The Truth About Latex

Latex has been in the market place for over 50years. What is it? How is it made? What are its benefits?  Read on to learn the truth about latex.

 The Natural Bedding Company started using latex in mattresses over a decade ago with so much positive feedback. “Its supportive, comfortable and natural…” To this day we still use latex only now we know more about this fascinating, versatile, sustainable material.

 How is Natural latex produced?
There are two ways to produce natural latex;
1) The Talalay process,
2) The Dunlop process (which has nothing to do with Dunlop, the brand name).

Both processes begin by mixing a large amount of rubber polymer (tree sap) with a small amount of VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) and poured into a mould and a Vacuum treated.

The Talalay Process freezes the mixture. The Dunlop process does not.

Then both are stabalised, and vulcanised using an Open Steam system. The latex is then removed from the mould. The next stage is to wash the latex which leaches the VOC content. The natural rubber latex is then dried cut and trimmed .The end result is then quality control checked, tested and packaged.

How is Synthetic Latex made?
Synthetic latex can be made using either the Talalay or Dunlop process. The only difference is that the raw material the process begins with (the polymer or rubber content) is 100% manmade or a blend of synthetic and natural. Either way, synthetic latex won’t last very long and may start to pack down quickly.

What is the Difference between the Talalay & Dunlop processes?
Talalay process
The Mixture is frozen which gives a better consistency to the density over the life of the mattress. This means that when you buy a 75kg per cubic meter density natural latex rubber mattress it will remain at 75kg per cubic meter until the end of the life of the mattress. Often this is not considered to be a cost effective method as this process is highly expensive for what might be considered a very small beneficial advantage.

 Dunlop process
This mixture is not frozen which means that the density may change 2 - 3 kg over the life span (up to 25 years) of the natural latex rubber mattress which for the majority of sleepers will be un-noticeable. The natural latex rubber mattress will feel as comfortable and supportive as a natural latex rubber mattress produced using the Talalay process.

What is 100% Natural Latex?
The ingredients for natural latex rubber are tree sap from the rubber tree and VOC's . It is very common to see advertisements for 100% Natural Latex because when the tree sap content is higher than 95% of the total products ingredients the latex can be referred  to as 100% Natural. This seems a little silly as the purest natural Latex can contain only 98% tree sap and the rest (2%) is VOC's.  This is the most natural material used in the production of a mattress (not including certified organic).

Natural Latex v Synthetic Latex
Natural latex and synthetic latex can be made using either the talalay process or the Dunlop process. 100% Tree sap from the rubber tree is used to produce natural latex rubber.  Where as man made rubber polymer is blended with the natural tree sap in the production of Synthetic latex.

 Synthetic latex is not necessarily cheaper than the natural latex rubber as the Talalay process may have been used increasing costs. This can make the finished product more expensive in comparison to the natural latex rubber. The benefits of the Talalay Process allows the finished product to maintain a consistent denisty for its life of 5 - 10 years while Natural Latex rubber’s life is 15 - 25 years. Synthetic latex also contains petrol chemicals which outgas , are very smelly and can even trigger allergic reactions consumers.

Natural latex is not necessarily more expensive than synthetic latex but we consider it to be far superior. Natural latex will feel the same to lie on, from your first nights sleep, to your last on the mattress, up to 25 years later.

 Natural & Synthetic latex contain a very small amount of VOC's (these turn the goo into a foam) which are washed out of the final product before it reaches the manufacturer (us).


Which latex is the best?
We consider the best latex to be natural latex rubber.  The best value for money is natural latex made using the Dunlop process.                

Where does the best latex come from?
 The entire raw latex polymer (rubber tree sap) must come from within a 200 km distance of the equator.  This raw material is shipped around the world to many different companies and countries it is processed using either the Talalay process or the Dunlop process. This means wether it’s made in New Zealand, Malaysia, Thailand, Belgium, Germany, or Netherlands there is little to no difference in the finished product.


Where does your latex come from?
The company we have been working with for over 13 years is situated in Malaysia. We have learnt a great deal of knowledge about the processes of latex and how it is manufactured and what its capable of from this company. We have compared many samples of latex and believe we are using some of the most natural latex in the world.  

Our Latex is thoroughly washed piece by piece to achieve optimum cleanliness. No perfume/fragrance, masking agent or pigments are used in production. Only the natural latex ivory colour and sweet odour are retained in our mattresses.

In addition, no artificial health enhancing chemicals are used in the manufacturing processes. The health enhancing properties of the products are the result of many years of research in natural latex properties.

For many years this company has been certified by world-renowned institutes as a manufacturer of non-toxic, non-carcinogenic, hypoallergenic, dust-free and hygienic sleeping products

How much should a latex mattress cost?
Talalay Processed latex if made with 100% natural raw latex polymer should cost upwards of $5000 - $6000. If made with 100% synthetic raw polymer it should be extremely cheaper possibly $2000. If made with a blend of synthetic and natural it will be around $3500 - $4500.

Dunlop Processed latex if made with 100% natural raw latex polymer should cost $1500 and upwards. If made with 100% synthetic raw polymer or a blend of synthetic and natural it should only cost $500 - $800.

With either process if the mattress also contains foams, comforters, expensive fabrics, and/or fancy coverings, these will all increase the price.

What is latex like to sleep on?
 Many customer have loved the feel of our latex mattresses. However it is very hard to explain in words, although firm they are soft, comfortable and supportive. They hug your body and seem to allow it to sink into the right places just enough. It is a very personal thing come and try them out and see what you like about them.

 
Why choose latex?
 The many benefits include; 

• Value for money.
• Breathability.
• Unparalled support.
• Life span of up to 25 years.
• Reduces partner disturbance.
• Naturally anti-fungal & anti-bacterial.
• Naturally dustmite resistant.
• No toxic outgas/smell.
• Hypo-allergenic.
• Anti-microbial
• Carbon disulphide free.
• Penta-chlorophenol free.
• Nitrosamine free.
• Toxic free.

From inquisitive customers to chemically sensitive consumers if you’ve got a question hopefully we’ve got the answer.
If not, we'll find it. Please email us natbed@iprimus.com.au or phone on (02) 9569 4834.

All of our Latex Mattress can be found here

Our Latex Pillows can be found here