Most industry insiders would consider all natural latex rubber to be the Roles Royce of mattress making materials and along with quality often comes higher prices, but is that really true?

The fact is all natural rubber mattresses don’t cost any more than other

so called top of the line premium mattresses like the Sleep Number Bed from Select Comfort and Tempur Pedic memory foam. It is true you won’t be able to buy one for the same price as the average queen size mattress set of $799 or $899 and your not comparing apples to apples. When a person compares like mattress and their price point, the similarities end. Quality latex mattresses are pack a lot of wallop for the money spent making everything else look like sour grapes.

All natural mattresses can and do often last up to 20-30 years and in some cases even longer.

This kind of useful life for a mattress is something that the average queen or king conventional pillow top mattress can’t do. Walk into most any retail store today and you will see brand name airbeds, visco elastic memory foam and conventional inner spring mattresses for $2000- $3000-$4000 or possibly even a lot more. Our suggestion is to put these mattresses to the test and really compare the differences.

One test you can give the mattresses is the weight test and when you investigate you will easily take notice of the differences in weight. Mainstream mattresses are typically half as heavy when compared to all natural-latex beds because they are using far less steel than even a few years ago. They have replaced the steel with low grade foams and padding materials. In the case of air beds well… the weight is much less and these seamed air bags are notorious for their numerous amount problems.

Delve into all natural latex rubber and we can begin to realize that it is not about price gouging as some believe, rather it comes down to production or manufacturing cost issues that are unique to an all natural rubber mattress. Natural rubber is not a petroleum-based product unlike synthetic foam which is. Rubber originates from the sap of a rubber tree, which takes 5 years to grow to production age, and usually ends at 20-30 years. Each tree only produces 3-5lbs of latex a year. It takes the production of 2000-2500 trees on 10-12 acres and 8-12 tappers one day to produce enough latex for one queen size mattress. These rubber plantations can cover tens of thousands of acres with millions of trees.

The quality of today’s rubber mattresses can vary greatly.

Blending the natural rubber with synthetics made from chemicals or fillers like sand and clay clearly cuts production cost but it also sacrifices the overall quality of the final product. Mattresses that use less rubber by replacing it with inferior foam layers or cut the quality of the rubber by using fillers sometimes appears to be as good through deceptive marketing and in the end the consumers are the losers. They don’t have the same feel and life expectancy of all-natural latex rubber and even worse many of these come from china where quality standards are not as high.

Benefits for these mattresses that cost no more than a high quality mattress
• Much longer life
• The resiliency an elasticity of rubber
• Conformity of rubber which can shape to the body’s natural curves
• Virtually chemical free
• Sustainable
• Biodegradable

So is it really cheaper or is it better to buy three mattress sets or more within 24 years? Is it ok to waste landfill space needlessly with products that don’t decompose? We believe for little if any additional cost people will reap the aforementioned benefits by purchasing just one mattress made of all natural latex rubber that can pretty much do it all? Simulate it to any high quality pair of shoes or a well engineered automobile because in the end one way or the other we will all pay the price.

Going green is no longer just a catch phrase or passing trend, but more of an important concept that is in all areas of a consumer’s life. Because medical science cannot uncover the hidden reasons behind autism, hyperactivity and asthma and other developmental delays, it is important to explore the toxic chemical environment in which we live and sleep. Chemicals used to control pests, fight germs and grow food leave the air around us compromised and potentially dangerous and can be absorbed into the body.

The most powerful place a consumer can go “green,” is in the bedroom where we spend much of our time relaxing and sleeping. Consider the mattress you sleep on and the bedding you use to cover yourself up with at night. When we sleep, we breathe in and out deeply and this can make us vulnerable to the toxins and chemicals in our bedding and mattress. Particularly infants and small children, the lungs are vulnerable and still developing, which is why it is so highly important to use the safest bedding and mattresses available.
Our bodies come into direct contact with our mattress, for hours at a time and we can possibly absorb toxic chemicals while sleeping. A mattress made of natural fibers and cotton helps “green” our bedroom and makes for safe sleeping. A natural mattress surface helps prevent allergies and gives natural support to the spine and body contour which makes for a more comfortable night’s sleep.

What we use to cover our mattress with is also another component of “greening” the bedroom. The covering of a mattress should be made of organic cotton and wool, in order to pass the new flame retardant standards and to prevent you from coming into contact with toxic gasses released from some of the older synthetic covers. A cotton mattress pad also offers superior qualities of wool which transports moisture and helps regulate body temperature, helps distribute body weight and relieves pressure points and it is also resistant to mold, dust mites and bacteria.

