Blog, Latex Mattresses

Talalay Latex vs Dunlop Latex Mattresses

Posted on
Talalay vs Dunlop Latex
27
Apr

Understanding the Differences between Talalay and Dunlop Latex Mattresses

Information on the Variance between the Types of Latex in Talalay vs Dunlop: 100% Natural Latex vs. Natural Latex

For a quick video to learn about the differences between Dunlop and Talalay Latex.

Dunlop Latex Mattresses – 100% Organic Dunlop vs. 100% Natural Dunlop and 100% Natural Talalay Latex

1.100% Natural Certified Organic Dunlop Latex: Organic GOLS certified Dunlop latex is made from the sap of the rubber tree which is processed through the Dunlop manufacturing process.

This Dunlop process produces a 100% (no fillers or synthetics) natural product that does not contain any chemicals, synthetics, pesticides, herbicides, or other man-made products.

2. 100% Natural Dunlop or Talalay Latex: 100% natural latex is made from the sap of the rubber tree just like organic latex which is processed the same way either through the Dunlop process or the Talalay process.

100% Natural latex does not carry the GOLS certification but is equal in quality and firmness, it just lacks the certificate. The manufacturing process for 100% natural latex and 100% natural GOLS certified latex is the same.

Synthetic Dunlop and Talalay Blended Latex

1. Synthetic Dunlop Latex: Dunlop latex that is not made with 100% natural Dunlop but is mixed(blended) with synthetics like petroleum-based plasticizers, such as butadiene and styrene create synthetic latex.

2. Synthetic Talalay Latex: Talalay latex that is blended with 100% natural Talalay and synthetic latex.  These synthetic fillers make latex cheaper, less durable and contribute to off-gassing.

How about 100% Certified Organic Talalay?

Uses for 100% Natural Talalay and Dunlop Latex in Mattresses and Toppers

100% natural latex is an extremely luxurious material to sleep on. Although, greatly known for its clean and health promoting properties. The luxurious component and characteristics of 100% natural latex is often overlooked.

Personalized Latex Mattresses – Should I Choose Talalay or Dunlop or Both?

Depending on how deep into your research into a new latex mattress you have gone. Here are some great resources for tips and ideas on building the perfect custom latex mattress and how to choose the best latex mattress.

We have even narrowed down some recommendations on the best latex mattresses for side sleepers, back sleepers and stomach sleepers. These recommendations are based on 17 plus years in business. We also cover general benefits and tips on latex mattresses for sleepers. Sleepers who like soft mattresses, medium feeling mattresses and firm mattresses.

If you would like we can also give you a latex mattress configuration recommendation specific to you based on your weight and sleep preferences in our latex mattress questionnaire. 

Personalized Latex Topper – Which type do I need, Dunlop or Talalay?

When it comes to picking the best latex topper for your individual needs there’s a lot of information that can be useful and some not so helpful.  We have broken down the most useful information on latex toppers for people who enjoy side sleeping, back sleeping, or stomach sleeping.

If you would like a latex mattress topper recommendation based on your unique body, weight and sleep style, check out our topper questionnaire.

More on Latex…

Latex Extraction: The Raw Materials for Talalay and Dunlop Latex

The rubber for latex mattresses comes from Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Thailand. Sleeping Organic extracts our rubber sap from sustainable plantations in Sri Lanka and southern India. We import the latex from where it grows and manufactures our finished mattresses in the United States. The technique for tapping latex from rubber trees eliminates a need to cut down the tree for latex extraction.

This creates a sustainable relationship between sleep and sap. Natural Latex is extracted by carefully cutting the bark of rubber trees (which heals rapidly) to allow the flow of the white milk-type sap (like tapping a tree for syrup) 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 Rubberwood 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 natural latex, daily.

The 6-inch core of a queen-sized natural latex mattress requires the daily output of 2,500 trees that spread over 12 acres of rubber plantation. This provides a living to eight rubber tree tapper workers. Interestingly, these rubber trees account for the removal of 143 metric tons of Carbon Dioxide from the environment over one year.

Latex Manufacturing Process for Dunlop Latex Vs Talalay

Differences Between:

Dunlop Latex

Talalay

Manufacturing
  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 latex 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 latex is denser than Talalay latex which makes it a bit firmer, heavier and more durable Talalay has a more consistent cell structure, making it softer and pillow-like but less durable.

Major Uses

 This firmer latex is typically used as a base core component Talalay is typically preferred as a top cushion comfort layer.

Latex Allergies

Allergies are caused by the presence of proteins in a material. The protein in latex foam can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Some proteins in organic 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 foam and the human body. Most people with allergies to latex are allergic to the chemicals and syntetics in latex products such as balloons, gloves, condoms, and other products that come in direct contact with the body. Less than 5% of the population has an allergy to 100% natural latex from the tree.

However, people seldom experience allergic reactions are reduced even more due to organic cotton sheets, pillows cases, and natural latex mattress covers that act as a shield between the body and the latex. One-hundred percent organic latex helps prevent allergies by extensively washing off all of the free proteins.

In manufacturing and processing the 100% natural latex, there is 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 are essential in producing organic 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 the manufacturing process.