Like most anything there are pros and cons. Latex Mattress Toppers in our opinion and experience is one of those products where the advantages out weigh the disadvantages. Below we tell the complete story about latex mattress topper problems and complaints. Click on the link below for the benefits.

1. Tears Easily When Handling: Much like an egg it has strength and weaknesses. As tough and long lasting as all natural rubber is, simply grabbing the topper and tugging on it can tear or damage the rubber be sure to understand how to handle  it.
2. Smell: Chemical smell all but doesn’t exist. Any smell is the natural rubber itself and is not harmful. Most have actually been tested for harmful VOC’s and were found to be free of such harmful toxins. Ask for a chemical analysis for purity.
3. Latex Rubber Sleeps Hot: The fact is their hundreds and hundreds of holes which in addition to other things also provide good ventilation. The material is actually very breathable in its very structure and in addition most latex toppers include a very high quality breathable encasement made of cotton, wool, or both.
4. They Break Down and Don’t Last: While it is true that this additional pad will “eventually” break down it is important that all things ultimately break down. What is different about a latex topper is that they are made of long lasting rubber and overall perform better foams, fibers, and feathers.
5. High Cost: Sure rubber can cost more and sometimes 2 to 3 times more, but when averaging their cost into their average life expectancy the cost is recovered and in many cases end up costing less than frequently replacing cheap knock offs or inferior products.
6. Not Comfortable: This of course is a matter of personal  preference. While at this time I don’t sleep on one that doesn’t mean this isn’t the perfect mattress topper for me. Just like anything else there are many different types of rubber, Talalay, Dunlop, Synthetic Blends all of which come in a variety of firmness’s that could please the Princess and the Pea in your life. One big mistake is they often purchase their topper too thin. The thickness or depth of  a mattress topper directly relates to how comfy you will be when you sleep. Thicker bed toppers offer more support and for some more comfort
7. Some People Are Allergic To Latex Rubber: As with any medical condition this should be taken serious however know that even people that are allergic to latex may not be allergic to all latex as we explained in our previous blog called All Natural Latex, Benefits, Problems, Allergies.
8. Latex Rubber is Imported: The majority of it  comes  from Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, India, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. Don’t be fooled though, many American jobs are reliant on the natural rubber industry.
9. Mattress Toppers Shift: Since this mattress add on is not securely fastened to or built as part of the mattress there is a potential that it may not stay in its original place. The result is that the topper whatever type you have may slide or shift even bunch up underneath of the sleeper. Side note thinner toppers are more prone to such problems.
10. Cannot Be Cleaned: Latex mattress toppers are difficult to clean because they cannot be washed or dry cleaned like feather, down, or wool filled mattress toppers. One thing to keep in mind is that the mattress we often use for 10 plus years cannot be washed either. Regular care of bedding and occasional vacuuming can go a long way and add in the fact that natural latex is mold, mildew, and dust mite resistant and that is far more than the average mattress has to offer.

Click link to learn theTop 10 Benefits of a Latex Mattress Topper

Top 10 Frequently Asked Mattress Warranty Questions

1. What percentage of mattresses are defective? The industry generally says fewer than two percent.
2. What exactly does a mattress warranty cover? Any defect found in your mattress or box spring that is a result of something the manufacturer failed to do properly during assembly or something that broke or failed prematurely that which will be explained in the warranty card.
3.  What are the warranty requirements? Most warranties require the original owner to file a claim. In addition that person must present proof that they are the original owner by way of a receipt. Some companies will accept cancelled checks, charge card statements, or financing contracts as proof of purchase.  The mattress or box spring must not have any stains, tears, rips, or damage. The mattress and or box spring must meet specific guidelines set by each bed manufacturer which should be explained inside the warranty card.


