Buying a new mattress is always a big deal. A quality mattress should last you many years, so you don’t want to be left with something that’s not quite right. That’s why most people do research and read reviews before they purchase their new mattress. Doing so can ensure that people with similar mattress needs and preferences were satisfied with the mattress.
Once you buy a new mattress, unless you return it within the trial period, you’re stuck with it. So, if your mattress isn’t quite right, then you’re out of luck. This is where toppers come into play. If your bed is too firm or too soft, the right topper can adjust the feel of your bed, and provide extra cushioning, so you are more comfortable and supported while you sleep. It can greatly assist you with your goals as they pertain to latex mattress comfort and personalization.
Furthermore, just as latex mattresses are becoming more popular, so are latex mattress toppers. Until recently, memory foam mattresses and toppers have dominated the bed market. But, as more people try out latex, they find it to be a better material for their beds than traditional memory foam. Below, we’ll go into more detail about what a mattress topper, is and what a latex topper does specifically.
What is a Mattress Topper?
A mattress topper is an extra layer of cushioning that rests directly on top of your existing mattress. It can be made of a variety of materials from memory foam, down feathers, polyester, wool, and different kinds of latex. The purpose of a mattress topper is to alter the feel of your current mattress, so that it is more comfortable, and better supports your body.
For example, if you bought a new mattress that’s too firm, you can place a softer mattress topper over the existing mattress to give it more of a plush feel. Or, if your mattress is too soft, placing a firmer topper on it will provide additional support, and make the bed feel less soft.
Benefits of a Mattress Topper
Here are the main benefits of using a mattress topper:
Alters the Feel of the Bed
As we discussed, this is often the main reason people tend to buy a mattress topper. Adjusting how your current mattress feels can greatly improve your sleep. Mattress toppers accomplish this by making the mattress feel more firm or soft, depending on the topper you’ve chosen.
Protection
Using a mattress topper extends the lifespan of your mattress by protecting it from wear and tear. Using a mattress topper will not only make your bed feel more comfortable, but it will also allow you to use your bed for longer. It may prevent your bed from sagging, or forming lumps earlier, and it will also protect your bed from contaminants like dust mites and spills, making it easier to clean.
Added Comfort
If you have an older mattress that you just don’t get the same comfort from, a mattress topper may be able to improve the comfort and support of that bed. However, if the mattress has sagged, especially in the middle, a mattress topper won’t be able to fix it.
Using a mattress topper is a great way to add comfort, and thereby get more use out of your old mattress before you replace it.
Latex Toppers
Latex toppers are becoming more popular due to their durability, bounce, and temperature control. They can be placed directly on top of your existing bed to significantly improve it in a number of ways. Similar to other types of toppers, there are soft latex toppers and firm latex mattress toppers available, depending on your needs. If you’re considering a latex topper, first you should consider the differences in types of latex.
Types of Latex toppers
Latex toppers can be made from synthetic latex, natural latex, or a blend of both. Natural latex is made from the sap of rubber trees, and it’s more environmentally friendly and healthy than synthetic latex. Also, natural latex is considered to be of much higher quality than synthetic latex.
Synthetic Latex Toppers
Synthetic latex is a manufactured material. While it is often cheaper than natural latex, it is less durable, and considered lower quality than natural latex. Also, synthetic latex is often made of toxic chemicals that can harm your health. For example, mattresses and toppers made from synthetic latex may off gas volatile organic compounds (VOCs). VOCs are toxic chemicals that get into the air, and can be harmful to our health. Therefore, we recommend avoiding synthetic latex toppers, and always going with natural materials for your mattress and latex mattress topper.
Natural Latex Toppers
Natural latex mattress toppers are made from latex derived from the sap of rubber trees. The feel and durability of a natural latex mattress topper depend on the type of latex, namely Dunlop or Talalay latex. Natural latex mattress toppers are more durable than synthetic latex, plus it’s antimicrobial, hypoallergenic, and environmentally-friendly.
