Different Organic Latex Mattresses at The Natural Mattress Company VT

Posted on by Mike Hassenberg

Organic Mattresses

The mattresses in my store are only made of a few materials. It keeps my job simple. Organic latex from the sap of the rubber tree, organic cotton covers and wool. The wool is being used as the fire retardant. Some of our mattresses are all latex, while others contain latex and springs. Most of the mattresses ship roll packed, which is very convenient for shipping purposes. Others come in three boxes and you build the mattress when it comes.

Latex and Springs 

Most of the hybrid latex and spring mattresses are returnable, if you decide you don’t like the mattress within a trial period, usually 90 to 100 days. Not a surprise but mattresses with springs tend to feel a little bit more bouncy. When you lay down, your body tends to stay more on top of the mattress. The springs make it not as responsive or sink in as an all latex mattress. Certainly, you don’t sink in as much as a memory foam. Latex and spring mattresses tend to be more affordable than all latex.

The cost does sometimes depend on the materials in the mattresses and the amount of those materials. Some of our higher end mattresses from Ivy Organics do have springs, and they are 15 to 17 inches in height, with lots of hand stitching. They contain a lot more wool and organic cotton which changes the feel of the mattress. The organic cotton is not being used as just the cover and the wool is not being used as just the fire retardant.

Some of the most popular latex and spring mattresses in my store are manufactured by Harvest and Ergovea. The mattress that has the most give is the Ergovea Pasadena Medium. It feels like the mattress is giving you a hug. On the other hand, the Pasadena firm is the firmest spring mattress in the store. The Harvest Original is a medium to medium firm mattress and should work well for most sleepers. The Harvest Pillowtop has some of the benefits of being a hybrid but also feels a little bit more like an all latex mattress. This is because the mattress has 4 inches of latex on top of the springs. The Harvest Essentials is the most budget friendly, and can be a great option if you like sleeping on a firmer surface.

All Latex Mattresses

Mattresses made out of all latex feel a little more dense with less bounce. The Savvy Rest Serenity has two different types of latex: Dunlop and Talalay. The Dunlop is a little firmer. Talalay latex is a little bit more sink in and great for pressure point relief. Talalay is the closest to memory foam. The Serenity is an adjustable latex mattress. You can have a different firmness on each side of the mattress, which makes this mattress very popular. If you get the mattress home and are unsatisfied with the overall comfort level, within 90 days you can do a latex exchange and just pay shipping. With the latex exchange, you can make the mattress firmer or softer. You can also change the order of the latex layers to make the mattress firmer. Both Talalay and Dunlop can come in soft, medium or firm. There are 3 layers of latex in each mattress. Each layer is 3 inches thick.

We have two all latex mattresses from Ergovea on our showroom floor. The Madera is the firmest all latex mattress, and the Valencia is the most plush. These two mattresses use Silica sand for the fire retardant instead of wool. Without the wool, the cover is thinner and stretchy but still durable. It gives the mattresses a different feel, as if you are laying directly on the latex.

We also carry OMI! The Duo is similar to the Savvy Serenity in that is has 3 layers of latex, however it has a sculpted top. Omi’s signature sculpted surface adds pressure-point relief, added comfort with softness and additional air circulation. The Palera is a medium firm flippable mattress, which features the sculpted top on one side, or a firmer flat latex side on the other. If you add an OMI 3.5 inch topper on to the Palera it becomes the Pinnacle, a very luxurious feeling mattress. Just like sleeping on a cloud!

To find out which type of latex mattress is best for you, please feel free to give us a call, send us a text, or better yet if you are in the area stop by the store!

 

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?”

What You Need to Know Before Buying a Latex Mattress

Posted on by Mike Hassenberg

What You Need to Know Before Buying a Latex Mattress

If you’re interested in buying natural latex mattresses but don’t exactly know where to start, here is the basic information you’ll need to know.

It’s Not Pure Latex

Even if someone sells a mattress as “100% latex” it’s not technically true. The natural sap from the rubber tree has to be processed in order to be able to form latex layers or cores for the mattress. If the sap was processed at 100%, it would be to thick to form the natural layers in the beds. The manufacturing process involves adding a few minor additives which is why the actual percentage is between 95-97% latex. Many bedding companies use blended latex, where they use only 5% of natural latex and the remaining is petroleum based foam. In the process they increase the margins and profits by misleading you the customer.

If you’re in the market for truly natural rubber then the less than 5% that isn’t latex should have no bearing on the comfort or quality of the mattress when you compare it with synthetic or blended foams.

How Long Will it Last?

This depends on the manufacturer but natural latex mattresses have a considerably long life. If you buy high-quality, natural latex mattresses and take care of it you could have the mattress for up to 30 years and still get a good night’s rest. The average traditional coil spring mattress usually lasts six to ten years. So at the end of the day, any additional cost or hassle associated with a latex mattress is well worth it considering how much longer they last.

Rubber Isn’t Easy to Get

You might think that because the sap from the rubber tree comes from a tree that it’s simple to process but rubber trees only grow within 10 degrees of the equator, making the supply rather limited. Another limitation on harvesting rubber is the weather. Rubber trees can only be sliced during the dry season – which only adds up to 180 days out of the year.

