What is a Latex mattress? Guide, 2022
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Comfort often comes at a cost. 💰️Thankfully that is all accounted for in the price💵 of a mattress and you personally don't have to get involved in the laborious 🦺parts of putting it together. However, for a latex mattress there is a lot more that goes on behind the scenes in constructing🏗️ one and we have explored all that goes into achieving serene😊 sleep on a latex mattress. We have gone into further detail🔬 about the categories of latex and the differences of latex-producing processes⚗️, so you can be more informed when you decide on the latex mattress you are going for or even if latex is best for you.
Organic Latex vs Natural Latex- What is the difference?
It is likely to come as a surprise🤯 to you that instead of there being two types of latex, natural latex and synthetic latex, there are three. The crucial differentiation which is typically overlooked 🤦by even mattress advertisers is that between organic latex and natural🌄 latex.
Natural latex is extracted from the bark of the rubber tree. There are certain chemical additives➕ to the rubber which prevents it from being pure organic. However there are two types of natural latex defined by their differing manufacturing processes. This is the Dunlop and the Talalay Latex making👷 methods.
Dunlop latex vs Talalay latex
Due to the Dunlop latex manufacturing method being more simplistic than the Talalay iteration, it is generally cheaper🤑 to purchase a mattress that has been produced through the Dunlop channel.📺️
Steps | Dunlop Latex manufacturing process |
|---|---|
| 1 | The extracted latex is whipped up into a bubbly foam |
| 2 | The foam is put into a matrix mold which contains it |
| 3 | This is baked in what is called a vulcanization oven. This is the basically the hardening of the rubber to form a solid substance which is firm and dense |
| 4 | The solidified latex is taken out from the mold to be cleaned with a wash |
| 5 | The latex is baked one more time to remove any residual moisture and the material is removed, ready for use. |
Steps | Talalay latex manufacturing process | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Just like with Dunlop latex, the latex as a liquid is whipped up into a bubbly foam | |
| 2 | The foam is inserted into a mold by means of an injection, but space is left in the container and the mold is vacuum sealed. The air tight state air-tight conditions cause the latex to expand | |
| 3 | The latex sitting within the mold is frozen quickly. Carbon dioxide is delivered through the mold. | |
| 4 | The latex, in a frozen state, is baked. | |
| 5 | The material is removed from the mold, washed, then dried, made ready for use. |
Dunlopillo is an example, in fact likely the greatest👑 example, of a mattress brand that uses Dunlop latex which is the initial process used for producing latex foams, dating back👴 to the first time it was developed in 1929. The Talalay method was introduced at least 10 years after and was an evolution🐒 of the practice.
As a result of the differences between how they are made, the Dunlop and Talalay latex types💻️ possess varying levels of characteristic strengths💪. The Dunlop latex is considered to be typically more firmer and dense. This means, on its own, the mattress it is used in will offer more support🤝 than an exclusively Talalay one would. Furthermore, due to its density 🧱it would be more durable, so Dunlop latex will last longer than Talalay latex. However where Talalay latex holds the upper-hand 🙋over Dunlop is its ability to regulate temperature. This is down to Talalay latex being less compact, therefore it allows for more air to pass through and this stops heat from being trapped and from temperatures🌡️ getting out of control.
The Dunlop process is considered to be over 4 times more energy 🌞efficient and eco-friendly🌲 than the Talalay method.
Which mattresses use latex well?
Dunlopillo Royal Sovereign
The Dunlopillo brand are the leading🥇 UK company in the interpolation of latex into mattresses. It is the speciality of the brand and their bestselling model, the Dunlopillo Royal Sovereign🤴 is one of the most successful🏆️ latex mattresses to have been produced. The Royal Sovereign is made up of 21cmof 100% natural latex which also comprises of accelerating 🏃agents to speed 💨up the process. The latex in the Royal Sovereign is divided into sevenzones of comfort which provide specific pressure-relief and make the mattress particularly beneficial for stomach sleepers who require bespoke compression across a mattress surface in order to achieve comfortable💆 sleep.
Dunlopillo Royal Sovereign
Our grading of the Dunlopillo Royal Sovereign
You are in the market for a latex mattress that is comparable to the properties of memory foam. You are after a luxury model of a highly reputable brand.
