One of the first things many people notice about a latex mattress is that it may be a little firmer than what they’re accustomed to. You may even find a latex mattress slightly uncomfortable in the beginning. This is especially the case if you’ve been sleeping on some sort of memory foam mattress recently.
That leaves many people wondering if latex mattresses soften over time. The truth is that most people if they give their latex mattresses one full month, will fall completely in love with their mattress, and not want it to change.
The good news is, by design, latex mattresses last longer than most other types of mattresses. Your latex mattress should not soften to the point you need to replace it, for a good 20 years, sometimes even 25 years! That’s why most latex mattress retailers offer a 20-year warranty.
Does that mean latex mattresses require a break-in period? Not exactly. We will address many important facts about latex mattresses below, including things you can do to ensure your latex mattress is comfortable for you while continuing to provide adequate support and pressure point relief.
What Is a Latex Mattress?
First, to understand why latex mattresses last so long before they soften, you need to understand what a latex mattress is, as well as the materials and production process used to make them.
Latex mattresses are made with latex foam derived from the tree sap of the Hevea Brasiliensis tree, also known as the rubber tree. It is this beginning that allows mattresses made of latex to maintain their form so well and so long. The benefit, when it comes to making mattresses with foam derived from this sap, is that it doesn’t form indentations or body impressions. Instead, it bounces back to its original shape time after time over many years. This means you can enjoy a better night’s sleep for many nights to come.
A latex mattress is often firmer than other types of mattresses on the market because of the resilient nature of latex foam. It doesn’t “give” as much as many other types of mattresses. However, the support latex mattresses provide is almost unsurpassed among all mattress types, so that you don’t wake up with the same degree of back pain you might with less supportive mattresses. Plus, you always have the option to purchase a latex mattress topper for additional pressure point relief, if you need it.
How are Latex Mattresses Made?
The materials used in the manufacturing process of natural latex mattresses are an important component of their durability, and contribute to the reason that latex mattresses rarely sag.
First, the sap used to make the foam is tapped from the Hevea Brasiliensis tree in an environmentally friendly and sustainable process that does not harm the tree.
From an environmental perspective, this is amazing. Not only do rubber trees grow quickly and abundantly in nature, one rubber tree can continue producing sap for well over 25 years.
Once the sap is collected into buckets, a process that can take up to six hours, it is taken to be transformed into latex foam. There are two methods used for this transformation.
- The Dunlop method.
- The Talalay method.
Each method uses environmentally friendly practices, though the Dunlop method is a little friendlier to the planet. The Dunlop method creates firmer foam layers. These layers are often used for the firmer supportive core latex mattresses are so famous for. The Talalay method creates a softer foam that is often used to create cushioning comfort layers for the top of the mattress. This is the latex you’ll also find in the average latex mattress topper as well.
What Is the Dunlop Method for Making Latex Mattresses?
Originating in 1929, the Dunlop method is the original method used for creating latex foam for mattresses. This method is simple, and goes as follows.
- The sap is collected from rubber trees.
- The sap is whipped into a frothy foam.
- Foam is poured into a specialty mold.
- Mold is then baked to create the mattress.
- The mattress is then removed from the mold, cleaned, and dried.
Because sediment in the foam mixture sinks to the bottom during the baking process when using the Dunlop method, the foam is much firmer than the foam used with the Talalay method. This makes Dunlop foam a much better mattress core with many people preferring top layers made of more comfortable Talalay foam.
What Is the Talalay Method for Making Latex Mattresses?
This method is a little different than the original mattress-making method. It involves a few additional steps, and requires additional energy to create. This is how Talalay latex is made.
- The sap is collected from rubber trees.
- Air is added to the sap, and then whipped into a frothy foam.
- Foam is poured into a mold.
- Mold is covered and sealed.
- Air is removed from the mold through a special vacuum.
- Foam is frozen to -20 degrees Fahrenheit (this prevents the settling that occurs with Dunlop mattresses).
- Foam is heated to 220 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The mattress is removed from the mold, cleaned, and dried.
It is the differences in the mattress manufacturing process that makes the Talalay latex foam so much softer than the firmer Dunlop latex foam.
Can a Natural Latex Mattress Help You Get a Better Night’s Sleep?
A natural latex mattress can help improve your sleep in many ways. If you experience pain upon waking in the morning, or wake up throughout the night with back pain or body aches, you’ll find the support that natural latex mattresses deliver is unsurpassed among mattresses on the market today. It may seem uncomfortable at first, that is why you should give your mattress at least 30 nights to see if it’s a good fit for you, but as you adjust to the firmer support of a latex mattress, you’ll notice that you sleep much better.
What you may not know, though, is that natural latex is also better for your health. While getting more sleep and better quality sleep is an important step toward improving overall health, there are more benefits when you choose a 100 percent natural latex mattress, such as:
- Fewer morning allergies.
- No-off-gassing. Means better air quality inside your home.
- No exposure to harmful chemicals.
- No toxins in your mattress.
- No polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs).
- No exposure to heavy metals.
- No harsh chemicals, like formaldehyde, or heavy dyes.
