talalay latex

What Latex Mattress Should you buy

by
Woman and mattress - Mattress Stores in San Diego

Do you wake up feeling fresh or do you sometimes feel more exhausted than when you went to bed? If it’s the latter, then maybe your shoddy old mattress is the culprit. Whether you’re a morning person or a night owl, young or old, the quality of your mattress and, by extension, your sleep, can make all the difference.

With a comfortable, new mattress, you will finally look forward to getting up in the morning, knowing that you’ll feel invigorated and ready to kick-start your day. But with so many mattress stores in San Diego, how do you know where to go and which mattress to choose?

Read on as we fill you in on the various types of latex mattresses to help you avoid the common pitfalls when purchasing a new mattress and choosing one that’s just right.

Latex Mattresses by Latex Type

Latex is a type of dense white foam-like liquid which comes in three varieties – natural, synthetic and the combination of the two. We are firm believers in nature, so we’ll focus on natural latex. This one is obtained from rubber trees which are not even slightly damaged by the process.

Not only is natural latex biodegradable, but the rubber trees that yield the sap used to produce it have a powerful impact on the reduction of CO2 in the atmosphere. This means that you won’t just be doing yourself a favor by purchasing a 100% natural, (and equally comfortable), latex mattress – you’ll be doing the planet a favor as well.

If you’re worried about allergens, fear not! The free proteins that cause allergic reactions are washed off in the production process. Likewise, with genuine all-natural latex, you can rest assured that your mattress will be completely free of toxins.

Latex Mattresses by Production Process

When choosing your prospective natural latex mattress, you should pay attention to its ILD, (indentation load deflection), a unit used to measure how firm a mattress is – the higher the value, the more firm a mattress is. Another factor affecting the firmness of your natural latex mattress is its density.

The final step before making an informed decision about your natural latex mattress is deciding between the two manufacturing methods – Talalay and Dunlop.

The Talalay method is newer and slightly more complex than Dunlop, making its end-product the pricier of the two. If you want your mattress to be bouncy (without quickly returning to its original form), this is the type you need. It is less dense than Dunlop, but also airy and breathable. Its structure is consistent, making it softer as well.

Dunlop-style mattresses, on the other hand, are more firm due to higher density. This production process is faster, making the product less expensive. What is probably the main advantage of this mattress style is its excellent durability. In addition to that, the carbon footprint of this process is minimal, making it the greener option of the two.

The choice between Talalay and Dunlop depends mainly on your personal preferences, but the undecided among us can have the best of both worlds – a firm Dunlop core and a fluffy Talalay top layer for optimal enjoyment.

Stop by a premier mattress store in San Diego

At Mattress Makers, you are sure to find a selection of latex hybrid mattresses and also natural hybrid mattresses of the highest quality. The mattresses in our selection are all organic and chemical-free – choose a mattress that fits your needs and budget!

Talalay Latex VS Dunlop

by

dunlop-vs-talalayIf you are in the market for a latex mattress the biggest question you probably want to know is what’s the difference between Talalay and Dunlop.  I am sure you have already went over to the google machine and started some research of your own.  If you have, you may be getting conflicting information about which is better.

 

On one hand you have all the Talalay supporters stating their case why they think Talalay is better and on the other side you have the Dunlop supporters saying Dunlop is better.  While their argument is going on you are caught in the middle of them just trying to find out what are the differences between the two. From the sound of their arguments you would think they were talking about their preferred political party or some pressing social issue.

 

I don’t blame you if you have second thoughts on buying a latex mattress since I am sure you don’t want to be associated with those Latex freaks.  Well, before you reconsider I am here to give you the differences between the two and also share the advantages and disadvantages of both.  At the end, I will also go over which method I prefer.  So let’s get started.

 

Talalay Latex

 

Talalay is one of the processes in which a Latex mattress is made and should not be confused with synthetic latex or all natural latex.  It is a seven-step process, which makes it more complex than that of Dunlop. The steps of the Talalay process are:

 

1)    First it is whipped into a frothy liquid

2)    Next the liquid is poured precisely by robotic arms into the mold

3)    Then the mold is closed and gets vacuum sealed so that the Latex gets distributed evenly

4)    It is then chilled to -20 degrees

5)    After which, CO2 is introduced to gel the Latex foam

6)    It is then heated to 220 degrees to cure the Latex final shape

7)    Lastly it is washed and dried

 

 

Advantages of Talalay

 

  • More breathable than Dunlop due to the manufacturing process
  • Wider range of ILDs. However, Talalay is still softer than Dunlop even if they are both labeled as the same ILD.
  • Conforms to the body better since it is more “airy”
  • More consistent feel throughout the mattress
  • Usually better having Talalay in the comfort layer due to its “pushiness”
  • Softer

 

 

Disadvantages of Talalay

 

  • More expensive than Dunlop
  • Softer
  • Less dense

 

 

Dunlop Latex

 

The Dunlop method has been used since 1929.  The Dunlop process is about four times quicker to manufacture than Talalay.  The steps of the Dunlop process is as follows:

 

  1. First the Latex liquid is emulsified
  2. Next it is poured into the mold
  3. The mold is then closed and gets cooked evenly
  4. Finally the Latex is removed from the mold and is washed and dried

 

Advantages of Dunlop

 

  • More dense
  • Less Expensive
  • Usually better used as the support layer in the mattress due to its density
  • Firmer

 

Disadvantages of Dunlop

 

  • Not as breathable
  • Inconsistent feel throughout the mattress due to the particles settling at the bottom
  • Firmer

 

Although it looks like Talalay is the better method of the two, you have to find out what is best for you.  You may like the firmer feel and choose to go with the Dunlop process.  My preferred combination is having a Dunlop core with the comfort layers being Talalay.  The reason I like it that way is because Dunlop is more dense it gives me that firmer support while I can still benefit from the plush feel of Talalay on the top layers.

Latex Mattress Overview

by

natural_latex

So you want to learn about latex?

Latex is one of the older and also newer types of mattresses. Latex has been used in mattresses since the 1920’s but within the last decade have made a huge resurgence. Latex has the reputation of being one of the most durable and supportive mattress types around. Long before memory foam became popular latex was the gold standard for foam mattresses.

 

So what exactly is latex?

Latex is the white milky substance very similar to sap, that comes from the rubber tree which is harvested very similarly to the way maple syrup is taken from trees. The great thing is the trees are not harmed in any way. A thin layer of the bark is removed and the trees are “tapped” and the milky substance is dripped in buckets and barrels and shipped across the world to large rubber factories to be processed.  A typical rubber tree produces enough sap to make about four pounds of rubber per year. 

Contrary to popular belief, latex is really not foam at all, rather it is a different form of vulcanized rubber that has gone through a different process.

 

Natural-Latex
Latex Extracted from a rubber tree

Latex History

Latex was first used for mattresses and was invented in the 1920’s by a Scottish man named John Boyd Dunlop. It was said that the British Royal family was the first to use latex mattresses.

The latex process was refined and three brothers Leon, Joseph, and Ansil Talalay invented a process of latex mattresses that is more consistent and durable than the older Dunlop process by vacuuming all the air out of the latex mold and freezing it which stabilizes the cell structure.  

During WWII, latex and the entire rubber industry took a huge hit because the Japanese controlled approximately 90% of the rubber tree plantations.

After WWII Latex mattresses made a huge comeback in the 1950’s and 60’s and became the preferred choice for mattresses among U.S households.

However, plastics start gaining in popularity and Polyurethane foam became the material of choice by mattress manufacturers because it is cheaper, lighter, and much more easier to produce than latex. As polyurethane became more prevalent, mattress longevity declined and consumers began going through mattresses at a much higher rate, replacing their mattresses every 5-8 years where before they were only having to replace their mattress every 15-30 years with latex.  

 

Latex Today

Today latex is once again making a resurgence, and in this section you will learn all you need to know about latex.

You will learn the different types of latex, which types are better for different circumstances.

The pro’s and cons of latex. And also if latex is even right for you.

What Is A Latex Mattress?

by

What_is_a_Latex_MattressWhen I am asked about latex mattresses often times people are curious on the feel and the process on how a latex mattress is manufactured.  Is it funny to think you can sleep on the same thing that is worn on the hands of doctors?

A latex mattress is an all-natural rubber that is tapped from the rubber tree and made from the milky liquid that comes from the tree. An all-natural latex mattress consists of pure latex without the use of synthetic chemicals and is the greenest type of mattress in the market.

Latex can also be made from synthetic material from a chemical called Styrene-Butadiene also known as SBR. Although they are different they are typically made using the same methods known as Dunlop and Talalay.

Dunlop

The Dunlop process is a denser form of latex. This is an older method and has been used in the latex mattress industry since 1931. The Dunlop process is pretty difficult to make in a softer version of latex because during the manufacturing process, it takes time for the liquid to set into a solid latex mold. The Dunlop latex process is best used as a support or core layer of your mattress or for those who prefer a firmer mattress.

Talalay

The Talalay latex process is more complex than the Dunlop process. It is first whipped into a foamy liquid and then poured into the mold. Once it is poured it gets vacuumed sealed so that the latex gets distributed evenly. After it has been vacuumed it is then chilled to -20 degrees. Freezing it prevents gravity from the particles to settle at the bottom giving you that more consistent and “airy” feel. This process is best used as the comfort layer since the desired softness or firmness is rather simple to produce as opposed to the Dunlop process.

Final Thoughts

Although a lot more goes into the Talalay process, it does not mean a Dunlop latex mattress is inferior. It all depends on the individual’s preference and what they are looking for in a mattress. The two differences you will notice are the difference in feel and also the difference in price. Talalay tends to be pricier because it is a more complex process.

When looking for a latex mattress, be sure you know what it is you are looking at. If the sticker on the mattress says “100% latex” then you are more likely than not looking at a blended latex mattress rather than a 100% all-natural latex mattress.