How Rubber is Harvested

The rubber tree is sliced at an angle, about three feet long, allowing the serum to run into a holding container. After an hour or so the serum stops flowing and the tree eventually heals. It’s interesting to note, when the serum is harvested more than half of it is water.

About LatexHow Latex Rubber is Processed

In order to prevent the serum from coagulating before it can be processed most companies add ammonia, which eventually washes out as it is processed. The rubber serum is then whipped in a centrifuge to separate the elements and concentrate the rubber to be used. The final step involves washing the latex through water and squeezing the excess out using metal rollers.

Pros to Sleeping on Latex

Most foam mattresses “sleep hot” which means they absorb your body heat while you sleep, making you warmer. A latex mattress allows air to circulate which creates a cooler and more comfortable sleeping arrangement and the night’s sleep you’ve been looking for. Traditional mattresses will sag with use and time but because of the resilient material, latex mattresses are less prone to sagging providing you with a better night’s sleep. Latex mattresses are also great for relief on your pressure points while providing enough support for your back and joints. Because the latex material absorbs motion it makes it the ideal mattress for sharing. This way, everyone has uninterrupted sleep.

Take a look around www.naturalmattressvt.com to see our wide selection of latex mattresses. Call us at 802-985-2650 with questions you may have.

What’s in Your Mattress?

Posted on by Mike Hassenberg

What’s In Your Mattress?

 https://naturalmattressvt.com/brand/savvy-rest/

what's inside my mattress?

We spend a third of our lives sleeping, so why is it that there seems to be more of an emphasis on finding an inexpensive mattress instead of one that is actually safe and will last? Trust me, I love finding excellent deals just like everyone else, but what exactly does a “good deal” entail? It doesn’t always mean a super low price. A mattress should be an investment, not something you have to keep repurchasing every few years. Too many mattresses on the market are made with synthetic materials like memory foam. Memory foam will give you initial pressure relief, but it seriously lacks in durability and temperature regulation, not to mention that it is filled with harmful chemicals. Then there are businesses that claim their materials are completely natural, “greenwashing” consumers into thinking that their company is both luxurious and organic at an unbeatable price. If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

So, how can consumers purchase a mattress that is certified organic, comfortable, and will last for years to come? Savvy Rest approaches the mattress business in a way that emphasizes health and quality over cutting corners. We want you to feel like you’re making an informed decision, which is why our website is filled with useful articles and videos that are meant to help. Continue reading to find out what’s in a Savvy Rest mattress (and what you should avoid in others).

organic mattress casing materials

Certified Organic Cotton

Our GOTS-certified organic mattresses include two materials in the casing, the first being certified organic cotton. We never use cotton that has been chemically treated with pesticides. Not only are pesticides harmful to your own personal health, but they are also harmful to our planet. Certified organic cotton is the healthy choice and emphasizes the importance of sustainable farming practices. The cotton is soft yet durable, luxurious yet safe. You shouldn’t have to compromise.

Certified Organic Wool

The other material that we include in our Savvy Rest organic mattress casing is certified organic wool batting. Instead of using chemical flame retardants that are toxic to your health, we use wool as a natural flame barrier. The wool also adds a plush, luxurious feel to our casing, and is a material that promotes air circulation. A material like memory foam absorbs all your body heat, causing you to “sleep hot.” Wool helps regulate temperature so that you sleep warmer in the winter, but cooler in the summer. While several companies use certified organic cotton, few use certified organic wool batting, opting for a cheaper, non-certified wool instead. The wool batting that we use is free of synthetic chemicals and is never bleached. The sheep used for their wool are given organic feed and graze in organic pastures.

We take pride in utilizing natural resources because they lead to exceptional products.

layered natural latex mattresses can suit any body type

Natural Latex

We use two types of latex in our mattresses: Dunlop and Talalay. Both are incredibly comfortable and safe for your home. When you’re dozing off in your Serenity mattress, you have the option of laying on certified organic Dunlop and/or Cradle to Cradle Gold certified Talalay.

Dunlop

The certified organic Dunlop we use is supportive and durable. It’s on the denser side, so it has an overall firmer feel than Talalay. We recommend an all-Dunlop mattress for stomach sleepers, in particular, since stomach sleepers need a firm mattress that they won’t sink into. If a mattress is too soft while sleeping on your stomach, your back will begin to bend into an uncomfortable position, which will inevitability lead to pain. We don’t want that!

Here are some popular all-Dunlop mattress configurations:

organic Dunlop latex mattress configurations
Here are a few common configurations of all-Dunlop Serenity mattresses. They range from very soft to quite firm. Interested in seeing more possibilities?

Talalay

The second latex found in our mattresses is Talalay. Talalay is light and plush, giving you a luxurious cradling feel. We compare it to angel food cake, while Dunlop is more like pound cake (any excuse to talk about food).

