If you have visited internet sites recently in your search for a latex mattress and read the “all natural stories” on organic latex mattresses you might want to make sure you know the facts about ” natural latex” vs “blended latex” before you buy. Many new sellers of the all natural latex or organic latex mattress have arrived on the scene in recent years and the information they provide may fall short of truly and fully informing the consumer.

The best latex process used over the past 30 years to create latex mattresses has been “blended latex using the Talalay method”. This process results in the best possible latex in terms of product durability, consistent cell structure which translates to equal firmness throughout the mattress, contour comfort in adapting to your body, and air circulation in the mattress.

Consider the statement that blended Talalay in latex mattresses has a great percentage of synthetic latex which is made with petroleum by-product and is harmful to your health. Let me put that in perspective since it sounds a little scary. Here are a few every day items of over 5000 products that contain petroleum by-product: Clothes, eyeglasses, detergents, telephones, cameras, bandages, drinking cups, crayons, dentures, refrigerators, golf balls, toothpaste, dishes, ice chests, sun glasses, balloons, combs, vaporizers, paint brushes, soft contact lenses, CD’s and DVD’s.

Blended latex is not harmful in any way. The Talalay process delivers the benefits of an added consistency and strength to any natural latex it is blended with. Blended latex gives the most superior comfort and has a more lively feel due to the air infusion than any type of latex mixture produced with another process called Dunlop. Dunlop, also known as the standard latex process, produces a more dense and less contoured feel when you lie down on the mattress.

The Talalay process is more expensive and there are only 3 manufacturers in the world that do this manufacturing process which includes two additional steps not found in the Dunlop method. The synthetic is blended to make the natural more “elastic” to stretch and recovery. After the natural latex and synthetic latex mixtures are blended a vacuum expansion and freezing are performed. These two additional steps give the latex better air flow, longer lasting strength, uniform cell structure and a softer more contoured feel while still giving full mattress support.. These are key benefits you will want in your mattress and need to consider in choosing the right latex mattress.

The final best choice will be what feels most comfortable to you. Buying the all natural or organic could mean you give up the benefits you were really looking for. So don’t be afraid of the synthetic blend……in my opinion it’s the best value for your money.

LAYERED LATEX MATTRESS WITH 15 YEAR TRACK RECORD
Sleep EZ’s latex mattress line consists of individual 3″ layers of all natural latex, placed in a stack, and encased in an all wool and organic cotton zippered cover. Each layer has its own firmness rating of either, soft, medium, firm, or extra firm. The layers are not glued together, thus allowing the consumer to adjust comfort and support merely by changing the stacking arrangement. The layers grab and adhere to each other due to the natural texture and density of latex foam and rules out any shifting of components. And, with soft latex layer on firm support layers,  surface tension against a persons’ body is reduced for a deeper sleeping experience. Once a person finds the best comfort arrangement they “zip up the mattress and sleep on it for the next 20 years”.

Sleep EZ, a third generation mattress factory in Phoenix, AZ , has made this design the corner stone of their manufacturing line for the past 15 years and thrive on referrals and new purchases from past customers.
BETTER QUALITY
 In addition to the adjustability, the layered concept introduces another benefit at the manufacturing level in the form of quality control. There are approximately 30 raw latex manufacturers around the world, each having different levels of technology to mold latex and deliver to mattress manufacturers. Many are very old with outdated facilities and technology. It doesn’t mean their latex isn’t good but quality of the latex cores may not be consistent with every production. The internal quality of cores, as far as air pockets and voids are concerned can vary with each production.  Slicing cores in half exposes a batch of latex cores that might not pass the quality threshold set by a particular mattress manufacturer such as Sleep EZ. End result is we now have a new level of quality control in our manufacturing process that doesn’t exist with other manufacturers; even the majors such as Sealy, Simmons, Serta, and Spring Air.
 Compare this to a seller of latex who only sells solid cores. They buy and sell the cores, never knowing if their products are as perfect on the inside as they look on the outside. That risk is passed on to the consumer. For indepth information about latex qualities, history, types, and manufacturing processes, visit our latex mattress buyers guide at SleepEZ.com.

SLEEP EZ NATURAL LATEX MATTRESSES “THE ULTIMATE IN LUXURY AT A COMFORTING PRICE”
Combining premium latex from the 3 leading suppliers in the world, along with a “true factory direct concept” Sleep EZ delivers the finest latex mattress at the best price throughout the United States. Contact us at http://www.sleepez.com on the web or 888.707.7533. We look forward to serving you.

