Perhaps if you're into eco-friendly products, you may have decided to leave behind your old box spring/mattress combo and consider something new, like a memory mattress or a latex mattress. Yet you may also have made the assumption that latex is a natural substance, so you'd also be leaving behind a bed infused with petrochemicals. But think again. Latex can also be a synthetic, oil-based material, so you'll need to do your homework on latex foam mattresses to be sure you're get what you want.

There are two processes used to create latex mattresses. With the Standard method, the liquid (whether it's the rubber sap or the petrochemical substance) is whipped into a froth, which creates the millions of air bubbles that are responsible for the special properties of a foam mattress. Then the liquid is poured into a mold, which is sealed and heated until it cures into its finished mattress form. In the Talalay method, the mold contains countless tiny pinprick spikes that make extra little channels for air to move through. This method creates a latex foam mattress that's somewhat more resilient and buoyant.

So far it sounds like either method works fine for creating a latex mattress, so why would anyone want to use a petrochemical based substance at all? The problem is that natural latex is often less comfortable than the synthetic version. So people either opt for a foam bed made completely of the petrochemical latex or, at best, they blend in some of the chemical substance to add extra give and softness to the natural latex. This means that you can choose a completely synthetic mattress, a completely natural one, or one that has a blend of the two materials.

It's absolutely essential to do your research before buying a latex mattress. If it is comfort that you are looking for, then this does not mean you're stuck with only synthetic latex choices, as an infusion of natural oils can now make natural latex just as comfortable. Yet even a "green" label might hide the fact that your foam bed still contains synthetic materials. This is why you'd do well to read about mattress manufacturers, their products, and what processes and materials have been used. Be informed with these mattress tips and more, and have all the facts at your disposal before you head out mattress shopping.

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