Written by Fred Hermsen
Shopping for a new latex mattress or topper is not something to be taken lightly. There a number of vendors, and you should know the right questions to ask before you make your purchase. As such, the FoamSource has compiled the following buyer's guide to give you all of the information you need in order to buy a latex mattress or latex topper
Have questions? Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-255-0181 and we can go over any of these points in detail!
An Overview
The latex mattress provides support where it is needed most by contouring to the body's natural nuances. It relieves pressure points, particularly at the shoulders and hips allowing for better circulation, and in consequence, less tossing and turning for a deeper more restful seep. The independent cell construction of latex foam is not prone to transfer movement, allowing two people to comfortably share the same bed without disrupting each other with every motion.
The latex mattress foam provides a medium in bedding that can easily be used in custom mattresses. Available in a wide range of firmness levels, it is simple to build a latex mattress that caters to an individual's needs; custom sizes are not a problem, perfect for boats and RVs; his and her sided beds are easy to construct; toppers can fine tune the feel to fit anybody's preference, and can easily be exchanged to ensure you feel as comfortable as possible when it matters most.
Integrating an open cell structure with a pin core design allows for maximum breathability essential for removing excess heat and moisture that can prevent a good night's sleep. For those who struggle with allergies latex mattresses present a safe haven as they are naturally hypoallergenic, and anti-microbial. This means that molds, mildew, and dust mites that may help trigger allergies will not be waiting for you in a latex mattress, where they can be the most frustrating.
A naturally resilient and durable material, a natural latex mattress will supply consistent performance for 20 years or more.
History of the latex mattress,
From discovery to finding a place as a natural, renewable resource
The latex mattress, being a natural rubber product, are the result of a long line of innovations in rubber technology. Natural latex rubber, utilized by indigenous people of South America for centuries, was not apt for industrialized usage until Charles Goodyear discovered in 1829 that, when vulcanized with sulfur, the previously unstable sticky substance became stable, durable, and very elastic.
This discovery of vulcanization opened the door for the natural latex rubber industry and the latex mattress. In the late 19th century rubber became a hot commodity with the onset of automobile production. With the demand skyrocketing, there was a lot of pressure to make the production of rubber more economical, starting at the source. At the time almost all of the latex used in natural latex rubber was harvested from wild hevea brasiliensis trees in Brazil.
Due to the plants natural tendency to grow far away from each other, an adaptation to prevent the spread of the crop killing fungus that causes leaf blight, the process of harvesting the latex was extremely inefficient.
It became obvious that plantations were necessary in a place free of South American leaf blight. After many failed attempts to transport viable seeds from South America to Asia, success was finally seen in 1876 when Englishman Henry Wickham exported 70,000 seeds to England.
Of these, 2800 germinated and were shipped to what is present day Malaysia. After overcoming initial problems, plantations were established producing a far greater quantity of latex than possible in Brazil with immensely improved efficiency.
It wasn't until the 1920s that latex was exploited to make foam. E.A. Murphy, a scientist for the Dunlop company, is accredited with producing the first latex foam in 1929 and opening the door for the first latex mattress. After five years of research and failed attempts, Murphy finally discovered how to create the necessary bubbles to create the desired product.
The discovery came in the form of his wife's cake mixer which he used to whip the latex before using a gelling agent and vulcanizing in a steam oven. The newly created latex foam was a big success, rapidly growing in popularity as seating cushions. In 1931 the first latex mattress was marketed by Dunlopillo and promoted as being a time saver, as it didn't require flipping or fluffing to maintain its incredible level of comfort.
The Japanese occupation of Malaysia during World War II cut off the supply of latex, and lead to large setbacks in the industry for years. During this period latex mattresses were available by prescription only. With the potential of the market beginning to be realized the most recent innovation in latex mattress technology was introduced to the industry in 1965. This innovation, known as the Talalay process (after Leon Talalay) added a stage to the production of latex foam during which air is vacuumed out of the mold to distribute the liquid latex evenly. This process rapidly became the standard method of synthesizing latex into foam used for latex mattresses and pillows, and remains the standard today. How latex mattresses are made
Two methods: Dunlop process and Talalay process
There are two methods in which latex is synthesized into the foam used in latex mattresses and latex pillows. The most commonly used method is the Talalay process which consists of six steps. First, the raw liquid latex is whipped with curing agents and additives into a froth. Next, the appropriate amount of latex froth is injected into the mold.
All of the air is then vacuumed out causing the latex to expand and perfectly distribute itself throughout the mold. The latex is then flash frozen to -20 ¡F to prevent any settling that may occur. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is then introduced to cause the mixture to gel. Finally, the latex is vulcanized at a temperature of 220 ¡F until it has cured through.