Talalay Mfg Process- using only natural liquid latex
Talalay Mfg Process- using a blend of natural liquid latex and synthetic liquid latex

MINOR BLEMISHES, INCONSISTENCIES, AND VOIDS IN NATURAL LATEX

When looking at raw latex it is common to see minor blemishes, slight discoloration, and small air bubbles which are commonly referred to as “voids” in manufacturing language. These are part of the product and in no way deter from the comfort performance and longevity of the latex contained in the mattress. In most cases the latex in your latex mattress is natural and will be whipped with air, much like whipping cake batter.
DISCOLORATION: In order to turn this “latex batter” into a latex mattress core, external heat needs to be applied. (This differs from the manufacture of common polyurethane foam which gets its needed heat from internal chemicals which cause a chain reaction to expand polyurethane foam.) In the manufacturer of latex mattress cores external heat is transmitted thru the aluminum sealed container and thru the aluminum rods positioned on the top and bottom of the mold. In some cases the heat can vary causing slight color changes.
VOIDS: Latex liquid is whipped with air and then poured into molds, as heat is applied any small air pockets will be expanded and become more visible when you slice the core into individual layers. These voids are usually undetected if the core is left intact without slicing. Voids are more prevelent in a 100% all natural latex mattress core produced by the “dunlop process,” and it is common to see small latex plugs to fill the voids. The voids are filled with the same latex that makes up the core and is done by hand as the latex core moves thru the manufacturing line.
BLEMISHES / GLUE SEAMS: Blemishes are a variation of voids and arise when removing finished latex cores form their molds. In some cases there can be slight tears or spots of rough surface contrasting with the smooth consistent surface on top and bottom. These minor imperfections are repaired with non toxic water-based glue. Latex cores are generally produced in cores measuring 40″ x 80″ and will need to be cut and glued to arrive at the different size mattresses: queen 60 x 80, king 76 x 80, and Cal. king 72 x 84. These glue seams are part of the finished product and do not interfere with sleeping comfort.

SLEEP EZ LATEX MATTRESSES ARE DESIGNED FOR ADJUSTMENT AND ARE OPEN FOR INSPECTION

Our latex mattresses are designed in approx 3″ layers of latex of different firmness contained in a removable zipper cover. Conventional mattresses, as well as latex mattresses made by Sealy, Serta, Simmons, and Spring Air are contained in closed, non-removable covers which prevent you from looking at the actual components inside the mattress. In addition, you can’t make adjustments without exchanging your mattress.

PICTURES OF NATURAL AND BLENDED RAW LATEX USING BOTH DUNLOP AND TALALAY PROCESS SHOWS THAT LATEX IS NOT ALWAYS PICTURE PERFECT

Talalay process blended latex is the most perfect product in terms of visual perfection, consistency of firmnesses, range of firmnesses (from ultra soft to super firm), and durability. For the past 40 years it has been deemed the best and we as mattress manufacturers have paid a premium to put it into a mattress.
But times have changed and with more demand for an all natural product the Talalay process was applied to 100% natural latex without synthetic blended into the mixture. There are three problems with 100% natural latex manufactured using the talalay process: (1) extra firm not available above 39-40 ild due to the conflict between the natural substance and the freezing step in the talalay process. (2) 100% natural talalay under 22 ild will lack the durability of talalay blended. (3) 100% natural talalay does not have the cell strength as blended.

TALALAY 100% NATURAL WHEN SLICED INTO LAYERS

The picture on left is of latex mattress core from the inside when sliced into two layers. This component is perfect in every way as far as its intended use inside a mattress, for support and comfort.
What it lacks is visual perfection. We can see the minor voids, and a slight brownish discoloration on one area.

This photo is raw natural latex manufacturered using the dunlop process. The dunlop process is used universally throughout the world for producing “100% all natural” liquid latex. Example is what to expect in the way it looks. Notice areas that are not smooth. This is a perfectly good latex core used in mattresses made by Sealy, Simmons, Serta, as well as any mattress manufacturer producing enclosed latex mattresses.

Some companies may ask latex core manufacturers to grade finished cores, and purchase only the cores that meet a certain standard from a cosmetic standpoint. Naturally they will have to pay a higher price for the product and pass it along to the consumer.

