Perhaps if you’re into eco-friendly products, you may have decided to leave behind your old box spring/mattress combo and consider something new, like a memory mattress or a talalay latex mattress. Yet you may also have made the assumption that latex is a natural substance, so you’d also be leaving behind a bed infused with petrochemicals. But think again. Latex can also be a synthetic, oil-based material, so you’ll need to do your homework on latex foam mattresses to be sure you’re get what you want.
There are two processes used to create talalay latex mattresses. With the Standard method, the liquid (whether it’s the rubber sap or the petrochemical substance) is whipped into a froth, which creates the millions of air bubbles that are responsible for the special properties of a foam mattress. Then the liquid is poured into a mold, which is sealed and heated until it cures into its finished mattress form. In the Talalay method, the mold contains countless tiny pinprick spikes that make extra little channels for air to move through. This method creates a latex foam mattress that’s somewhat more resilient and buoyant.
Given that natural latex works just as well with either process, you might reasonably wonder why a latex mattress would ever be made with petrochemicals. The difficulty with natural latex is that the mattresses can turn out to be less comfortable. This is why a foam bed is often made entirely with synthetic latex. Or frequently, a manufacturer might use mostly natural latex and blend in some of the petrochemical version, just enough to add the extra give and softness that people want. So latex mattresses can be made of natural or synthetic materials, or a blend of both.
It’s absolutely essential to do your research before buying a latex mattress. If it is comfort that you are looking for, then this does not mean you’re stuck with only synthetic latex choices, as an infusion of natural oils can now make natural latex just as comfortable. Yet even a “green” label might hide the fact that your foam bed still contains synthetic materials. This is why you’d do well to read about mattress manufacturers, their products, and what processes and materials have been used. Be informed with these mattress tips and more, and have all the facts at your disposal before you head out mattress shopping.
