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- Latex Mattress Buyer's Guide
Shopping for a new latex mattress or topper is not something to be taken lightly. There a number of vendors, and you should know the right questions to ask before you make your purchase. As such, the FoamSource has compiled the following buyer's guide to give you all of the information you need in order to buy a latex mattress or latex topper
Have questions? Feel free to give us a call at 1-800-255-0181 and we can go over any of these points in detail!
Latex Mattresses
An Overview
The latex mattress provides support where it is needed most by contouring to the body's natural nuances. It relieves pressure points, particularly at the shoulders and hips allowing for better circulation, and in consequence, less tossing and turning for a deeper more restful seep. The independent cell construction of latex foam is not prone to transfer movement, allowing two people to comfortably share the same bed without disrupting each other with every motion.
The latex mattress foam provides a medium in bedding that can easily be used in custom mattresses. Available in a wide range of firmness levels, it is simple to build a latex mattress that caters to an individual's needs; custom sizes are not a problem, perfect for boats and RVs; his and her sided beds are easy to construct; toppers can fine tune the feel to fit anybody's preference, and can easily be exchanged to ensure you feel as comfortable as possible when it matters most.
Integrating an open cell structure with a pin core design allows for maximum breathability essential for removing excess heat and moisture that can prevent a good night's sleep. For those who struggle with allergies latex mattresses present a safe haven as they are naturally hypoallergenic, and anti-microbial. This means that molds, mildew, and dust mites that may help trigger allergies will not be waiting for you in a latex mattress, where they can be the most frustrating.
A naturally resilient and durable material, a natural latex mattress will supply consistent performance for 20 years or more.History of the latex mattress
From discovery to finding a place as a natural, renewable resource
The latex mattress, being a natural rubber product, are the result of a long line of innovations in rubber technology. Natural latex rubber, utilized by indigenous people of South America for centuries, was not apt for industrialized usage until Charles Goodyear discovered in 1829 that, when vulcanized with sulfur, the previously unstable sticky substance became stable, durable, and very elastic.
This discovery of vulcanization opened the door for the natural latex rubber industry and the latex mattress. In the late 19th century rubber became a hot commodity with the onset of automobile production. With the demand skyrocketing, there was a lot of pressure to make the production of rubber more economical, starting at the source. At the time almost all of the latex used in natural latex rubber was harvested from wild hevea brasiliensis trees in Brazil.
Due to the plants natural tendency to grow far away from each other, an adaptation to prevent the spread of the crop killing fungus that causes leaf blight, the process of harvesting the latex was extremely inefficient.
It became obvious that plantations were necessary in a place free of South American leaf blight. After many failed attempts to transport viable seeds from South America to Asia, success was finally seen in 1876 when Englishman Henry Wickham exported 70,000 seeds to England.
Of these, 2800 germinated and were shipped to what is present day Malaysia. After overcoming initial problems, plantations were established producing a far greater quantity of latex than possible in Brazil with immensely improved efficiency.
It wasn't until the 1920s that latex was exploited to make foam. E.A. Murphy, a scientist for the Dunlop company, is accredited with producing the first latex foam in 1929 and opening the door for the first latex mattress. After five years of research and failed attempts, Murphy finally discovered how to create the necessary bubbles to create the desired product.
The discovery came in the form of his wife's cake mixer which he used to whip the latex before using a gelling agent and vulcanizing in a steam oven. The newly created latex foam was a big success, rapidly growing in popularity as seating cushions. In 1931 the first latex mattress was marketed by Dunlopillo and promoted as being a time saver, as it didn't require flipping or fluffing to maintain its incredible level of comfort.
The Japanese occupation of Malaysia during World War II cut off the supply of latex, and lead to large setbacks in the industry for years. During this period latex mattresses were available by prescription only. With the potential of the market beginning to be realized the most recent innovation in latex mattress technology was introduced to the industry in 1965. This innovation, known as the Talalay process (after Leon Talalay) added a stage to the production of latex foam during which air is vacuumed out of the mold to distribute the liquid latex evenly. This process rapidly became the standard method of synthesizing latex into foam used for latex mattresses and pillows, and remains the standard today.How latex mattresses are made
Two methods: Dunlop process and Talalay process
There are two methods in which latex is synthesized into the foam used in latex mattresses and latex pillows. The most commonly used method is the Talalay process which consists of six steps. First, the raw liquid latex is whipped with curing agents and additives into a froth. Next, the appropriate amount of latex froth is injected into the mold.
