Hi Cheri! Well, taking the pillowtop off was not easy or fun. I was taking out some frustrations at the time, so it was eventful (:
I unzipped the covering and found that the pillowtop was glued to the main mattress covering. Kind of a cheesecloth type fabric was over the main mattress and the pillowtop. The pillowtop was glued to that. I got most of it off without cutting the cloth, using a razorblade to slice through the glue. I had a little glue left over, but a mattress pad on top disguises any glue spots and I don't feel it. The mattress underneath is firm and a dream to sleep on the first night after fighting with the pillowtop.
Good luck, I'd love to hear how it goes for you!
Jennifer