Question from NS
I was just about to buy a latex mattress, and found out that during the process of making latex they use zinc oxide and sulfur. They also use ammonia, but said they use a de-ammoniation afterwards. He said that it might not get all of the ammonia out though.
I’m very wary now to purchase a latex mattress. They are very expensive, and for what I have to pay for one, I don’t want any chemicals.
I have a couple of questions: 1. Is iron oxide and sulfur bad? 2. Which mattress do you think would be less toxic: a Savvy Rest latex mattress(using talalay & dunlop), or an organic cotton/wool innerspring Royal Pedic mattress? I know innerspring mattresses aren’t optimal because of EMFs, but now I’m really concerned about the stuff added to latex.
I would love your input on this. Thanks for any information.
Debra’s Answer
I’m not concerned about EMFs in innerspring mattreses see EMFs and Innerspring Mattresses: A Correction.
Iron oxide and sulfur are both natural elements.
Iron oxide is not toxic, but it is what is known as a “nuisance dust” and so can cause lung irritation if present in high amounts. I don’t think a latex mattress would give off much, if any, iron oxide.
Sulfur is not toxic in small amount or in it’s natural state. Again, the breathing of sulfur dust is a hazard more than toxicity (damage to cells). When burned, sulfur turns into sulfur dioxide or hydrogen sulfide, which are very toxic gasses.
I don’t know how much of either of these substances may be left in latex by the time it goes through processing.
I personally won’t sleep on a latex mattress or pillow because I can’t tolerate the latex itself. But I recommend them as a natural alternative to polyurethane foam, if others want to use them. It is also very common for people to develop allergies to latex from repeated exposure, as in wearing rubber gloves.
By contrast, an organic cotton mattress has fewer chemicals but an innerspring mattress has EMF problems with the metal coils.
Thank you everyone for your comments they have been helpful in narrowing a company down. I am in search of a mattress for my 4yr old son asap and for me and my husband. I live in a small town in MD and there aren’t many natural mattress stores within reasonable driving distance for our family. I’m worried about the latex smell and cotton/wool being too firm. I saw Debra, that you said Essentia was not smelly. Does anyone own one that likes it? Or does anyone own a White Lotus mattress. I like how they want to make organic and natural affordable to everyone! Just worried about firmness. I like a mattress to be a bit firm but not too firm.
Thanks
i have been stuggling to put a “bed” together and i was going to buy an old metal coil spring mattress and then put my wool topper and cotton mattress on top of it to make it have spring. what is the problem with the metal old bed springs? i did not know what that means. thanks marianne
COMMENT FROM DEBRA:
See EMFs and Innerspring Mattresses.
Wool mattress is a very safe mattress – but one caution: it is very, very firm. I am very allergic to latex,and plan to buy the organic cotton mattress soon; I have just learned that organic cotton compresses over a short time, and becomes very firm, almost like concrete – according to some people who have it. Perhaps wool with the cotton in the organic mattress would make it less firm? Such a dilemma – purchasing a safe mattress!!
COMMENT FROM DEBRA:
My experience has been that organic cotton without spring compresses to be very hard, yes, like concrete. I used to have an organic cotton futon and will not have another one.
My wool mattress from Shepherd’s Dream is still resilient and in great condition after 10+ years.
Latex is the softest, but as I’ve said before, I cannot tolerate a whole mattress of it. I have some latex strips on my wool slats, but after about seven years they are disintegrating into dust on the floor underneath my bed.
Unfortunately there is no easy answer. Some of us are bothered by the smell of organic cotton batting, others don’t like wool, and still others can’t handle latex. I have a bad skin allergy to latex, but cotton was hard and smells (to me) – we are all so different. Our latex mattress does not smell, but smell is not always a good indicator, odors are subjective. I would take a wool mattress over a cotton one any day, springiness is inherent to wool, layers are critical – add a softer topper to the firm mattress.
There is an adjustment period, with any new bed. The body has to accustom itself to the change. It may be an easy transition, but it takes a bit.
Not all latex is created equal. Not all mattresses have the same ‘wrap’, or any. Containment of the latex within a wrap of cotton or wool will prolong it, thus the oxidation will take a lot longer than air exposed slat covers. A think layer of wool will cushion, cool, and breathe.
