What to Expect From a Latex Mattress

Mitch — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 15:22:08 +0000

There is a misconception that the latex mattress is relatively new on the scene. While it’s true that in the US the Talalay style mattresses have only recently started to become popular, Dunlop actually introduced the first latex mattresses shortly after they developed their vulcanized rubber technology in 1926! So in that sense they’ve been around for the best part of a hundred years. Here we look a little bit at the history of the two styles of latex mattress, in order to understand the differences between them and let you know what you can expect from one if you buy one. When the inner-spring mattress took over as the most popular style of mattress in the 1930′s the latex mattresses developed by Dunlop were swept aside to some extent. Dunlop had developed a method whereby the natural rubber sap was collected from the trees, whipped up into a froth, baked at high temperature and then allowed to cool into a dense supportive foam that was especially dense at its base where the sediment had collected. The British used it extensively at the upper end of their bedding market. Soon after a new method became available after a couple of processes were added to the method described above. This was the Talalay method and involved the rubber foam being freeze dried before baking and an “evening out” vacuum process applied that meant it had a uniform density throughout. It was also often treated with chemicals like ammonia. It generally produces a softer mattress than the Dunlop method, whilst retaining all of its natural supportive qualities, but it is generally more expensive and there are only a couple of Talalay latex manufacturers that can claim to be 100% natural, with no chemicals used. When you are reading online about latex mattresses you will find both styles, but the Talalay is probably more popular in the US. Many of the major innerspring mattress manufacturers have recently added latex foam and memory foam models to their ranges to compete with the big influx of foam mattresses onto the market in the past twenty years or so. The main reasons why latex has become a material of choice is that it has a natural cushioning and elasticity which makes it ideal in the comfort layers of a mattress. It has a natural firmness that provides support too, as well as being good at containing motion. It also has the advantage of being a natural product though, as we have pointed out above, a Dunlop natural latex mattress has far more chance of not having been treated with any chemicals at all than a Talalay one. You will need to check the fine print on the labels if that is important to you. When used in conjunction with the innersprings, as with many of the leading, established US manufacturers, latex provides the best of both worlds – the old-world qualities of the well-made supportive coil-springs and the newer, fresher feel of the latex in the upper layers providing the luxury. Many will not need flipping and they will also be hyper-allergenic, bacteria and dust-mite free .The best latex mattress will not come cheap and often they are usually amongst the most expensive in the whole range – up to several thousand dollars in many cases.. Latex mattresses in general, from the main makers, rate very well from owners. They are especially well-considered in terms of motion isolation, being comfortable for people who suffer from back pain, being allergy-free, being noiseless, odorless and being good for activities other than sleeping! The only negative comments centered around body impressions being left on the mattress and a few owners reported premature sagging, but perhaps this was more so with the cheaper models that have come on to the market. Some Talalay latex mattress owners also reported some discomfort through the mattress where the Talalay latex pieces were glued together, but again we would expect this not to be the case in the ones made by the established US manufacturers, which operate to the highest qualities of craftsmanship. Please also note that latex mattresses will, by nature, seem heavy – natural rubber is dense and it can take two or three people to maneuver a Queen or King into place.

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What to Expect From a Latex Mattress