Natural Latex Foam Mattresses: A Healthy Alternative to Memory Foam

Did you know that natural latex foam mattresses, made from the latex sap of the rubber tree, are a much safer alternative to the popular memory foam mattresses? Memory foam mattresses, like most commercially available mattresses, are made from petroleum based polyurethane foam, an extremely flammable material. Known as "solid gasoline" by firefighters, the polyurethane foam in most commercially available mattresses burns so furiously that strict new fire resistance standards have been written into law, starting with California in 2005 and going nationwide in 2006. These strict new fire resistance standards are being met by tripling the amount of fire retardant chemicals, called PDBEs, that are added to manufacture memory foam mattresses and mattress toppers.

Most mattress purchasers are unaware of the fire danger posed by polyurethane mattresses. But the greater danger may be the higher concentrations of PDBEs used to help prevent combustion in memory foam mattresses. PDBEs build up in the body in ways similar to banned PCBs, and they have been linked to cancer and other illnesses. PDBEs have already been banned in Europe, but not in North America. Some medical researchers believe that the extra load of PDBEs in newly made mattresses will cause millions of cancer cases in the coming decades. Because you lie directly on your mattress for 8 hours every night, your body has its greatest contact with the dangerous PDBEs while you sleep, and they pass right through your skin.

The solution to the PDBE problem is to do what the Europeans already do, sleep on natural latex mattresses. Natural latex mattresses are made from the sap of the tropical rubber tree. Natural latex foam does not burn well, and most natural latex mattresses are also quilted with organic cotton and wool which makes them very fire resistant, complying with all current fire codes.

Latex foam comes a variety of densities for different firmness needs, and, unlike memory foam, it doesn't have to heat up to cradle the body--the effect is immediate. Most people find 100% natural latex foam mattresses to be incredibly comfortable, relieving pressure points and improving circulation. Another great characteristic of latex is its durability. Latex mattresses have been known to last up to 30 years. Because of their resilience, latex mattresses do not need to be turned like innerspring mattresses.

Because latex mattresses do not have innersprings, they require a firmer foundation than the traditional boxsprings. Latex mattresses can be used with a platform bed, a slat foundation which looks like traditional boxsprings, but has slats on the top, or a solid wood foundation, which also looks like boxsprings but has a plywood top usually covered by fabric.

Chemical-free natural latex mattresses are produced by a number of North American manufacturers, the largest of which are Vivetique - Crown City Mattress, located in South El Monte, California, and Obasan, located in Ottawa, Canada. There are also a number of European importers of natural latex foam mattresses, the biggest of which is Green Sleep from Belgium.

Retailers of natural latex mattresses include a variety of local mattress stores who carry products from these manufacturers. There are also nationwide web retailers, like Dax Stores, which usually have the best prices for these natural latex mattresses.

Popularity Of Latex Mattresses

The mattress market is seeing a dramatic shift in the way people are buying beds. More and more people are seeing that the right bed can play a key role in being well rested and ache free.

Consequently they are turning away from their conventional innerspring mattresses which create pressure points that cause tossing and turning in search of a better alternative. Tempurpedic has poured money into advertising their viscoelastic memory foam mattresses, fueling interest in spring free mattresses.

People who are allured by the intrigue of the “space foam” are often unfulfilled by the lifeless feel of memory foam, and begin searching in a new direction. As a result latex mattress makers are experiencing a substantial boom in sales.

Latex international, the top US manufacturer of latex mattress components and latex pillows, is currently generating sales around $80 million a year showing an average increase of approximately 30 percent a year since 2001. With high end mattresses showing an industry average increase of roughly 20 percent, latex mattress producers are ahead of the curve.

This astounding and steady increase in sales is not because of some ingenious new marketing scheme, it simply reflects the consumer response to a quality product. Latex mattresses provide a sleeping surface that relieves pressure points better than memory foam.

They are naturally dust mite resistant and anti microbial, which makes an incredible difference to people who suffer from allergies and asthma. Unlike other mattresses on the market today latex mattresses are biodegradable, and are made from natural, sustainable resources. With an average life span of 20 years, nearly twice those of other beds, latex mattresses outlast the competition.