Artwork by Sam Churchill

4. What happens if I’m told my mattress is defective? The bed manufacturer may replace the defective mattress and or box spring with the exact replacement if it is still available. If not a comparable will be available at no extra charge or a one of greater value will be offered. In such an instance you will be directed to a retailer where an appointment to re-select a new mattress and or box spring to replace your defective one. The retailer will either for free or for a fee pick up the defective product and deliver the new one.
5. How do I file a warranty claim? Because warranties can and do vary from one mattress company to the next it is first and foremost that you read through the entire manufacturer warranty card. This will explain the important details regarding what is considered a defect or not.
6. If I am having a problem with my bed and there is something wrong with it who do I contact? Contact the retailer where you purchased the mattress set. If they are no longer in business of no longer carry that brand of mattress you can either contact another retailer who may be able to assist you or you can contact the manufacturer to begin the process.
7. What is a mattress warranty for? A manufacturers warranty offers protection to the consumer from manufacturer defects or improper assembly during the workmanship process of building guarantees repair or replacement. Warranties do not include or cover issues as a result of misuse, abuse, or mishandling in addition it does not cover problems that are a result of an owner that has not met the requirements outlined in the manufacturers’ warranty card.
8. Can I remove the label from my mattress? The manufacturer’s law label is the white sewn through identification information tag that is located on the mattress and foundation ends. While not against the law for the purchaser to remove these tags, we suggest that you leave them in place.  If you do remove it store it with your reciept or proof of purchase information in case of a warranty claim. It contains information such as model number and manufacture date, which identify the mattress and show a relationship between it the manufacturer and the receipt and is need in most cases to ensure to proper processing of a warranty claim.
9. What if I am not comfortable in my new mattress? Although some manufacturers like Tempur Pedic and Savvy Rest offer 90 comfort guarantees they are rare from mattress manufacturers. Mattress warranties cover workmanship and material defects they do no guarantee comfort. Some retail mattress stores offer comfort guarantees which are a time period that a mattress set may be exchanged or returned.
10. What is not covered in a mattress warranty*?

• Mattress handles
• Fabric wear unless excessive
• Replacement that ensures a matching mattress set
• Damage or failure from incorrect/insufficient support
• Stains and soiling
• Damage from improper care such as insufficient rotation/turning/flipping over if applicable of the mattress
• Failure from improper or weak bed or bed frame support
• Damage as a result of misuse or mishandling
• Comfort
• *We advise to review the warranty card for specific details

When summer utility bills start soaring, many homeowners will wonder how to cut expenses.

There are ways to shave money off of your monthly utility bill and you do not have to sweat it out and be miserable in the heat. The following article provides room-by-room tips to help you save money and go “green” at the same time.

Outside the home, a good way to reduce energy costs is to plant shrubbery and trees so the exterior of the house is shaded. On the sunnier side of your home, plant some tall, full shade trees and for a quick fix, having blinds or shades is another good way of keeping the home cooler in the summer sun. Having trees planted in specific spots around the property provides shade, wind barrier and protects from the elements of winter, as well as summer.

Make sure your air conditioner and furnace filter are changed regularly, which will ensure it is functioning effectively and will help avoid any serious problems down the road. If you need a new air conditioner unit, shop around for an energy efficient model and you may qualify for a tax credit. Look for a unit with an energy ratio of 16 to 21, which is the highest and check into a geothermal heating and cooling system which uses a stable, ambient heat.

A homeowner should make sure the house is leak-free and fill any cracks or hole in the foundation and caulk around exterior and interior doors and windows. Something else to be considered is to find a local Energy Star auditor and have them come into the home to do a check for areas where energy maybe escaping. The auditor can do a blower door test to check for low air pressure and take a picture of the home with a geothermal camera to check for areas that need better insulation and sealing.

In the living room, it is a good idea to shut down the entertainment center via unplugging it from the wall or using a power strip, which cuts down on power loss when things are not in use. For people considering a new television set, there are some great energy efficient models available on the market so it pays to shop around and find one which uses less energy than an older model. On average, you can save approximately $50-150 per year when you shut things down that are not in use, so it saves to turn off appliances like stereos, televisions, computers and coffee pots.

When baking cookies or a cake in the summertime, it will force your air conditioner unit into overdrive. However, as a result, you can enjoy a variety of foods which are grilled outdoors and you could even use a toaster oven to cook small meals. You can even bake cookies in your car at temperatures of 95°F, for 2 ½ hours, check the internet for recipes and more instructions.

Perhaps the room we spend the most time in is the bedroom, in this room we sleep, read and relax so it is important when greening the home to pay special attention to our personal sanctuary. Water bed owners should consider changing to a well insulated soft side water bed or upgrading their existing water bed heater to a solid state energy efficient model.  Installing room darkening shades and using plants in the room will help keep out the heat and keep the room air clean and using an overhead fan will help circulate air around the room and make it more comfortable.  It is also a good idea to close doors to rooms that are not in use and it will also help to lessen the load on your air conditioner unit.

By following the above mentioned tips and ideas, it is possible to save a little or a lot on your monthly utility bills. Through incorporating some “green” tips into your routine and changing a few things around your home, you can do your part to protect the environment and save money at the same time.

