Botanically Natural Latex foam rubber is the most durable mattress material available. It is completely renewable, sustainable, nontoxic, hypoallergenic, temperature regulating and is terrific for pressure point relief. It can be processed a couple of ways. The dunlop process, which has been around for 80 years, lasts 20-30 years on average; that is provided it is 28 ILD or more.

A newer method for making latex foam is the talalay process. This process creates a more even distribution of air bubbles than dunop and is more consistent on the microscopic level. In practice you will not be able to feel a difference and it will not have a significant impact on the durability of the mattress. Talalay latex is often used as a selling feature over dunlop latex. However, talalay is not necessarily better. What is truly important is whether or not it is a natural latex, a synthetic latex, or a blend of the two.

Botanically Natural latex is the milk of the rubber tree. Rubber trees grow within about 10 degrees of the equator and constitute some of the best managed forest systems in the world. Therefore, natural latex is very eco-friendly. The foam made from these trees is not subject to the body impression issues that you find in polyurethane, memory foams, or the synthetic latex.

Synthetic latex is an attempt to recreate the benefits of natural foam by combining 4 laboratory chemicals. This is a lower cost alternative to natural latex; raw natural rubber is more expensive. However, synthetic latex is not as durable as natural latex. It develops sags, much like polyurethane foam, and is not a renewable resource. It is not a “green” material, but it doesn’t off gas or have an odor. It is also nontoxic.

Blended latex, is less expensive than natural, and more expensive than, all synthetic rubber. Similarly, it is more durable than the all synthetic and less than the all natural. It comes in varying compositions ranging from as little as 3% synthetic, all the way to 100% synthetic. Anything more than 70% synthetic latex should be considered in the same category as polyfoam with regards to deterioration and body impressions.

Latex foam rubber is the only foam used in mattresses made with no off gassing chemicals. However, not all latex mattresses are just latex. Mattresses that use latex foam will often have polyurethane foam layers, or even memory foam layers. For example, an 8” latex mattress may not necessarily be all latex. Manufacturers and retailers are notorious for “bending” the meaning of words. An 8” thick mattress may have only 2” of latex. Still, they can, and many do, call it an 8” “latex” mattress. With every mattress purchase, it is a good idea to verify the components of a mattress that you are considering. It is perfectly permissible to ask to see the manufacturer's spec sheet. After all, it is your money that is being spent and you have a right to make sure that you will get what you expect to get.

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