First made in 1929, latex is collected by hand (and therefore the most expensive of all foams) from the sap of the rubber tree. All natural latex starts its journey when the tree is tapped. A tapper starts the trek around the plantation before dawn. A knife is used to shave off the thinnest possible layer from the intact section of bark. This starts the latex flowing, and the tapper leaves a little cup below the cut. Rubber is then poured into vats where it is filtered carefully to remove particulate matter. It is then poured into large molds, emulsified with water and air bubbles, then it is slowly heated and vulcanized. Vulcanized is a fancy scientist word that describes a process where the liquid converts to a flexible, solid state.
Why put natural latex foam into a mattress?
Once we started putting latex into our mattresses, the plus column just started filling up. One plus of natural latex is that it doesn't sleep hot...a big win for a lot of people that associate sleeping on foam with sleeping hot. It's just not the case with latex. Secondly, dust mites and other microbial organisms do not thrive in the material due to its unique organic properties. No creepy crawlies or germies...they just don't like latex...and move on to someone else's bedroom. This is especially important in recent years with massive outbreaks of bed bugs reported across the country in hotels and homes.
Also in the "plus" column...natural latex is more durable, resists packing down, & forming body impressions as well. It's the best of the best of the best of foams. Some users report having their latex mattresses longer than 20 years, with no noticable softening or curvatures/valleys in the surface of the bed.
How does laying on a natural latex mattress feel?
Because of its buoyant and highly elastic qualities, it allows you to easily roll from side to belly or side to back, which prevents disruption of natural sleep patterns. Consumers that sleep on latex foam, report feeling as though they are floating on the sleep surface, versus sinking down deep into the bed. Latex beds also have a "fresh air" feeling to them. The thousands of ventilation holes in the surface of the latex layer allow fresh air to circulate throughout the bed, and throughout your entire sleep space.
What are the other benefits of all natural latex foam?
Latex foam is only slightly affected by wide changes in temperature and humidity, adjusts instantly to a user’s body profile and feels more responsive and springy. It does not become damp, remaining well ventilated, quickly dissipating and passing perspiration out of the mattress. It is more durable than all other foams, and is extremely resilient. As far as foam-smell....there are no reports of “off gassing” from latex beds, which are usually washed in the manufacturing process. There's no need to air the bed out when it gets to your house. It's as close to nature and natural as you can get, which is why we love using it as an ingredient in many of our Carolina Mattress Guild sleep sets.
So, to review:
PRIMARY INGREDIENT:Rubber tree sap
INGREDIENT COST:Most expensive
SLEEP TEMP: Breathes best of all materials. Cool in summer, warm in winter.
AIR CIRCULATION:Excellent. Best circulation
ANTI-MICROBIAL:Excellent. Best resistance.
HYPOALLERGENIC:Excellent. Best resistance to all microbes, fungi, and pests.
DURABILITY:Most durable of all.(10-20 years)
ODOR:Little to none...least of all beds. Foam is washed when processed.
HIGHEST STABILITY:Small to no motion transfer
CHARACTERISTICS:Users float on surface Users feel “buoyant” on top of the bed.
In Their Own Words...
Carolina Mattress Guild owners want the world to know about their mattresses, and their
sleep experiences since choosing a CMG mattress. Click below to watch and read what they had to say.
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