In my search for the perfect way to banish toxic chemicals from my life, I’m interested in how my mattress can help. After all, we spend about a third of our lives lying on them.
The world’s gone crazy for synthetic foam mattresses, but the thought of all those unknown chemicals heating up under my body every night sends a shiver down my spine.
A natural mattress crafted from materials like latex, wool, or cotton is much more in sync with our bodies. Of the three, latex has a lot going for it: it doesn’t use a ton of water to make like cotton, it doesn’t come from an animal, and the trees that produce it sequester carbon.
Did you know that the same rubber tree can be sapped for 30 years, giving us a natural latex mattress that’s good for our sleep and the environment and detoxing our bodies? What else don’t you know about these wonder mattresses, and should you get one?
There is so much confusing information about natural latex mattresses that I decided to list the stats and facts you need to know (both good and bad) before buying one.
Extracting Latex: Two Things to Know
2,500 Types of Trees
Latex is most commonly extracted from the Hevea Brasiliensis tree, known as the rubber tree, but over 2,500 kinds of trees produce it!
While native to the Amazon basin, the Brits took it to Southeast Asia, where most latex is extracted today. Here, “tappers” score lines in the tree and leave the sap, known as latex, to weep out into small buckets.
The Capacity of 12 Acres
A 12-acre rubber tree plantation can produce enough latex in a day for one queen-size mattress and will employ eight rubber tappers.
Four Types of Latex and One Organic Certification
There are four types of latex: synthetic, blended, natural, and organic.
Synthetic Latex
Synthetic latex is made 100% from fossil fuels, basically plastic. It doesn’t have the stretch or elasticity of natural latex and isn’t as good for supporting your body.
Blended Latex
Blended latex uses 15-25% natural latex; the rest is synthetic. While it’s a great marketing tactic to say that the mattress contains natural latex, there isn’t enough to have a significant effect.
Natural Latex
As the name suggests, natural latex comes from the rubber tree but is not certified organic.
If you are buying a natural latex mattress, check that it doesn’t contain fillers. Fillers, such as clay, can reduce the price of the mattress, as less latex is required. However, they can also reduce its bounciness, quality, and length of life, killing its antibacterial properties, meaning dust mites can thrive.
Organic Latex
The Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) certifies organic latex as containing at least 95% organic latex. The certification covers the entire path from plantation to vendor. It means no nasty chemicals are used, and strict environmental and social criteria are followed.
Watch out for mattresses sold as “organic” when the rubber used to make them is not organic but may be wrapped in an organic cotton cover or include an organic wool layer.
Two Production Methods
To confuse things further, latex foam for mattresses can be produced using either the Dunlop or Talalay method.
The Dunlop Method
Dunlop foam is made by whipping the latex with compressed air, pouring it into a mold, baking or vulcanizing it, and washing it. The finished product is denser and heavier than a Talalay mattress, although it can still come in a selection of firmness levels. Dunlop mattresses are the only ones that can be certified organic by GOLS.
The Talalay Method
Talalay foam production is more complex. Less foam is poured into the mold and then vacuumed to expand it. This is flash-frozen using carbon dioxide, then baked and washed. The foam comes in smaller sections, so they must be glued together. The Talalay method creates a less dense, softer, and, some say, more breathable mattress.
Four Alternative Certifications
Talalay mattresses use more energy to manufacture, can be slightly more expensive, and cannot be certified organic. However, that’s not to say you shouldn’t get one; it’s common to find Talalay mattresses with other great certifications, such as:
Cradle to Cradle Gold Standard
This standard covers health, social, and environmental factors throughout the entire lifecycle.
OEKO-TEX 100
OEKO-TEX certifies the product is safe to use from a chemical point of view.
FSC Certification
Forest Stewardship Council approval covers the sustainable management of the rubber plantation.
Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS)
GOTS covers the whole process from plantation to seller.
Some mattresses combine both types, such as Dunlop for the core and Talalay for the soft topping, so check the small print to ensure you know what you’re buying.
Four Reasons Natural Latex is Environmentally Friendly (and One Caution)
Biodegradable
Natural latex is an organic and biodegradable material, a massive plus for the planet when your mattress reaches the end of its life!
Natural and Renewable Resources
Rubber trees can make resilient, long-lasting furniture at the end of their 30 or so tappable years. New trees take about six years to be ready for tapping.
Carbon Sequestration
While tapped trees don’t grow as big as wild ones, they do sequester carbon. A Thai study found that rubber trees sequestered around 24.9 kg of CO2 for each kilo of natural rubber latex extracted. This sequestration level is generally higher than other secondary forests of a similar age.
Creates Long-Lasting Mattresses
While a typical mattress normally performs for around 7-10 years, a natural latex mattress lasts much longer. If cared for well, it can last 20 years or more, meaning less precious resources are needed to replace it.
Caution: Biodiversity
Latex production has been criticized, though, as rainforests are sometimes cleared for rubber plantations, affecting biodiversity, local communities, and soil health. So, look for rubber certified by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) and the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which ensures soil and water conservation and environmental protection.
The EU Deforestation Regulation came into effect in 2023. This law means that any product sold in the EU cannot have come from land cleared by deforestation or in any way contributed to forest degradation.
The United States has introduced the Forest Act 2023 to Congress concerning products stemming from illegal deforestation, but it is not yet in force. So, it’s doubly important to look for accreditations such as FSC and GOLS when looking for your mattress.
Four Health Benefits
Aside from being better for the environment than a lot of other materials, natural latex mattresses can be great for your health.