In other words, there are many ways your natural latex mattress can help you get a better night’s sleep.
Do You Need to Break In Period for a Natural Latex Mattress?
The good news is that there is no break-in period when it comes to your natural latex mattress. These mattresses are built to last a long time, without forming indentations to match your body’s sleep patterns.
While some people feel this is part of the mattress-buying process, the truth is that breaking down indicates a lack of durability in a mattress. That doesn’t mean your body won’t need to adjust to using a latex mattress. This is especially the case if you’ve used a soft mattress in the past.
If after a break-in period of sleeping on your natural latex mattress, you still find the mattress not ideally meeting your sleep needs, you might elect a soft mattress topper instead. Or you can look for a natural latex mattress that offers more than one firmness layer to consider. No break- in period required. What’s more, most latex mattress retailers also offer a sleep trial of 120 nights or so.
Different Types of Latex Mattresses
There are many different types of latex mattresses. Remember, there is no definitive “break-in period” with a latex mattress. Instead, you just need to give your time to adjust to the firmer support these mattresses offer. These are the type of latex mattresses available today.
Organic 100 percent natural latex mattresses
Organic latex means that there were no pesticides or chemical fertilizers used in the trees from which the sap was harvested.
100 percent natural latex mattresses
This means there are no synthetic ingredients or “fillers” used to make the latex used in the mattress.
Hybrid latex mattresses
Hybrid latex mattresses often combine the soft Talalay foam with an innerspring core to offer support and comfort.
Synthetic latex mattresses
It’s important to be careful. These mattresses are often referred to, deceptively by various mattress companies, as natural latex. That only means that a small portion of the latex used to make the mattress is natural.
Otherwise, these mattresses contain a wide range of synthetic materials that can harm health, and greatly diminish the lifespan of the mattress.
Understanding the differences can help you make better-informed decisions about which mattress will meet your needs best.
What Is Natural Latex?
Natural latex is latex that is made without any fillers or additives. Some mattress manufacturers add things like clay, sand, petrochemicals, and other fillers to reduce the costs of making natural latex mattresses. You won’t find these things in a natural latex mattress.
How can you tell you’re getting a natural latex mattress that is 100 percent natural latex, and not some other company’s greenwashed version of a latex mattress? One of the most important indicators is the presence of certifications from reputable independent certifying organizations. These are some to consider:
- Oeko-Tex Standard 100
- Eco-Institut
- Global Organic Latex Standard
- Global Organic Textile Standard
Certifications from these organizations indicate quality in the mattress and materials, transparency in the supply chain, and purity in the materials used to make your natural latex mattress.
Is a Natural Latex Mattress a Good Choice for You?
There are many reasons people decide to buy a natural latex mattress. If you decide it’s the right choice for you, it is likely to be for one or more of the following ten reasons.
1) They offer outstanding support.
You will have a hard time finding a mattress that offers more support.
2) They can provide pain relief.
If you wake up with aches and pain every morning, especially back pain, this is the mattress for you.
3) They can offer better health.
No exposure to toxins, harsh chemicals, and many other materials that can damage health from your mattress.
4) They provide motion isolation.
Natural latex helps to minimize motion transfer, so that your partner's nocturnal movements are less likely to disturb your sleep.
5) They are made with organic materials.
This is something nature lovers and conservationists can approve of.
6) They use earth-friendly materials and manufacturing processes.
Anyone concerned about the planet will rest easier on a natural latex mattress.
7) They are easy to maintain.
There are no major maintenance requirements to keep your natural latex mattress in tip-top shape for many years to come.
8) They are extremely durable.
Some latex mattresses last 20 years or longer.
9) They sleep cooler.
Natural latex is incredibly breathable, allowing you to sleep cooler because air flows through your mattress.
10) They work well with adjustable bases and most other foundation options.
The only concern is finding a mattress foundation made to tolerate the weight of a natural latex mattress, and the people who are sleeping on the mattress.
Is a Natural Latex Mattress Not a Good Choice for You?
That doesn’t mean natural latex is the best choice for everyone. There are some people who may find latex to be an uncomfortable option in one way or another. These are a few considerations to keep in mind before you buy a natural latex mattress.
1) They are heavy.
The larger the mattress the greater its weight. Single women, older couples, and others may have difficulty moving this mattress. People who move frequently may also wish to consider the weight when making their buying choices as well.
2) They can have higher costs.
Most natural latex mattresses are made with quality materials, and cost more as a result. When you consider that these mattresses last much longer than traditional mattresses, though, the costs often even out. Some retailers, like Latex for Less, cut out the middleman, by partnering directly with single-source farmers, and are able to provide latex mattresses at affordable prices.
Choosing a Latex Mattress
Choosing the right latex mattress for you may take a little longer than your decision to buy a latex mattress. The best advice we have to offer is that you should explore your options. You will find there are many latex mattresses on the market. You’ll have to decide the answers to the following questions to help you choose your latex mattress.
- Which type of latex mattress is best for you?
- How much money are you willing to spend for an outstanding sleep experience?
- How was the mattress manufactured? Did it use earth-friendly manufacturing processes?
