What’s the Difference Between a Plush and Firm Mattress?

Posted on by Mike Hassenberg

What’s the Difference Between a Plush and Firm Mattress?

Written by Liz, September 10, 2018

what is the difference between plush mattress and firm mattress

Before purchasing a mattress, it’s important to know the type of feel that your body needs. Do you need a plush mattress or a firm one? Which will give you necessary comfort for healthy sleep?

Let’s break down the differences and benefits associated with plush and firm mattresses.

What is a Plush Mattress?

A plush mattress is a mattress with a soft feel. It’s the type of mattress that you gently sink into, cradling and hugging you as you fall asleep.

What is a Firm Mattress?

A firm mattress is, well, firm. It shouldn’t necessarily feel like a plank of wood but it’s the type of mattress that doesn’t have a ton of give. A firm mattress doesn’t have that sinking feeling but instead has sturdy support.

Comfort

Everyone defines comfort in their own way. This is because we are all different shapes and sizes. What is comfy and cozy for one person may be horribly unpleasant for another.

When shopping for a mattress, you have to think about your height, weight, sleeping position, and if you have any medical conditions, such as back issues or hip pain.

You also have to listen to your body and figure out if you need firm, sturdy support or plush pressure point relief.

support for back sleepers

Support for Back Pain

If you have nerve-related back pain or back pain from an injury, a medium-firm to firm mattress is the best option. Stability is key. If you’re sinking into your mattress, that lack of back support will simply result in more pain.

However, keep in mind that back pain doesn’t always mean they you need a firm mattress. If you’re waking up in the morning with back pain that subsides as the day goes on and you don’t feel like you are sinking into your mattress at all, that may mean your mattress is too firm. Opting for a plush mattress or adding a topper to your current mattress can help ease that back pain.

support for side sleepers

Pressure Relief

A plush mattress is the best option if you’re a side sleeper looking for pressure point relief.

Shoulder Pain

If you’re a side sleeper with shoulder pain, sleeping on a firm mattress will only exacerbate that pain. It could even be the cause of the discomfort in the first place.

We typically recommend side sleepers have at least one layer of Talalay latex in their mattress, specifically the top layer of their mattress. Talalay is soft and pillowy. It’s excellent for pressure-point relief because it gently cradles the body as you drift to sleep.

Hip Pain

Talalay is also recommended for those suffering from hip pain. Again, a firmer mattress will only put more pressure on your hips (your hips take on most of your body’s weight) so a plush mattress is key.

A top layer of Talalay latex (typically Soft Talalay) will add necessary responsiveness, giving your hips relief.

What if I’m a Stomach Sleeper?

We’ve shared useful information for those who sleep on their back and side, but what about stomach sleepers?

Overall, stomach sleepers need a firm mattress. If a mattress is too soft, this will cause your stomach and hips to sink in and with that, your back to bend. You’ll wake up uncomfortable and sore.

Splitting Your Mattress

Do you need a firm mattress but your partner needs a plush one? Don’t worry—you don’t have to sleep in separate beds to get what you want.

Savvy Rest organic mattresses can be split so one side of the mattress differs from the other.

Explore our best-selling layered mattress options

customizable organic mattresses

Serenity

Our flagship natural mattress is customized with personalized combinations of Soft, Medium and/or Firm latex. Choose Dunlop, Talalay, or both!
Organic pillowtop mattress with natural latex

Unity Pillowtop

The Unity Pillowtop has four 3″ layers: it is simply the 3-layer Serenity organic mattress with the Harmony latex topper on top for added luxury.
organic mattresses for children

Tranquility

The Tranquility is made just like the Serenity, but with two 3″ layers of natural latex. It’s a good choice for toddler beds, bunk beds, or smaller adults.

We believe comfort shouldn’t involve compromise. Everyone should have exactly what they need to get the sleep they deserve. Sweet dreams!

