Latex Mattresses – The Differences between Natural Latex & Organic Latex

Natural Latex vs. 100% Natural Latex in Latex Mattresses

100% Natural latex is better for your body, and for the earth! Our 100% Natural Latex products are created from milk sap from Southeast Asian rubber trees. The inherent properties of latex create a breathable, elastic surface that molds to the body and relieves pressure.

From using the 100% natural latex we manufacture latex mattresses, latex toppers and latex pillows.

We further breakdown our latex mattresses into the best latex mattresses for side sleepers, back sleepers and stomach sleepers. Additionally, you can find all you need to know about latex toppers with our latex topper quick guide.

And if you want to learn more about adjustable shredded latex pillows you can do that as well.

100% Natural latex is hypoallergenic, and naturally resistant to dust mites, mold and mildew. Furthermore, latex is extremely durable, and we manufacture quality mattresses that are built to last.

These characteristics, in addition to the fact that rubber tapping is a sustainable practice that produces biodegradable mattresses, allows you to sleep soundly, free of aches, pains and a guilty conscience.

All of our latex mattresses are encased in an organic cotton cover that has organic wool batting quilted inside. This wool batting not only promotes air flow allowing for a cooler, drier sleeping environment, it also acts as a natural flame retardant and prevents the need to use chemical fire retardants.

Sleeping Organic and 100% Natural Latex

Sleeping Organic uses 100% Natural latex in all of our latex products. Our latex is extracted from rubber trees on a natural, sustainable plantation in India. We also have a GOLs organic Dunlop upgrade available.

Types of Latex

Organic Latex: Organic latex is certified by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS) which is underwritten by the USDA.It shows that the product contains at least 95% certified organic raw material, as described by GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard).The remaining 5% can be anything other than non-organic rubber or synthetic latex. GOLS certified latex also ensures that measures have been taken to separate organic products from nonorganic products. Finally, GOLS emphasizes environmental sustainability and social responsibility.

100% Natural Latex: 100% natural latex, like organic latex, must contain a minimum of 95% rubber. This product does NOT contain any synthetic blends or fillers like petroleum byproducts, sand, ash or the like.100% natural latex has the same quality, durability and feel that organic latex does, just without the GOLS certification.

Synthetic Latex: Latex that is not 100% organic is mixed with petroleum-based plasticizer like butadiene and styrene that creates synthetic latex.

Blended Latex: Some companies combine organic and synthetic latex in their mattresses. Some combination latex mattresses also include fillers which are particles of clay (or other materials) that are mixed into the latex. Fillers make latex cheaper, but also less durable and stiffer.

Benefits of 100% Natural Latex

Hypo-Allergenic 100% Natural latex is inherently hypo-allergenic, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and resistant to water. It is resistant to dust mites, bacteria, fungus, mold, mildew, bedbugs and other allergens. 100% Natural latex has also been proven to increase respiratory health.

Comfort and Elasticity 100% Natural latex is extremely comfortable because it molds to the body’s natural contours. Its extreme elasticity prevents the latex foam from packing down and compressing like synthetic foams.

Extreme Support and Pressure Relief Latex is inherently supportive on the back and spine because it conforms to your body and minimizes pressure points. 100% Natural latex distributes pressure evenly providing for good circulation, healthy back support and a great night’s sleep.

Isolates Motion 100% Natural latex isolates motion and prevents disturbances while sleeping.

Regulates Temperature Our 100% natural latex mattresses and natural latex toppers are encased in an organic cotton cover that has wool batting quilted inside. The wool fibers have a natural ability to regulate body temperature, making them warm in winter and cool in summer. For more information on the integral functions of organic wool, please see the Benefits of Organic Wool.

Biodegradable 100% Natural latex is biodegradable.

Sustainable Latex extraction is sustainable. See Latex Extraction and Sustainability for more information.

Durable 100% Natural latex is known for its durability and a good-quality 100% Natural latex mattress will last 20 years or more.

Hazards of Synthetic Latex

Carcinogenic Chemicals Synthetic latex is produced by chemical processes. It contains man-made materials such as polyurethane and other carcinogenic toxins such as formaldehyde or polybrominated diphenyl ethers (boric acid). These cancer-causing agents absorb into our bodies as we sleep and are emitted into the air as the foam breaks down.

Decreases Respiratory Health There is much research correlating asthma with synthetic bedding. For example, in Synthetic Bedding and Wheeze in Childhood, published in Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, researchers strongly associate synthetic pillows and mattresses made of polyurethane with frequent childhood wheezing. According to, The Association Between Synthetic Bedding and Adverse Respiratory Outcomes Among Skin-Prick Test Positive and Skin Prink Test Negative Children, there was a strong association between synthetic bedding and adverse respiratory outcomes. Furthermore, a recent study by researchers at the University of Otago in Wellington, New Zealand, found that synthetic bedding had higher levels of fungi-related beta glucan, which is found in house dust and is known to make respiratory conditions worse. The study concludes, It is plausible that the increased use of synthetic bedding materials in New Zealand over the last two decades has added significantly to the allergen burden and thus to the severity of allergic asthma. Sleeping Organic uses 100% Natural latex in our mattresses. We also offer a GOLS organic Dunlop upgrade option. To read the complete articles, please refer to Latex References.