Dust Mite Resistant
Anyone with allergies or asthma will be pleased to know that natural latex repels allergy-inducing dust mites for three reasons:
- It’s naturally antimicrobial.
- It’s highly breathable, so no mold, mildew, or heat builds up, which dust mites need to thrive.
- The solid structure means mites can’t pass through.
No VOC Off-Gassing
Synthetic mattresses, such as those made from polyurethane foam, contain volatile organic compounds and flame retardants that off gas. These can cause a whole range of symptoms, from headaches and dizziness to eczema and even a worsening of asthma and breathing problems.
“Many people I’ve spoken with also experience a lingering chemical odor when purchasing synthetic mattresses, which can be especially problematic for those with sensitivities,” said mattress expert Ben Trapskin. “From my reviews and personal experiences, mattresses made with Dunlop latex tend to have better airflow and odor dissipation, making them a top recommendation for those concerned about off-gassing and long-term comfort.”
Back Support
Due to their springy nature, you don’t sink into a latex mattress like you do with a memory foam one. This means they can offer better spinal alignment, especially for sleepers with a bigger frame.
Cooling
We’ve already mentioned that latex is naturally highly breathable. What’s more, it’s manufactured with pinholes throughout the structure, enhancing its breathability and cooling properties.
Suitable for Many Types of Sleepers
Having established why natural latex mattresses are good for the environment and your health, you might wonder if you should buy one. So here are the recommendations for who should sleep on latex.
Hot Sleepers
It might come as no surprise that latex mattresses are great for those who sleep hot (like me). Their open structure allows maximum air circulation and breathability, so much so that cooling mattresses sometimes include latex layers.
Side, Back, and Front Sleepers
While latex mattresses are often recommended more for back and front sleepers due to their firmer feel and excellent support, side sleepers can be accommodated, too. Opting for a natural mattress with softer Talalay latex in the top layers or a firm latex core with comfort layers can be a great way to cushion your hips and shoulders while giving excellent lumber support to your back.
Bigger Frame
Heavier people or those with a larger frame can benefit from sleeping on a latex mattress due to its ability to bounce back and gently support you on the surface of the mattress.
Back Pain
Natural latex mattresses evenly distribute your weight, reducing pressure points that can lead to back pain. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer for people with back pain, choosing a mattress that feels medium firm is generally advised. Latex mattresses give great support as you don’t “sink in” as you do with a memory foam mattress but are gently supported on the surface instead.
Tossers and Turners
A movement-absorbing latex mattress could be a good option if you turn a lot at night. The mattress keeps you on the surface and naturally springs back when you move, making turning over much easier.
Couples
The great thing about latex mattresses is that they come in layers, so mixing and matching different components is easy. For example, if you prefer firm and your partner prefers soft, this is perfectly achievable with a DIY latex mattress. They’re also better than spring mattresses at absorbing movement, so you won’t be as likely to feel your other half turning in the night.
Eight More Facts About Latex Mattresses
Latex Allergy
1-6% of the general population suffer from latex allergies, so what about them? Surprisingly, latex mattresses are still considered safe even for latex allergy sufferers due to the washing process during production and the non-latex mattress cover that prevents direct contact with the material.
Unique Feel
Latex mattresses have quite a unique feel. They have a springy and buoyant surface, so they bounce back when you move and support you without you sinking in. It’s worth visiting a showroom to lie on one and see how you like it.
Adjustable Pressures and Spring Components
Natural latex mattresses are great as you can adjust the pressure laterally for couples and overall by adding, removing, or rearranging layers. For those who love the sensation of a spring mattress, you can add a pocket coil component, too!
Flame Retardants
While latex is a natural material, it is also highly flammable. That is why, to meet safety regulations, a latex mattress must be treated with a flame retardant. The retardant can be chemical or made from graphite, a natural fire retardant. Interestingly, in the United Kingdom, adding a wool cover is not enough to meet safety standards, and manufacturers don’t have to tell you about the flame retardants they use as they are considered a safety issue. So check this information carefully.
Glues
Glue is another chemical compound commonly found in natural latex mattresses, especially Talalay mattresses. It is used to bind the sections, which are smaller than those created through the Dunlop method, and also, for both methods, to hold component layers together. Look for water-based or hot melt adhesives that do not emit VOCs, unlike solvent-based adhesives.
They’re Heavier
Due to its density, a natural latex mattress, especially a Dunlop one, can be quite a heavy beast. Rope in a friend, as you’ll need help moving it.
Check Your Bed Base
A slatted rather than box spring base is recommended for a latex mattress as it increases airflow to keep you cool. Check the weight of your mattress and that your bed can support it.
A Rubber Smell
While latex mattresses don’t off-gas VOCs, they do have a slight vanilla-like latex smell. Airing out the layers is recommended, and it usually goes away within the first week.
Are Natural Latex Mattresses Worth The Investment?
Mattresses made with quality materials to high standards can, although not always, be more costly than standard mattresses. However, you might find their health and environmental benefits and longer life worth the investment.
If you’re ready to take the next step, check out our guide to the best certified organic latex mattresses. For those of you in the U.K., take a look at our guide to non-toxic mattresses.
This article originally appeared on Hello Sensible.
Author: Julie Moorhouse
Julie is the founder and editor of Good Maker Tales, a website dedicated to ethical and sustainable fashion and home. She loves uncovering the truth about the issues in the industry, creating brand round ups to help people shop better, and interviewing her favourite sustainable brands. She previously had a 20 year career in sustainable real estate development in the UK, Abu Dhabi and Spain.