Getting a natural latex mattress can be your perfect choice, if you want a high-quality mattress that offers exceptional support, superior comfort, and is highly breathable. Below we will discuss what a latex mattress is, as well as many of the benefits of latex mattresses that make them so coveted for comfortable sleep.
What is a Latex Mattress?
A latex mattress is made from natural latex, derived from extracting liquid sap from Hevea Brasiliensis, commonly known as the rubber tree. The liquid latex extract is later whipped with air to form wet latex foam, which is then further processed to develop a natural latex mattress.
Why Choose a Latex Mattress?
Latex is elastic by nature. It also has holes in its texture that allows airflow, leading to better circulation. Natural latex has better durability than other materials, thanks to its breathability and resilient features.
Natural latex is also hypoallergenic, dust mite resistant, and anti-microbial, making it an excellent mattress material for sensitive sleepers.
You can enjoy superior support and luxurious comfort while sleeping on a natural latex mattress. The pinholes on the latex foam offer ventilation and comfort, providing a comfortable sleep.
Some of the benefits and drawbacks of natural latex mattresses are given below.
Benefits:
- Natural latex mattresses are made of latex, derived from the sap of a rubber tree. They are natural and eco-friendly.
- Latex is highly durable, and offers superior support when built into a mattress.
- Latex has small holes or ducts that allow airflow, making natural latex mattresses a highly breathable option.
- A latex mattress offers excellent support, and allows proper alignment of the sleeper’s body, releasing their pressure points. It also helps avoid aches and pains while sleeping.
- Natural latex mattresses are dust mite resistant, and are excellent for sensitive sleepers and those suffering from respiratory disorders like asthma and sleep apnea.
- Latex mattresses offer excellent edge support that makes getting in and out of bed easier.
Drawbacks
Some of the drawbacks of getting a latex mattress are:
- Because of their natural origin, high quality latex mattresses tend to be more expensive than other beds.
- Latex mattresses can be heavier, and difficult to maneuver.
- They are not an option for people suffering from latex allergies.
Types of Latex Mattresses
Based on the amount of natural latex in it, a latex mattress can be of the following types:
Natural Latex Mattress
The mattress is made from 100% natural latex, derived from sap, extracted from rubber trees. Natural latex is resistant to bacteria and dust mites, and is one of the highest quality mattress materials.
Investing in a 100% natural latex mattress from premium brands, like Latex For Less, can take your sleep to the next level of comfort and luxury.
For instance, the 2-Sided Natural Latex Mattress from the brand is made from certified organic latex, organic cotton, and wool, offering superior comfort and support at an affordable price. The latex mattress has two firmness options, Medium, and Firm, that help you sleep at your preferred firmness level.
Organic Latex Mattress
An organic latex mattress is made from 100% natural latex, processed from the sap extracted from rubber trees, grown sustainably and free from pesticides and harmful chemicals.
The processing method of organic latex mattresses also involves natural materials certified as pure, without using harmful dyes, synthetics, or toxic chemicals.
You can enjoy chemical free sleep using the Organic Latex Mattress from Latex For Less. The highly durable organic latex mattress uses certified organic latex, cotton, and wool, and is known for its luxurious comfort, support, and pressure-relieving properties.
Hybrid Latex Mattress
Unlike pure latex mattresses, hybrid latex mattresses offer a balanced level of comfort and support. A hybrid bed typically has a base layer of steel coils with a top foam layer.
If you are interested in getting a hybrid latex mattress, your best choice would be the Hybrid Latex Mattress from Latex For Less.
The latex hybrid mattress comprises a base layer of individually-wrapped coils with a 3-inch top layer built from organic latex. The high quality bed is enclosed in a certified organic cotton cover.
The mattress offers luxurious comfort, pressure relief, and superior support at an unbeatable price.
Synthetic Latex Mattress
Synthetic latex is made in the lab, using synthetic materials like styrene butadiene. Unlike natural latex, synthetic latex is chemically processed, and can cause harmful off-gassing when used for sleep.
While natural and synthetic latex mattresses are made using similar processes, synthetic latex has a stiffer feel. It lacks the eco-friendly quality of natural latex. Even though synthetic foam is more affordable, mattresses built using it will not last long, and can be harmful in the long run.
Blended Latex Mattress
Blended latex mattresses are usually made from 30% natural latex, and 70% synthetic latex, and are one of the popular latex mattresses. They are more affordable than 100% natural latex beds, while retaining some quality of natural latex.
How is a Latex Mattress Manufactured?
