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Latex BeddingLatex has been used in bedding for almost a century. Over recent years it has been somewhat eclipsed in the marketplace by memory foam, however some people think that latex is due for a resurgence. This might, ironically, be due to the interest in memory foam persuading people to be more "adventurous" in their bedding choices.
What is Latex?Latex foam is based on rubber and was initially a purely natural product. It was created from the milky sap of the rubber tree, usually the Para tree Hevea brasiliensis.Today you can buy both natural and synthetic latex (styrene butadiene rubber, SBR). Natural latex originally came from Brazilian rubber but today usually comes from Asia. Natural latex usually costs more - is it better value for money than synthetic? That depends on whether you are talking to a supplier of natural or synthetic latex! Some products in the stores combine the two. Unlike some other materials, latex is naturally resistant to mildew, dust mites and other problems. It is sometimes recommended for allergy sufferers - always talk to your doctor concerning an allergy or any other medical condition. As with any other product, some people are actually allergic to latex itself.
Latex BeddingLatex is used in various forms of bedding including mattresses, toppers, pads and pillows. The first latex mattress was manufactured in 1931 using what is known as the Dunlop process. (An alternative manufacturing process today is known as the Talalay process.) The initial selling point was convenience - latex mattresses don't need to be turned as do conventional ones.As a solid lump, latex is very dense - probably too dense for comfort for most people. Therefore the "core" of a latex mattress usually contains many holes ("pincores"). These holes soften the latex - the more and the larger the holes, the softer the result. The honeycomb of holes is somewhat reminiscent of a sponge. A latex mattress will mould itself to your body shape to some degree, however not to the same extent as memory foam. For this reason some of the products you can buy have different "zones" where these consist of latex of different effective densities. Latex is also very long-lasting and some manufacturers claim that a latex mattress can last as long as 20 years. The biodegradable, eco-friendly nature of natural latex is also a big selling point for the environmentally aware customer. Some people like to use a latex mattress with a memory foam topper.
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