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Are Natural Latex Mattresses Safe

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Is Your Mattress Toxic? – Stop Breathing in Toxins..Get a Natural Organic Latex Mattress

You might still think that buying a mattress online is a crazy idea. However, it is quickly becoming a widely accepted practice because the buyers risk is completely removed from the equation. Most companies offer trial periods, free shipping and a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee that makes buying a mattress online a no-brainer. A direct manufacturer-to-consumer relationship and a manufacture-on-demand business model cut out the markup normally added by brick and mortar stores. So why not cut out the middleman and order your mattress online directly from the manufacturer?

Direct to the consumer mattresses, eliminate the need for a middleman. In essence, this is how natural latex mattress manufacturers can cover the risk of a product being returned. Mattress companies that sell their products directly to consumers online keep the portion of the profits that would normally go to brick and mortar mattress stores. Hence, should a return or refund take place, natural latex mattress companies can absorb the loss and ensure full customer satisfaction.

If you absolutely must test a selection of mattresses in a store in order to pick the most comfortable one for you, youre out of luck. However, most mattress companies have dozens of comments on their websites for each model. These comment sections will give you insights into the softness, firmness and overall comfort of your mattress.

Organic Mattress Labels You Can Trust

CR examines three that merit consideration, plus five that are only somewhat meaningful

Concerned about chemicals in your mattress? Manufacturers of organic mattresses suggest that their products are safer, and this product categorythough still nicheis growing.

But determining whether these mattresses are partially or completely chemical-free can be a challenge because there are so many different labels that make various claims.

Take the term natural on a mattress. Its meaningless, with no standards behind it. Even a mattress labeled organic may have only some materials that are actually certified organic.

For a mattress to qualify for the USDA Organic seal, it needs at least 95 percent certified organic materials and to be processed without potentially harmful chemicals, says Charlotte Vallaeys, a Consumer Reports senior policy analyst for sustainability. As of now, few mattresses meet the USDA Organic standards.

You might even notice a mix of labels as you shop, and some apply only to a portion of the bed. Casper mattresses, for instance, are compliant with Oeko-Tex Standard 100 for the top latex layer alone the rest of the bed is labeled CertiPUR-US .

If youre in the market for a mattress made without potentially harmful chemicals, heres what you need to know about the labels youll see and their claims, based on our in-depth analysis.

Types Of Latex Allergies

There are two primary types of latex mattress allergies:

The milder version is known as allergic contact dermatitis, which typically manifests itself in the form of skin rashes that are blistered and oozy. It can take from minutes to hours for the symptoms to manifest themselves after the individual has been exposed to latex.

The more grave kind of allergy is an instant and fatal bodily response called anaphylactic shock. This is the allergic response that can lead to a fatality, but it is extremely rare, and according to one major producer, there have been no deaths related to the use of latex mattresses by an allergic individual.

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What Exactly Are Volatile Organic Compounds

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, most VOCs are man-made industrial solvents or by-products of certain industrial processes. Depending on the chemical makeup of VOCs, they can have adverse effects on a persons health, especially when concentrated indoors. This is why mattress off-gassing is so worrisome.

One of the troubling things you discover as you research memory foam and off-gassing in mattresses is that there is a wide range of chemicals and processes in use. Yet, there is so little information from the mattress companies about those chemicals.

This secrecy makes it difficult for the average person to assess, understand, or even identify what risks their mattress may pose to themselves, to their children, to their pets, and to the environment.

Is Talalay Latex Better Than Dunlop

Best Organic Latex Mattresses

Theres no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing a Talalay latex mattress or Dunlop latex mattress. However, if youre looking for eco-friendliness, you might consider Dunlop. Its process is more efficient because it completely fills the mold, creating a simpler process overall and one that uses less energy.

The other slight differences between the two focus on the feel of the mattress. Dunlop latex is a little denser, meaning that it might feel heavier, but it may also provide you with a little extra support. On the other hand, Talalay latex tends to be bouncier than Dunlop, which could be more comfortable for some.

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Is A Latex Mattress Better Than Memory Foam

Many people choose between a latex vs. foam mattress but find it difficult to compare the two. Here are a few key differences: Latex is bouncier than memory foam Latex mattresses are generally more breathable than memory foam mattresses Latex mattresses tend to have a faster response time to movements in bed Natural latex mattresses have minimal off-gassing

What Is A Latex Allergy

Up to 6% of the population in the U.S. has a latex allergy, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America . A latex allergy occurs when someone either comes into skin contact with latex or breathes in latex fibers in the air. Per the AAFA, people with latex allergies have very sensitive immune systems. When they come into contact with latex, their immune systems react as if the latex were a harmful substance.

Latex allergies can develop from repeated exposure to the substance, which is why healthcare workers who regularly use latex gloves are disproportionally affected. Certain populations, such as people with spina bifida, are also more likely to be allergic to latex.

