Mattress Construction

Cushioning provides the initial feel of a mattress but not the main support. Different heights and especially different top designs may be an indication of varying amounts of comfort materials in the mattress. This top layer of the mattress comes in many varieties, Plush, Pillowtop, Eurotop and Boxtop. See our FAQ page on Comfort Levels for more info...

All natural latex foam is a white liquid that is taken from rubber trees, combined with water and later whipped together until it becomes a frothy foam substance. Most all-natural high quality latex foams are produced using either the Dunlop or Talalay process.

In the Dunlop method air is whipped into the liquid latex to form wet foam; a minute amount of fluoride is used to gel the foam in a form. The forms are then steamed to vulcanize and cure the foam. Subsequent to stripping, the latex goes through washing and drying.

The Talalay method is a process where foamed latex is expanded by vacuum to fill the form, and frozen at 30° Celsius to capture the bubble structure, and vulcanized at 110° Celsius. It then goes through the same process of stripping, washing, and drying.

• Both natural and synthetic latex are hypo-allergenic, anti-microbial and dust mite resistant, making it perfect for allergy sufferers or anyone wanting to breathe fresh, clean air while they sleep.
• Natural foam has more energy thus better push back.
• The main difference between natural and synthetic is that the natural latex comes from the rubber tree which is more ecologically friendly.
• The cost of making natural is higher than synthetic and that cost increases the cost of the mattress.
• To reduce the cost, some manufacturers will make a hybrid mattress normally using the synthetic latex for the core and natural latex layer on the top.
• Another way of reducing cost is to create hybrid latex foam made of both natural and synthetic foam. This foam is often still called natural latex.
• If you want pure natural latex, look for 100% natural in the description.
• Both natural and synthetic latex use the Talalay or Dunlop method in creating latex for mattresses.

A Topper provides a 2-4 inch layer of padding to improve the comfort of your mattress. Toppers can come in latex, memory foam, wool and cotton. As always, we recommend purchasing a Topper that is surrounded by wool for a better night's sleep!

Yes. The allergic reaction comes from the protein in latex. During the process of creating latex, the protein is rinsed from the latex forms. Most latex allergies come from direct contact with the material. Most latex mattresses can have many layers before you get down to the latex layer.

A latex mattress is made from either natural or synthetic latex, while a memory foam mattress is made from a petroleum visco-elastic substance, or is soy based by some natural brands. Memory foam is temperature sensitive. At lower temperatures it is firmer (more viscous), and at higher temperatures it is softer and more conforming (more elastic). Hence the reason memory foam is known as visco-elastic memory foam. A memory foam visco-elastic mattress is softer and more pliable as compared to a latex mattress. The memory foam mattress becomes soft when body temperature is warm and it gets firmer when body temperature is cool. When it comes to a sound sleep, tossing and turning of your sleep partner can be bothersome. A memory foam mattress can reduce this by spreading the pressure evenly.

Latex mattresses are firm yet supple and offer more push back support than memory foam mattresses. Many people prefer latex to a memory foam mattress because of the use of natural material in it. The surface of latex mattress is very comfortable. They provide better body support as compared to a memory foam mattress. However, the toss and turn on the bed are felt slightly more than in a memory foam mattress.

Both memory foam mattresses and latex mattresses are good at providing comfortable sleep. Ultimately, it is the personal choice of the consumer, depending on his specific needs and what he finds more comfortable.

In order for a product such as wool to be certified organic the sheep must live in a pesticide, herbicide, fungicide, and hormone free environment for a minimum of three years. The surrounding land must also be pesticide, fungicide, and herbicide - free for a minimum of three years. Materials certified as organic, such as cotton, must also be grown in a pesticide, herbicide, and fungicide free environment for a minimum of 3 years and the surrounding area must also live by the same conditions. All organic materials must be cleaned in a chemical free manner.
Natural can mean it is organic but not certified. The traditional definition of natural is that the product ingredients are grown, not made. Other common natural products used in mattresses are cotton, silk, and latex.

Natura World and Gotcha Covered have organic sheets and other bed linens such as mattress toppers, comforters and more.