All of the air is then vacuumed out causing the latex to expand and perfectly distribute itself throughout the mold. The latex is then flash frozen to -20 ¡F to prevent any settling that may occur. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) is then introduced to cause the mixture to gel. Finally, the latex is vulcanized at a temperature of 220 ¡F until it has cured through.
The Dunlop process is similar to the Talalay process except that the mold is filled to the brim and there is no vacuum or freezing stage. The Dunlop process creates a firmer, denser, less consistent product that is used as a latex mattress core. Talalay is considered the premium process used for the latex mattress today.The latex mattress as a sustainable product:
Eco-friendly, Biodegradable and all-natural
With resources depleting and garbage being pushed into the earth at an overwhelming rate, there is little wonder why there is a ecological nightmare waiting to happen. Innerspring beds represent a substantial amount of nonrenewable, non-biodegradable resources that will simply be thrown into landfills.
With the mattress market currently exploding with all sorts of new mattress designs, shouldn't environmental implications be paramount in any new mattress design? This may seem too optimistic at first glance, but the reality is that such an eco-friendly product is already available. Natural latex mattresses are the product of natural latex rubber, which is the milky sap from the rubber tree (hevea brasiliensis), with a small percentage of natural fillers.
These trees are cultivated on plantations in South Asia, South America, Africa, Indonesia and Sri Lanka, providing jobs for numerous indigenous people. Once the trees have reached the end of their latex producing lives they are cut down, and replanted with new rubber tree clones. The timber is used to manufacture furniture and in construction, ensuring that there is no waste.
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi concerned with the exploitation of the forests by logging companies, as well as the inherent effects on biodiversity, proposed a long term plan to ensure sustainability of these important resources. "We want to give priority to plantation forests where only one species of tree may be planted such as new rubber clones which could be used for furniture making and construction materials after their latex have been fully tapped," he said after chairing the 16th National Forestry Council meeting in Putrajaya (For more information go to the website at the end of this article).
On top of being eco-friendly and biodegradable, natural latex mattresses supply a superb sleeping surface, relieving pressure points with outstanding support that's much better than memory foam. The natural latex mattress is clearly a wonderful choice for the consumer and for the environment.Latex mattress buyers' guide
What to know and what to ask when you buy Latex mattresses
Deciding to invest in any new mattress is often approached with a great amount of reluctance. With the amount of choices out there and everyone proclaiming the superiority of their product it's hard to settle on a mattress without feeling you might have missed out on something better. The range of prices, features, and stores can make your head spin.
This latex mattress buyers' guide will help you avoid some of the pitfalls associated with shopping for a new latex mattress.
Be sure that quality latex is used throughout the latex mattress.-
In the latex mattress industry there are several manufacturers that
produce consistent high quality latex for use in latex mattresses.
These companies are Dunlopillo, Latex International, and Arpico. Look
out for low end latex such as that coming out of China. Latex
mattresses made with cheaper latex foam will not provide the same feel,
support, or longevity as latex mattresses constructed from quality
material.
The cover DOES matter on a latex mattress.- It can be easy to overlook the broad spectrum of materials used to
make latex mattress covers. Very basic, cheap materials make the price
look good, but do nothing to improve the feel or performance of the
latex mattress. Tencel, a fiber made from wood pulp, has a very soft
supple feel, good breathability, and will stretch with the latex to
conform to your body.
Amicore is an antimicrobial fiber that does not allow dust mites, mold, mildew, fungus, or other microscopic pests to make a home in your bed, a blessing for allergy and asthma sufferers. With active ingredients imbedded within every strand Amicore maintains its antimicrobial properties through hundreds of wash cycles. Some fabrics used to make latex mattresses have carbon fibers to dissipate static build up in the body. Organic cotton offers great breathability, and is very environmentally friendly.
Wool presents a naturally breathable and antimicrobial medium to be used as a batting material in quilted covers for natural latex mattresses. Poly fill (name brand Dacron), is a suitable batting material increasing breathability, but offers an environment suitable for microbe proliferation. The overall quality of any cover used for a latex mattress is not only contingent on the type of material used, but also the ticking (the way it is woven into a fabric).
