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What is the mattress made of?

Latex at the Core

Latex is anti-microbial and anti-bacterial, and dust mites cannot live in it. It will hold up for 10—20 years. After all, it’s rubber. Therefore, the best organic mattress needs to start with natural latex rubber as the core.

Click HERE to see information from the latex manufacturer specifying that our Talalay latex is made naturally.  

These are independent analyses of our Dunlop latex.

Independent Test Results This test shows that all the latex is natural; no synthetic latex is used.  It also shows the test results of the latex for many common VOC's (volatile organic compounds).

Oeko-tex certificate This certificate and additional documentation specifies that our latex meets the strict Oeko-tex guidelines for natural rubber, that it is formaldehyde free, flame retardant free, and that it has been tested and does not contain other toxic chemicals.

The Basics

• Rubber trees grow only within about 10 degrees of the equator. They grow best on hilly slopes. 
• The trees are sliced at an angle, and a small amount of the serum is collected daily. 
• The trees can be sliced about 180 days per year, except during the rainy season and during summer. The cut is about three feet long, and the serum flows for about an hour. Then the tree heals and the serum stops flowing. 
• Latex was originally cultivated in Brazil, but today the only rubber trees in Brazil are wild. Almost all latex nowadays comes from the far East. 
• When the serum is harvested, it is about 2/3 water. 
• Latex serum in its pure state is fairly thick, and needs to be processed. (It’s different from maple syrup making, in which thin sap is boiled down to make thicker syrup.) 
• All but one company we have asked has told us that a small amount of ammonia is added to the serum so it will not coagulate before processing. (One company said that their factory is next to the farm so they process it right there). Ammonia is a naturally occurring product that is washed out later in processing. 
• From here the latex needs to be expanded and concentrated. This is done by adding ingredients and whipping or frothing the material in a centrifuge.
• Latex contains natural proteins to which some people are allergic. Everyone says that their process, whatever it is, washes out the proteins, and our testing verifies this. The general incidence of latex allergy is low, less than 1% of the U.S. population (workers who wear latex gloves most of the day have a risk of less than 10%). We offer free samples so anyone who needs to check for reactions can. 

What if I want 100% pure, natural latex? 

In order to turn the latex from a liquid into a foam, natural fillers and ingredients (such as soda ash and zinc oxide) need to be added.  You are going to find at most 95% natural latex in a foam mattress. If someone tells you that they have 100% natural latex in their finished product, they are misinformed.  That material does not exist as a foam. The additional 5% of materials in the latex foam are natural and non-toxic fillers that are used to turn the latex from a liquid to a foam.  All of the latex in our foam is natural, there is absolutely no synthetic latex added.  We feel that the purity of the end product is what matters most. That’s why we post our certifications on our site. 

How durable is a latex mattress? 

Whether it’s Dunlop or Talalay, natural or synthetic blend, your mattress is going to last a long time. Many latex mattresses made in the 1950s lasted 30 years and longer. Latex is extremely durable. If you are happy with your mattress for 10 to 15 years or more, you’ve made a great purchase. Our warranty is 20 years.

The Casing?

You can think of the casing as a 6-sided fabric box that you put your latex into. The casing is made using single layers of organic cotton fabric. 

We use bias tape around the edges so it has a finished look, and we zipper the quilted top to the bottom 5 sides of the casing. The top of the “box” zips off.

Once you insert your chosen layers of latex and zip the cover back on, you have a mattress that is comfortable, durable, organic, and hygienic.

The casing is removable, eco-dry-cleanable, and closes with a beautiful brass zipper. 

Organic Cotton

Click HERE to see the organic certification of our cotton.

Cotton Fiber vs. Cotton Fabric
It’s crucial to understand the difference between cotton fiber and cotton fabric because it will help you make an informed decision. Fibers are strands of material made from cotton, polyester, wool, or silk. Cotton fiber is used extensively in mattresses because cotton is very cheap to produce. Strands of fiber trap air (this is called loft), which can give a mattress a comfy feeling—at first.

But fiber always compresses over time. Ever sat down on an old futon? Mattresses containing cotton fiber, whether it’s grown organically or with pesticides, eventually become lumpy and hard. It’s not long before the mattress takes a body impression and you’re lying in a gully. That’s because the fiber attracts moisture, which causes it to pack down. It also attracts dust mites, mold, mildew and fungi—all of which promote allergies, asthma, and other respiratory problems. The bottom line is that cotton fiber has no redeeming quality in a mattress.

Cotton fabric, on the other hand, is simply a “sheet” of material that is woven or knitted from spun cotton thread (not fiber). Fabric does not compress at all, so organic cotton fabric is a very appropriate material for the outer layer of mattress casings and for bedding. It’s also soft, breathable and comfortable next to your skin.