According to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, people with latex allergies often have certain food allergies as well. You may also experience allergic reactions to apples, avocados, bananas, carrots, celery, chestnuts, kiwis, melons, papayas, raw potatoes, and tomatoes.

A diagnosis can be made via an allergy blood test. Doctors advise those with severe latex allergies to carry an epinephrine auto-injector for emergency treatment. If you have a latex allergy and must wear gloves for work, experts recommend you, and your colleagues, switch to synthetic gloves.

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Do Latex Mattresses Isolate Motion

Latex mattresses isolate motion better than innerspring mattresses, but not as well as memory foam mattresses do. Innerspring beds have springy coil support cores that move in tandem and easily transfer motion. Memory foam, on the other hand, is extremely responsive and suppresses motion transfer by absorbing movement. Latex mattresses are also responsive, but naturally elastic. Any time pressure is removed, the foam immediately bounces back, potentially jostling your sleep partner.

What Makes A Latex Mattress Best For Babies

How To Spot A FAKE Natural Latex Mattress And Avoid Getting Duped!

Here are a few reasons that make a latex mattress completely safe for little bubs:

1. Eco-Friendly: Natural latex is obtained from the milky sap of the rubber tree and is hence an eco-friendly material.

2. No Harmful Chemicals or Toxins: Rubber trees do not involve the use of any chemicals or toxins from plantation to processing of latex.

3. Reduces Carbon Footprint on the Earth: Rubber trees largely absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, so they reduce carbon dioxide and greenhouse emissions. Also, the collection of latex from the rubber tree doesnt create any type of pollution. Being a highly nature-friendly material, a latex mattress is one of the safest mattresses for babies.

4. Resistant to Moulds, Mites, Bacteria, Microbes & Fungi: Most of the mattresses are a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi. On the contrary, a natural latex mattress is resistant to dust moulds, mites, mildew, bacteria, microbes, and fungi. If you choose a latex mattress for your baby, you can be sure of no risks.

5. Hypoallergenic: A latex mattress is also resistant to allergens and doesnt cause any type of respiratory or skin allergy.

Bottom Line:

morningowl

About Morning Owl:

We Want To Make Healthy Sleep Accessible And Affordable.

The Mattress Most Consumers Use Are Made Of Carcinogenic Chemicals Or Loses Its Shape/ Is Unable To Provide Proper Spinal Alignment . Since We Live A Very Sedentary Life, Good Nights Sleep Is Even More Important.

Morning Owl Referral Program:

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Is Off Gassing Dangerous

Yes, off gassing can be dangerous. It tends to take at least a week, for most of the chemicals to be released from a new mattress, and most people will sleep on their new mattress before its able to release all of these chemicals. While some “experts” may say that breathing in small amounts of these chemicals every day isnt going to cause any harm, other experts say that studies now show that long-term exposure to these chemicals can indeed create health problems.

What Types Of Beds Are Organic

Beds with certified-organic materials generally fall into one of two categories: latex or latex hybrid.

Latex is derived from the sap of rubber trees, and processed using one of two methods Dunlop or Talalay to create a responsive, foam-like material. How the latex is processed and which chemicals are used can be used to determine whether or not it can be certified as organic by organizations like the GOLS .

Natural latex is a bit trickier because theres no official certification akin to the GOLS standard for organic latex. If a brand offers a model with natural latex, you should inquire about the specific composition. Some natural latex layers contain a fair amount of synthetic fillers.

Latex may also be blended, which usually means it contains between 20 and 40 percent natural latex. Synthetic latex, on the other hand, may consist entirely of chemicals and other man-made components. These materials are often used in mattresses with lower price-points. Heres the thing, though: blended and synthetic latex tend to be less durable than organic or mostly natural latex.

Some newer hybrid models substitute latex for cotton and/or wool batting, which may also be certified as organic. As for the coils found in hybrids, they will almost always be made of steel, which is rendered using chemical-based processes. However, if the other components are organic or natural, then the mattress could be considered reasonably eco-friendly.

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Natural Latex Organic Latex And Other Certifications

There are many labels for latex that youll find thrown around in the descriptions of these mattresses. It can get confusing, so heres a quick guide:

  • 100% natural latex means the material is not made with any SBR latex. However, as we stated above, there are curing agents that can make up 5% of the total material. The other 95% or more must be derived from natural tree sap.
  • Organic latex has undergone a process that shows that its production process is in accordance with the standards established by whatever organization is providing the certification. The Global Organic Latex Standard is one well-regarded standard.
  • Rainforest Alliance is another certification that is not the same as organic but also focuses on safe environmental standards.
  • Certifications like GREENGUARD, ecoInstitut, and OEKO-TEX are used to demonstrate that a material does not have harmful chemicals or emit dangerous volatile organic compounds .

What Kinds Of Mattresses Off

Non Toxic Mattress

Memory foam mattresses and polyfoam mattresses are hugely popular, especially the convenient bed-in-a-box types that you can order online. In the last few years, several Silicone Valley startup companies have taken the mattress world by storm, promising convenient delivery and a comfortable nights sleep.