Be sure the ticking is manufactured by a reputable company such as Deslee, Culp, and Burlington.
Check that the retailer has been in business for long enough to establish themselves in the latex mattress market.-
Getting a warranty exchange from a business that has gone under is
about as likely as seeing George Washington walking down the street.
Look for a retailer that has been in business for 10 years or more.
This shows that they have the reputation and business savvy to survive
in the market, which means they will still be around if any problem
should arise with your latex mattress.
Inquire about the exchange policy.- This may be one of the most important things to ask about to ensure
your satisfaction. Some retailers do not accept exchanges after the
purchase, leaving you stuck with a mattress that doesn't perform to
your standards. Look for a retailer with an exchange period that allows
you to switch around components or even switch mattresses until you
find the one that's right for you.
If no other point of this buyers' guide makes an impression remember this: Not all latex mattresses are created equal and any deal that seems too good to be true probably is.
Resources
Learn more about Latex, Memory Foam and Polyurethane
The FoamSource has introduced this resources directory to help you understand the wide variety of new bedding options available. The FoamSource also understands that many bedding products are referred to by different names (a topper, for example, is also referred to as a mattress pad), and so there are synonyms included in the directory to help you find the product you are looking for and understand its benefits.
Go to the Resources Directory here!
Sun, 13 May 2007 12:51:00 -0500 - Test Nap Before You Buy Your Mattress
So you know it’s time to buy a new mattress. You have a pretty good idea of what you want in a bed, and you are almost ready to buy. You probably have already done your homework and researched your options. Now it’s time to test-nap!
You wouldn’t buy a car without test-driving it, and you likely try on your clothes to make sure they fit before you take them home. Why wouldn’t you check to make sure the mattress you are looking to purchase meets all your sleep and comfort needs?
Buying a mattress is a significant investment—one that deserves your full research and attention. You will spend 1/3 of your life in your bed, and looks and numbers aren’t everything. A dazzling and disorienting array of numbers, from firmness and thickness to price, can help pry open the wallet of even the most seasoned buyer.
The only way to make sure that you're buying the right mattress for you (and not for the salesperson) is by giving it a test-nap. And not just a casual sit lightly on the edge and maybe press in the middle test, but a thorough, planned-out examination.
Do your research
You can find information on beds and mattresses from reviews in publications like Consumer Reports, or you can get it directly from the manufacturer's website. Learn about all the features and options that come standard with the mattress you have your eye on, and get familiar with more important specs like latex versus viscoelastic (memory) foam and life span. If you know what the mattress can provide for you and what its limitations are, you won't settle for less than the best mattress for you.
Test-nap on your time
It's tempting to stop in and shop on a lunch break or on your way to something else, but it's not a great idea. Take your test-nap when you have plenty of time to get all the information you need.
The goal of a test nap is to experience — as closely as possible — the same type of sleeping conditions you will experience with the mattress in your home. Make sure you curl up in your favorite sleeping position with a pillow, and simply relax. Let your body melt into the mattress, feel your arms and legs relax their tension, and let your eyes close. Drift away into that comfort zone you experience when you lay down for a nap or for the night. Roll over as you might throughout the night and test out a different position. If you read each night before bed, take your favorite book along to your test-nap and read a few chapters.
After you’ve had the opportunity to simulate your sleep environment as you would have it at home, you will be far more prepared to make the decision on which mattress is best for you. Your time investment will pay off in the long run with the increased comfort and sleep you will experience each night.
Fri, 11 May 2007 13:40:00 -0500 - Restless Leg Syndrome
Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS), or Periodic Limb Movement Disorder, is a neurological disorder that is fairly common but often unrecognized or misdiagnosed and is characterized by uncomfortable sensations in the legs, which are worse during periods of inactivity, resting or while sitting or lying down. The condition is not dangerous or life-threatening and does not indicate a serious disorder; however, it is uncomfortable and can disrupt sleep. The condition most commonly occurs among older people and pregnant women.
RLS causes an individual to have irritating sensations in the limbs, primarily the legs, which are very distracting and uncomfortable, but usually not painful. Patients describe the sensations as having itchy, "creepy-crawly" or twitchy legs. The condition creates a need for movement of the affected limb for temporary relief. Restless leg syndrome was described as early as the 16th century but was not studied until the 1940s. The exact cause of the problem is still unknown. RLS is included in the sleep disorders because it causes periodic limb movements and feelings of restlessness during the night. RLS symptoms increase during times when a person is resting or sleeping. A RLS sufferer may be partially or fully aroused from sleep from 5 to 50 times per hour. Even if the individual is not awakened by the limb movements, this creates very unhealthy, disjointed sleep and leads to fatigue during waking hours.
