You spend approximately one third of your life in bed. With that in mind, it’s a good idea to invest in a mattress that will promote good health and comfort rather than going for the one that has the lowest possible price tag.
Before you dive in and decide whether now is the right time to get rid of your existing mattress in favor of a longer lasting mattress, consider a few of these factors first.
How Long Have You Owned Your Mattress?
Depending on the type of mattress you have, the age of your mattress can play a critical role in its overall usefulness. For instance, not only do innerspring mattresses lose a fair amount of their supportive structure over the years, but they also harbor potentially harmful things like dust mites, dead skin cells, mold, mildew and more.
Don’t believe it’s true? Try to lift your existing mattress and compare it to a new innerspring mattress from a store. You’ll probably notice that the new mattress weighs considerably less.
The average innerspring mattress has a lifespan of only five to seven years. When you compare that to a natural latex mattress that has a lifespan of up to 25 years, you can see there is a significant difference from the start. More importantly, latex mattresses maintain their shape and elasticity, thanks to the foam rubber foundation of latex foam, without breaking down over time the way other mattresses tend to do.
How Safe Do You Want Your Mattress to Be?
People everywhere are beginning to take notice of the toxins and chemicals you expose your families too. If you’ve done much research on the matter at all, you know by now that there are chemicals lurking at every turn. Sadly, this includes chemicals buried inside common household items like sofas, wood furniture, and even your mattress.
These chemicals can include a wide variety of ugly things that can transform something as innocent as a mattress into a toxic cesspool of germs, odors, and health risks for the entire family.
Chemical flame retardants, for instance, that are commonly used in mattresses and pillows, are notorious for carrying harmful toxins that your inhale into your body while you’re sleeping.
Among the negative health impacts this can have are upper respiratory problems, liver damage, infertility, loss of energy, and so much more.
These things aren’t present in natural latex mattresses that not only do not have VOCs (volatile organic compounds), but also lack adhesives, which often contain formaldehyde and other toxic ingredients, too. The fewer toxins you bring into your home, the less you have to worry about exposing your family to harm through environmental toxins in your household.
There is an unintended benefit to this in that you also don’t have to worry about off-gassing with natural latex mattresses. Off gassing occurs when petrochemicals mix with air, usually when you remove traditional innerspring mattresses from their packaging. What it is, is a harmful, chemical odor that can cause headaches and breathing difficulties for some individuals – in addition to a truly foul smell.
Benefits of Natural Latex Mattresses
You will pay more up front for your natural latex mattress. This is especially the case if you invest in a quality mattress. The upsides, though, make this a mattress that is even more affordable than you may realize at first glance. These are a few of the benefits to consider.
Natural latex is naturally resistant to many common problems for mattresses including microbes, mildew, bacteria, dust mites, bed bugs, and mold. Just imagine the benefits of not exposing yourself or your family to these things night after night while you sleep!
No chemical fire retardants. The toxins contained in most fire retardants are well-documented and include everything from behavior problems in children to serious health risks. Natural latex mattresses use natural fire-retardants, like wool, for this critical safety feature.
Natural latex mattresses are earth-friendly in many ways. Among them is the fact that natural latex mattresses are 100 percent recyclable, they contain no VOCs, and they last up to 25 years, meaning that even that they don’t have to be replaced (or disposed of, nearly as often). Can you imagine how much landfill space is occupied by innerspring mattresses that aren’t recyclable, but must be replaced every five to seven years? This alone makes natural latex infinitely friendlier when it comes to the planet.
Yet another planet-friendly feature is the fact that they are manufactured in a planet-friendly manner as well. The planet wins, your family wins, and you can sleep easy without fears of hurting the earth in the process.
Body Benefits of Natural Latex
Aside from the environmental factors and various toxins innerspring mattresses bring into your home there is there body factor to keep in mind. Natural latex is made of latex foam that offers an incredible amount of support and durability. Unlike memory foam, your body doesn’t sink into the mattress leaving you feeling as though you’re being swallowed whole by your mattress. It’s different from innerspring mattresses in that it maintains the same level of comfort and support for the entire life of the mattress without sagging, lumping, and bumping along the way.
This means more support for your back if you’re a back or stomach sleeper because there is no sagging and no loss of comfort for your pressure points if you’re a side sleeper (especially if you choose a latex mattress with a Dunlop core and Talalay comfort layer).
One more huge body benefit for natural latex is the coolness factor. The open-cell nature of natural latex foam allows cool air to flow to your body throughout the night, so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer for healthier, happier mornings for the long life of your latex mattress.
The long and short answer as to whether now is the time to ditch your toxic old mattress for the many benefits natural latex has to offer is a resounding “Yes!” It’s a decision you’re going to be glad you made for the sake of your health, the health of your family, and the planet.
by Amber Merton