Our opinion on the Dunlopillo Royal Sovereign
Motion Isolation
Thermal Regulation
Pressure Relief
Overall Rating
Company Policies
Edge Support
Eco-Cleanness
Breathability
Durability
The verdict
The Dunlopillo Royal Sovereign is a best-selling model in the Uk, belonging to the Dunlopillo Signature Collection of a brand that has built its status upon the properties of latex. The Royal Sovereign doesn't disappoint in many areas, living up to much of the hype. The Dunlopillo Plus Cover brings very beneficial anti-microbial and anti-allergenic elements whilst the main mattress is essentially one slab of 100% natural latex. The seven-part zoned construction, designed to elevate comfort does much to modify the already highly rewarding capabilities of pure latex including the air bubbles of the open-cell construction that you'll find in the latex. A potential downside is the price, but given the value of natural latex within a mattress there aren't too many surprises there. A negative surprise certainly is the lack of night to try out the mattress with only 14 trial nights being proffered by the brand. As well as that the edge-support is a bit of a party-pooper since it detracts a little from the other stellar facets of the mattress. Overall, the Royal Sovereign delivers a surface fit for a sovereign ruler and would be suitable for most types of sleepers, with its latex core being a highly appealing draw for the model.
Hypnia Supreme Hybrid
The Latex in the Hypnia Supreme Hybrid complements well the memory foam layer within the mattress, with the latex foam acting🎭️ as the transition layer above the honeycomb🐝 formatted foam. Natural latex has an open-cell structure, so the latex in the Hypnia introduced breathability to the mattress which is helpful in preventing🙅 dust mites and mold from building up on a mattress. Overall we think this is one of the most well balanced 🤺hybrid mattressesas the latex is not only supported by the memory🧠 foam, but by pocket springs also.
Hypnia Supreme Hybrid
Our grading of the Hypnia Supreme Hybrid
Taking a close look at the Hypnia Supreme Hybrid, breaking down the 5 layers that make up the hybrid mattress to see if they fit well together and are responsible for an exceptional mattress
Our opinion on the Hypnia Supreme Hybrid
Motion Isolation
Thermal Regulation
Pressure Relief
Overall Rating
Company Policies
Edge Support
Eco-Cleanness
Breathability
Durability
The verdict
The Hypnia contains memory foam; which surpasses polyurethane foam in almost all regards, latex; which is essentially on par with memory foam and the closest any natural material can come to its viscoelasticity and pocket springs which beat innerspring systems in almost every department. Each of the components have been purposefully positioned in their positions within the layering configuration to optimise each of their characteristics. The seven zoned comfort construction within the Pocket spring system as well as the honeycombed layer of firm foam add to the mattress' performance potential of the Supreme Hybrid. There are of some aspects which the model unsuitable for some. Primarily, the level of firmness is likely to be a problem for all stomach sleepers who depend on firm support to keep their spine well aligned. Furthermore, the edge support is quite underwhelming.
The acclaim that the Hypnia Supreme Hybrid won in France is now being transmitted to its new UK audience and we think that overall it is likely that your sleeping profile will match with the capabilities of the Supreme Hybrid because in most areas it certainly excels.
Noa Luxe
The Latex that features in the Noa Luxe mattressdoesn't play⛹️ the largest role in the overall performance💃 of the mattress, but does provide additional support and repels odour👃 that can build up from sweating. The latex foam used is infused with bamboo🐼 charcoal which upgrades the thermal-regulating capacity of the latex and cools the mattress 🛌down.
Noa Luxe
Our grading of the Noa Luxe
The premium choice from the Noa brand, made with the top Eco-friendly and hypoallergenic materials.
Our opinion on the Noa Luxe
Motion Isolation
Thermal Regulation
Pressure Relief
Overall Rating
Company Policies
Edge Support
Eco-Cleanness
Breathability
Durability
The verdict
The Noa Luxe Hybrid Mattress has proved to be a great addition to the Noa range and is targeted at being adaptable to most body types and sleeping positions. Its numerous layers provides comfort and support unanimously, including a layer of micro-coils that adapt to the pressure of your body. This is on top of individually packed pocket springs which are zoned to ensure your spine remains aligned as you sleep. Overall, the Luxe is a great addition for those looking for additional support and those needing hypoallergenic materials.
Fire: The natural enemy of latex
Graphite is a natural mineral that does not burn🕯️ and is also incredibly resistant 🛡️to very high temperatures🥵. It is why graphite is used in a certain fire extinguisher🧯 class to smother fires. This all means that the natural latex in your mattress is very likely not just a single substance used in its production🎬️ with the inclusion of graphite or it is not totally natural as it is enhanced🦾 with fire-resistant chemicals, which don't even need to be declared by the sellers🏪.
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