What Are the Benefits of a Latex Mattress? - Amerisleep (2024)

Latex mattresses are increasingly popular for their extreme comfort and durability. They are also associated with eco-friendly practices and enhanced sleep health. However, not all latex mattresses carry these benefits. So how do you choose the best latex mattress for you, or know if a latex mattress is right for you at all?

In this article, we will define what a latex mattress is, go over the different types of latex mattresses, and discuss how they provide a good night’s sleep.

What Is a Latex Mattress?

A latex mattress is constructed from two to four layers of latex foam, and there are three different types of latex foam: synthetic, blended, and natural.

Synthetic latex mattresses are primarily crafted from a rubber-mimicking plastic called styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). SBR is also used in artificial turfs, tires, and conveyor belts. Latex mattresses with SBR are safe and an affordable alternative to natural latex but not nearly as durable. Additionally, off-gassing chemicals irritating to people with respiratory issues are prevalent in synthetic latex.

Blended latex mattresses contain less toxic chemicals. These types of beds are 30 percent natural latex and 70 percent synthetic latex. Blended mattresses last longer than synthetic latex, but not natural latex.

Natural latex is more supportive, durable, eco-friendly, and better for sleep health than synthetic and blended latex. It is harvested and refined from the milk-like sap of a rubber tree called Hevea Brasiliensis. This process encourages the healthy growth of rubber trees as they can be tapped for up to 30 years. Once the sap is harvested, it is processed into Dunlop or Talalay foam; both are soft, supportive, and extremely durable. We will discuss the differences between Dunlop and Talalay later. First, let’s dive deeper into the benefits of a natural latex bed.

Five Benefits of a Natural Latex Mattress

Natural latex beds are preferable to synthetic and blended latex for their eco-friendliness, durability, and health benefits.

1. Pain Relieving

The gentle cushioning and buoyant support of latex foam mattresses are especially beneficial for sleepers with back and joint pain.

Latex foam softly cradles heavy body parts, such as the hips and shoulders. This light contouring provides pressure relief near the joints and lower back, while latex’s natural elasticity maintains natural spinal alignment by gently supporting lighter areas, like the neck and back.

2. Hypoallergenic and Low Maintenance

If a bed is not continually cleaned, microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses can easily collect on the top of the mattress and cause mold and mildew to grow and dust mites to accumulate. This results in bedroom allergies and an unsafe sleeping environment.

However, latex is naturally antimicrobial, meaning it repels harmful microorganisms, making latex an excellent choice for people with year-round allergies or anyone too tight on time to sanitize their mattress.

3. Eco-Friendly

As mentioned above, natural latex is refined from the sap of the rubber tree. The trees are not cut down or damaged during this process and can produce sap for up to 30 years. Therefore, the processing of latex mattresses encourages tree growth and is extremely sustainable. Natural latex is also biodegradable, ensuring it won’t sit in a landfill for years.

Although harvesting latex is a sustainable process, latex mattresses are not always manufactured responsibly. Some manufacturers use chemicals harmful to our health and environment. A GREENGUARD Gold, OEKO-TEX Standard 100, eco-INSTITUT, or GOLS certification will guarantee the mattress is primarily composed of natural materials and safe for use. We will further discuss these certifications later.

Latex mattresses may also contain other natural materials that can help a person with synthetic sensitivities sleep well at night. Similarly, they can be one of the best mattresses without fiberglass if the manufacturer uses wool, plant fibers, or silica as a fire barrier.

That’s not to say that all non-latex mattresses automatically have fiberglass. You can find a memory foam mattress without fiberglass, too, often far more cheaply than what a latex mattress costs.

See our guide to why you can benefit from a fiberglass-free mattress.

4. Breathable

Natural latex foam has an open-cell structure to permit constant airflow. The foam layers are also constructed with pinholes, enhancing breathability. Most importantly, chemicals found in synthetic materials retain body heat and natural latex mattresses contain little to no additives.

If you want an especially cool mattress, opt for a breathable cover made from cotton or wool.

5. Durable

Natural latex mattresses are best known for their long-term comfort. High-quality latex mattresses have an average lifespan of 12 to 20 years—significantly longer than other types of mattresses. The resiliency of natural rubber is often credited for this longevity. A natural latex mattress effortlessly bounces back once the pressure is removed, maintaining its original shape over years of use.

Types of Natural Latex

As previously mentioned, natural latex is processed using one of two methods: The Dunlop or Talalay Method. Both methods include tapping or slitting the bark of a rubber tree to collect sap. After collecting an appropriate amount of rubber tree sap, it is whipped into foam and prepared for the Dunlop or Talalay process.

Dunlop Latex

Dunlop latex is made by pouring the foam into a mold then heating it up in an oven to harden. After hardening, the latex is removed from the mold and washed. This frees it from any remaining debris and prolongs its life without compromising elasticity. Once washed, the foam is dried. Dunlop latex is uniform in density, entirely natural, and more affordable than Talalay latex. It is also older and more eco-friendly.

Talalay Latex

The Talalay method requires more time and energy, resulting in a higher price point than Dunlop latex.

First, the foam is poured into a mold. However, unlike the Dunlop method, the mold is only filled halfway. It is then sealed and vacuum is used to expand the latex until it completely fills the mold. After the mold is filled, it is placed in a freezer and carbon dioxide is injected into the rubber to create a gel-like texture. The gel-like foam is then hardened with heat, removed from the mold, washed, and dried. Finished Talalay Latex is softer and bouncier than Dunlop.

However, manufacturers create a softer feel of Talalay by using synthetic foam. Therefore, Talalay is not 100% natural like Dunlop.

Certifications

If you are concerned about the eco-friendliness of your mattress, consider purchasing one backed by the following third-party certifications.

Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS)

The Global Organic Latex Standardensures latex mattresses are made from at least 95 percent organic latex and free from toxic chemicals, like chlorine bleach, GMOs, synthetic sizing substances, carcinogenic azo dye, and more.

Certified brands are required to meet stringent requirements during the harvesting, manufacturing, packaging, labeling, and distribution of their organic latex mattresses to maintain sustainability. GOLS also guarantees fair labor practices. A product with this label must be GOTS or Eco-INSTITUT certified as well.

Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)

The Global Organic Textile Standardmonitors naturally grown textiles all the way from the plantation to the shelf. This certification guarantees any natural wool or cotton covers on a latex mattress are organic as well. There are two levels to the GOTS label: made with organic and organic.

Textiles labeled as “made with organic” must contain at least 70 percent organic material while textiles labeled as “organic” must contain 95 percent or more organic fibers. Similar to GOLS, this label curbs the use of harmful chemicals.

eco-INSTITUT

Eco-INSTITUTcertified products are tested for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like formaldehyde, heavy metals, toxic fire retardants, and other pollutants. This label certifies a product has little to no emission levels and is safe for in-home use.

GREENGUARD Gold

GREENGUARD Goldis primarily concerned with keeping vulnerable populations, such as children and the elderly, safe. Like eco-INSTITUT, this label guarantees low emission levels and little to no volatile organic compounds.

OEKO-TEX Standard 100

OEKO-TEX Standard 100certified products undergo over 100 test parameters to verify they do not contain harsh chemicals. The standard tests every inch of textile products for non-regulated azo dye, nickel, GMOs, and more. Textile products are also tested for substances not harmful by law but disadvantageous to human health.

Consider Our Latex Hybrid Mattress