Latex mattresses are becoming increasingly popular as people discover the benefits of sleeping on natural materials.
Unsurprisingly, the movement towards sleeping on natural materials happens to coincide with growing concerns about the adverse health effects due to exposure to chemicals in polyurethane foam, such as memory foam mattresses.
Additionally, the demand for natural products has intensified as society places a greater emphasis on sustainability, and more and more people are choosing goods that are ethically sourced and derived from renewable resources, such as organic latex and pure wool.
5 Benefits of Latex Foam Mattresses
There are many benefits to choosing a latex mattress, mainly:
General Pressure Relief:
Latex is a naturally elastic material, which helps to distribute your weight evenly across the mattress. This can help your body to relax at night by relieving pressure points, thus helping to improve your sleep quality naturally.
Hypoallergenic Properties:
Latex is naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites. This makes it a good choice for people with allergies.
Motion isolation:
Latex is also a very good insulator of motion. This means that if your partner moves around in bed, you will be less likely to be disturbed.
Durability:
Pure latex mattresses are very durable and can last for many years.
But, before you buy a latex mattress, make sure it doesn’t contain any synthetic materials. Ask the manufacturer to provide you with a Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certification to ensure you are investing in the highest quality latex.
The Best Mattress for Back Pain:
A recent study (by the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine) compared the body contact pressure profiles of 2 types of mattresses: latex and polyurethane.
The results indicated that the “latex mattress was able to reduce the peak body pressure on the torso and buttocks and achieve a higher proportion of low‐pressure regions compared with the polyurethane mattress”.
What does this mean?
- Peak body pressure refers to the highest amount of pressure that is exerted on the mattress by your body.
- Low-pressure regions refer to areas of the mattress where the pressure is lower. These regions are important for comfort and pressure relief, as this is where your mattress needs to support your body thereby distributing your weight more evenly.
Essentially, this means that the latex mattress was more effective at relieving pressure and providing comfort.
Types of Latex Mattresses
Did you know that latex can be processed in different ways?
Organic Latex Mattresses:
When you purchase a genuine organic latex mattress, you are choosing to invest in chemical-free sleep.
Organic latex is made from the liquid sap from the Rubber tree, and the farming practices involved in growing organic rubber trees are very strict and are designed to protect the environment and the health of the workers.
Organic Rubber Trees Are:
- Planted in well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter.
- Spaced far apart to allow for good airflow and sunlight.
- Not exposed to synthetic chemicals – pests and diseases are controlled using natural methods, such as insect traps, crop rotation, and biological controls.
- Watered regularly and fertilized with organic materials, such as manure or compost.
These stringent practices are a major health benefit to you because these mattresses are natural, non-toxic and do not expose you, or your family, to harmful chemicals.
Synthetic Latex Mattresses:
Synthetic latex, on the other hand, consists of petroleum compounds Styrene and Butadiene which are used to create Styrene-Butadiene rubber known as SBR.
These harmful chemicals are linked to a variety of cancers, birth defects and other reproductive problems (according to the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment).
Natural Latex Mattresses:
You may have come across the term “natural latex”.
Natural latex is derived from rubber trees that have been grown using conventional farming practices which involves exposure to herbicides, pesticides, and other chemicals.
Natural latex mattresses are very different to organic latex because they’re typically processed using heat and chemicals, like ammonia.
The entire production process can be cheaper, but ultimately, this is at the expense of your health. Natural latex mattresses are also less durable and won’t last as long as organic latex.
How to Choose a Latex Mattress
When choosing a new mattress, you need to consider how well pressure is distributed by the mattress while you sleep. Your sleeping position will influence the amount of support you need.
Generally, firmer mattresses are often recommended for people who suffer from back pain or other sleep-related issues. This is because firmer mattresses help to keep the spine in alignment, which can reduce pain and improve sleep quality.
Another factor to consider is whether you are prone to night sweats or temperature fluctuations while you sleep. Organic latex is incredibly breathable, and when combined with pure wool, it creates the perfect sleeping environment, as wool wicks away moisture from your body as you sleep, helping to naturally regulate your temperature.
For more information, refer to our post: How to Choose the Right Mattress.
Latex Mattress Prices
Latex mattresses can vary dramatically in price. This is because of the number of variables involved with the manufacture and processing of latex.
Organic farming practices are obviously more expensive; however, they are more sustainable; and they result in a superior quality product.
Guarantees are another major factor worth consideration. At Naturelle, we manufacture beds to last over 25 years. In support of this, we have developed one of the most comprehensive mattress guarantees in the whole of South Africa – our unique triple assurance guarantee.
Additionally, we are so confident you’ll love our mattresses that we offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not happy with the quality of your mattress, simply return it for a full refund.
The Cost of a Great Night’s Sleep
What is a great night’s sleep worth to you?
This investment is easy to calculate, and it can help you determine the cost of a mattress over its lifespan.
To calculate the cost per night sleep for a mattress, you will need to know the following information:
- The price of the mattress
- The expected lifespan of the mattress
- The number of nights you sleep per year
Once you have this information, you can calculate the cost per night’s sleep using the following formula:
Cost per night sleep = (price of mattress) / (expected lifespan of mattress) x (no. of nights you sleep per year)
At the date of this publication, you could be sleeping on a Naturelle Applause mattress from as little as R1.30 per night.
Latex Mattress Reviews
Check out our reviews to see how others have benefitted from the unique combination of organic latex and pure wool.
It’s time to stop losing sleep and wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day!
Invest in your health; invest in the most wonderful mattress in the whole wide world.
REFERENCES:
ca.gov (n.d.). “Petroleum Products”. Available from: <https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/fact-sheets/petroleum-products-environmental-exposure-refineries>. [Accessed July 2023].
Low, F., Chua, M., Lim, P., & Yeow, C. (2017). “Effects of Mattress Material on Body Pressure Profiles in Different Sleeping Postures.” Journal of Chiropractic Medicine, 16, 1–9. [Accessed July 2023].