When shopping for natural latex mattress toppers or mattresses, look out for terms like “contains natural latex”, “made with 100% natural latex”, or “natural origin latex”, these are all shady ways for companies to make their products seem like they’re all natural, when they are most likely a blend of natural and synthetic latex.
Dunlop Latex Mattress Toppers Versus Talalay Latex Mattress Toppers
Dunlop latex and Talalay latex refers to the processing of natural latex, after it’s harvested from rubber trees. Dunlop involves a simpler manufacturing process, while Talalay latex is more involved. Both materials are used to create natural latex mattress toppers.
Dunlop Latex Toppers
Dunlop latex is a firmer more durable type of latex. It has a springier, denser feel.
Talalay Latex Toppers
Talalay latex, on the other hand, usually gives a softer, plusher feeling that feels cushiony.
Organic Latex Mattress Toppers
If you want to go the extra mile with your latex mattress topper, look for certified organic latex. Specifically look for latex mattress toppers that are certified organic by reputable organizations like the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) or the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS), to ensure that the latex topper is up to a high standard.
Why Buy Organic Latex Mattress Toppers?
Organic latex has many of the same properties as natural latex. For example, organic latex is durable, supportive, and bouncy. But, it may also have additional pest-resistant qualities. It may be more resistant to mold, mildew, and dust mites. Plus, you can be sure that any organic latex mattress topper is healthier and more natural than any mattress that is just made with natural latex.
For example, some manufacturers may boast about the organic latex in their products, but may have toxic chemicals inside the mattress or topper in the form of synthetic glues, or fire retardants. A wholly organic product, on the other hand, will not contain these chemicals. Therefore, an organic latex mattress topper will be healthier for you and the planet.
Benefits of Latex Mattress Toppers
Pressure Point Relief
For those of us with sore muscles or back pain, pressure point relief is very important. Using the right latex mattress topper can improve support and ease your muscles, while dissolving any back pain, and providing pressure point relief.
Latex foam has low point elasticity, which allows the material to deftly distribute your weight across a wide area of the bed. People who use latex mattresses and toppers usually compare sleeping on latex foam to floating on a cloud for this reason.
Durable
Natural latex foam is more resilient to wear and tear than other types of latex mattress toppers. This means that you should be able to enjoy the benefits of your latex mattress topper for years.
Cooling
Temperature control is a huge factor when considering any type of mattress accessory or bedding. This is because you can’t get the maximum comfort from your bed if you’re overheating. Many mattress toppers, like memory foam, don’t provide effective temperature control, and this can be a huge problem for anybody, particularly hot sleepers.
Compared to other types of foam, latex foam retains very little heat. Therefore, you will stay cooler with a latex mattress topper than you would with another type of topper.
Bounce
Traditionally, the only beds that provided bounce were innerspring mattresses. While some memory foam mattresses are responsive, they are certainly not bouncy. Natural latex foam combines the benefits of memory foam and innerspring by providing the contouring of memory foam with the bounce of innerspring beds.
A bouncy mattress is one that responds to movement, and makes it easier to move, without sinking into the bed. Responsiveness is particularly important for heavy people, people who move or change their sleeping position during the night, along with those engaging in intimate activities with a partner.
Silent
Latex is silent, and doesn’t make noise due to movement in the bed. Therefore, if you or your partner moves around at night, and is easily woken up from the noise, you won’t have to worry about a latex mattress topper.
How to Choose a Latex Mattress Topper
Similar to the latex mattress market, there are a wide variety of options when it comes to choosing latex mattress toppers. With so many options, customers need to be aware of their sleep preferences and needs, so that they can find a latex mattress topper that is right for them.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Latex Mattress Toppers
Type of Latex Topper
We highly recommend that you go for natural latex whenever you’re buying a latex product. However, if a low price is your only concern when looking for latex mattress toppers, then synthetic latex will likely be your best option. Otherwise, natural latex is always a better option.
When deciding on the type of latex you want, you can compare Talalay latex and Dunlop. As we discussed, Dunlop is sturdier, firmer, and more durable, while Talalay is softer and bouncier. However, regardless of whether you get Dunlop or Talalay, you should be able to choose the level of firmness. In other words, you can often choose a softer Dunlop topper, or a firmer Talalay topper.
