How to Know and Avoid the Most Common Latex Mattress Complaints

Are There Latex Mattress Complaints?

Latex mattress complaints are few and far between, but they do happen. In most cases, all-natural botanical latex isn't the culprit. In fact, latex mattress benefits tend to outweigh any disadvantages. Complaints usually only tend to occur when hybrid mattresses or blended materials are sold as "latex beds."

• Hybrid mattresses made of a latex layer over an inner spring or polyurethane core can become less comfortable over time, as the inner springs sag or the latex compresses against the polyurethane.
• Blended latex mattresses and synthetic latex mattresses, though technically "all latex," tend to break down more quickly; to sag more easily; and to lack the resilience and cushy support of real all-natural botanical latex.
• Blended, synthetic, and hybrid mattresses may off-gas or produce a faint chemical odor for about a week. Both the timing and the severity tend to be minimal compared to other memory foam or non-foam mattress options.

Natural latex tends to hold up better than hybrid or synthetic options, giving you the same performance every night for years. All-Talalay mattresses are more prone to sagging over time, since there's so much air in the mix; many customers prefer a Talalay top layer over a Dunlop core for a better mix of softness and support.

Natural latex doesn't off-gas like blended or synthetic materials, since there are no added industrial-strength chemicals. If you've chosen an all-natural or organic fire barrier over all-natural latex, off-gassing won't be a concern.

Natural latex may produce a faintly sweet, almost vanilla-scented odor for the first few days after production or after being stored under plastic. The scent will fade within a few days - like a new-car smell in a car fresh off the lot.

Loving Your Latex Mattress

All-natural latex tends to be soft yet supportive and is highly prized as premium bedding. Since latex is available in a wide range of firmnesses, the most common complaint is that the mattress is too soft or too firm. Latex FAQ: Which firmness is the most popular? Most people prefer a medium latex mattress, but a variety of products fall within that range.

Some companies offer unglued layers and allow you to do a "comfort exchange," swapping out layers until you find that perfect mix of softness and support that lets you maximize your sleep time. No other mattress style gives you such a customizable, personalized, and durable sleep surface.

Latex: Weighing Your Options

Another common complaint with all-natural botanical latex beds is that the mattresses are very heavy - and it's true. A queen-sized mattress can weigh between 100 and 130 pounds, and a king-sized mattress can weigh in at a whopping 130 to 160 pounds.

The firmness of the mattress will have some bearing on the weight, since firmer mattresses contain more latex and less air. A firm king-sized mattress may weigh 15 pounds more than a soft king-sized mattress.

Most dedicated latex customers view the weight as a necessary evil. Deal with it once, get it in place, and leave it alone. Such a weight can make a latex bed difficult to move, but by no means impossible. The weight factor can be further ameliorated by buying a mattress in unglued layers that can be rolled up and moved one by one, then reassembled in a new location.

Picking the Right Latex Mattress

Choosing the right mattress for you can help you minimize any latex mattress complaints or concerns. Here's how.

• Pick a bed that includes the most natural latex your budget allows: a blended latex mattress with at least 30% natural latex, 70% synthetic latex; a hybrid bed with a latex layer over inner springs or polyurethane; or, at the top of the line, a 100% all-natural botanical latex mattress.
• Choose a fairly simple bed in two or three unglued layers, with a firm Dunlop core that will provide long-lasting support under softer comfort layers.
• Pick a latex mattress company that provides a "comfort exchange," so that you can swap out layers if necessary to find your optimum comfort.
• Expect a faint, sweet odor for the first few days after purchase - a faint "vanilla" smell in all-natural latex, a slightly stronger chemical odor with synthetics. It's akin to a "new car smell" and will fade over time.
• Prepare for the weight of your bed. Buy an appropriate foundation and order your bed in layers to minimize the weight during the move-in process.

With a little knowledge and preparation, you'll be able to buy a bed that leaves you giving rave reviews, not registering latex mattress complaints. Choose your provider and your materials wisely, and you won't be disappointed.