Looking to the future this trend has no end in sight. With the price of polyurethane foam recently jumping a whopping 55% due to factory closures, the margin between premium latex mattresses and other mattresses narrows giving latex the clear advantage.

Tempur-Pedic Toppers - What You Should Look For Before Buying

Memory foam mattress toppers are fast becoming a popular buy. Most consumers now realize the benefits of this new material but they may not have the budget for a new memory foam mattress; that’s why the Tempur-Pedic topper can be a great buy as it is a versatile product with many uses.

A Tempur-Pedic topper is one of the best on the market. A memory foam topper is a very versatile product. It can be used to soften up a hard mattress, be rolled out straight on the floor to provide bedding for guests or be taken along on the next camping trip; the list of uses goes on. A topper is a very versatile product.

But what should you be looking for when you buy a Tempur-Pedic topper or any other memory foam topper for that matter? Well, not all memory foam mattresses are created equal, so pay close attention to the following points.

Memory Foam Density

First and foremost, you should look at the density of the memory foam. Many brands come with a foam density of 4 lbs. This keeps manufacturing costs down but does not give you the support of one of a higher density. Also the lower the density, the shorter its working life. Tempur-Pedic toppers have a memory foam density of 5.3 lbs – the same as the Tempur-Pedic mattress.

Firmness – The ILD Rating

The ILD rating dictates how firm the memory foam is; the lower the rating the less firm it is. ILD ratings for memory foam toppers can range from 8 to 20, however most customers think that an ILD rating of between 12 and 14 is the optimal range: Tempur-Pedic toppers have an ILD rating of 14.

Quality Control

No other manufacturer can surpass the manufacturing process of this company. Other reputable companies like Sealy, Serta and Jamison can match but you can rest assured that when you buy a Tempur-Pedic product you’re getting the best quality.

The Warranty

All its products come with a 10 year limited warranty.

Beware Of Cheap Deals

The company's products are expensive – its mattress is about twice the price of most other memory foam mattresses; the same is true of its toppers. If you’re looking to buy one online beware of adverts that claim to sell genuine Tempur-Pedic for very low prices; chances are that if the price is too low then what you will not buy a genuine Tempur-Pedic mattress topper.

When To Not Buy a Tempur-Pedic Topper

Buying a memory foam topper has many advantages; a cheap upgrade to an existing mattress that is too hard, a spare bed for guests, for traveling and or even sofas. However, there are situations when buying a topper is not advisable. For instance, using a memory foam topper on top of an existing mattress that has sagged or if your mattress is just too soft. A Tempur-Pedic mattress topper is expensive so why waste your money; you would be better advised to replace it with a Tempur-Pedic mattress.

Memory Foam Mattress Topper or Memory Foam Mattress - Which Should I Buy?

There are a lot of people out there sleeping on older mattresses. Studies show that people sleep on their old mattress 3 - 5 years past its useful life. For some reason people just hate to replace their old mattress. So when it comes time to buy a replacement, many people want to hold on to their bed just a little longer and revamp with a memory foam mattress topper.

Old mattresses are familiar and comforting. We get used to the way our old bed feels and don't realize how it's slowly changing for the worse. Usually we go out looking for a new mattress as a last resort because our backs ache and we are losing sleep. We love to spend money on new cars or electronics because they are fast and shiny and make us look cool. But most of us grudgingly shop for a new mattress.

It's a mystery why. Everybody loves their mattress. We spend 1/3 of our lives in bed and our mattresses are a big factor in the quality of sleep we get and our life in general. They are so important to us, so when it's time for an improvement, we can really benefit from a good choice.

Get A Memory Foam Mattress Topper

When a mattress has taken a turn for the worse many people think of revamping with a mattress topper. This is a great idea if your mattress is a good match. There are two questions to consider when evaluating your current mattress:

1) Is it too soft?

2) Does it sag in the middle?

If you can answer yes to either one of these questions, then you need to skip the topper and go for a whole memory foam mattress. But if your mattress is firm and flat, then it's a good candidate for a foam topper upgrade.

Mattress toppers come in 2", 3", and 4" heights as a standard. The thicker the topper, the softer it will make your bed. So if you have a really firm bed, or you just want a super soft mattress, then you may want to go with the 4" topper. Most people use a 3" topper. If you just want a little extra softness, then 2" will be fine.