- Will a latex mattress work with the beds or foundations you currently have?
- How will you dispose of your old mattress?
- How many beds in your home need mattresses? Will latex work for all of them?
- How soft does your mattress need to be? Perhaps you’ll need to buy a topper to create an additional soft layer between you and your mattress. Are you willing to do that to get the support latex mattresses deliver?
- Are you comfortable knowing there is no official “break-in period” with your latex mattress, and that it will not get “soft” over time?
With the answers to these questions, you should be able to easily narrow your search, and zero in on the right mattress to meet your needs.
Buying the Right Foundation for Your Natural Latex Mattress
Latex mattresses are heavier than the average bear. You need to make sure your beds and foundations are up for the challenge, or that you purchase new foundations, perhaps an adjustable foundation, that can meet your needs.
Your foundation needs to be able to support the weight of your latex mattress, which can be considerable. But, that isn’t all. It must also support the weight of anyone sleeping in your bed. This includes:
- Humans
- Pets (if they sleep in your bed though it is definitely not recommended)
- Children who climb into bed with you
- Massive pillow collections
- Bedding
Keep the weight of all these things in mind as you shop for a foundation or as you decide whether a new foundation for your mattress is required or not.
Memory Foam vs. a Latex Mattress
The best advice for anyone who suffers from back pain is to ditch your memory foam mattress at once. It is doing nothing good for your back as it offers very little in the way of substantive support. Latex mattresses, on the other hand, offer unsurpassed support, so you can sleep more comfortably, and wake up pain-free in the morning.
Your memory foam mattress may be exceptionally soft, but that softness means little if you’re waking up due to discomfort throughout the night, or in pain morning after morning. The other problems with memory foam include the following:
- Sleep hot. Memory foam traps body heat close to your body, so that no cool air flows through.
- Heavy processing.These mattresses are heavily manufactured which does more harm to the planet than latex.
- Less durable. Memory foam breaks down at a rate much faster than latex, lasting only seven to 10 years on average, compared to 20 or more with latex.
- Short break in period.Memory foam notoriously conforms to your body’s shape, creating indentations quickly as the materials in the mattress begin to compress and break down.
Memory foam can be exceptionally inexpensive compared to natural latex mattresses; however, the lower costs come at a great expense to your health and overall wellbeing.
Why Choose a Latex for Less Natural Latex Mattress?
The Latex For Less natural latex mattress offers a wide range of benefits to people in the market for a latex mattress. Not only is it made from quality ingredients, but it is also hand-crafted in the USA. This mattress comes with purity certifications for the latex, the wool, and the cotton used to make it is available in all the standard mattress sizes, and works with a traditional box spring foundation, platform foundations, and adjustable bases alike. These are a few other reasons to consider our Natural Latex Mattress.
Two Firmness Levels
When you purchase most mattresses, you choose one mattress firmness, and that’s what you’re stuck with as long as you own that mattress. This isn’t the case when you purchase a Natural Latex Mattress from Latex for Less. In fact, you’ll get to enjoy the benefit of two firmness levels, right out of the box. One side is firm. The other is medium.
If the firm side is a little too much for you, all you need to do is flip the mattress to enjoy a softer mattress experience. It’s like getting two complete mattresses for the price of one. If it still isn’t soft enough to meet your needs, you can always buy a Talalay latex mattress topper for additional comfort and cushioning.
Outstanding Warranty
You will be hard-pressed to find a better warranty in the mattress business. The Latex for Less Natural Latex Mattress warranty begins on the date of purchase, is non-prorated, and lasts for 20 years. There are exclusions that could invalidate the warranty, such as not using a proper foundation with your mattress, and the warranty only extends to the original purchaser of the mattress. You will find a list of things you must and mustn’t do in order to preserve your warranty on this page.
Organic Cotton
The cotton cover on your natural latex mattress is made of 100 percent organic cotton. This delivers a soft, welcoming sleep experience for you. Of course, the fire barrier just below the organic cotton layer is made of 100 percent natural wool. Wool that hasn’t been dyed with any chemicals, and will also serve to help you keep your cool while you sleep because of its breathable nature.
120-Night Risk-Free Trial
The good news just keeps on coming when it concerns the Latex for Less Natural Latex Mattress. Instead of offering 30 nights for you to see if this mattress is the best choice for you, we offer 120 nights of a risk-free trial in your home. This gives you plenty of time to explore both firmness layers to see which one works for you, or if other adjustments must be made to make your sleep experience incredible.
Incredible Value for Your Money
Ultimately, the Latex for Less brand is committed to delivering superb quality natural latex mattresses made with the finest materials and most natural manufacturing processes possible, for a surprisingly affordable rate. Not only are our mattresses affordable for most households, but we also offer financing through Klarna, so you can enjoy the convenience of low monthly payments for your new Latex for Less Natural Latex Mattress.
We are confident that you’re going to love your Latex for Less Natural Latex Mattress. That is why we offer you every opportunity to explore the beauty of our mattress, including free shipping and a money back guarantee. Visit Latex For Less and explore your options today!
