x3") over $100, and that's wholesale! To get foam into little chunks, it has to go through a chipper machine (you can't do it by hand). Now here's the kicker...animals relly don't like foam that well. There's something about the smell that makes them want to chew it up or stay away all together.

Try this: It's called 'slick fiber' or 'fiber fill'. It's that soft poly material that most throw pillows and bed pillows have in them. Pretty inexpensive and you get a bunch for what you pay. It's available at most upholstery supply houses. If there isn't one near you, go to the local upholstery shop and ask them if they will order you a bag of it on their next delivery order. You can get it at Wal-Mart, Jo-Anns, Mae's, etc, but you'll pay a lot more, especially if you plan on doing a bunch of the beds.

 

[mommicked]

Re: Foam rubber questions

Ive used whole sheets of 4 or 5" orthopedic foam for a double doghouse floor and a large bed in a sunroom on a wood deck and my dogs love it.I wrap it in 2 layers of thick plastic sheeting secured w ductape, then cover w cheap walmart blankets tucked underneath.it insulates very well in winter, the last sheet I bought cost $100.when the blankets get too dirty,months,we just get new ones.