Have you ever thought about giving a hypoallergenic and eco-friendly touch to your mattress, without giving up an ounce of comfort? Then a latex mattress is exactly what you’ve been looking for!
Latex is manufactured from the sap of rubber trees, so the raw material of the mattresses is as natural as it gets. It is either made of a block of latex foam or several layers of varying density. Most latex mattresses are made of two distinct layers- the support core and the comfort layer. A few premium makers place the support core in between two comfort layers to amp up the comfort factor.
But the USP of the latex mattress, especially in the 21st century is its hypoallergenic nature. Being chemical-free, the mattress is not only safe for use for people who have sensitive skin and allergies, but is also sustainable.
Types of Latex Mattresses
The sap from the rubber tree may be processed in one of two ways, resulting in two different types of latex- Dunlop and Talalay.
Dunlop
This has been applied from the beginning of latex production, right from the early 1930s. The production goes ahead in three main stages- stirring, molding, and baking. However, because of this rudimentary style of processing, the sediments settle at the bottom. This leads to a dense, uneven, and unnecessarily heavy mattress.
Talalay
This is the modern form of latex manufacturing, with a majority of modern latex using this form of production. Talalay latex also employs much more sophisticated processing. The latex foam is initially poured into a vacuum-sealed chamber to make it more compact and uniform. Then it is frozen and baked. The special method of “flash-freezing” makes sure the mattresses are soft and lightweight.
Natural vs. Synthetic Latex
You must be careful while opting for latex mattresses as quite a few of them are synthetic. They cost less than the organic ones but are far from environment-friendly. They are made of petroleum derivatives, which cause quite some air pollution during production. Also, they are far less durable and last for much less time than an organic latex mattress. So, even if it’s cost-saving at the time of purchase, in the long run, you end up spending more on a replacement mattress a little too soon!
Benefits
- Buoyancy
Unlike memory foam, latex mattresses give you a bouncy feel when you go to bed. You do not sink in, but the mattress adjusts to your curves. And if you feel it is not firm enough, you can always opt for a natural latex mattress topper!
- Motion Isolation
If you sleep with a partner who tosses and turns repeatedly or a child who will just not lie still in bed, then the latex mattress will make sure your comfortable sleep is not disturbed by that.
- Hypoallergenic
It’s the ideal solution for infants and people with sensitive skin. And the best part- latex is resistant to dust and mites! In fact, in most cases, even people with latex allergies are safe to sleep on these, as the allergenic factors are eliminated during production. However, you must consult a doctor to confirm the allergy is not severe.
- Environment-friendly
Unlike the aldehydes and perfluorocarbons used in memory foam, the latex foams are produced from 100% natural rubber tree sap. An increase in latex mattress sales will also mean planting excess rubber trees, which helps in decreasing our carbon footprint. Many companies are rolling out organic mattress toppers, so you can choose a natural latex mattress topper to supplement your mattress! It is eco-friendly even in the long run, as it is biodegradable and sustainable.
- Cool Sleep
Memory foam mattresses tend to hold on to your body heat, leading to an uncomfortably warm sleep. This issue can be solved with the use of latex mattresses, which have an open-cell structure. This promotes free airflow, leading to a cooler and more comfortable sleep.
- Customizability
The layers of an organic latex mattress are not glued together. Rather, you can customize the positioning of the layers in any way you feel like. So much so, that you can even make the density and firmness of the same bed vary in different parts!
Sleep Experts Recommend Organic Latex Mattresses
The kinds of sleepers to benefit most from latex mattresses:
A side-sleeper will be best served with the use of a latex mattress! Because of the unique body-contouring ability of the latex mattress, it cushions and supports the pressure points of the side sleeper.
Latex mattresses are extremely comfortable for people who suffer from chronic back pain. Because of their buoyancy and firmness, they provide ample support and counter-pressure. If you want to further enhance the firmness, you can always add a natural latex mattress topper.
Latex mattresses are a good investment for a good night's sleep after a tiring day. Though the latex mattresses may seem a bit more expensive than memory foam, they prove to be more economical in the long run, as they last much longer than memory foam, almost up to 20 years.
So the next time you’re considering a change of mattress, you could keep these pointers in mind and go for a comfy, organic latex mattress!