The main characteristics of RLS include
• Difficulty sleeping
• Persistent leg movements during sleep hours. Symptoms occur most frequently during the evening or early part of the night
• Irresistible urge to move the legs
• Abnormal sensation in the legs, occasionally, feet, thighs, arms, which entail creeping, burning, tingling, cramping, aching, pulling or crawling sensations within the affected extremities
• Sensations or discomfort (not pain, not cramps) are relieved by movement of the legs
• May occur during the day
• Worse when lying down and may be temporarily diminished by voluntary movements of the affected limb
These sensations have the following features:
• Occur most frequently during periods of inactivity, such as while resting, sitting quietly or when attempting to fall asleep.
• Are temporarily relieved by movement of the limb.
• Can occur during the day, causing the individual to pace or move the legs excessively.
• Cause involuntary jerking or twitching of the limbs during sleep.
• Cause excessive daytime fatigue or sleepiness caused by sleep disturbances in the night, as well as insomnia.
Mild RLS sufferers may feel relief from their symptoms by:
• Exercising more frequently, as moving the legs usually relieves the discomfort.
• Eating a healthy diet and getting enough Folic Acid, Calcium, Iron, and essential vitamins.
• Reducing the amount of stress in their lifestyle. Popular relaxation methods include exercise, hobbies, yoga, biofeedback, and meditation.
• Relieving physical symptoms using cold packs, massage, acupressure, stretching, baths, or walking.
• Avoiding alcohol and caffeine-containing items like coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate, especially later in the day.
• Maintaining a healthy sleep routine - sleeping in a quiet, comfortable room, elevating the limbs with an adjustable mattress, and going to bed and waking at the same times each day.
Fri, 11 May 2007 13:23:00 -0500 - Top 10 Reasons to Choose Latex Mattress or Memory Foam
1) Space-Age Technology
Visco-elastic memory foam is a direct result of space-age technology. Developed during the 1960’s for NASA this product was used to cushion and deflect the tremendous effects of gravitational pull experienced by our astronauts during take off and re-entry into the earth’s atmosphere. By way of its great success with NASA, the foam began being used to cushion, protect and comfort critically ill individuals in hospital intensive care units. It also provided outstanding healing benefits and comfort to bed ridden individuals in hospital burn centers. As its fame grew, other industries began using visco-elastic foam in car seats, cushions and a wide variety of products. Soon customers, who experienced visco-elastic foam in hospital beds and other sources, began demanding this product for their own use in sleep products. And the rest is history!
2) Comfort and Luxury
Are you craving a comfortable and luxurious sleeping experience? Memory foam will provide you with the utmost support as well as the luxurious feel. Memory foam molds to the shape of your body and provides support where you need it. It is also encased in a soft-to-the-touch cover that’s also allergy resistant.
3) Dust Mite Resistant
Beds and mattresses are a prime habitat for dust mites that cause allergies. A typical innerspring mattress may have anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million dust mites inside of it! Memory foam and Latex foam are naturally resistant and dust mites find it hard to create a habitat to survive in. In fact, dust mites cannot feed at all on Latex so they will never invade a Latex bed.
4) Great for Adjustable Power Beds
The way foam beds can mold and conform makes them a perfect match for an adjustable base. Our memory foam beds are available with Split-Top options. A split top gives you easy adjustability.
5) Health Benefits
All of the properties of a foam mattress work together to give you a more restful night’s sleep. With better sleep come innumerous health benefits, including: increased productivity, less fatigue, less insomnia, better breathing patterns while asleep, and less back pain.
6) Suitable For Every Sleep Position
Whether you enjoy sleeping on your back, stomach, or side Memory Foam and Latex Foam Beds and Mattresses are right for you. Foam is designed to mold and cradle every part of your body evenly which can allow you to get in your most comfortable position.
7) Improve Back/Spine Alignment
Foam can support each part of the body evenly and individually. This can allow the spine to stay in a neutral position. By individually supporting each part of the body, foam can help reduce pressure points and help to eliminate tossing and turning.