1. Tube or Cylinder beds look and make like a regular mattress and box spring.

This might seem obvious but people choose tube soft side water beds because they use sheets and bedding found at any store in all the familiar sizes. They even adapt to conventional beds but do not look like a 1970’s water bed

2. Softside Tube Waterbeds weight less

A big complaint of flotation beds is the waterbed weight, which can go as high as 2000lbs in a King size Hardside Waterbed. However a king size tube bed can weigh in at only about 700-800lbs. Most are in the 4” depth range where as a deep fill soft side can range from 6”-13” with 7”- 8” being the most common cavity depth.

3. Moving a Tube Waterbed is much easier than traditional waterbeds.

With 10 tubes in a king and 8 in a queen, the individual tubes weighing 60-80lbs can be removed from the bed without being drained and moved as individual pieces.

4. Easy to assemble.

You just put the foundation and the shell of the softside tube bed on a proper bed frame and lay the individual tubes in it. If the bed is not quite where you want it just remove the tubes and slide the bed to where you want it and place the tubes back into it with no draining or filling it.

5. Filling tubes does require running a garden hose through the house.

You can fill your tube in another location such as a bathroom or outside so you don’t have to worry about spilling water in the bedroom.

6. Delivering the bed with the tubes already filled.

This makes for a quick delivery and no worrying about a water source in the customers’ home.

7. You can adjust mattress firmness.

Varying the amount of water put in the tubes can change the feel of the mattress or firmness from side to side. Baffled tubes can be purchased that can stop the motion and make the bed much firmer.

8. Determining which tube has a leak is easy and replacing it is even easier.

Usually if a tube has been leaking one of them will have less water than the others. Simply repair or replace the bad tube. 1 Free flow tube costs $20-$30 and baffled tube can cost up to $40. Replacement waterbed bladders for a deep filled bed can cost hundreds of dollars.

9. Does not require a waterbed heater.

An extra thick cover is used to insulate them. If a heater is used it must be a low watt heater made specifically for a shallow fill or tube bed.

10. Tube waterbed cost less.

This is not always the case but tube beds generally speaking usually offer a firmer feel for less money than a deep fill baffled mattress.

These are some of the most important things furniture and mattress shoppers need to know.

1. Under no circumstances even if the sale ends today or whatever the reason might be, do not buy until you are 100% certain this is going to be your next bed for —— years. Buyer’s remorse is a bad reason to have to return something and is a contributing factor to higher product costs.
2. Get promises in writing dated and signed by an authorized individual such as comfort guarantees, and return and refund policies. Know what if any fees or charges may be applied.
3. Problems such as lies, bait & switch, mislabeled product conflicts, be sure that you report these actions to the ownership and or management of the store. I would even suggest telling their manufacturers and suppliers. The supplier or manufacturer they are representing may care even if the store or salesperson  does not you are shopping are buying from doesn’t.
4. Problems cannot be resolved if management does not know about them. Be sure to contact someone within the company who has power and control over decisions. It is the only way to solve an issue and keep it from happening to someone else.
5. Be sure to tell other people about your experience there. This is so important whether it be a negative experience or positive experience share that knowledge with others. Bad dealers need to be called out and good dealers need to be rewarded with referral business.
6. Get names of individuals you talk too. If promises were made and not kept someone needs to be held responsible for their mistakes. This doesn’t necessarily mean their being fired most happenings don’t call for such extreme measures. Instead it provides and opportunity to learn from the mistake if dealt with correctly.
7. Something has been promised, a replacement product, a repair, or even a return phone call. Ask what the expected plan to correct your problem is and in addition ask for an approximate time line to correct the issue will be or when a return phone call can be expected.
8. If you financed or paid with credit card and a problem or issue has not been resolved, contact one of the following and state your case in writing.  BBB, Attorney General, Small Claims Court or the expensive route of a lawyer are additional options.
9. Be sure to shop Online Competition for better price alternatives, construction that may be better than what you are considering and last but not least warranty and what exactly that covers.
10. Never pay cash. Credit card companies will arbitrate to settle disputes between the retailer and the buyer. Cash buyers often can negotiate better prices when purchasing but do not have the same kind of recourse if a dispute emerges and cannot be settled leaving the ball in the court of the consumer to file claims with BBB or Small Claims court etc.

Article: More Ways To Protect Your Self When Buying A Mattress and Box Spring or Furniture