In America they favour the Talalay process as natural latex
is harder to obtain. Synthetic Latex for foaming consists of Styrene (a circular
ring of carbon chains) and butadiene (a straight carbon chain group) the styrene
gives the final material a firmer feel due to its shape. Also the pin conformation
may make a core feel softer or firmer.
In Australia Natural Latex is made from 100% natural rubber extracted from
the Hevea Brasiliensis tree, a renewable resource grown in Malaysia.
Attributes of Natural Latex
Also with the advent of Visco-elastic foam (Memory foam) many top of the range
mattresses are a combination of these 2 products which work very well together.
Foam derived from 100% natural latex passes the cigarette test (foam will
not ignite), additions of synthetic latex make a foam more likely to catch
alight during the same test. Quite often foams containing synthetic foam will
have a harsher feel.
There have been many questions about latex mattresses being “hot”
over the years, but it is generally thought that this is just misinformation.
Latex cores have an open cell structure, so every time you move on a latex
mattress air is pumped through the core.
Solid foam pillows though such as latex do tend to feel warmer than normal
pillows as the head moulds into the foam, rather than the filling being dissipated
in feather type pillows.
Beware of cheaper Asian latex products as they can be made
with synthetic hardeners to make it seem natural, however this type of latex
deteriorates within a few years. Good Natural latex will last 30 years Plus.
Although dust mites can not live in natural latex if you have a fitted cover
they can live in this, that is why being able to take the cover off and cleaning
it every 12 months or so will keep the dust mites away.
It is really a bit pointless having a non removable quilted cover on a latex
mattress, and some manufacturers make this way simply because they look good
on the showroom floor.
It’s much better and more hygienic to have removeable covers.
Please do not confuse solid pin core natural latex which is
the premium product with pillow top latex with springs.
Adding springs is a cheaper way to go and sometimes the latex they put in
can be as little as 6mm (1/4inch) thick and they still promote them as latex
beds.
Some European Natural Latex has a 3 or 7 zone construction. This Zone construction
means that the latex at the head and feet has wider holes and the centre has
smaller holes and is more dense.
