Latex mattress is used as a top layer in traditional innerspring mattresses. They are preferred by people who are into the green movement” because natural latex is made from the sap of a rubber tree. As such, it has unparalleled buoyant and elastic properties compared to other “green” mattress materials like cotton and wool.

Natural Latex

Latex is also hypo-allergenic, anti-bacterial and has anti-dust mite qualities, meaning, that these little pests will not thrive in latex, and so you are able to enjoy your mattress for a long, long time without any discomfort. It does not feel hot on the skin; it resists packing down and has body formation qualities. And because it is “green”, it is perfect for those who have allergy concerns and other chemical sensitivities.

Botanically derived Natural Latex is very responsive and resilient, provides a buoyant sensation when sleeping which keeps you on top of your bed, rather than feeling you are sinking, collapsing or caving in, found with so many conventional and regular mattresses. Because it so extremely elastic, natural latex mattress makes you to turn easily, while distributing your weight to the entire bed, and reducing pressure points to avoid back and neck pains, therefore improving your sleep hygiene.

Synthetic Latex

However, there is a latex mattress that comes in synthetic form. Its production started during World War II. They are formed using two methods: the original Dunlop method, considered as the longstanding and traditional method that is essentially employed for making natural latex and the newer Talalay method, the one used for making the synthetic kind.

Two Processes in Manufacturing Latex

In making the natural kind of latex mattress, natural latex is collected by hand, poured into vats, filtered then poured into large moulds, emulsified with air and water bubbles, slowly heated, and vulcanized where the liquid latex rubber is then turned into a solid state. During the vulcanization process, the Dunlop or Talalay method are either employed.

The Dunlop method yields more support and results to a slightly firmer natural latex while the new method adds the flash freeze process which is responsible for the suspension of the smaller air bubbles into the mold before it is quickly heated for the solidification process, which results to a slightly softer and less supportive feel.

Latex formed from the Dunlop process is less expensive, gives better support for sleeping, and is more eco friendly.

Dunlop Latex Mattress vs Talalay Latex Mattress

Knowing how these two latex mattresses are processed does not give you enough reason to pick one over the other. The Dunlop latex mattress has a stronger support which gives you a firmer latex mattress. This is advantageous for you as the owner because you can be guaranteed of durability and sustainability in the long run. The problem with this is because it is firmer; sleeping on a Dunlop mattress can be harder and less comfortable.

Talalay Latex mattress on the other hand is softer and more comfortable but also has less support. So for best result when sleeping, a latex mattress with Dunlop core and a top layer Talalay latex is the proper choice. The Dunlop core latex mattress will provide the support you need while the Talalay top layer gives you a softer and luxurious feel when sleeping.

If you are in the market for a new mattress, you have probably heard of the names Dunlop latex mattress and Talalay latex mattress. You are probably wondering the difference between them. And you have probably also heard of the different opinions on which is better. These opinions would usually depend on which product the “expert” is selling.

As we all know, latex mattresses are made out of the rubber sap harvested from rubber trees. Dunlop and Talalay do not refer to different kinds of rubber trees as some people might think. They actually refer to the names of two different ways of processing the liquid latex to turn them into mattresses.

The Dunlop process is the process that had been in use since 1929. It is a pretty straight forward process. They pour the liquid latex mixture into a mould press and vulcanize it to turn it into a mattress. The Talalay process on the other hand involves flash freezing the liquid latex mixture after it has been poured into a vacuum mould. After that, they vulcanize the latex to turn it into a mattress.

The added step of flash freezing the liquid latex mixture results to a more stable cell structure. This is the difference maker. Some say this extra step makes the Talalay mattress more durable compared to a Dunlop mattress. This is true. But in my opinion, saying that Talalay latex mattress is more durable than Dunlop latex mattress is like saying a three inch thick steel wall is more durable than a two inch thick steel wall.

Some people also say that the extra step in the Talalay process also results to a better consistency throughout the mattress and gives the Talalay mattress a little bit more plush feeling. This is also true. But the difference is really subtle. Differentiating the plushness of a Talalay mattress and a Dunlop mattress is like discussing which bottled water tastes better or has a better “mouthfeel”. You won’t feel the difference unless you are looking for it.

But definitely, the extra step makes the Talalay process more high tech. This makes Talalay mattresses more expensive as compared to Dunlop mattresses.

Bottom line, by flash freezing the liquid latex in the vacuum mould, the Talalay mattress is able to have a more consistent cell structure throughout the mattress. This makes it a little more durable and a little plusher than the Dunlop latex mattress.

Latex is rubber foam. When you hear the word foam, you would visualize a light substance that has a lot of air bubbles in it, just like the foamy milk on top of your favorite hot cappuccino. And that’s basically what is rubber foam — a rubber material with lots and lots of air bubbles inside.

The air bubbles have special purpose: they give the mattress the bouncy feeling; thermal insulating effect and the breathability that our bodies need while pressed on the mattress for 8 hours every night.

Latex mattresses are very dense. Thus your body gets the firm support. And yet the air bubbles inside keeps you cool and provides the softness that allows the bed to follow the contour of your body.

What’s Special with Talalay Latex Mattresses?

When latex mattresses were first manufactured, 100% all-natural rubber sap was used until World War II came and the raw material became scarce.

Eventually, mattresses used synthetic latex. During this time, the Dunlop method of processing was used.

As technology progressed, Talalay process came about as an improvement to the Dunlop method.

Talalay latex mattresses are made using the standard method with more expensive equipments and with additional steps.

