What Is a Latex Mattress?
A latex mattress is a type of mattress that combines either natural or synthetic latex with springs or another type of foam to create these unique mattresses.
You may have heard the term ‘latex foam mattress’ but this can be used interchangeably with ‘latex mattress’ - they both mean mattresses made with latex fillings.
We’ll explain how latex mattresses are made, how long they last and whether they’re an ideal fit for you below!
How are latex mattresses made?
Latex mattresses are made using latex obtained from a rubber tree. There are two methods that can be used:
1. Dunlop latex
The latex is poured into a mould, in one complete pour. As a result, this means Dunlop latex is firmer along the bottom and softer towards the top of the mattress. This blend of firmness provides sublime comfort and wonderful pressure relief.
2. Talalay
The Talalay method involves a few extra steps and ingredients. Latex is partially poured into a mould and expands into complete foam using a vacuum. This method creates a less dense foam that has a more consistent feel from top to bottom.
Once this latex has been collected and moulded, it is then transported to mattress factories to be combined with comfort fillings and a cover to create the complete mattress.
What is a latex mattress made of?
Latex mattresses are primarily made of:
- Latex
- Another comfort or support layer, for example: pocket springs or memory foam
- A mattress cover
There are other materials involved in the mattress creation process, such as glues and adhesive to bind the materials together, but this varies between products and manufacturers.
How long does a latex mattress last?
Latex mattresses have a lifespan of seven years, which is the same as every other type of mattress. This is the replacement period advised by the National Bed Federation, taking into account general wear and tear and hygiene.
To find about more about replacing your mattress and how to know if your mattress is nearing the end of its life, check out our ‘How Often Should I Change my Mattress?’ advice page.
Do latex mattresses soften over time?
Yes, latex mattresses do soften over time. It takes time for the fillings of any mattress to settle and for the latex to mould perfectly to your body shape.
After the first few weeks, your mattress should begin to soften up. This is why we suggest sleeping on your mattress for a minimum of 60 nights in our Sleep Trial before deciding if your mattress is or isn’t the perfect fit for you.
As with any mattress, latex mattresses do soften over the course of their life through general wear and tear.
To keep your latex mattress in great condition, you should follow its care instructions and either flip or rotate your mattress regularly to keep the fillings from settling too much in one place.
Not sure why or how often you should be rotating your mattress? Not to worry, our helpful guide on flipping or rotating your mattress can answer all of your questions.
Are latex mattresses good?
Yes, latex mattresses are great mattresses, but they are better suited to some types of sleepers over others.
Latex mattresses are good if you’re looking for a mattress that:
- Is responsive to your body shape and weight
- Prioritises pressure relief for your joints
- Doesn’t feel like a traditional mattress
If you prefer a mattress with sink-in comfort or more of a foam-like feel, then a latex mattress may be a fantastic, comfortable choice for you!
Are latex mattresses good for back pain?
Latex mattresses are loved for their pressure-relieving properties, but if you’re looking for a mattress that prioritises back care, you should browse orthopaedic latex mattresses.
Orthopaedic mattresses are specifically designed to target your hips and back - specifically your lower back - to try and relieve some pressure and pain you may be experiencing. They are also often firmer than other types of mattresses because a firmer sleeping surface promotes healthier sleep posture and spinal alignment.
To find out more about orthopaedic mattresses and their benefits, why not read our ‘What is an Orthopaedic Mattress?’ advice page?
What are the benefits of latex mattresses?
Latex mattresses have many benefits, the most important being:
- Pressure relief
- Durability
- Hypoallergic
- Eco-friendly
Pressure relief
As we have mentioned above, latex mattresses have unparalleled pressure reliving properties. This is because the elasticity of the latex can rapidly respond to your movements and body weight to help you feel fully supported all night long.
Durability
Due to their elasticity, latex mattresses can maintain their shape and performance for years to come!
To ensure that your mattress remains in in its best condition, you should follow the care instructions provided by the manufactuer. This will involve either flipping or rotating your mattress regularly, depending on whether your mattress is single or double-sided.
Hypoallergenic
Most latex mattresses are completely hypoallergenic as the structure of latex makes it naturally resistant to dust mites. So you can enjoy a sneeze-freee sleep in a healthy and clean sleep environment!
To find out more about hypoallergenic mattresses and whether you could benefit from one, check out our hypoallergenic advice page.
Eco friendly
Natural latex mattresses are often a more sustainable mattress option. This is because the rubber trees used to collect latex convert over 90 million tons of carbon dioxide into oxygen every year.
