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.

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.

Savvy Rest Mattress Promotion October 2017

Posted on by Mike Hassenberg
Throughout the month of October, customers will have the option to choose one of three unique promotions:

 

(1) Receive four shredded latex pillows (any size^) free with the purchase of a mattress*. If you don’t need four pillows, this may be a great opportunity for gift giving in the upcoming holiday season.
(2) Purchase a mattress* and receive a 50% discount on a Vitality topper (matching size).
(3) Purchase a mattress* and receive a 50% discount on an Afton platform bed (matching size).
^Body pillows excluded
*Savvy Baby excluded

Is it better to sleep on your back?

Posted on by Mike Hassenberg

Is It Better To Sleep On Your Back?

Written by Laura, November 15, 2011

Cute kitten sleeping on its back

It’s Up To Your Body

Generally speaking, lying on your back creates the most consistent support for your spine. Your muscles and tissues can relax evenly in all directions. Like a baby, or a kitten napping on its back, you can just lie flat and your musculoskeletal system will be all lined up for restful sleep.

Except when that’s not true. If you have a wonky back, a sore hip, shoulder pain, breathing problems, or other bodily quirks (or you are pregnant), flat-on-back may not be the best sleeping position for you.

People sleep with themselves for a lifetime, and most have figured out what position works best. If you used to sleep happily on your back, however, and now find yourself contorted into a new, uncomfortable position or using multiple strategically-placed pillows, it could be your body has been searching for a way to compensate for a mattress that is no longer supporting you.

Not Sleeping Well?

If you miss a time when back sleeping was sound and comfortable, first consider replacing your mattress. You may need something firmer than you thought, for solid back support. You may need a more forgiving surface, or denser support and a softer surface. An optional topper can offer extra cushioning that relieves surface pressure without compromising the stability you need for your spine. If you have nerve-related back pain, choose a shallower topper. The 2″ Savvy Woolsy creates a cozy, comforting surface without letting you “sink” so much that back support is undermined. If you’re petite or lean and have no serious back problems, you may love the deeper softness of the 4″ Harmony topper.

Over the years, it’s not unusual to find that you prefer a different sleeping position than when you were younger. The most common change is to shift from the back to sleeping on your side. On your side, your rib cage prevents compression of the lungs, allowing freer, easier breathing. For some larger people, sleeping on the back can contribute to pressure in the chest, restricting the flow of breath.

Potential Problems

One condition that can develop with age, or excess weight, is obstructive sleep apnea. Tissues in the back of the throat collapse during sleep, blocking the airway. It’s a serious issue that, untreated, can lead to elevated blood pressure and other harmful consequences. (Central sleep apnea is triggered in the brain, not in the throat, so it’s important to see your doctor for a correct diagnosis.) Heavy snoring or gasping during sleep are clues to apnea. Many people with obstructive apnea breathe better on their sides. Those who sleep wearing a CPAP (controlled positive airway pressure) device, however, may need to sleep on their backs with the head of the bed slightly elevated.

Folks with GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), too, can benefit from sleeping on the back with the head of the entire bed elevated. A common mistake is to use a pile of pillows under the sleeper’s head — this just puts an additional kink in the diaphragm and can worsen GERD symptoms. Two four- to six-inch blocks placed under the legs at the head of the bed create a complete incline that helps gravity keep stomach acids where they belong.

If you are fit, limber, and of normal weight, you can likely sleep happily on your back – or in just about any position you like. If your body’s asking for a change, try your side or a partial-side position. Use a body pillow at your back or front to stabilize your trunk until you’re used to the change.

The one sleeping position most experts “tsk” about is on the stomach, particularly while using a pillow. The pillow creates strain on the cervical spine from a kinked-back neck, and the spine is tilted upward from the pelvis. Over time, stomach sleeping will stress the lower back.

Once you have the right mattress and have experimented with position, surface softness and perhaps new pillows, you’ll find it easier to recognize which way of arranging yourself gives you sound, refreshing sleep. Sleep well!

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/

The Neglected Resolution

Posted on by Mike Hassenberg

The Neglected Resolution

The Neglected Resolution.

Lose weight? Check. Quit smoking? DOUBLE check. Exercise? Well, sure. Eat healthier? Of course!

These are typical (and important) New Year’s resolutions. There’s no time like the new year to re-commit to your health and well-being—that excitement can be a great kickstart for positive new habits. But, strangely, one thing that’s just as critical to your health seldom makes it onto New Year’s resolution lists.

Getting enough sleep.

A post-holiday sleep checkup

Think back over the last week or so. Chances are, it’s gone one of several ways:

  • You’ve had extra time with family, and you’ve had a chance to relax. You’ve been getting to bed earlier and savoring mornings without the alarm. And when you feel like dozing off after a leftovers lunch, nothing’s prevented you from taking a peaceful nap. Being rested feels so good.
  • You’ve had extra time with family and, unfortunately, it’s been so stressful that you’re more tense than ever. Getting through the holidays was a kind of frenzy and your nerves are shredded. So you’re hitting the year-end feeling haggard—and way short on sleep.
  • You’ve had to work through the holidays, and adding preparations and celebrations to your usual obligations has meant burning the candle at both ends and around the middle, too. You’ve had less sleep than ever, and you’re weary enough to wonder if it’s making you ill.

Rewriting the list

Any of these scenarios fit? One way or another your sleep has probably been a significant factor during the holiday season. So what better time than now to make better sleep your #1 New Year’s resolution?

Give it a try this year! Make regular, adequate, comfortable sleep a top priority…and you’ll find that every other health resolution you’re committing to will be much, much easier to keep. Consider making a new natural mattress a resolution, too. Creating a comfortable, safe sleeping environment will support your health all year long