A latex mattress usually consists of one to four layers. The bottom layer, also known as the latex core, is made from denser latex, while the top layers have a softer, and more porous structure.
Natural latex typically has numerous pinholes spread throughout its surface, improving air circulation, while providing a resilient texture. While natural latex foam has holes or ducts, the material further develops more pinholes, thanks to its processing method.
A natural latex mattress can be processed using the following methods:
Dunlop Process
The Dunlop method is the older and more established process to make a denser latex core. The processing of Dunlop latex involves whipping the liquid latex with air to form latex foam. The foam is then poured in one pour into the mold, which then goes through a vulcanization process where it is baked into a denser latex core.
Dunlop latex is a purer form of latex. It has two distinct layers - a denser bottom layer, and a lighter top layer. Because of its firmer structure, Dunlop latex offers superior support, and is most suitable for building the mattress core.
Talalay Process
The Talalay process is a newer method involving pouring latex foams halfway into the mold. The mold is then vacuumed when the latex foam expands to fill up the mold. It is then flash frozen, and later baked to form a lighter and more porous Talalay latex mattress.
Because of its energy-intensive processing, Talalay latex has increased pinholes that make the mattresses get a lighter and more porous texture that is excellent for building a mattress’s top layer.
Why Does a Latex Mattress Have Holes?
Latex is a sustainable and natural product made by extracting sap from a rubber tree. Natural latex foams have an open cell structure that allows airflow, making them breathable. The pin holes in latex foam enable the material to breathe and reduce heat buildup, while improving the mattress’s ventilation.
The latex mattress is further punctuated by pinholes during the manufacturing process, making the natural latex mattress a highly breathable one. The pinholes are not punched, but are created within the molds while processing latex foam into latex mattresses. While improving air circulation, the holes also provide a softer feel to the latex foam layers, with larger holes creating firmer layers.
Benefits of Open Cell Technology in a Latex Mattress
The open cell technology in latex beds can help you get better sleep in the following ways.
Better Temperature Regulation
If you are a hot sleeper, getting a natural latex mattress can offer better circulation, helping you sleep cool. The open cell technology inherent in a natural latex mattress releases the trapped body heat away from the body, allowing the body to cool.
Latex foam has tiny holes that draw away heat and moisture from the body, allowing better ventilation, and helping you sleep comfortably at night.
Increased Comfort
The pin holes in latex foam support your body curves, releasing pressure points, and increasing your comfort as your sleep. The open cell technology of natural latex improves the material’s resilience. It helps the latex bed bounce back into shape when the body weight is lifted.
Durability
The natural responsiveness of latex improves its durability more than any other materials available. Latex mattresses retain shape, and prevent sagging issues, while lasting 20 years or more.
Prevents Dust Mite Accumulation
The common problem with most traditional mattresses is the accumulation of dust mites, bacteria, and mold on their surface with time. Dust mites can be a significant source of allergens that can cause allergies, and aggravate asthma and other breathing disorders in people.
The open cell technology in latex mattresses prevents the accumulation of dust mites and other allergens, keeping the bed clean and hygienic. For this reason, a latex mattress can be the ideal choice for those suffering from allergies, sleep apnea, asthma, and other respiratory disorders.
What is a Memory Foam Mattress?
A memory foam mattress is made in the lab from chemicals like Styrene Butadiene. They have a softer texture, and are famous for their body contouring, pressure relief, and motion-isolating properties.
Is Latex the Same as Memory Foam?
Unlike natural latex, memory foam has a closed-cell structure, limiting air circulation. Most memory foam mattresses, as a result, are known to trap body heat, making you sleep hot. Also, unlike latex foam, memory foam mattresses are made in the lab using synthetic substances like polyurethane foam.
That makes a memory foam bed less eco-friendly than a natural latex mattress. However, both beds offer similar pressure relief, comfort, and supportive features, with the memory foam bed being more affordable, and an excellent option for budget shoppers.
Can You be Allergic to Latex?
While latex is generally safe for most customers, some people can have allergic reactions when coming in contact with latex components.
Latex allergy is a reaction to certain proteins found in natural rubber latex that causes your body to mistake latex for a harmful substance.
A latex allergy can develop as itchy skin, or hives, or even anaphylaxis, causing breathing difficulties. Make sure you are not allergic to latex before purchasing a latex mattress.
Takeaway
Natural latex mattresses are popular because they are highly breathable, supportive, and luxurious, thanks to their porous layers.
If you want a new mattress that provides a clean, hygienic, and luxurious sleeping experience, you must purchase a natural latex mattress.