8) Hypo-Allergenic
Foam mattresses are great for allergy sufferers. Memory and Latex foam are allergy free and hypoallergenic. Latex is a 100% natural material.
9) No More Mattress Flipping!
Foam mattresses do not sag like most innersprings and therefore do not require flipping or rotating. Having to flip over a large mattress puts more strain on you; every part of these mattresses is designed with you, the consumer, in mind.
10) Innovative—Newest Technology in Mattresses
Memory foam is the latest in foam technology. Foam mattresses can provide the best sleep systems modern technology has to offer.
Fri, 11 May 2007 13:18:00 -0500 - Poor Sleep Affecting Job Performance
Employees are paying a high price for too little sleep when it comes to work productivity. Individuals experience an alarming decline in quality of work, poor judgment and trouble retaining information as the top work-related consequences from lack of sleep. According to the Better Sleep Council (BSC) 2007 Better Sleep Month survey, 44 percent said they were likely to be in an unpleasant or unfriendly mood— all bad news for employers, employees and customers.
You cannot accomplish more if you spend less time sleeping. In fact, sleep deprivation impacts your level of alertness, your productivity and your ability to socially interact with colleagues.
Sleep deprivation impairs your quality and accuracy of work, clear thinking or judgment and memory of important details. Companies would be more productive and offices would be happier places if employees got more of the sleep they need. If you are looking to improve your daily work performance, you could benefit by improving the quality of your sleep.
Tired employees often turn to quick-fix performance enhancers to remedy their sleep deficiency problem, including:
• Drinking coffee or other caffeinated drinks
• Taking a nap
• Going outside for fresh air
Few are willing to make the commitment to get more sleep in order to feel more awake and productive at work. It can be simple to make noticeable improvements in your performance.
Mattress Matters
Many people are losing sleep on mattresses that may no longer provide optimum comfort. For a good night’s sleep it is recommended that you evaluate your mattress (especially an inner spring mattress) every five to seven years for comfort and support and replace if necessary. Many people are sleeping on mattresses that are five years old or older, with some even on mattresses eight years old or older. Traditional inner spring mattresses are not designed to withstand that many years of use. However, if you are sleeping on a latex mattress or memory foam mattress, you can sleep comfortably for 15-20 years and sometimes longer.
The quality of sleep is directly affected by the age of your mattress. In fact, the study showed new mattresses provided immediate and sustained benefits in sleep comfort and quality plus reduced back pain. For the average person, better sleep quality can be as simple as a new bed.
Five Tips to Improve Sleep and Work Productivity
A new mattress significantly impacts the quality of your sleep; further suggesting that consumers should regularly evaluate their mattresses for sufficient comfort and support. Here are five tips to improve sleep and work productivity:
1.) Pay your sleep debt. Getting even 30 minutes less sleep than your body needs can lead to accumulated sleep debt, which has both short- and long-term consequences for health, mood and performance, both on and off the job. It’s important to schedule 8 hours of sleep each night (7.5 to 8.5 is optimal) and maintain a regular sleep and wake schedule, even on the weekend.
2.) Evaluate mattress performance. Though your mattress may not show physical signs of wear, it loses comfort and support over the years. It’s important to evaluate your mattress every five to seven years to ensure it still provides optimal comfort and support. The age of a mattress directly impacts the quality of sleep.
3.) Bedroom business. Use your bedroom for sleep and sex only. The bedroom should be an uncluttered environment that is relaxing, comfortable and conducive to sleep and relaxation. Keep work, computers and televisions out of the bedroom!
4.) Kick the caffeine habit. Research shows that caffeine interferes with getting a restful night’s sleep and waking refreshed in the morning. Avoid caffeine close to bedtime.
5.) Make the investment. You spend one-third of your life in bed. Be sure to invest in the best quality and most comfortable mattress you can afford to ensure a great night’s rest for a healthier, happier and more productive you.
Who knows? You might just make more money when you get more sleep! The Sleep Tips Series from Foam Source is helpful for improving sleep and quality of life. If you have severe insomnia, you should seek medical counsel. If you have trouble with sleep or staying alert and productive at work, visit FoamSource.com or call 800-255-0181 today for more great information on optimal sleep and best sleep surfaces.