The main problem that Talalay latex mattress solved in the standard method is the inconsistency of cellular structure of the old finished products. This inconsistency comes about because of 2 major reasons: the air that is contained in the blended liquid isn’t vacuumed out prior to setting; and gravity causes the particles in the mixture to settle to the bottom before the air-injected liquid solidifies.

Talalay process added vacuuming out of the air from the partial mixture before adding the rest into the mold and blast freezing the mixture to prevent the particles from settling to the bottom. This process produced Talalay latex mattresses that are consistent in the cellular composition all throughout the whole mattress. With even bubbles and particles all over, the softness, resiliency and firmness are the same no matter where you lie down or sit.

Less Pressure from Latex Mattress means Better Bloodflow

While asleep, our body repairs itself. Blood distributes the nutrients needed throughout the body by travelling through our capillaries. Blood also distributes the much-needed oxygen to our brain for a well-rested sleep.

Have you ever waked up in the morning after 8 hours of sleep feeling sluggish and not fully recovered? There could be many reasons. It may be that your bedroom mattress is too small for your body or that you might need some down comforters for more gentle sleep.

There are a lot of factors to consider but one cause could be bad blood circulation because your mattress id not orthopedically designed to follow the contour of your body. This causes pressure on your muscles and the capillaries. With better blood flow, we wake up feeling rejuvenated.

Talalay latex mattresses have been found to provide superior pressure relief and orthopedic support.

Wake up to a more relaxed morning with Talalay latex mattress.

Should you go green and buy an all-natural latex mattress for the baby? What everyone wants after all is to provide the best for their loved ones.

What Are Your Options?

1. Foam Material
a. Natural Latex Mattress
b. Synthetic Latex Mattress

These choices are basically a matter of whether you worry about the synthetic chemicals that may harm you and your family vis a vis your budget constraints.

c. Dunlop Latex Mattress
d. Talalay Latex Mattress

Whether you will go for natural or synthetic, another choice to make is how you want the latex processed.

2. Mattress Construction
a. Organic?
b. Fiber filled?
c. With perimeter support?

Once tightly wrapped in beautiful and soft encasing, you wouldn’t know what went inside your mattress. So, knowing what to ask is important in protecting yourself from buying what you actually don’t want in the first place.

Fiber-filled mattress will keep the price low but the disadvantage is shorter life span of your mattress and the possibility of lumps after a few years.

The perimeter support will give you firmer perimeter but the material that is normally used consists of synthetically produced polyurethane. Polyurethane materials don’t “breathe” and therefore warmer to the body. Polyurethane also is not dust mite resistant and aren’t hypo allergenic. So, if you’re sensitive to allergens, perimeter support is not advisable for you.

A latex mattress is considered organic at least if:
- natural latex mattress is used
- organic fabric is used in encasing the foam

You normally have 3 choices when buying latex foam mattresses:
1. medium softness
2. firm
3. very firm

Things to Consider in Buying Crib Latex Mattress

Nobody can tell you what is best for you except your body. The problem with buying stuffs for babies is that they can’t tell you what they need and want; nor complain if they aren’t comfortable. All you can do is to guess the reason why they are crying.

You want a mattress that is not too warm for your baby. And of course you don’t want your baby getting sick and showing allergic reactions or having rashes due to mites, and mildews.

Babies don’t need very thick crib latex mattress. 5 inches may do for them.

Best Latex Mattress

Crib Latex Mattress: Go Green! Go Organic!

Queen Latex Mattress: For adults, whether double, queen or king latex mattress, it is not advisable to go for fiber filled or to have perimeter support.

After all, if you buy a good Talalay natural latex mattress beautifully encased in organic cotton or wool fabric, what else would you need?

With the present technology, memory foam mattress toppers cannot be made from latex. Although there is a buzz that in the future that latex foam can be made to “remember” your body contours but can also provide better orthopedic support than the present memory foams. That is yet to be seen though.

At the moment, latex foam toppers and memory foam toppers are not only the same, they actually have so much in contrast with each other.

First, latex foam toppers can be made from all-natural latex foam, which means they come from rubber tree sap. While it is true that latex can also come in blended (mix of natural rubber and chemicals) form, latex may also be manufactured with completely synthetic materials.

On the other hand, memory foam mattress toppers are all made from synthetic polyurethane materials which are petroleum-based chemicals.

Therefore, you have a choice to go green if you choose latex foam toppers over memory foam mattress toppers.

Second, latex foam toppers are highly resilient. They exhibit the qualities of being soft, and will go easy on the different pressure points of your body, but will instantaneously spring back into original shape when your body weight leaves the foam.

While memory foam mattress toppers are ultra soft to the point that once your body weight puts pressure on them, the memory foam will “remember” the indention and will take time to go back to the original form.

So Why Do You Need to Buy Toppers?

Your current mattress may not be giving you the comfort that your body seeks. Many of the body aches and pains that you are experiencing may be coming from a bad bed.

The cheapest and fastest solution may be is to purchase a mattress topper.

What to Consider When Buying Mattress Toppers

If you are buying a memory foam mattress topper, consider its inherent characteristic of being very, very soft; and your weight. A 2-inch or 3-inch memory foam mattress topper may not be enough because your body might end up touching your bad bed due to your heaviness. Consider 4 inches or better yet, 6 inches.

Should you consider buying something all natural, memory foam is definitely out of your list. Or if you want the right balance between softness that follows the contour of your body but with firm support from the mattress topper, then you should go for the latex foam topper.