This makes latex one of the most eco-friendly mattress fillings available!
Don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what latex pioneer Dunlopillo has to say about their latex mattresses:
Types of latex mattresses
As we’ve discussed above, we also stock three different types of pure latex mattresses:
- Dunlop natural latex mattresses
- Talalay natural latex mattresses
- Synthetic latex mattresses
In each product description, we outline which type of latex is used in our products, but if you have any questions, our helpful Customer Service team will be happy to answer them!
As hybrid mattresses have become increasingly popular, our collection of hybrid latex mattresses has grown, too.
Here are all of the different types of mattresses that use latex as a support layer that we stock:
- Orthopaedic latex mattresses
- Memory foam latex mattresses
- Pocket sprung latex mattresses
- Standard sprung latex mattresses
- Natural filling latex mattresses
- Pillow top latex mattresses
- Adjustable latex mattress
The mattress types below have additional features, as well as containing latex:
What is the difference between a memory foam and latex mattress?
You may think that memory foam and latex are very similar types of mattresses, but there are three key differences between them.
1. Bounce back rate
Latex returns to its original shape much faster than memory foam, giving it a lighter feel and more bounce.
This is because memory foam often feels like it has less ‘give’ than latex as it relies on your body heat to mould to your body shape as you sleep.
Latex on the other hand has more elasticity and can return to its original shape much faster than memory foam.
2. How they mould to your body
Memory foam uses your body heat to soften and mould to your body shape. However, latex mattresses don't require heat to contour to your body.
Instead, latex responds to your weight and shape to provide pressure relief tailored to you.
3. Materials they're made from
Latex is a natural product whereas memory foam is made from a synthetic material called polyurethane. Because of this, latex is more eco-friendly than memory foam.
Want to know more about memory foam? Head over to our memory foam mattress advice guide for more information.
In the two videos below, Sealy outline the differences between their latex foam and memory foam:
We’ve also put together the table below to help you see the differences between memory foam and latex.
| WHAT'S MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU? | LATEX | MEMORY FOAM |
|---|---|---|
| Support |  | |
| Comfort | | |
| Pressure relief | | |
| Durability | | |
| Faster bounce back rate | | - |
| Less transfer of movement | - | |
| Better temperature regulation | | - |
| Better for allergy sufferers | | |
| More eco-friendly | | - |
| More budget friendly | - | |
Are latex mattresses hot?
Latex mattresses are better at temperature regulation than memory foam, and many latex mattresses have some cooling properties.
However, it is important to remember that unless your our product description states otherwise, latex mattresses can feel warm while you sleep on them.
This is because all mattresses tend to absorb a little bit of your body heat while you sleep, so the warmer your body is, the warmer your mattress may feel.
To learn more about latex’s cooling properties, check out our cooling mattress range or our advice page about how to cool you and your mattress for more information.
Are latex mattresses safe?
Yes, latex mattresses are safe. All of the latex mattresses that we stock here at Mattress Online have been thoroughly tested by the manufacturers to the highest standards.
You can sleep well knowing that your latex mattress from Mattress Online is completely safe.
If you have any questions or concerns about our latex mattresses, you can either:
- Consult your mattress care guide
- Get in touch with our friendly Customer Service team
- Get directly in touch with your mattress manufacturer
Can latex mattresses cause allergies?
Latex mattresses themselves cannot cause allergies, but if you are allergic to latex, we strongly advise not buying a latex mattress.
If you have any concerns about being allergic to your latex mattress, please contact a doctor to seek medical advice.
Can you put an electric blanket on a latex mattress?
This varies between manufacturers and products. We recommend consulting your mattresses’ care guide before using an electric blanket, heating pad or heated blanket.
How to clean a latex mattress?
Cleaning a latex mattress is just like cleaning any other type of mattress. We recommend the following cleaning methods:
- Check the care guide for any specific cleaning instructions
- If there are specific instructions here, follow them instead of this guide
- Vacuum the surface of your mattress
- Mix lukewarm water and dish soap or mild laundry detergent together
- Use a cloth to dab this mixture into the stain until it lifts
- If you are dealing with a urine or blood stain, we suggest using paper towels to tackle the stain as it's more hygienic
- Be careful not to use too much water as this could potentially damage the latex inside of the mattress
- Let your mattress completely air-dry
- Vacuum the surface of your mattress before putting the sheets back on
For a more in-depth explanation of how to clean your mattress, why not check out of following guides:
That’s all there is to know about latex mattresses! Why not head over to our latex mattress range today and find the perfect mattress for you?
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