The Dunlop process is similar to the Talalay process except that the mold is filled to the brim and there is no vacuum or freezing stage. The Dunlop process creates a firmer, denser, less consistent product that is used as a latex mattress core. Talalay is considered the premium process used for the latex mattress today. The latex mattress as a sustainable product:
Eco-friendly, Biodegradable and all-natural
With resources depleting and garbage being pushed into the earth at an overwhelming rate, there is little wonder why there is a ecological nightmare waiting to happen. Innerspring beds represent a substantial amount of nonrenewable, non-biodegradable resources that will simply be thrown into landfills.
With the mattress market currently exploding with all sorts of new mattress designs, shouldn't environmental implications be paramount in any new mattress design? This may seem too optimistic at first glance, but the reality is that such an eco-friendly product is already available. Natural latex mattresses are the product of natural latex rubber, which is the milky sap from the rubber tree (hevea brasiliensis), with a small percentage of natural fillers.
These trees are cultivated on plantations in South Asia, South America, Africa, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, providing jobs for numerous indigenous people. Once the trees have reached the end of their latex producing lives they are cut down, and replanted with new rubber tree clones. The timber is used to manufacture furniture and in construction, ensuring that there is no waste.
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi concerned with the exploitation of the forests by logging companies, as well as the inherent effects on biodiversity, proposed a long term plan to ensure sustainability of these important resources. "We want to give priority to plantation forests where only one species of tree may be planted such as new rubber clones which could be used for furniture making and construction materials after their latex have been fully tapped," he said after chairing the 16th National Forestry Council meeting in Putrajaya (For more information go to the website at the end of this article).
On top of being eco-friendly and biodegradable, natural latex mattresses supply a superb sleeping surface, relieving pressure points with outstanding support that's much better than memory foam. The natural latex mattress is clearly a wonderful choice for the consumer and for the environment. Latex mattress buyers' guide
What to know and what to ask when you buy Latex mattresses
Deciding to invest in any new mattress is often approached with a great amount of reluctance. With the amount of choices out there and everyone proclaiming the superiority of their product it's hard to settle on a mattress without feeling you might have missed out on something better. The range of prices, features, and stores can make your head spin.
This latex mattress buyers' guide will help you avoid some of the pitfalls associated with shopping for a new latex mattress.
Be sure that quality latex is used throughout the latex mattress.
- In the latex mattress industry there are several manufacturers that produce consistent high quality latex for use in latex mattresses. These companies are Dunlopillo, Latex International, and Arpico. Look out for low end latex such as that coming out of China. Latex mattresses made with cheaper latex foam will not provide the same feel, support, or longevity as latex mattresses constructed from quality material.
The cover DOES matter on a latex mattress.
- It can be easy to overlook the broad spectrum of materials used to make latex mattress covers. Very basic, cheap materials make the price look good, but do nothing to improve the feel or performance of the latex mattress. Tencel, a fiber made from wood pulp, has a very soft supple feel, good breathability, and will stretch with the latex to conform to your body.
Amicore is an antimicrobial fiber that does not allow dust mites, mold, mildew, fungus, or other microscopic pests to make a home in your bed, a blessing for allergy and asthma sufferers. With active ingredients imbedded within every strand Amicore maintains its antimicrobial properties through hundreds of wash cycles. Some fabrics used to make latex mattresses have carbon fibers to dissipate static build up in the body. Organic cotton offers great breathability, and is very environmentally friendly.
Wool presents a naturally breathable and antimicrobial medium to be used as a batting material in quilted covers for natural latex mattresses. Poly fill (name brand Dacron), is a suitable batting material increasing breathability, but offers an environment suitable for microbe proliferation. The overall quality of any cover used for a latex mattress is not only contingent on the type of material used, but also the ticking (the way it is woven into a fabric). Be sure the ticking is manufactured by a reputable company such as Deslee, Culp, and Burlington.
Check that the retailer has been in business for long enough to establish themselves in the latex mattress market.
- Getting a warranty exchange from a business that has gone under is about as likely as seeing George Washington walking down the street. Look for a retailer that has been in business for 10 years or more. This shows that they have the reputation and business savvy to survive in the market, which means they will still be around if any problem should arise with your latex mattress.
Inquire about the exchange policy.
- This may be one of the most important things to ask about to ensure your satisfaction. Some retailers do not accept exchanges after the purchase, leaving you stuck with a mattress that doesn't perform to your standards. Look for a retailer with an exchange period that allows you to switch around components or even switch mattresses until you find the one that's right for you.
If no other point of this buyers' guide makes an impression remember this: Not all latex mattresses are created equal and any deal that seems too good to be true probably is. Learn more about Latex, Memory Foam and Polyurethane
The FoamSource has introduced this resources directory to help you understand the wide variety of new bedding options available. The FoamSource also understands that many bedding products are referred to by different names (a topper, for example, is also referred to as a mattress pad), and so there are synonyms included in the directory to help you find the product you are looking for and understand its benefits.
Go to the Resources Directory here!
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