Quality
Along with the type of latex you choose, you want to ensure that you’re getting quality material. Quality latex will last longer, provide more support and pressure point relief, and improve your sleep quality. Natural latex mattress toppers are always of higher quality than synthetic latex, and denser latex is usually more resilient than less dense latex.
Price
Price is another factor to consider when shopping for a topper. Latex mattress toppers come in a variety of thicknesses and densities, and it’s important to keep in mind that the thicker and denser toppers are, usually the more expensive they are. Also, toppers that come with topper covers tend to be pricier.
Sleeping Position
Everybody has a different sleeping position, and sleeping position can significantly affect your sleep preferences. Sleeping position also affects your spinal alignment and pressure points, so it’s important to select a latex mattress topper that properly supports your sleeping position.
For example, side sleepers distribute their weight less than stomach sleepers, because the pressure is concentrated on their side, which is a smaller area than their back or stomach. Therefore, side sleepers may benefit from a thicker latex mattress topper that gives them more space to sink into before reaching the mattress. Stomach and back sleepers on the other hand may prefer a thinner topper.
Thickness
Thickness is another factor to consider. Thinner latex mattress toppers will slightly alter the feel of the bed, while thicker toppers more significantly change how the bed feels.
Firmness
Firmness is essential when selecting the right topper. Selecting the wrong level of firmness will negatively impact the comfort and support you get from the bed, so make sure you pay close attention to how you want the feel of your bed to change. For example, if you’re bed is too soft, you’ll want a firm topper, and if your bed is too firm you should select a softer one.
Do You Need a Latex Mattress Topper Cover?
If you’re considering latex mattress toppers, you may wonder if a latex mattress topper cover is necessary. While a latex mattress topper cover isn’t necessarily required, covers provide a variety of benefits that are worth considering.
Latex Mattress Topper Cover Benefits
Protection
While a topper will protect your mattress from wear and tear, spills are another story. Technically, a topper will protect your mattress from spills and stains, but the topper itself will absorb the spills and stains, rather than the mattress, which isn’t good for the topper either. So, if any spills do happen, you can easily wash and clean your topper cover.
Keeping it Clean
Toppers generally aren’t machine-washable, which makes cleaning them rather difficult. Dirt, dead skin cells, microbes, and other unwanted contaminants can build up in your bed. But a cover makes cleaning the bed much easier, because all you have to do is throw it in the washing machine.
Preventing the Buildup of Allergens
While latex mattress toppers and latex mattresses are hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites, mold, mildew, and other allergens, they aren’t immune. Dust mites, pet dander, moisture, dust mites, and other unwanted contaminants can build up in your mattress and topper, and cause allergic reactions, which make getting a good night’s sleep more difficult. Using a topper cover prevents these allergens from building up in your topper and mattress. So, whenever you clean your bedding, you can wash your cover, too, to reduce any build-up of allergens.
Improves Comfort
Choosing the right topper cover, like an organic cotton cover, can add an extra layer of comfort to your bed. Furthermore, organic cotton covers wick away moisture, to keep you cool and dry throughout the night.
Latex For Less
If you’re considering adding a latex mattress topper to your existing mattress, we highly recommend the Latex For Less Topper. This natural latex mattress topper is a luxurious and comfortable topper made from the finest quality organic latex, certified organic by the Global Organic Latex Standard. We guarantee that our toppers contain no synthetic materials, no fillers, and no chemicals.
The Latex for Less Topper comes in every size for every type of bed, and it comes in two thicknesses: 2-inch and 3-inch. Furthermore, you can choose from three levels of comfort, ranging from Soft, to Medium, to Medium-Firm. With this high-quality latex mattress topper, there is an option for every kind of sleeper.
This topper comes with a five-year warranty, and is built to last, so you should reap the benefits from it for years to come. So, order your Latex For Less topper today, and enjoy deep, rejuvenating sleep!