I do appreciate the post from the B&B owner – but one night is not going to reveal much of anything about the bed. One night anywhere, in a setting or change can make for rest. How great it is to consider using latex, so much better than alternatives (many tout the expenxive memory foam beds – which we fell for after a hotel stay some years back) –
We really are happy with our latex mattress – added a topper and still more wool, it’s a good sleep. I admit I was more than a bit afraid – so much money and lack of rest, well it’s frustrating. I will admit that with my ever-morphing MCS I wonder how long the honeymoon will last, but it’s great now.
Not all mattresses are going to feel the same for everyone. It all depends on our own sensitivities, health issues or concerns and way of life as well. I really wish we could do something about the companies, that have the financial backing to promote and claim “Our mattresses/pillows are the best thing for you”. This is so unfair to us all, since what they are claiming, can’t be truth. The reality of this is that a mattress, is probably the hardest thing to pick out. It is so important to know what is in it, how it feels, how is made, where it comes from. All these factors can affect our decision. I do not claim to have the best mattress for everyone but this is why we offer about 20 styles and combinations and yes, something we do not suggest our mattresses. Feel free to call us to a FREE organic bedding consultation, know that we offer FREE samples of our fibers and we do sell for a minimal cost, mattress samples we can ship all over the USA.
Good luck to you all and I wish you all a great night’s sleep 🙂
Marlon Pando
White Lotus Home
I’m looking for the softest organic non-toxic mattress and after many hours doing research I think the best brand is Essentia. They are the only ones that produce natural memory foam. I don’t like any innerspring, don’t like wool and latex is always firm and I need something soft.
If you make yur own mattress out of this certifed organic rubber there is a need for extra covers so you dont smell the rubber (its safe but has an odor) I would use 2 covers and a wool moisiture pad and at worst daliya will send you some carbon to encase the rubber core under the organic cotton covers, These last a longer time than wool only but you can use 1.5 ich wool toppers over it as wool is very healing http://www.nontoxic.com/activatedcarbonblanket/activatedcarbonblanket.htm
I have fibromyalgia and hard mattresses make for more pain. I recently found Sachi Organics in Albuquerque and Santa Fe New Mexico. Lucky for me I just moved to Mew Mexico. I went to the store in Santa Fe and met with the owner who explained everything. I ordered the queen size with wool topper. Even the wool is organic, meaning the sheep ate organic food. They made the mattress and wood slat bed in less than 3 weeks and we picked it up and assembled it. This is the best mattress I have ever slept on. I can sleep on the 3 layer latex with a wool layer and cotton cover and no pack pain at all! When the fibro pain flares up, I add the wool topper for pain free comfort. Check them out. All organic. Very conscientious family owned business and Made in New Mexico, USA of all certified organic products. Expensive but no more Chiropractic bills or narcotics for the pain!!! That is worth more than money can buy. Sachi Organics. They ship anywhere also.
i AM VERY CHEMICALLY SENSITIVE TO EVERYTHING. i BOUGHT A DUNLOP SAVVY REST MATTRESS AND LOVE IT,,,I’VE HAD IT FOR 4 YEARS…..BOUGHT MY DAUGHTER ONE TOO………….WE SSTARTED WITH A HAARD, MEDIUM, AND SOFT DUNLOP………IT WAS STILL TOO HARD SO WE REPLACED THE TOP LAYER WITH A SOFT TALALAY AND LOVE IT
At our green bed and breakfast in Asheville NC – Asheville Green Cottage, we have had our guests sleeping on talalay latex foam for 6 years now. We cater to a wonderful mix of folks who are vegetarian, environmentally conscious, concerned citizens, and/or the chemically senstive. Everyone has been doing fine with these very, very comfortable mattresses, some saying they have never had a better night sleep, had none of their regular morning back pain, and more great comments. That said, all these years later I can still smell the faintest hint of that latex smell if I bury my nose deep into the mattress (directly into the foam itself), although I do have a super “observant” nose.
I have fibromyalgia so cannot tolerate the pressure of most alternative mattesses, nor a traditional inner spring mattress. So, I would recommend the latex mattress with perhaps a layer of barrier cloth, which we wrap ours with when our EI folks come to stay. There is no direct skin to latex contact, so I have never had any reaction or heard from our many guests.
Thanks.
Vicki Schomer
Hello,
Can someone please clarify for me: will sleeping on a latex mattress increase the chances of that person developing a latex allergy? My understanding is that latex is a contact allergy produced when a certain protein touches the skin – like with latex gloves or condoms. This is not the case with a mattress, right? Our mattress is encased in a cotton cover, then topped with a wool protector and sheet. So no direct contact.
Thanks!