Question from sue777

We want to get a foam mattress, but are confused about the different kinds of foam available. Can you just explain the difference between the foams and help us understand them?

Debra’s Answer

First, there are more than 150 different formulations of foams, so unless a manufacturer can tell you exactly what the foam is, you really can’t find out what’s in it.

But there are basically three kinds of foam with regards to choosing a mattress.

1. POLYURETHANE FOAM

This is made from polyol and diisocyanate. Both are petrochemicals. These are combined and passed down through a pipe into a nozzle head, Blasts of carbon dioxide make the foam. Memory foam is a visco-elastic polyurethane foam, still polyurethane. Polyurethane foams are typically very flammable and require fire retardants.

2. LATEX FOAM

This is made from natural latex (milk of the rubber tree) or synthetic latex (rubber made from crude oil). Almost all natural latex is processed into foam using sulfur.

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