Considering a natural latex mattress? Many consumers are beginning to choose natural foam beds as an alternative to a traditionally-made, innerspring mattress. But mattress shopping isn’t easy, and there's a lot of confusing information out there. How do you sort out the facts and choose the best mattress? Here are some questions and answers that will help you decide which bed is right for you.

Choosing the Best All Natural-Latex Foam

Q: What’s the difference between Dunlop and Talalay latex? Isn’t all latex foam the same?

Not exactly. Some people may tell you Dunlop is better because it’s all natural or that Talalay is better because it’s softer. The truth is that one type is no better than the other. Dunlop and Talalay are just two different ways of making foam rubber. Both methods can produce good latex and bad. It all depends on the quality of the manufacturing process. Here’s the most basic explanation of the difference between the two: the Dunlop process produces denser foam and the Talalay process makes more elastic, softer foam. That’s why we make our Premium 8" All-Latex mattress with a base layer of dense Dunlop latex (for support) and a top layer of softer Talalay latex (for comfort). We finish the mattress with a stretch organic cotton cover quilted to natural, breathable wool. This creates a plush feel within a durable design.

Q: What makes a good quality latex?

There are all kinds of ways to make a latex mattress. How the bed is manufactured does make the difference. Some companies add fillers or silicates to their foam, thereby using less pure latex and saving money. But these additives do affect the foam’s durability and performance. They also degrade the mattresses health. European Sleep Works mattresses contain no fillers, synthetics, volatile chemicals or flame retardants. We source our foam from companies that use the best manufacturing methods, starting with the most durable and cleanest natural latex foam they can find. All of our natural latex foam is then thoroughly washed to remove soaps and residual chemicals used in production, as well as naturally-ocuring excess proteins. Additionally, Oeko-Tex, a respected independent testing board, has certified our foams as environmentally safe and clean. Unlike other manufacturers that combine layers of latex foam with layers of polyurethane or memory foam that off-gas chemicals, we only use solid foam cores made of 100% natural latex.

Choosing A Natural Latex Mattress - Questions To Ask

Choosing your new latex mattress may be easier if you know the right questions to ask. Getting answers to these questions will help you find the best product.

• Is the latex foam 100% natural?
• What is the mattress cover made of?
• Does the mattress contain any fire retardant or volatile chemicals?
• Is the mattress chemical-free? What kind of certification do the materials have? Is the testing board reputable and independent?
• Are there firmness options available?
• What’s the warranty? What are my options if I don’t like the mattress?
• What kind of box or bed frame do I put the mattress on?

Quality, Comfort, and Value—Our Premium Dual-Core 8" Natural Latex Mattress

At European Sleep Works, we believe that there’s more to a good latex mattress than just a block of latex foam. We custom-build our mattresses from the high performance materials. Our organic cotton and Merino wool mattress cover is breathable and allows us to meet federal flame retardancy standards without the addition of chemical fire retardants. If it’s an all-foam mattress you’re looking for, we offer our 8” All-Latex dual-core mattress, featuring both Dunlop and Talalay-processed latex.

A latex mattress performs best on a platform base—not a box spring. We manufacture two platform bases: one with an adjustable slat system to further customize your mattress, and a second platform with solid wood slats for a firmer feel. The end result is a mattress that’s comfortable, breathable, and supportive.

Before you set out to shop, take a moment to review the qualities of a good latex mattress:

• Be made with all-natural foam
• Contain no fillers, like clays or silicates
• Be thoroughly washed to remove residues
• Be eco-certified as clean, safe, and chemical-free
• Have a breathable, organic cover
• Should not be combined with polyurethane foam