Photo to left is another raw all natural latex core manufactured using the dunlop process. This core was produced in queen size mold, thereby eliminating any fabrication or glue seam. Some latex core manufacturers have cores in the various finished mattress sizes, but the most common size is twin XL. Glue seams are to be considered a part of the manufacturing process and in no way make the latex core better because it does not have a glue seam.

Two twin XL latex cores side by side showing slight discolorations and minor voids. In some cases a latex core will come thrugh production with larger than accepatable voids, or large bubble holes. At this point in the production the core will be pulled aside and manually repaired by adding the same firmness of liquid latex to fill the void.

In conclusion the following facts apply to latex mattress cores:

• Natural latex cores still retain the same high qualities even though they may not be as cosmetically attractive to the eye.
• The talalay process produces latex cores with the fewest voids and blemishes in the blended and all natural, but the blended is superior in comfort and durability.
• 100% natural latex produced using the talalay process is not as good a value to the consumer as talalay blended.
• Dunlop process has been improved through technical advances over the past few years to the point of marginal difference.

I hope this article has been informative and welcome your comments.,

Go Green with Natural Products from Sleep EZ

We wanted to take this opportunity to issue a warning to those in the market for latex sleep products. Many retailers are distributing misleading information about “Natural or Organic Products” in order to promote what they are selling.  With the world’s current environmental movement, people everywhere are doing their part to reduce their carbon footprint, diligently recycle and to choose natural over synthetic. However, we suggest that before you go out and make a purchase get all of the information you need to make a well-informed buying decision.

Natural Latex Mattress

All Natural Fact vs. Fiction
Latex Mattresses

Read our latex mattress buyers guide This is the case with Blended Talalay in latex mattresses.

Web sites selling the “natural story” are berating blended latex because it has a percentage of synthetic latex mixed with natural latex. They say the synthetic latex is made of petroleum and is harmful to your health and the only latex to consider is “all natural”. Nothing could be further from the truth. Synthetic latex is made with by-products of petroleum, as are thousands of other non-harmful products in our society.  It is not harmful in any way. Synthetic latex adds consistency and strength to any natural latex it is blended with. They are overlooking the superior comfort, performance, and longevity of blended latex when produced by the Talalay Process which has a more lively feel than any type of latex mixture produced by the standard Dunlop Process.

Latex Mattress

Scottsdale / Tempe
900 N Scottsdale Rd
Scottsdale, Az 85281
480-966-8731

Hours of Operation for this location:

Stop by and browse our line of Quality Latex Mattresses.

BE CAREFUL WHO YOU LISTEN TO BECAUSE THEY MAY NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT!

Over the last couple of years many sellers of latex mattresses have popped up on the internet and written distorted information in an effort to sell their products. Unfortunately, when one person sees something in print it is easier to copy that information, taken as gospel, and use it in their own copy to sell the same product. The little snowball becomes quite large until the same bogus information becomes reality when it is seen in print so often.

This is the case with blended Talalay in latex mattresses. Websites selling the “natural story” are constantly berating blended latex because it has a great percentage of synthetic latex mixed with natural latex. They say the synthetic latex is made of petroleum and is harmful to your health and the only latex to consider is “all natural”. Synthetic latex is made with by products of petroleum, as are thousands of products in our society. It is not harmful in any way and adds consistency and strength to any natural latex it is blended with. They are overlooking the superior comfort of blended latex when produced by the “Talalay Process” which has a more lively feel than any type of latex mixture produced by the standard dunlop process.

All natural products by their very nature are not always consistent and uniform. Are all coffee beans the same? Are all rubber trees the same? The synthetic is blended to make the natural, which is more elastic ( more stretch & recovery ), a better product. After the natural and synthetic latex mixtures are blended there are two methods of turning this liquid into a comfortable latex mattress core.

Dunlop or standard process, which produces a denser and less contouring feel in the mattress.
Talalay process which includes two steps in the manufacturing process not in the Dunlop process; vacuum expansion and freezing. These two steps give latex better air flow, and longer lasting strength. It also produces a softer more contouring feel without losing any support. The talalay process is more expensive and there are only THREE manufacturers in the world.

Unfortunately, in the search for being all natural many consumers have bought into the dunlop natural denser latex and given up the better feeling and longer lasting Talalay blended latex. In addition sellers are playing on the consumers rush toward natural and the public is paying much more for,in my opinion,a lesser product.