Keep Mattresses out of the Landfill

Posted on by Mike Hassenberg

Article from Green Business Bureau:

Mattresses pose a serious problem when it comes to disposal. These large household products take up more than their fair share of space in landfills because they’re difficult to compact, clog machinery, and create large soft spaces that can turn into sinkholes after filling. The problem of mattress disposal can be confronted from two sides. The first is to recycle old mattresses, reusing their components to make new products. The other side of the equation involves purchasing organic/natural, biodegradable mattresses. For those in the hotel industry, understanding how to make smarter mattress purchase and recycling decisions can help positively impact green programs your organization may be undertaking.

MATTRESS RECYCLING

Mattresses are a complex product with numerous recyclable components. Mattress recycling programs deconstruct the bed, removing the materials that can be reused or repurposed. This process not only prevents the mattress from entering a landfill but also reduces the need to use more natural resources in product manufacturing.

Depending on the mattress type, the components that can be reused include:

  • Foam: The foam used in the comfort layer of the mattress can be compressed to make carpet padding, oil filters, mats, and upholstery stuffing.
  • Fabric: The exterior fabric, whether it’s natural or synthetic, can be shredded and made into other textiles.
  • Metal: Innerspring mattresses can have as much as 25 pounds of steel coils. Once removed, these coils can be melted down to make tools, construction materials, and auto parts.
  • Wood: The wooden frame of a box spring can be used in flooring or chipped to be used as mulch or compost.

Not all recycling facilities offer mattress recycling. Hotels are in a unique position, with the high number of mattresses they require, to develop mattress recycling programs within their local communities for their use and the use of community members.

BETTER MATTRESS CHOICES

The other side of mattress disposal is making wise purchasing choices. Everyone from private consumers to large hotel chains can make purchasing decisions that protect the environment. While there’s not a mattress available on the market today that will completely break down without a trace, there are 95 percent biodegradable mattress options.

NATURAL LATEX MATTRESSES

Natural latex mattresses begin as sap from a rubber tree. Through one of two manufacturing processes, that sap eventually becomes a natural latex mattress. Of the two processes, Dunlop and Talalay, Dunlop latex mattresses are the most biodegradable and won’t create sinkholes in a landfill. These mattresses come with a high price tag, and they will still be composed of anywhere from 5-40 percent synthetic latex.

NATURAL AND ORGANIC MATTRESS OPTIONS

If an expensive natural latex mattress is out of your budget, there are hybrid latex/innerspring mattresses that are highly biodegradable, but don’t carry such a hefty price tag.  In this case, keep an eye out for eco-friendly components like:

  • Plant-based polyfoam
  • Plant-based memory foam
  • Organic fibers in the cover like cotton or wool
  • Wool, cotton, thistle, or Kevlar fire socks

CERTIFICATIONS

Because there are no regulations or standards for what constitutes a “green” mattress, you’ll need to look for certifications from organizations that monitor environmental impact rather than trusting a “natural” or “organic” listing on a sales tag. A few certifications to watch for include:

Taking the time to recycle old mattresses and research your next mattress purchase are both great ways to keep mattresses out of landfills. For an example of a hotel that is currently undertaking a mattress recycling program, check out this recent article on Hilton’s recycling initiative.

_____________________________________________________________________

Author Bio:

Rick Blanchard is an expert on sleep product materials and manufacturing for BestMattressReviews.com. His research covers the entire life cycle of mattresses and bedding, including production, wear over time, and disposal. Rick lives in Tarrytown, New York.

The facts about a Savvy Rest Mattress featured at Natural Mattress VT

Posted on by Mike Hassenberg

Savvy FAQs (And Our Answers)

Written by Liz, March 27, 2018

Savvy Rest FAQs

When searching for an organic mattress, it’s important to ask questions. A mattress is an investment so you want to make sure that it has everything you’re looking for and more.

While we think you should absolutely choose our products, we understand that you might need a little bit more information than that.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we hear (and our answers):

  • Why are your mattresses more expensive than other mattresses?
  • What is the difference between Dunlop and Talalay latex?
  • What certifications do you have?
  • Is the Talalay in your organic mattresses GOLS certified?
  • Does a Savvy Rest mattress last?
  • How is Savvy Rest different from other mattress companies?
  • Do you have a return policy?
  • Why does one size not fit all?
  • How does the mattress arrive?
  • What is the difference between the Harmony and Vitality topper?
  • Does natural latex smell?
  • Does linseed oil smell?
  • What kind of wood do you use in your furniture?
  • Do we sell custom sofa cushions?
  • Is there a dealer near me?