Get A Memory Foam Mattress

If your mattress is not firm and flat, then it's not a good match for a mattress topper. It's time to go for a whole new bed.

Memory foam mattresses are constructed with 2 basic layers, the memory foam layer on top and the base foam layer on bottom. The purpose of the memory foam layer is to provide contouring comfort and initial support. The base layer flexes and offers deep support. It keeps your hips and shoulders from sinking too far into the mattress and keeps your spine in alignment.

A good mattress is constructed with just the right amount and kind of both memory foam and base foam. In addition a good cover keep your mattress clean, acts as a fire retardant, and wicks moisture away from you to help keep you cool and dry.

Both memory foam toppers and mattresses are a good choice if you appreciate the benefits of memory foam. If you want to keep your current mattress, just make sure it's a good fit for a topper (it's firm and flat) and if not, then go whole hog and get a good memory foam mattress. You will be glad you did.

Latex Allergy and Latex Foam Mattresses, Pillows or Toppers

Latex Allergy Facts


Lately we have been getting a lot of inquiries about latex allergies and how they may relate to latex foam mattresses, latex pillows and latex mattress toppers. Here are some facts that everyone should know about latex allergies:


The protein in rubber can cause an allergic reaction in some people. The thin, stretchy latex rubber in gloves, condoms and balloons is high in this protein. It causes more allergic reactions than products made of hard rubber (like tires). Also, because some latex gloves are coated with cornstarch powder, the latex protein particles stick to the cornstarch and fly into the air when the gloves are taken off. In places where gloves are being put on and removed frequently, the air may contain many latex particles. These items are all produced using the "cold-dipped" method.


Non-skin contact products, such as mattresses and pillows, that may contain some natural rubber latex, undergo a five stage washing process which removes reaction-causing proteins while enhancing the over quality of the product. The openness of latex foam cells, allows for thorough washing. In addition, latex mattresses, toppers and pillows are manufactured by super heating the mold which vulcanizes the latex inside. These proteins cannot survive the high heat.


Complaints for allergic reactions to natural rubber latex are monitored by the FDA. To our knowledge, there has never been a single complaint over our more than 30 years of experience in the mattress business stemming from the natural rubber found in mattresses and pillows. These products have been tested by outside facilities and are shown to be inherently hypoallergenic for sufferers of mold, mildew or bacterial allergies. In addition, latex mattresses, toppers and pillows are resistant to dust mites and are naturally resistant to mold and mildew which are contributors to asthma and pulmonary function allergies.

Latex Allergy and Latex Foam Mattresses, Pillows or Toppers

Latex Allergy Facts


Lately we have been getting a lot of inquiries about latex allergies and how they may relate to latex foam mattresses, latex pillows and latex mattress toppers. Here are some facts that everyone should know about latex allergies:


The protein in rubber can cause an allergic reaction in some people. The thin, stretchy latex rubber in gloves, condoms and balloons is high in this protein. It causes more allergic reactions than products made of hard rubber (like tires). Also, because some latex gloves are coated with cornstarch powder, the latex protein particles stick to the cornstarch and fly into the air when the gloves are taken off. In places where gloves are being put on and removed frequently, the air may contain many latex particles. These items are all produced using the "cold-dipped" method.

Non-skin contact products, such as mattresses and pillows, that may contain some natural rubber latex, undergo a five stage washing process which removes reaction-causing proteins while enhancing the over quality of the product. The openness of latex foam cells, allows for thorough washing. In addition, latex mattresses, toppers and pillows are manufactured by super heating the mold which vulcanizes the latex inside. These proteins cannot survive the high heat.


Complaints for allergic reactions to natural rubber latex are monitored by the FDA. To our knowledge, there has never been a single complaint over our more than 30 years of experience in the mattress business stemming from the natural rubber found in mattresses and pillows. These products have been tested by outside facilities and are shown to be inherently hypoallergenic for sufferers of mold, mildew or bacterial allergies. In addition, latex mattresses, toppers and pillows are resistant to dust mites and are naturally resistant to mold and mildew which are contributors to asthma and pulmonary function allergies.