Chemical free bedding is the next step to take when “greening” your bedroom and now it is easy to find 100% organic cotton labeled sheets and comforters. Wrinkle and stain free sheets are not a good choice because they are often treated with chemicals that can include formaldehyde and other toxings. Looking for bedding materials made without bleaching and organic cotton is not only better for the environment, but also health as well.

There is no plausible reason as to why someone must allow questionable chemicals to come into contact with skin, or be used in bedding, sheets or mattresses. Because our bodies are like big sponges, the chemicals given off by synthetic bedding can be toxic and dangerous and the cumulative effects on the health are unpredictable. When “greening” the bedroom you should make sure you are safe and not breathing in any dangerous chemicals while sleeping, for both your health and that of your family, it is important to find comfortable, all natural, organic bedding and mattress materials.

A person’s bedroom is their personal sanctuary, a place to go to escape the stresses of life and relax and be peaceful. A bedroom is a place where you sleep, curl up and read a good book and snuggle up with your loved ones, it should be cozy and luxurious. However, a bedroom should not be filled with hazardous chemicals which can be damaging, cause allergies or possibly certain types of cancer. Your bedroom should be a clean, harmonious environment and free from fumes and vapors which could cause serious damage to you and your family’s health. To “green” your bedroom, a person should put the focus on fabrics, lighting and furniture which can be toxic and interrupt you from getting a good night’s sleep.

If furniture in the bedroom is made of pressed wood or particle board, it should be sealed or it could off gas harmful chemicals like formaldehyde into the air. Formaldehyde has been outlawed in California in various wood applications that are used in the production of bedroom furntiure. It is a toxic chemical which is classed by the Environmental Protection Agency as a carcinogen; it can cause asthma, breathing problems, skin rashes, allergies and watery eyes. If new furniture is out of the question, it is important to either seal it up or place the furniture in a well-ventilated area to avoid the fumes becoming concentrated and dangerous.

Another issue to give consideration when “greening” your bedroom is the paint on the walls. Paint can be made of toxic chemicals and if the walls gave off a strong smell when painted, it is a good indication of how chemically concentrated it is. Using low odor non-toxic paint with low or zero VOC’s (volitile organic compounds) is much better because some of the fumes which can be released can include benzene, kerosene, ammonia, xylene, toluene and formaldehyde. In order to decrease air pollution in the bedroom, a person should include plenty of indoor plants into the décor, which can decrease the toxins in the air by as much as 85% within a one day period of time.

Mattresses and bed linens are another important component of “greening” your bedroom and if you are using synthetics, now is the perfect time to switch to organic cottons and other natural materials. When a mattress is composed of polyurethane foam and other chemicals, it can release a bunch of risky toxins into the air and make sleeping unhealthy and very uncomfortable. Incorporating organic materials and natural linens for bedding is less likely to cause a person to suffer from allergies and decreases the chances of bed bugs making a home in the mattress.

The final area someone needs to consider when “greening” a bedroom, is the lighting being used. Lighting sets the mood of a bedroom and can provide a relaxing ambiance, but it needs to be used cautiously and wisely. Natural lighting is always best, but if you have not already, now is the time to switch to a dimmer switch. By placing mirrors in places that receive the most light, it is possible to cut down on the use of artificial lighting in the bedroom. In the winter, using heavy backed curtains helps keep the room warm and in the summer, it keeps heat out.

A person’s bedroom should be like a home away from home and provide relaxation and be a place to get away from it all. By “greening” your bedroom effectively, you not only improve the way you sleep at night and improve health, but are also doing your part to protect the precious environment in which we live. Enjoy and put personal touches on your new and improved “green” bedroom and make it all you have dreamed about.

They told me I was buying a Latex mattress!

It only makes since that when you go into a store and ask for an all natural latex mattress that’s what will be sold to you, but regrettably that’s not always the case. It seems not all retailers are up front about the products they sell. Recently advertised I saw a latex mattress that was 12 inches thick and was claimed to regularly sell for $1000.00 but it was on sale for a mere $399.00 interested in what I would get for such a measly investment. The salesman seemed to know nothing about the bed and after looking at the description attached to the  mattress I found it was built with only 1 inch of latex and 11 inches of additional cheap filler materials.

Good quality latex mattresses cost $1500.00 and up which some people might consider a bit pricey and at first glance that may seem like the case, however when you consider they are very eco friendly in make up, that they can potentially last up to 25 maybe even 30 years, its not hard to see why they are usually considered the best built mattresses in the industry today offering a true value and money well spent.

So what’s the problem when stores claim to be selling latex mattresses cheap?