However, these mattresses made of polyurethane foam come with an unpleasant new mattress smell for which consumers are often not prepared. Since these memory foam mattresses are folded up tightly and compressed into a small box, the unrolling process unleashes pent-up VOCs. A large concentration of chemicals is expelled from the mattress customers experience exposure to VOCs in large amounts.

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The Bottom Line On Non

Most certifications are of SOME value, but they can be used sneakily by mattress manufacturers. Manufacturers may claim to have a certification that they dont actually have. So you really need to ask to see the actual signed certification, keeping in mind that if its out of date, its worthless. You also want to make sure that the entire factory that produces your mattress is certified free of toxins , to guarantee that you dont have to worry about cross-contamination.

Arent Latex Mattresses Dangerous / Not Fire Retardant

A quick note about fire retardant latex and the UK regulations. A website visitor has asked me if latex mattresses are fire retardant because if they are made of 100% latex then they presumably cannot be fire retardant, as latex itself isnt flame/fire retardant.

Let me clarify: to be able to sell a mattress in the UK legally, it MUST meet or exceed fire regulations. An all latex mattress will still have fire inhibitors added to it, such as natural carbon, but this just isnt included in the headline 100% figure. A bit misleading perhaps, but thats the price we pay for safety. There is more information here.

So to be sure: all of the latex mattresses Ive reviewed here, are completely safe and meet all fire regulations in the EU and UK . Double-check your own latex mattress if not buying one of these, to be completely sure!

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Memory Foam Benefit #: They Offer Proper Weight Redistribution

Thanks to its flexible cell structure, memory foam doesnt push against your body but instead works with your bodys shape so it can evenly distribute weight. A good rule of thumb for when youre shopping for a memory foam bed is to check the density rating. The density rating tells you how much weight and support it can offer you while you sleep.

Make sure that the bed has a rating of at least 3.5 to 4 lbs./ft³ density. A bed with a higher density is of higher quality, which means that it can offer more support for your and your sleeping partners body.

If You Cant Afford A Non

HC Mattress’ Chemical-Free and Non-Toxic Natural Latex Foam

Lets say that youve looked all the way down to our Okay Stuff category, and checked out the coupons , and you simply dont have it in your budget to upgrade to a safe mattress right now. Unfortunately, theres no way to wrap a mattress to protect yourself from VOCs. However, running a robust air filter will go a long way towards purifying your indoor air. This is the one I have in my bedroom, because while I do have a toxin-free mattress, I also have other furniture and rugs that arent as clean. I love knowing that the air filter is mitigating the damage!

to be alerted when we publish or update Safe Product Guides. Thank you so much for reading!

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Global Organic Textile Standard

The Global Organic Textile Standard monitors naturally grown textiles all the way from the plantation to the shelf. This certification guarantees any natural wool or cotton covers on a latex mattress are organic as well. There are two levels to the GOTS label: made with organic and organic.

Textiles labeled as made with organic must contain at least 70 percent organic material while textiles labeled as organic must contain 95 percent or more organic fibers. Similar to GOLS, this label curbs the use of harmful chemicals.

Latex For Less Mattress Reviews Are Natural Latex Mattresses Safe

Are Natural Latex Mattresses Safe?

Searching for a more budget friendly all-natural latex bed? Want 2 beds for the cost of one?

Latex For Lessdevoted one decade of research study as well as experimentation to produce a bed that would certainly fit the requirements of all shapes, sizes, as well as sleep preferences. The business has actually functioned to minimize expenses and also damaging ingredients to provide you a much safer, extra comfortable, and also cost effective sleep experience.

Our thorough overview of the Latex For Less will break down the building and also functions of this bed. As giving positions based on a number of functions including convenience, top quality, and also much more. This bed is available in two various elevations, yet were explaining the 9-inch alternative.

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Are Natural Latex Mattresses Safe

Natural latex mattressesnaturalsafetynatural latex mattresses

All-Natural latex does not contain the harmful chemicals found in polyurethane foam and no chemicals are added to make it react differently than its natural properties. At this time there is no organic certification process in place for talalay latex so the best you can get is all-natural.

One may also ask, what does natural latex mean? Natural latex is made exclusively from rubber tree sap. This means that it does not contain any outside fillers such as clay or sand, which can decrease the overall lifespan of the mattress. The rubber sap, or serum, is whipped into a liquid foam, poured into molds, and baked.

One may also ask, is a latex mattress worth it?

As with all mattresses, the price can depend on the quality of the materials and the features built into the mattress design. Thanks to the durability of latex, though, even when these mattresses have a higher price tag, they are usually worth it because they provide an investment for the long-term.

Do all mattresses have latex in them?

Because Talalay and Dunlop latexthe two common types of latex found in alllatex and latex hybrid mattresses, toppers and pillowsdo not produce the same allergic reactions as other latex products found in household or medical products.

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