Natural Organic Latex versus Memory Foam

Memory Foam Mattresses have been in the public consumer market since the 1980s when the product commissioned for NASA safety was converted to a consumer good for mainstream sales. This led to the development of an open air cell that absorbs the impact, dissipates it quickly and creates a contour or compression that will support the body of the sleeper.

In order to establish a uniform quality standard, the memory foam mattress uses the Indentation Force Deflection (IFD) rating. This rating is the amount of force required to move a 4 inch thick sample of foam to 25% of its thickness. The IFD is the best metric to compare mattress to mattress, but it is not always available and the composite mattress which encompasses both foam and standard bedding, quilting and support framing can’t be measured with one IFD rating.

The density of the foam is a more universal metric for comparison. For the Memory Foam Mattress, density comes down to the more dense the more expensive the mattress. However, the most expensive are not always the best values. The denser foams will hold the impression longer. To get the “memory” factor the foam should be at least 5 pounds, but in the higher or more expensive density foams the long lasting impression could create some discomfort for sleepers that move from position to position during the night. The 2 pound foams that generally come from China will offer only "slight" memory qualities; and is generally not recommended, often Asian made products have fillers and impurities designed to add “density” but are not supportive or well designed.

The Memory Foam Mattress can be 10-12 inches in height but not all of that height will be memory foam. In general, there will be about 4 inches of memory foam on a base of polyurethane foam or latex foam. The most luxurious of Memory Foam Mattresses are this combination of Memory Foam and Latex Foam. Memory foam toppers which can be 1-3 inches in height can add softness to a traditional mattress and with a density of at least 5 pounds can offer all the same benefits of Memory Foam mattresses without the same commitment and can be added to the top of a traditional mattress.

Natural Organic Latex Mattresses

Natural Organic Latex Mattresses are made by creating natural latex. Natural latex is collected in liquid form by hand and then poured into large vats where it is filtered carefully to remove particulate matter. It is then poured into large molds, emulsified with water and air bubbles, and then it is slowly heated and vulcanized, a process where the liquid latex rubber converts to a flexible, solid state.

There are two methods of vulcanization used to produce solid latex. The oldest technique, and the most time tested, is the Dunlop method, which yields more supportive and slightly firmer natural latex. The newest technique, called the Talalay process, is essentially the same general method, except that it includes a flash freeze step which suspends smaller air bubbles in the mold immediately before it is rapidly heated to solidify the latex, resulting in a slightly softer, less supportive feel.

Advantages to natural organic latex mattresses are:

• it doesn't sleep hot, and
• Natural Latex resists dust mites and other microbial organisms which do not thrive in the material due to its unique organic properties.
• Natural latex is also durable,
• Natural latex resists packing down, and forming body impressions as well.
• 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.

However, some people are allergic to latex and find it difficult to sleep comfortably on.