Sunday, November 20, 2011

Organic Latex Mattress Vs Natural Latex Mattress - What's the Difference and Who Cares?

!±8± Organic Latex Mattress Vs Natural Latex Mattress - What's the Difference and Who Cares?

In this article I want to clear the air as to what constitutes "Certified Organic" vs. the all natural aka "botanically derived latex" used by manufacturers of latex foam mattresses. As of today there is only one truly USDA/EU Certified Organic Latex used for latex mattress cores and latex mattress toppers. The company that manufactures that product has very limited amounts available so there are only a handful of mattress factories in the United States that can even get their hands on it.

The company that has broken the "Certified Organic Latex" barrier is Latex Green located in Sri Lanka. This has taken years to accomplish. Latex Green had to isolate a large part of their rubber tree plantation and keep it free from any chemical pesticides and chemical fertilizers for years until it was finally awarded the organic certification in both the US and EU. In addition, a portion of the manufacturing plant had to also be isolated and kept sterile. This was a major undertaking and huge expense to pull this off but Latex Green's commitment to the earth and our environment has been nothing short of commendable and greatly appreciated by those of us who offer non-toxic sleep solutions.

Here's what Latexco, the only authorized distributor in the U.S., had to say about this long journey- "In order to meet the requirements for certification Latex Green segregated a section of the Plantation. The USDA requires that there be no chemical fertilizers or pesticides used on the trees or ground for a minimum of 4 years before any sap can be collected. After purging for 4 years the sap is collected and stored in a separate facility. It is then mixed, processed, poured, washed and packaged separately using separate equipment so as not to contaminate. You will notice that even the pincore pattern of the Organic is somewhat different from the regular (natural but not certified organic latex) Naturalux. That is because the newly commissioned molds used to produce the Organic are used solely for that purpose and never used to produce other products, assuring that there is no intermingling, residue or trace contamination. The material is also packaged in foil lined paper and stored separately in both the LG and our facility. This has been a long and costly process requiring years of commitment, diligence and investment but the results are the World's First Truly Organic Natural Latex". This video can explain it further Organic Latex Mattress

When Mithra from the R&D department at Latex Green was asked "How does the organic latex mattress cores differ from the natural latex cores?" the answer was as follows in regards to the harvesting of natural "botanically derived" latex. "According to our plantation comments, it is common that fertilizers are being used at the very early stages until the rubber tree is grown and ready for tapping. Once the tapping starts (approx in 06-07 years) and the trees become mature, the use of fertilizers is reduced gradually allowing the tree to sustain the growth on its own. The plantations that we collect latex from have trees that are over 20 years old and therefore the need to use fertilizers has become unimportant.

Secondly, we use 100% natural latex in our compounds with no fillers or synthetic latex added. Therefore, we also think that our products can be recognized as "Botanically Derived Latex products".

So the bottom line is that the only real difference is the use or non-use of fertilizers in the early stages of plant development. As explained above, even the natural latex, that is technically botanically derived, uses very little if any chemical fertilizers at its harvesting age. The follow up question I have asked is about the use of pesticides which will be the topic of a follow up article once I receive the reply but I expect a similar response.

The only remaining question would be one to ask of yourself, as organic latex mattresses are approximately 1/3 higher in price, and that is "how pure do you really need to go" when buying a natural latex mattress. As a side note, there has never been a reported case of a latex allergy associated with a latex mattress, latex mattress topper or latex pillow according to the FDA and that's because any residual chemicals that may have been present in the finished latex all get washed away during the 5 step rinsing process.

So to completely eliminate any possible chemical contamination the Certified Organic Latex would be the preferred choice. The likelihood that there are any dangers in natural botanically derived latex is extremely doubtful but not inconceivable. The remaining question is "is the difference in price worth the minimal risk"? My conclusion is this; there is no wrong choice here. Both solutions are head above heels better than any other sleep product on the market today. You simply cannot go wrong with either an organic latex mattress or a natural latex mattress.


Organic Latex Mattress Vs Natural Latex Mattress - What's the Difference and Who Cares?

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Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Mattress Covers for Allergy Protection

!±8± Mattress Covers for Allergy Protection

Today we know that allergies have a cumulative effect on our bodies; that is, the older you get, the worse allergies get, depending on what you were exposed to while growing up. Nasty microscopic bed bugs, dust mites, and bacteria live in most mattresses and pillows, separated from your face and body only by the barrier that you place between them and you. They feed on dead skin cells and become, for humans, a major cause of asthma, eczema, and rhinitis.

Unfortunately, standard pillowcases and sheets (in other words, standard bedding), don't serve as adequate barriers from the nasty little bugs. Fortunately, the right mattress cover can protect you.

We make a substantial investment in a good mattress. For those of us with back and other injuries that we must accommodate by providing additional sleep support, we also spend a hefty sum on therapeutic pillows for our head and neck and on body pillows.

So what happens when we bring home a new mattress and plunk down our old pillow on it? And what happens when we buy an expensive neck or body pillow and put it on our existing mattress?

Well, you can guess that the nasty bugs travel right through our bedding to build a comfy home in the brand new product.

What we really need is a mattress cover that is a breathable yet waterproof barrier fabric that prevents bacteria and dust mites from breeding in our mattresses and pillows. We would all like something that feels soft to the touch yet does not let anything get through to our skin and into the new products that we buy.

And while we're at it, why not provide a healthy, allergy-free sleep zone for baby to reduce the allergens to which baby is exposed from the start!

There are mattress covers available today that provide the barrier we seek. There are two types.

The less-expensive mattress protectors, such as the Slumber Soft Mattress Pad, are top-layer, waterproof barriers to protect our mattresses from moisture from bed wetting, sweating, etc. They have a super-soft feel like natural cotton, but are typically made from durable polyester Flannelatte Laminated Vinyl to prevent any leakage onto the mattress. That just means that they simulate flannel with an underlying layer of impermeable high-tech vinyl. They make excellent mattress protectors for the crib and for the elderly. Family caregivers appreciate the fact that they are lightweight and easy maintenance (machine washable). With straps to hook around the corners of the mattress, they are easy to remove and clean, and easy to replace on the mattress. Some of the waterproof-only mattress protectors are reversible so you can use them longer. With a super-soft, cottony feel, they give both baby and the elderly a comfortable night's sleep while protecting the mattress from moisture and odor. The second type of mattress cover is the allergy mattress cover that is slightly more expensive but which provides complete protection both against moisture and dust mites or bacteria. The dust mites or bacteria that may have lived in your mattress will not reach your skin or lungs once your mattress is covered with an impenetrable allergy mattress cover. It wraps your mattress like a fitted sheet. While your skin feels soft cotton on top, the waterproof, impenetrable-barrier layer further down, made from the latest high tech fabric, separates you from the bugs!

There are also mattress covers in baby's size to protect the crib mattress both from dust mites and from bedwetting moisture, stains, and odor! The allergy mattress cover offers complete protection as a waterproof barrier and as a shield against dust mites and bacteria found in every home. Allergy mattress covers are available in pillow slip-on sizes to protect your face and neck while you sleep.

Just be careful to examine the label on the mattress cover or pillow cover to ensure that you are getting the proper protection. If it is a waterproof mattress cover (for bedwetting) that you are protecting against, either level will do. If it is an allergy mattress cover that interests you, the label should discuss the mattress protection against allergy-causing dust mites and bacteria.

This seemingly minor addition to your bed will enhance your sleeping comfort by creating a healthy sleep zone for you and your family.


Mattress Covers for Allergy Protection

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