Fri, 11 May 2007 13:11:00 -0500 - Speaking of Snoring...
There’s a new trend among couples who experience fitful sleep because one or both partners snore. It’s a new nighttime sleeping location within the house called the “snoring room”. Chicago real estate agent and author Mark Nash coined the phrase to describe the room to which one retreats if a partner’s snoring is disruptive.
The concept of the snoring room is new enough that there are no rules. They can be stylish or simple, reflecting a homeowner’s individual taste and requirements.
The snoring room is typically a smaller room and is sparsely furnished. It is normally located adjacent to or nearby the main bedroom. However, if the snoring is overly boisterous, one could designate a snoring as far from the noise as possible. Either way, the snoring room serves as a welcome alternative to the couch or guest room.
No matter what the décor, culturally, Americans tend to struggle with adopting the idea of sleeping separately, feeling that they’ll experience a loss of closeness with their partner. But most sleep experts and couples’ counselors alike are quick to defend the concept of the snoring room, saying that better quality sleep can lead to more closeness in the waking hours – where it counts.
So now perhaps the only question left is who is relegated to the snoring room – the snorer or the snoree??
Fri, 11 May 2007 13:10:00 -0500 - Are Two Beds Better than One?
You may remember elder generations sleeping in side-by-side twin beds. And while that practice may have seemed strange or old-fashioned to us, there were advantages to couples having separate beds. Firstly, separate beds allowed couples to choose different firmness preferences, because often pairs do not have the same ideal resistance levels. They also prevented couples from being disturbed by their partner’s movements in the night, from rolling over to more severe tossing and turning. Finally, the separation of two twin beds alleviated the disturbance caused by one or both parties’s snoring.
Now couples can enjoy (almost) all the benefits of separate beds in ONE CUSTOM BED. Technology now allows us to design and build a mattress to suit the tastes and preferences of each individual while allowing them to share the intimacy of the same bed. Our latex mattress can be customized with distinct firmness, thickness and width. How firm or thick a mattress is seems straightforward, however the width of each side is a neat customization. For example, if one partner typically resides on, say, a little more than half of the bed, the mattress can be built accommodate whatever arrangement a couple may have.
Certainly our custom latex mattress can cure firmness preference differences and night movements, but what about snoring? Many couples report that problems with disruptive snoring are either minimized or even outright eliminated when they started sleeping on a latex mattress.
So now couples can crawl in bed together and sleep on a comfortable, allergy resistant latex mattress customized just for them. They can get all the perks of sleeping separately as well as the wonderful intimacy of the timeless practice of cuddling!
Fri, 11 May 2007 13:09:00 -0500 - Latex for the Savvy Sailor
The close quarters and unusual conditions of a boat make it hard to find a good mattress. Luckily for the sea faring adventurer, there are several innovations in bedding well suited to the demands of the boating. While polyurethane foam, memory foam and latex are all used for maritime bedding, latex is truly the only logical choice of sleep surface for a water bound vessel. Latex is not only the best quality sleep surface that money can buy, but it is also better equipped to handle the problems an oceanic environment creates for bedding.
Latex is an unparalleled sleep surface both at sea and on dry land. Overall benefits of latex include durability, comfort and support of your posture. Latex spreads the body’s weight more evenly than a normal mattress. This prevents pressure points that cause discomfort, back problems and disrupted sleep. A latex mattress also maintains its firmness so it won’t sag and doesn’t require flipping.
In addition to these benefits, latex has characteristics which make it ideal for boat mattresses. Latex makes it possible to have the highest quality bedding in the often tight spaces a boat or yacht yields for a bed. Latex can be cut into any shape and size, no matter how small. It can also be cut to taper, fitting snugly against the hull in the front or stern of the vessel.
Another plus to the latex mattress for your boat is doesn’t stay water-logged. One of the biggest problems with traditional boat beds is the formation of mold due to the heavy humidity of the environment. Memory foam and polyurethane can retain moisture and create the ideal environment for mold to grow. Mold emits hazardous inhalants called mycotoxins. The effects of mycotoxins vary depending on the health and age of the person inhaling them. They can make a person feel sick, can suppress the immune system and can even degrade the body’s ability to create new cells. Latex does not retain moisture and creates an environment in which mold cannot live, allowing one to rest peacefully, waking up refreshed.