Claims of sustainable, durable, and organic are widely marketed and are impressive buzz worthy terms that can be misleading. Just because the bed has a layer of latex or two doesn’t make it stronger or even eco friendly for that matter. The fact is if it mostly contains low quality non replenishable petrol based polyurethane foams that develop body impressions, wear out quickly, and contain potentially harmful chemicals.

Advertising 12 inch thick latex mattresses that include a measly 1 to 2 inches are impressive to look at but are nothing more than marketing gimmicks.
We sacrifice durability by replacing what would normally be 6 or 7 inches high strength tempered steel coils with cheap low grade filler materials like polyurethane foam, fiber fill, and yes even a couple inches of latex. So much for the good deals we call these latex mattresses, latex hybrids because they are a mixture of cheaper material rather than durable latex rubber.

Shopping all natural latex do you know what you’re buying?

I wish I could say, “Case closed” and there is nothing else to this issue of latex mattress shopping but there is more. If a person is assuming that just because they are buying latex that it is all natural or even organic they best do a little more research when it comes to the purity of the latex. Whether you are purchasing one of 2 types of latex Dunlop or Talalay latex, make sure to get the best you can afford. Fillers and extenders are often used to reduce costs and as a result can compromise durability and life. There are also synthetic blends claimed to be as good but usually are not. Ask about the mixture which is commonly believed to significantly comprise the mattress’s life.
 
They can be 30% natural rubber and 70% synthetic rubber which have more chemicals and fillers that will not last as long. Our recommendation is layers of latex from top to bottom of the mattress, nothing else. Latex with no fillers, extenders. A latex mattress with no foam layers and fiber layers for cushioning, just a great combination of your favorite firm, medium, or soft latex foam rubber layers. This is what a real latex mattress is and it will give you the longest mattress life, most comfortable sleep, and earth friendly mattress you can buy.

Where and when is the big St. Louis Green event?

Celebrate the 18th Healthy Planet Magazine Natural Living 2009 Expo
Day- Sunday,
Date- October 18th
Time- 10:00 am-4:00 pm
Location- Elm Ave. at Glendale Road at I-44

Who will be there? Over 70 exhibitors and Eco-Friendly businesses will be on display presenting information, innovative products, and services. Learn how you and your family can live a “greener”. Come and experience for yourself a more eco-friendly existence and see how easy it is to live a sustainable life at home, the office, and in your local neighborhood?

The St. Louis weather is quickly changing to autumn and the colors should be something to take in this year and on the 18th October you and your family can appreciate some of the other things nature provides us. See todays most innovative natural living ideas at the Webster Groves Recreation Center. This years exhibitors will be handing out free information and samples. Others will be selling eco-friendly and healthy alternatives for daily living you probably have never seen before.

What’s going on at the Healthy Planet Natural Living Expo 2009

Free Drawings; don’t forget to register for the YMCA of the Ozarks family vacation getaway at Trout Lodge. A $600.00 value. Have you maybe considered taking in a performance at theFox Theater or a ride on Amtrak? Rumor has it a free drawing will be there to register for.

Trout Lodge

Receive a free health screening or chair massage

Food tasting should attract an even larger crown with such things as wine, beer and cheese tasting being offered. Who doesn’t like free food samples? Lets be honest it’s why I visit Costco.

Take in the live music by Native American Flutist John MacEnulty or how about the divine sounds of Harpist Terri Langerak

Did we mention the many food and product samples being shared by Sappington Farmers Market, Whole Foods Market, local producers and others.

Experience an organic  mattress that is non toxic, chemical free, and the firmness can be adjusted at the STL Beds booth.

Experience the tastes in seasonal beer being offered by Schlafly Bottleworks and Sappington Farmers Markets Wine Tasting.

There will be great gift ideas so shop early for the holidays

Thanks to Schucks Markets, Sappington Farmers Market, St. Louis/Jefferson Solid Waste Management District, Whole Foods Market, and our favorite Healthy Planet magazine the first 300 visitors will receive a complimentary reusable, eco-friendly, tote bag so get there early and get yours.

Didn’t get free tickets to the Healthy Living Expo? Well if you are one of the first 100 paid visitors, you will receive FREE passes to the St. Louis Missouri Botanical Garden!

There will be lots of door prizes.

Cost to attend the Expo

Adults: $8.00, children under 16 FREE!
Two for one admission tickets in the October issue of The Healthy Planet.

To learn more about this St. Louis green event please call The Healthy Planet magazine at 314-962-7748, or email expoinfo@thehealthyplanet.com

Win tickets to this event