Both talalay latex rubber and memory foams are marketed as the
premium materials for mattresses, but they’re hardly the same. In
fact, the two materials are actually opposites in many ways. And
your experience of sleeping on them couldn’t be more different! Here
are some critical ways these materials differ from one another:
Shopping for latex beds can sometimes be confusing. Not all latex
mattresses are the same – in fact, some aren’t even really latex!
It’s important to compare the various models to make sure you’re
getting the one you want. Here are some key questions to ask that
will make shopping for a latex bed simple.
How many inches of latex rubber is in the mattress?
There are 11” mattresses with 3 inches of latex in them (and the
remainder foam or other things) and there are 11” mattresses with
10” of latex in the mattress. There is a huge difference between the
two, both from a construction and a benefit standpoint.
What kind of Latex is used: Talalay or Dunlop?
Talalay Latex Rubber is made in a vacuum mold that both freezes and
vulcanizes the material and requires over 14 hours to manufacture.
The Talalay process produces a circular cell structure. Dunlop latex
is latex that is manufactured like foam on a line and takes less
than one hour to make and produces a snowflake cell structure.
Where is the Latex made?
Latex made in the United States is superior to most processes around
the world. The primary difference is the cleanliness of the material
produced. Talalay Latex made in the United States is rinsed five
times to remove proteins. Talalay Latex made in most parts of the
world is rinsed only once or not at all.
What is the Latex Rubber blend?
The industry has two latex classifications: “Natural” and “All
Natural.” “Natural” blends deliver the healthy benefits of latex and
provide more comfort, more pressure relief and are more durable.
“All Natural” latex is more natural and purer, although it is also
harder, heavier, more expensive, and not as durable.
Where is the Latex in the mattress?
The closer the latex is to the surface of the mattress, the
healthier the mattress. If there is anything on top of the latex in
the construction, the bed will not be as breathable, mold and mildew
proof, dust-mite resistant or pressure relieving.
Is it really a “Latex” bed?
It’s important to be able to discern
a “latex mattress” from a “mattress with latex in it.” A lot of
mattresses categorized as “latex mattresses” are not. Many contain
very little latex (less than 25%) and the design of the mattress
either waters down the benefits of latex or dilutes them all
together. The law label is a great guide to understand the latex
content in any brand mattress. The more latex in a mattress, the
more support, pressure relief, durability, and resilience it offers.