Latex is also a natural anti-microbial, keeping a mattress clear of the infinitesimal organisms that the dusty traveler may pick up amidst his journeys. Other bedding materials allow microbes to fester in a mattress and propagate to great numbers. Microbes can cause allergies or ailments that can do more than just keep a person awake at night, so it is important to have a mattress that will not host them.
Several companies are in the market offering custom mattresses for boats, but none of them have a product that can withstand the trials and abuse of the sea as well as latex. A latex mattress is the only high quality mattress that can fit any space and withstand the relentless characteristics of water.
To help you and your family enjoy a more peaceful, restful night’s sleep on your boat and in your home, visit Foam Source or call 80-255-0181 for boat mattresses and a wide selection of latex mattresses and memory foam, including custom sizes. We want your family to sleep just as well as ours, even while sleeping on a boat! Foam Source has been helping people sleep more soundly since 1985.
Fri, 11 May 2007 13:08:00 -0500 - Dust Mites & Children
No parent wants to see his or her child sneezing uncontrollably and wheezing helplessly. It is important that parents know about one of the leading yet least acknowledged causes and aggravators of asthma and allergies: dust mites. While healthy adults will not be affected by mites most of the time, children are vulnerable to their effects.
Dust mites are tiny bugs, too small to see with the naked eye, which feed off of the dander shed by humans and pets in the home. The mites’ feces contain an enzyme that is an allergenic and can even lead to or exacerbate asthma in children. It is important that parents know where mites live and how to limit their presence in a home so kids can grow healthy and strong, unhindered by needless allergies and asthma.
Interestingly, dust mites live in every home. It is impossible to completely rid a home of dust mites. However, to a large degree, mites can be eliminated and their harmful effects allayed by destroying the environments inducing mite health and gestation. Mites thrive in warm humid places with abundant dust: places like carpet, fabric, upholstery, and especially mattresses. It is difficult to control the humidity of your home, so it is best to try to minimize places dust can collect and lead to mites. You should remove as many materials where dust cannot be cleaned away as possible. Two examples would be to choose to have wood floors instead of carpet and leather or wood furniture instead of fabric upholstery.
The greatest incubator and haven for dust mites is not underfoot or in a chair, it is in mattresses. Mattresses often form the ideal environment for mites to take root and propagate. Moisture often soaks into the outer layers of a mattress and remains for long periods of time. A considerable amount of dead skin and hair cells are shed onto the mattress while you and your family sleep. In both cases, there is often no way to wash the mattress itself, which makes mattresses the most detrimental place to have dust mites when a child is trying to sleep. The mites can cause hay fever, sneezing, itchy eyes and nose and keep a child from sleeping soundly. Instead, he or she tosses and turns, wheezing and lying unknowingly in the very cause of his or her affliction.
There are two viable solutions to getting mites out of a bed. The first way is to get a mattress cover designed for this purpose. Covers have been shown to consistently keep mites from invading a mattress. The drawbacks to covers are that they can be uncomfortable if made of plastic, inconvenient to take on and off of the mattress, and very expensive. The second solution is to get a latex mattress. Latex is all natural, made from the sap of rubber trees, and is a natural anti-microbial. A latex mattress doesn’t retain moisture and has a convenient removable washable cover. What’s more, a latex mattress is the most supportive and comfortable mattress on the market. So from every angle, latex is the absolute best way to assure a child a restful night’s sleep so that he or she can do what children are meant to do: enjoy life.
To help you and your children enjoy a more peaceful, restful night’s sleep, visit Foam Source for a wide selection of latex mattresses and memory foam. We want your family to sleep just as well as ours. Foam Source has been helping people sleep more soundly since 1985.
Fri, 11 May 2007 13:07:00 -0500 - Health & Mold: Is there a real threat?
From the bread in the kitchen to the ground underfoot, mold pervades the world we live in. Most molds are benign and even vital to the ecological balance of the environment, but some molds invade our homes and our lives causing serious and often irreversible maladies.
Usually it isn’t the mold itself that causes serious health problems to those within its vicinity. Actually, it’s the gases produced by molds that cause issues when ingested. Molds release noxious particles into the air known as mycotoxins, which can cause a spate of medical and mental health problems. The most threatening mold that commonly grows in homes is Stachybotrys Chartarum, or black mold.
