Natural latex, a biological by-product of the rubber tree plant, is harvested over the course of the tree’s lifespan, which is usually more than 50 years. The organic compound results in a thin liquid that is used to make plush latex foam through a process of heating and vulcanization.
Facts About Latex Mattresses
- Latex mattresses are high in quality, much more so than traditional mattresses.
- You can customize them so each sleep partner achieves the ideal sleep surface.
- It’s versatile and adaptable.
- It’s manufactured in a wide spectrum of firmness options and varieties, such as sustainably-harvested botanical latex or synthetic latex varieties.
- It’s got a long life span.
- It offers extreme comfort for users.
- It has a high level of customer satisfaction.
Latex vs. Traditional Mattress: What are the Differences?
Latex mattresses can help you boost your quality of sleep and quality of life because they cushion your body, regulate body temperature, align your spine, and can last up to 20 years.
Traditional mattresses, on the other hand, have many drawbacks, such as:
- Broadcast motion: this means if you move, your partner is disrupted.
- Discomfort, leading to poor sleep quality.
- Discourage proper spinal alignment, which can aggravate existing medical conditions.
- Wear out quickly, leading to quicker replacement and higher costs over time.
- Trap allergens such as mites, mold, mildew, and dust particles.
- Can be very hot to sleep on, leading to sleepers who wake often, usually in a sweat and very uncomfortable. This extra sweat increases the risk of mold growth.
Latex Mattresses Are the Way to Go
Research shows that high-quality sleep for at least seven hours is critical to maintaining a healthy body and mind. It’s no secret that the quality of your mattress can significantly impact how well you sleep. A natural latex mattress can give you deep, refreshing, restorative sleep you need to thrive. This is due to the material’s high elasticity and incredible pressure relief.
Benefits of Latex Mattresses
Latex mattresses are better than traditional mattresses due to these factors:
Resilience: All-natural latex foam has a “bounce” to it that can compress and then spring right back to its original shape. This results in a soft yet supportive mattress.
Body-contouring: Latex has the ability to contour to your body, compressing under your hips and shoulders while supporting your waist and legs. This gives the surface a quicker reaction time than memory foam can.
Medical issues: Even though latex hasn’t been approved for medical use, the soft support of a botanical latex mattress aligns the spine and cradles body parts that are in pain, while decreasing pressure points. This is good news for those who suffer from back problems, chronic pain such as fibromyalgia, or spinal cord injury.
Eco-friendly. Natural botanical latex may be harvested without having to kill the rubber tree plant that it comes from. Indeed, an all-natural latex mattress can be made without using petrochemicals or synthetic materials. Some latex mattresses are even manufactured right at the rubber tree site, reducing the expense and carbon footprint of shipping the product.
Hypo-allergenic and anti-microbial: Dust mites, mold and mildew can’t penetrate the surface of latex mattresses very easily. Latex foam is anti-microbial and thus remains hygienic over its lifespan.
Temperature regulation: Latex foam regulates body temperature while sleeping, allowing for proper air flow. The mattress is allowed to “breathe” through tiny pinholes, keeping you cooler in the summer. Research shows that well-regulated skin temperature results in better comfort and deeper sleep.
Long-lasting. Warranties for latex mattresses usually last 20 years or more. When well cared for and placed on the right latex mattress foundation, it can last even longer than that. Plus, there’s no sagging so you never have to flip a latex mattress.
Mattress Type Comparison
Let’s compare latex and other mattress types here.
Memory Foam Mattresses: This is a space-age synthetic material that conforms to your body. It’s temperature sensitive, becoming less supportive when in contact with body heat overnight.
Innerspring Mattresses: The coils in innerspring mattresses will compress over the years, resulting in distinct body impressions.
Air Mattresses: These can be adjusted for firmness by adding or removing air. However, air leaks in the casing can happen over time.
Gel Mattresses: This type is good for pressure-relief and temperature-regulating comfort, but they rely on layers for this support and can get quite expensive.
Customizing the Sleep Experience
Latex is flexible. You can roll it up into a cylinder to get support for your body where you need it. It’s made using a wide range of components and techniques, available in ILDs (support measurements) and layered configurations for the ultimate in customization.
Synthetic and Blended Latex vs. All Natural Latex
Manufacturers can now make synthetic latex that imitates the support of natural foam latex. Still, it’s less buoyant, durable, and cushiony than the natural version.
Synthetic Latex
This is made in a lab, usually at the foam manufacturing site which prevents the need for intense harvesting practices and shipping. That’s why synthetic latex costs less than natural latex foam.
Blended Latex
These contain a little bit of natural latex with the synthetic product to boost resilience and quality. But they still don’t have quite the body-contouring support that real latex does.
All Natural Latex
This foam is manufactured entirely from botanical latex, made in a variety of firmnesses, thicknesses, surface treatments and internal constructions.
Types of Latex Foam
Latex is produced in one of two ways: Talalay or Dunlop, with each processing type bringing its own pros and cons.
Dunlop Latex
Originating in the mid-20th century, this involves liquid latex being poured into frames in layers, then cooled and vulcanized. This results in a strong, long-lasting latex.
Talalay Latex
This is more high-tech, requiring the shipment of liquid latex to a processing facility far from the rubber tree estate. The liquid latex is whipped and poured into a frame, vacuum molded and flash-frozen. It then congeals into foam. This mix of latex and air is uniformly distributed at a molecular level, and is lighter than the Dunlop latex.
So which is better? The jury is still out on this one. It’s up to your personal preference, as both are comfortable, supportive, cost effective and long-lasting.
Latex Foam Mattress: Making Sure You are Satisfied
You’re a smart, savvy shopper. So do your research and choose the right mattress for you! Here’s how.
Make Comparisons
Be sure to compare similar mattresses when looking at price. For example, two Dunlop mattresses can be quite different – one could be synthetic and the other all natural. Know how each mattress is constructed so you can get a true comparison between them.
Know What “Natural” Is
Your idea of a “natural” or “organic” latex mattress should match up with the manufacturer’s. Some are considered “organic” due to the rubber tree farmers using organic methods. However, chemicals can be added during latex processing, not to mention manufacturers can bind foam layers together with industrial glues and even cover the mattress with petrochemical fire barriers.
An “all-natural” label means botanical latex was used in the mattress’s manufacture. Take the time to research the processing and materials that comprise your mattress so you’re getting what you paid for.
Go With Smaller, More Specialized Companies
Most large mattress brands resell inventory they get from third-party manufacturers, resulting in high overhead costs. This means they can’t invest in the highest quality latex mattresses. Plus, you’ll pay more at major chains, even if the product is lesser quality.
Online warehousing operations or small businesses with one or two locations are your best bet for the highest quality. They can offer cost-saving measures and thus better quality inventory.
Take a look at manufacturers selling direct to consumers, too, instead of going through a middleman.
Do Your Homework
Always research the mattress company to ensure it is legitimate, secure, reputable and experienced.
Here’s what to ask:
What is your return policy? You should be able to return the bed within a specified amount of time if unsatisfied.
What do the online latex mattress reviews say? Make sure the reviews you’re seeing are mostly positive.
What is your rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB)? The Better Business Bureau will tell you if a business is reputable, properly licensed, and qualified, or if there have been complaints about a given company.
What’s the level of customer service? Can you speak to a real person, or are you shuttled through the phone system and receive no help at all?
What’s the warranty? Look for warranties lasting 20 years or more.
As you can see, there are many benefits to latex mattresses. If you’re in the market for one, check out the large selection we have here at Best Bed USA.