Why are your mattresses more expensive than other mattresses?

It’s not secret that our mattresses are more expensive than companies such as My Green Mattress, Sleep EZ, and Avocado. But there are several reasons for this.

For one, our organic mattresses are completely GOTS-certified organic, from the cotton to the wool to the finished product as a whole. Our Serenity, Tranquility, Unity Pillowtop, SerenitySpring, and Pastoral mattresses are certified, as well as our manufacturing facility.

As you can imagine, all of our certifications come with a price tag, so our impressive resume also means that the cost of our product must be higher than those who have not met these standards. Sourcing organic materials is expensive but we believe the quality and peace of mind are worth every penny.

Our mattresses are also customizable for couples so you and your partner can have your own configurations without having to sacrifice comfort.

While a few other mattress companies have this option, it is not very popular in the online-only mattress industry.

To add to the customer experience, we’ve also made our products available to try out in stores. This makes the mattress buying process so much easier. You can figure out what you want in person instead of crossing your fingers and hoping what you ordered online works for you.

organic Dunlop latex
Dunlop latex is denser and more supportive than Talalay.
natural Talalay latex
Talalay is softer and more pressure-relieving than Dunlop.

What is the difference between Dunlop and Talalay latex?

We offer two types of latex in our organic mattresses: Dunlop and Talalay. The main differences between the two are certifications and feel.

The Dunlop latex we use meets the requirements of GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard). It’s an overall denser and firmer latex than Talalay, offering stable support.

Talalay latex is Cradle to Cradle Gold and FSC-certified. It’s known for having a plush and luxurious feel that is excellent at pressure point relief. We usually recommend at least one layer of Talalay latex for side sleepers.

Savvy Rest is the only mattress company in the world with GOTS-certified organic mattresses containing Talalay latex.

When choosing your Savvy Rest configuration, you can opt for all Dunlop, all Talalay, or a combination of the two.

 

Is the Talalay in your organic mattresses GOLS certified?

No, there is currently no Talalay latex manufacturer that offers GOLS-certified Talalay. Our Talalay latex is Cradle to Cradle Gold and FSC-certified. It has also met testing requirements for GreenGuard Gold.

Does a Savvy Rest mattress last?

Yes. Longevity is just as important as safety when it comes to sourcing our organic materials.

Besides toxic off-gassing, a major difference between natural latex and memory foam is that memory foam mattresses retain your body heat which allows the mattress to conform to your body’s curves. Over time, the memory foam will have trouble bouncing back, leading to significant dips and sags.

Our latex mattresses are built to last and come with a 20-year limited warranty (the Earthspring has a 10-year limited warranty).

Cheaper mattresses are not designed with longevity in mind. We do not believe you should have to buy a new mattress every five years. It should be around for the long run.

How is Savvy Rest different from other mattress companies?

Besides offering completely GOTS-certified and customizable natural latex mattresses, we’re also both a B Corp and an employee-owned company.

What is a B Corp?

Our B Corp certification means that our business focuses on more than just profit. We also care about positively impacting our community and producing products that are natural and safe for the home (and the planet).

We’re proud of our partnership with American Forests, the nation’s oldest nonprofit conservation organization. When you purchase a Savvy Rest product on our website, we donate five trees through the Global ReLeaf program. We’ve donated thousands of trees!

We’ve also joined forces with local women’s shelters and created the Safe Sleep Pillow program. Savvy Rest has donated almost 3,000 pillows to women who have escaped dangerous home situations and are looking for a safe space before continuing their journey. After leaving the shelter, they can take the pillow with them. We know a pillow can’t save the world but we hope it brings comfort and healthy sleep to these brave women.

Employee Ownership

As mentioned, Savvy Rest is an employee-owned company, meaning everyone shares in the company’s success.