Talalay is great for pressure point relief. In fact, we always recommend that side sleepers have at least one layer of Talalay in their mattress, specifically the top layer. This allows your hip and shoulder to gently sink into your mattress. Talalay will conform to the contours of your body, leading to ultimate comfort and support. If your mattress is too firm as a side sleeper, you will end up tossing and turning as you try to take pressure off of your hip and shoulder. This will lead to disrupted sleep, poor alignment, and overall discomfort. I don’t know about you, but I don’t have time for that—I need my eight hours to function!

I’m a petite woman and sleep on my side. My Savvy Rest mattress configuration (starting from the top) is Soft Talalay, Soft Dunlop, Firm Dunlop—and I find it incredibly comfortable. The Soft Talalay is not only luxurious, but helps me avoid waking up with achy shoulders or an aggravated hip. I don’t have a lot of meat on me so my mattress cannot be too firm. I like how the Soft Talalay transitions into the Soft Dunlop as I gently sink into the mattress. As I’ve noted before, Dunlop is a bit denser, so I feel like I’m experiencing that softness, but still getting plenty of support. It’s really the perfect configuration for my needs.

Savvy Rest Talalay mattress layering
Our most popular all-Talalay layer configurations, shown here, suit a wide range of weights, sleeping positions and comfort preferences.

So, What About Those Other Mattresses?

The mattress industry is growing and growing. This obviously means that consumers have more choices, but not all of them are necessarily good ones. Here are a few things to look out for:

  • Synthetic materials, or materials that are only partially organic/natural – It’s important to ask yourself a couple of questions. Is this mattress manufactured in a GOTS-certified facility? Is it actually natural, or only “kind of natural?” “Kind of natural” doesn’t cut it in our book.
  • Mattresses that aren’t customizable – One of the best aspects of our mattresses is that they are customizable. This means that you can create a mattress that is designed for your specific needs by choosing between Soft, Medium, and Firm layers of Dunlop and Talalay latex. We even offer split configurations, so that your side of the mattress is different than your partner’s. Plenty of mattress companies claim that their mattress is supremely comfortable. But comfortable for whom? How can they guarantee it will be comfortable for you when you can’t customize it? What is considered comfortable for one person isn’t necessarily ideal for another. Comfort is subjective; it depends on so many factors, and Savvy Rest acknowledges this.
  • Return Policies – Mattress companies that offer trial periods and returns are most likely not offering consumers a product that has high-end, certified organic materials. And we have to wonder where these returned mattresses end up–in a landfill? Our mattresses are made with materials that are expensive to source, manufacture, and properly certify. This means that our prices are higher than mainstream companies, but we believe consumers have an even greater price to pay when they buy into the “easier” route. Either you will return the mattress, frustrated that you’ll have to start the mattress search again, or you will keep it and eventually realize it is not as durable or safe as you thought. While you cannot return our mattress for a refund, you can exchange latex layers within 90 days of your purchase. We want you to sleep soundly at night, so if you spend a few weeks on your mattress and realize that you need to switch out a layer (or two, or three!), then we will send you the latex you desire. It’s really that simple.
  • Chemical Flame Retardants – Just don’t do it!
  • https://naturalmattressvt.com/brand/savvy-rest/
Display room with pale wooden finsihes and OMI Rossa Pocket Coil Organic Mattress

New Rossa Organic Pocket Coil Mattress has Arrived

Posted on by Mike Hassenberg

Rossa

The Rossa™ certified organic mattress is a customizable one-sided zipper-cover mattress. It features pocket-coil technology, encased in natural biodegradable materials, paired with a certified organic latex layer on the surface. Choose a split or solid latex comfort layer with firmness options in plush, medium, or firm. A sculpted surface is available at an additional charge to add pressure-point relief and increase air circulation, helping sleepers stay cool and comfortable. The pocket-coil springs are placed in a certified organic cotton encasement to prevent shifting over time. Covered in 10-oz. certified organic cotton on the bottom, the mattress is finished with our signature quilted woven cover.

FIRMNESS: Customizable
*DEPTH: Approximately 12″
CORE: Pocket-Coil Innerspring System
SURFACE: GOLS-Certified Organic Natural Rubber Latex**
COVER: Quilted GOTS-Certified Organic Wool and GOTS-Certified Organic Cotton Cover
SYNTHETIC FIRE RETARDANTS: None
SIZES: Twin – King
FOUNDATION: Wood-Slat Foundation with slat spacing no greater than 1”
WARRANTY: 20-Year Limited Warranty

Rossa Foundation Requirements

The Rossa mattress requires a unique foundation. The coil springs used in most supporting box springs are approximately 3 inches in diameter. The diameter of coils used in the Rossa mattress is approximately 1.5 inches. What this means, is that to prevent the pocket coils from resting on an unsupported space, one of the following options must be used:

  • Order the Rossa with the coordinating OMI foundation, which is padded to offer the coils proper support.
  • Order the Rossa with the supplemental foundation layer. The supplemental foundation layer can then be placed on top of a supportive platform bed, box spring, or foundation.
  • Place on a slat bed frame with no more than 1 inch between slats (most platform bed frames have 2-3 inch space between slats)

Not using proper support could void the warranty

Promotional Pricing Available:

(mattress only): twin $1,195 •  full $1595 • queen $1995 • eastern king $2795 • cal king $2795