Black mold releases many mycotoxins that all fit into one of three denominations: Macrocyclic Trichothecenes, Phenylspirodrimanes and Cyclesprine, and Stachylysin. Macrocyclic Trichothecenes inhibit protein synthesis, destroying our ability to generate new cells and making us less resilient. Phenylspirodrimanes and Cyclesprine are immunosuppressive and make us more susceptible to diseases and infections. Finally, Stachylysin destroys red blood cells, making us feel anemic and lethargic.
Often people feel sick when they are in the vicinity of mold but then feel better once in a clean environment. For symptoms that are dependant on location, preventing and eradicating mold from your home and surroundings should be given serious consideration. If symptoms don’t exist, even in the presence of mold, it is possible that the mold is a remote threat and no action may be required.
If you are unsure as to the toxicity or danger of mold in a living area, please contact a professional to examine the mold and assess risk factors. Feel free to contact FoamSource for more information at www.foamsource.com or by calling 800-255-0181.
Mold in the Home
Mold exists all around us. In some forms it’s harmless, and in others, mold can be very dangerous. Gaining a better understanding of mold can help us coexist safely with this organism and avoid unfortunate and costly health and material issues.
It doesn’t take much for mold to live and proliferate: just moisture, oxygen, and some form of sustenance. It can grow on wood, fabric, leather, gypsum, fiberboard, dry-wall, and many other surfaces and materials in the home. The amount of moisture necessary to host mold is dependant on the type of mold. Some need a lot of moisture while others require a relatively small amount. Mold can find ways to extract nutrients from many surfaces. No matter where you live or what kind of house you have, your home is susceptible to mold, and owners should be wary.
In the home, mold grows in warm moist areas such as closets, bathrooms, basements, laundry rooms, and humidifiers. It can also grow in upholstery, house plants, and even inside walls and under flooring. Another place, often overlooked, where mold can grow is inside mattresses. You could be spending every night near some form of mold, harmful or otherwise, without even knowing it.
Mattresses often form an ideal environment for the incubation of a mold. Mold can subsist on the materials of the mattress, both off of the foam and the fabric. Mattresses often soak up a body’s moisture and retain it for long periods of time. Polyurethane foam, from which many mattresses are made, can be broken down by mold into VOCs (volatile organic compounds) which are toxic inhalants.
For infants, the gas produced by molds can contribute to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which is one reason crib pads made of polyurethane foam are covered by a protective plastic. For adults with healthy immune systems, the toxin most likely wouldn’t do any permanent or severe damage, but it would cause a malaise when in bed. The effects of the mold may be keeping you awake and uncomfortable or even lessening the quality of your sleep, leaving you fatigued and irritable during the day. For adults, it is impractical to have a plastic sheet, so it is best to avoid polyurethane mattresses in favor of something resistant and not hospitable to mold.
A latex mattress or memory foam mattress can be the best alternative to the traditional mattress. Latex and memory foam mattresses are naturally resistant to molds. In addition, they provide numerous other benefits to you in terms of comfort, weight distribution and more. To learn more about a latex mattress or a memory foam mattress and to discuss which might be right for you, visit www.FoamSource.com or call 800-255-0181.
Keeping Your Home & Bed Free of Mold
When your home is beset with malignant mold, not only is health adversely affected, but the removal is often expensive. Eradicating mold can sometimes require major renovations of infected rooms or walls, sometimes even exceeding the worth of the structure. Because of the health and financial impact of mold, it is critical to take measures preventing mold’s development.
In the structure and rooms of your home, it is important to keep carpets, rugs, and mats dry and to not keep, or be careful with, carpet in basements where the floors can be perpetually damp. To protect the building itself, make sure that no pipes leak, which could cause moisture to get into the drywall. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure that no leaks exist in your home’s outer walls or shingles.
For a mold-free mattress, there is no better choice than a latex mattress. A latex mattress provides an extraordinary sleep system. It is all natural, supportive, and will not retain moisture long enough for mold to grow and proliferate. Latex will not break down into noxious vapors or VOCs (volatile organic compounds). Also, a latex mattress will last longer than any other mattress on the market.
With a prevention and precaution, there is no reason you need to spend time worrying about the hazards of mold in your home. For more information about mold, specifically as it relates to your mattress or sleeping surface, please contact www.FoamSource.com or call 800-255-0181.
Fri, 11 May 2007 13:05:00 -0500
