The Pros and Cons of a Latex Mattress

Trying to figure out if a latex mattress is right for you? In this post, I will go through some of the positives and negatives of latex. First, I’ll tell you what a latex mattress is. A latex mattress is made with layers of latex or rubber. The sap of the rubber tree is harvested and baked into a foam, that acts as the mattress core. The cover of the mattress is typically made from organic cotton and wool. The wool in the casing acts as a natural fire retardant, so there is no need for fire retardant chemicals.

There are two types of latex:  Dunlop and Talalay. Talalay latex goes through two extra steps. After the latex is poured, the mold is sealed and the process is continued in a vacuum chamber. The mold is then flash-frozen before it’s baked. Dunlop latex is denser which makes it firmer than Talalay. Talalay has a pillowly soft surface feel. Side sleepers can benefit from a Talalay mattress, if they need extra pressure point relief. Dunlop is a little cheaper to make so usually has a lower price point, and is a good choice for customers who like a firmer mattress. Most manufacturers will make their mattresses with one type of latex or the other. However, Savvy Rest one of the brands we carry offers both types.

Okay now the pros:

Comfort – Latex mattresses are extremely comfortable. They are supportive but still offer the pressure point relief that you need.

Organic/Natural/Sustainable – Natural latex is a sustainable alternative to polyurethane and memory foam. It is not synthetic or treated with possibly harmful chemicals. Latex can be certified as GOTS the industry’s standard for organic certification. Latex is actually biodegradable.  If you left it out in the sun for long periods of time unprotected, it was start to decompose.

Customizable – Many latex mattresses can be customized to your firmness preference. Both Dunlop and Talalay latex come in different densities/firmness. You can have a range of firmness from plush to firm. The mattress can even be split down the middle, where one side can be firmer than the other. This works well for couples that may have a difference in opinion as to what constitutes the perfect mattress.

Pressure relief – As mentioned before latex offers excellent pressure relief, especially Talalaly. If you are a side sleeper, Talalay can cradle your hips and offer gentle support.

Sleeping Cool – Unlike memory foam, latex does not trap in heat. This enables you to have a more comfortable nights sleep. It is this chemical reaction between memory foam and your body heat that allows the mattress to conform to your body’s curves. This reaction may feel good at first but will cause your body to overheat.

Durable – Latex mattresses are designed to be durable. They usually have much longer warranties then synthetic conventional mattresses. They are less prone to dips overtime.

Cons?

Okay there are a few cons.

Weight – Latex mattresses are heavy and can not be supported on a traditional box spring. It is preferred that the mattresses are placed upon a slated bed or foundation, where the slats are no more than 3.5 inches apart. This will also allow the mattress to breath.

Price: Yes, latex mattresses are more expensive because of the natural materials that comprise them. There is a cost to the certifications they must go through as well. However, as a natural mattress store owner I have to say if you can make the price point work it is worth it! We try to carry mattresses at many different price points.

 

 

 

Purchasing a Mattress Online versus Local Retail Store

Upwards of 20% of mattresses are now purchased online. That number has put a strain on mattress stores, just like online shopping overall has hurt local retail. Most customers still report wanting to try out their mattress before they make their final purchase. However, with online mattress companies making sleep guarantees/trial periods as long as 120 days, some consumers have opted for the ease of just making a few clicks and having a bed in a box being delivered to their front door.

Other customers are trying to avoid high pressure sales tactics employed by sales people at retail mattress outlets. Customers are also thinking they can achieve a better deal by shopping online. Online companies will say they can offer lower prices due to not having a middle man, or not having the cost of having a brick or mortar store. However, this may or may not be true as there is a cost to marketing your business online. Online ad campaigns are not cheap, and if you want to come up first in online searches you are going to have to pay for it. Regardless, there is going to be a shakeup in the industry. The amount of online mattress companies has ballooned in the last 5 years. Some will survive and thrive. Others will be forced to close. Some online retailers are now opening up brick and mortar stores of their own.

