Latex mattresses fall between innerspring and memory foam mattresses when it comes to comfort, offering resilience that allows them to relieve pressure points while supporting proper spinal alignment. Unfortunately, latex is heavy and difficult to move around.
Latex has a rubbery feel and may emit unpleasant odors, but with some simple tricks you can combat this issue effectively.
Comfort
Comfort and support are the hallmarks of excellence for latex mattresses. Many retailers provide different ILD ratings and firmness options so that each mattress meets your specific preferences.
Latex mattresses provide the optimal balance between memory foam and innerspring mattresses, in terms of comfort. Latex provides more pressure relief than foam and offers a buoyant feel that allows hips and shoulders to sink just enough for stress relief and reduced stiffness in the morning.
Natural latex beds can be dense and heavy, making them hard to move if you frequently need to reposition them. However, some mattress companies provide white-glove delivery service that will reposition or flip your dual-sided mattress in order to solve this issue for you.
Support
Latex mattresses provide superior support, helping to align spinal alignment. Furthermore, latex mattresses provide exceptional pressure relief to reduce pain and discomfort – making it an excellent option for those experiencing chronic back issues or joint discomfort.
Mattresses made with natural, blended or synthetic latex can be found. Natural latex comes from rubber trees harvested through Dunlop or Talalay processes while synthetic latex uses petroleum-derived chemicals instead of plant oil to form its foam layer.
Natural latex mattresses are popularly known for reducing motion transfer between partners who share the bed, making it ideal for restless partners to share the bed together. Unfortunately, latex mattresses tend to be heavier than other options and should only be placed on solid platform foundations or you risk voiding your warranty.
Durability
One of the greatest draws of a latex mattress is its durability. Latex is a naturally hypoallergenic material, resisting mold, mildew and dust mites for a healthier sleeping environment – perfect for people suffering from allergies and asthma.
Latex mattresses stand out for their longevity with 25-year or even lifetime warranties, far superior to the 10-year warranties typically provided with other mattress types.
Be mindful that not all latex mattresses are created equal – some use natural latex while others contain synthetic foam. Before purchasing one, always consult the label to make sure you’re getting 100% natural latex without any blend of polyfoam or spring support material.
Eco-friendliness
Natural latex mattresses utilize natural materials and use minimal amounts of chemicals, making them biodegradable. Their durability also contributes to their higher owner satisfaction ratings than other forms of mattresses.
Natural latex mattresses are highly hypoallergenic, and resistant to dust mites, mold and mildew. Furthermore, they don’t off-gas like foam or innerspring mattresses and typically have minimal odor when new.
Natural latex mattresses use rubber harvested from Hevea brasiliensis trees, making their material both renewable and sustainable. Natural latex mattress manufacturers that meet Oeko-Tex 100 standard, Green Guard or Eco Institute certification criteria tend to use only high-grade natural latex.
Cost
Natural latex mattresses tend to be more costly than their polyfoam or memory foam counterparts; however, they provide incredible comfort and pressure relief, last a longer time and tend to be heavier than other types.
Latex mattresses may be advertised as organic latex blends. However, this term may be misleading as organic latex actually contains both natural and synthetic material and must meet certain criteria in order to be certified organic latex.
Latex mattresses’ resilience allows couples who sleep together to benefit from better restful nights by not transmitting movement easily from one side of the mattress to the other. This feature is especially advantageous as it may help facilitate better restful slumber.