Increases Exposure to Allergens Every time you move, polyurethane foam compresses and as it expands to its original shape, it sucks in dust, old skin, bacteria, and moisture. Not only does polyurethane foam fail to resist moisture, leading to dust mites, mold and mildew, it also consists of an open cell honeycomb structure that provides the perfect living space for dust mites.

Quickly Degrades and Compresses Synthetic mattresses containing the less expensive polyurethane will degrade and compress more quickly than mattresses containing 100% Natural latex.

Latex Extraction and Sustainability

The rubber for latex mattress comes from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand. Sleeping Organic extracts our rubber sap from sustainable plantations in Sri Lanka, and manufactures our mattresses in the United States. The technique for tapping latex from rubber trees eliminates a need to cut down the tree for latex extraction, creating a sustainable relationship between sleep and sap. Latex is extracted by carefully cutting the bark of rubber trees (which heals rapidly) to allow the flow of the white milk-type sap without damaging the tree. Rubber trees can yield latex for as long as 30 years. When the trees are harvested, the land is replanted and the Rubber-wood is used to create furniture. Latex is all-natural, and biodegradable. In order to appreciate the value of latex, it is necessary to understand that each rubber tree weeps 15 grams of latex, daily. The core of a queen sized mattress requires the daily output of 2,500 trees that spread over 12 acres of rubber plantation. This provides a living to eight rubber tappers. Interestingly, these rubber trees accounts for the removal of 143 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide from the environment over one year.

Latex Mattress Construction

Latex mattresses typically consist of one to four layers. The bottom layer, or the core, is the firmest, and each additional layer can be customized from hard to soft to fit your individual preferences. The core, which provides the underlying support for the mattress, tends to be about 4-8″ thick. The second layer, tends to be about 2-4″ thick and is usually super soft, soft, medium of firm depending on your personal preference. The first two layers are topped with an organic cotton cover that has wool batting quilted inside. This wool batting not only promotes air flow allowing for a cooler, drier sleeping environment, it also acts as a natural flame retardant that meets all fire retardant regulations. Our wool is not treated and contains no harmful chemicals. Our cotton covers zipper and are removable. This allows the organic cotton cover to easily be removed, cleaned, and aired out. By removing the cotton cover, the top layer of your mattress becomes easily accessible. Some of our mattresses have top layers that can be removed and changed to provide you with a softer or firmer feel. Finally, our mattresses are 100% Natural latex (with the option of a GOLS organic upgrade); we use absolutely NO fillers or other synthetic materials in our latex mattresses. For information on specific products, see our products pages. Also see Benefits of Organic Cotton and Benefits of Organic Wool for more information.

Latex Manufacturing Process

Differences Between:	Dunlop	Talalay
Manufacturing Process	1. Process has been used in latex manufacturing since 1929 2. Thick rubber sap is whipped into a froth in a centrifuge 3. Sap is poured into a mold, the mold is covered and steam baked 4. Natural sediments in the mixture settle to the bottom of the mold making Dunlop layers slightly firmer on the bottom side	1.  Newer process that has two additional steps 2.  Thick rubber sap is whipped into a froth in a centrifuge 3. Sap is poured and the mold is sealed 4. The process continues in a vacuum chamber where air is extracted 5. The mold is flash frozen using chemicals to stabilize the materials 6. The mold is then baked
Consistency	Dunlop is denser than Talalay which makes it a bit firmer, heavier and more durable	Talalay has a more consistent cell structure, making it more soft and pillow-like
Major Uses	This firmer latex is typically used as a base core component	Talalay is typically preferred as a top cushiony layer

Latex Allergies

Allergies are caused by the presence of proteins in a material. The protein in latex can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Some proteins in latex are similar to food proteins such as: bananas, avocados, chestnuts, kiwi, and tomatoes. Allergic reactions differ in severity from one individual to another. Severity often depends on the extent of contact between latex and the human body. People often suffer from extreme allergic reactions when being exposed to balloons, gloves, condoms, and other products that come in direct contact with the body. However, people seldom experience intense allergic reactions to 100% Natural latex mattresses due to barriers like sheets, pillows cases, and mattress covers that act as a shield between the body and the latex. One-hundred percent natural latex manufacturing processes helps prevent allergies by extensively washing off all of the free proteins. We use 1.5 cubic meters of good drinkable quality water in the final wash through to keep latex allergies to a bare minimum. Therefore, the quality and availability of clean drinking water is essential in producing natural latex mattresses. In our case, the government sponsored Board of Investment Export Processing Zone in Avissawella, Sri Lanka makes sure this quality water is available in abundance during our manufacturing process.