At our small local store, the rise of online competition has had some benefits, even though it is most likely taking away sales from our store. Our mattresses are made of latex, organic cotton and wool for the most part. The wool acts as a natural fire retardant, so you don’t have to spray fire retardant chemicals on your mattress. This is not true of conventional mattresses, which also may contain petrol based foams, polyurethanes, and formaldehydes. There are several online brands that offer a similar product, and the amount is growing every day. Zenhaven and Avocado are two examples. The rise of brands like these have spread the word of the benefits of purchasing a natural latex mattress. It is informing customers that there is a natural/organic option when purchasing your mattress. Many customers who used to enter my store, didn’t realize chemicals were being sprayed on most mattresses. Now consumers are becoming educated on that fact, and the market for organic mattresses is growing which helps local stores like ours.

Zenhaven, Awara Mattress and Avocado will give you approximately a 100- 120 risk free trial. If you don’t like the mattress, you can return it. It is necessary for online retailers to do this since you can’t try the mattress before you purchase. From what I’ve heard, some brands (not necessarily either of the ones mentioned)  have upwards of a 20 to 30% return rate. If you have to return, then the search continues. You will have to start all over again with a new mattress and hope for the best.

Many of the brands we represent have a latex exchange policy. If within 90 days, you are not satisfied with your mattress you can exchange out a layer of latex to make your mattress either softer or firmer. There is a transportation cost but the latex exchange is free. When you pick out the mattress in store, you can customize it to your firmness preference. There is a wide range from plush to firm. So not only do you get to try the mattress in store, but you can make changes to it if your not satisfied with your sleeping experience once you get home. You can even split queen and king sizes down the middle, having one side being soft the other firm. This is a huge benefit, if you and your partner don’t agree on what a perfect sleeping surface should be. Examples of the models we carry in store that have this feature is the Savvy Rest Serenity, Serenity Spring, Organicpedic (OMI) Duo and Rossa and Eco Rest Max. This type of adjustable/customizable mattress have been very popular with our customers.  You just have to decide that organic latex is the material that works best for you. The firmness of that mattress can be adjusted at purchase in store or even after purchase.

When mattresses or futons are not customizable, we have started a new program where you have the ability to return or exchange the mattress. We have started this with are Ergovea, White Lotus and Honest Sleep lines. If after 90 days, you would like to return your mattress or futon, you can do so by bringing it back to the store or scheduling a pick up by www.resourcevt.org.  In the case of a return, the customer would be responsible for a 20% re-stocking fee. An exchange is also an option. The customer could receive a credit for the full amount, if they were to trade in for a new mattress or other bedding accessories through The Natural Mattress VT. The Ergovea Pasadena is very similar to the Avocado. Both are hybrids with 3 inches of latex and springs.

In store, we like to think of ourselves as sleep consultants, and want your experience to be very low sales pressure. If through our consulting process, we are unable to find the perfect mattress for you at the price point you are looking for we are happy with that. Hopefully, you are one step closer to finding the right mattress for you, that will enable you to find the good nights sleep, you have been dreaming of. If you live far from our store and looking to purchase online, we do represent several different manufacturers. Each one has its benefits depending on the type mattress you are looking for, so we do not try to steer you to one mattress over the other. We will do are best to help you over the phone. I have personally had over 10 years experience in selling organic mattresses. If there is something I don’t know, I will happily do the research for you most likely by calling one of the brands we carry.

I’ve also suffered insomnia over the years and have had to deal with some back issues. Having a mattress that works well for my body has helped quite a bit. A good nights sleep is so important to me. I will be looking to help you to achieve the same. That is my goal!

Lastly price! We offer the same prices here at our store as you would receive direct from the manufacturer. If they are offering a sale, you can also receive the same price from our store as well. If somehow, you find a better price on the same mattress somewhere else, We will do everything we can to match it as long as it is an approved price from the brands we carry.

We hope  to hear from you. We are always available via phone, email of of course in store!

Mike Hassenberg

Natural Mattress VT