It didn’t feel right to have only one person benefit from a company’s growth when a company’s success is to due a collaborative effort. All our departments are working hard to introduce the best organic products, to help customers, and to ship all the Savvy goodies to your door.

Every person and voice matters at Savvy Rest so participating in the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) made sense.

Learn more about what sets Savvy Rest apart.

Savvy Rest return policy

Do you have a return policy?

While online-only mattress companies allow returns, this is not possible with our organic products. The materials we source are expensive and we would not be able to resell a returned product due to health reasons (and the product would not longer meet organic requirements).

However, there is good news! We have a 90-Day Latex Exchange Policy for our mattresses that gives our customers peace of mind.

Let’s say you feel your mattress is too soft and want to switch out a layer of Soft Dunlop for Medium Dunlop. Just let us know and we’ll ship you the layer of latex and you’ll send us whichever layer you don’t want! It’s that easy.

Why does one size not fit all?

One size does not fit all because we are all different shapes and sizes. We all have different medical needs and injuries to take into account. We all sleep differently, whether on our back, side, or stomach. We need to embrace our differences and Savvy Rest does this by offering mattresses made for EVERYONE.

Customization means you get exactly what you want in order to get the healthy sleep you need.

You want a plush mattress? We’ve got that. You want something super firm? We’ve got that too. Prefer something in the middle? You guessed it–we’ve got it.

Your side of the mattress can even differ from your partner’s. No one should have to compromise comfort, especially when you’re spending top dollar for a quality mattress.

To read more on the topic, check out this blog.

How does the mattress arrive?

Our mattresses are shipped via FedEx. The latex layers are rolled and placed into separate boxes.

natural latex mattress topper
The Harmony features Dunlop or Talalay latex in our certified organic cotton and wool casing. Like our layered mattresses, it is customizable and thus covered by our 90-Day Latex Exchange Policy.
soft Talalay latex mattress topper
The Vitality topper contains Soft Talalay latex only and is encased in a supple organic cotton fabric.

What is the difference between the Harmony and Vitality topper?

Both are natural latex toppers but there are three major differences: casings, customization, and warranties.

The Harmony has the same casing as our organic mattresses. It is fully customizable topper so you can select any type of latex you’d like. The Harmony comes with a 20-year limited warranty when used with a Savvy Rest mattress (3 years when not).

The Vitality has a 3-year limited warranty. The casing is an organic cotton jersey knit. It’s super stretchy so you can really feel the softness of the latex.

The Vitality comes with Soft Talalay latex. You may request a different density of Talalay or even opt for Dunlop but a fee of $100 will be added to your purchase. Please email us at [email protected], or call 866-856-4044 to request a custom Vitality.

Does natural latex smell?

This is a tricky question because everyone has a different sense of smell. Some people are incredibly sensitive to certain smells while others can barely smell anything.

Typically, you may smell the latex for a few nights. This does not mean that your mattress is off-gassing harmful chemicals. It’s simply the scent of the natural latex.

Some of our customers find that once the latex is encased for a period of time, the scent goes away. It’s that initial period right after you’ve moved the layers and assembled the mattress that you may smell the latex. For most, this is temporary and does not affect their sleeping experience.

If you are still concerned about smell, you may order a latex sample kit so you can see and touch the latex before purchasing. We recommend keeping the latex sample by your bed as you sleep.

Does linseed oil smell?

We offer several zero-VOC finishes for our furniture, one of which is linseed oil. We let our finishes dry on our platform beds for two days before they are boxed and shipped. This lets the stain breathe so smell should not be an issue.

 

Natural versus Synthetic Latex

Posted on by Mike Hassenberg

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN NATURAL AND SYNTHETIC LATEX

Many people are perplexed to learn that not all latex is created equal. There is a natural form of latex and synthetic.  As a matter of fact, there is a world of difference between natural latex and synthetic latex.

Natural latex is manufactured from sap tapped from rubber trees, then it is either vulcanized (Dunlop method) or frozen, then vulcanized (Talalay method.) I don’t want to get too involved in which method is better, because it’s hugely dependent upon the processing facility and a number of other factors.

