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August 30, 2012

Tired? Need a Good Night’s Sleep? Choose a Latex Mattress. ~ Michelle Gordon

There are lots of ways to green our waking lives—from recycling to renewable energy to eating organic foods. The one-third of our life that we are asleep gets less attention and focus as far as sustainability goes.

Nevertheless, there are some wonderful green sleep options in the marketplace, and the all-natural latex mattress is one of them.

It’s Healthier.

As is often the case with greener alternatives, the health benefits of sleeping green weigh in significantly. Sleeping on a surface such as botanical latex affords the sleeper the perfect combination of comfort and support.

Pure, organic latex made into a mattress is a very elastic surface and, as compared to the man-made memory foam material, is instantly reactive. With the springiness of natural latex, the sleeper can find a very comfortable balance, as whichever position they decide to sleep in their spine is held in alignment. And as they make adjustments during the night, the mattress accommodates immediately.

The rubber foam give of the mattress allows the body’s weight to be evenly distributed across the whole surface of the mattress so that no one part or portion gets all of the force applied to it. Other traditional mattress types don’t come into complete contact with each of the contours of the body, sometimes causing uncomfortable pressure points.

The 100% natural latex foam mattress is about as green as they come. The white, milky liquid latex is extracted from the Hevea brasiliensis (Para rubber tree) and either through the Talalay or Dunlop processes (the former creating a softer mattress and the latter creating a denser foam mattress), is formed into a mattress core. The natural plant properties and characteristics are retained in the end product. Botanical latex mattresses are hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, antifungal and resistant to dust mites.

Those with a sensitive respiratory system or sensitive skin can benefit greatly from sleeping on botanical latex.

As natural latex foam is not temperature-activated (as opposed to memory foam), the open-ended cell latex foam is quite breathable, and allows the sleeper the advantage of not having body heat trapped up against them. Instead, the sleeper’s body heat dissipates into the middle of the mattress, providing a very comfortable and cool rest.

Sleeping Green is Sustainable and Long Lasting.

Natural latex foam is not only a sustainable choice, but it is also a long-lasting one. Latex foam mattresses made from all-natural materials have been known to last as long as 50 years. Most warranties from latex bed manufacturers are at least 20 to 25 years in length, outlasting most standard mattresses which are typically recommended to be replaced every five to seven years.

Those with an eco-friendly mindset can also be assured that a botanical latex mattress is biodegradable, reducing the consumer’s carbon footprint, and putting fewer mattresses in landfills over the sleeper’s lifetime.

Michelle Gordon is a contributor for LivingGreenMag, an online publication that informs and educates readers on a range of environmental and lifestyle issues, and highlights various non-profit causes. Visit www.LivingGreenMag.com.

 

 

*Originally published at Living Green Magazine 

Editor: Lara C.

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