The Truth About Latex

We have spoken about latex with many people representing many companies. We know how confusing it can be to sort out how it's processed ( Dunlop vs. Talalay ), what's added, how it's shipped, how it's tested, and what all the numbers mean.

The Basics

Rubber trees grow only within about 10 degrees of the equator. They grow best on hilly slopes.
The trees are sliced at an angle, and a small amount of the serum is collected daily.
The trees can be sliced about 180 days per year, except during the rainy season and during summer. The cut is about three feet long, and the serum flows for about an hour. Then the tree heals and the serum stops flowing.
Latex was originally cultivated in Brazil, but today the only rubber trees in Brazil are wild. These days almost all latex comes from the far East.
When the serum is harvested, it is about 2/3 water.
Latex serum in its pure state is fairly thick, and needs to be processed. (It's different from maple syrup making, in which thin sap is boiled down to make thicker syrup.)
A small amount of ammonia is added to the serum so it will not coagulate before processing. Ammonia is a naturally occurring product that is washed out later in processing.
From here the latex needs to be expanded and concentrated. This is done by adding ingredients and whipping or frothing the material in a centrifuge. This ste can be done in one of two prcesses. The Talalay process or the Dunlop process.
How durable is a latex mattress? Whether it's Dunlop or Talalay , natural or synthetic blend , your mattress is going to last a long time. Many latex mattresses made in the 1950s lasted 30 years and longer. Latex is extremely durable. If you are happy with your mattress for 10 to 15 years or more, you've made a great purchase. Our warranty is 30 years. How long your mattress lasts will depend not only on how it's made, of course, but also how it's used.