The point is, natural latex is an incredibly resilient and durable, clean and supportive material. It is resistant to dust mites, anti-microbial, antifungal, and hypo-allergenic.

The important thing to remember when considering a product made of natural latex is purity – what is the percentage of pure natural latex vs fillers or synthetic material. Look for certification by an independent laboratory such as Oeko-Tex, which tests for chemicals and toxins in the finished product. The Oeko-Tex stamp of approval will attest to the cleanliness and purity of the product.

Some manufacturers add fillers (most commonly clays, calcium oxide, or titanium dioxide) to the natural latex to make it go further (imagine taking one gallon of milk and diluting it with water to create two gallons of milk). While the finished product will be less expensive, the addition of fillers ultimately makes the latex less durable and more apt to rapid breakdown. Here’s where the consumer needs to be very vigilant…the fact is that natural latex with additives such as those listed above can technically still be called “natural latex”.

Synthetic latex (aka polyurethane foam/memory foam) is made of petroleum by-products, sometimes actually mixed with natural latex.

Again, that’s where you have to be careful. There are many manufacturers who tout their product as “natural latex”, when in fact it’s actually a blend of natural AND synthetic. Interestingly, Dunlop and Talalay latex can be either natural or synthetic. Needless to say, Caveat emptor — do your research.

Synthetic latex, being chemically based, has a tendency to break down more quickly than natural latex. If you’ve ever had a warranty issue with a mattress, you’ll understand immediately. Have you ever had a body impression in your mattress measured by your friendly local mattress salesman and told that it’s “normal wear and tear?”

Create a Healthier Non Toxic Sleep Environment

Posted on by Mike Hassenberg

CREATE A HEALTHIER, NON-TOXIC SLEEP ENVIRONMENT

 

Purchasing an organic mattress and/or bedding is a very sensible purchase. As humans we spend 1/3 of our life sleeping. The fact is, our bodies are continuously breathing and absorbing whatever chemicals are used in the products we sleep on. There is growing concern that many of these chemicals widely used in conventional mattresses may be harmful to our health. When you purchase an organic mattress or organic bedding, you’ll be eliminating the hazardous chemicals from your bedroom and creating a healthier, non-toxic sleep environment. A comfortable night sleep is important, but a comfortable, healthy and safe night sleep is essential. BENEFITS OF ORGANICWhen you purchase an organic mattress or organic bedding products, you’ll be eliminating the hazardous chemicals from your bedroom and creating a healthier, non-toxic sleep environment. Purchasing an organic mattress and bedding is not only an investment in a comfortable night sleep, but its also an investment in your overall health and wellness.The great thing about organic mattresses is that there’s no loss or downgrade in comfort or safety vs a conventional mattress.

Organic mattresses are made using the same techniques and as their non-organic rivals, but without the harmful chemicals associated with conventional mattresses. The highest quality organic materials and craftsmanship are present in all products represented at the Natural Mattress Company. The only thing you’ll be losing is the toxicity and potential adverse health risks that conventional mattresses provide.

https://naturalmattressvt.com/brand/ergovea/

DRAWBACKS OF NON-ORGANIC

Over the last few decades, natural mattress materials have been replaced with petroleum-based synthetics. Nearly all mattresses in use today contain polyurethane foam, vinyl (PVC), phthalates, formaldehyde, chemical fire retardants or barriers, and an extensive list of added industrial chemicals, many of which have been untested and approved by our Federal Government.

Natural mattress materials have been replaced with petroleum-based synthetics.

Recent professional studies have questioned the use of these materials. The proven effects of these materials is still unknown, mostly because tracking their long term effects is virtually impossible. The problem with these hazardous and toxic chemicals making their way into our mattresses and bedding is that our bodies are continuously breathing and absorbing whatever chemicals are used in the products we sleep on. Even if we are absorbing these chemicals in low doses, the fact is we spend over 1/3 of our time as humans sleeping, this is a significant amount of time to allow our bodies such close and extended exposure to potentially harmful materials.