If you're looking to upgrade your bed with an eco-friendly option, but don't want to replace the mattress, a natural latex topper might just be the ticket.Considering that we spend about a third of our lives in bed, we really should pay close attention to the surface we're sleeping on, not only for comfort's sake, but also for the impact that our choices can have on the natural world.Having a comfortable mattress can be one key to restful sleep, which is an essential part of staying healthy, and while there are a bazillion choices on the market, ranging from bare-bones mattresses to high-end adjustable models, it's not always necessary to replace the entire mattress in order to refresh our beds. Sometimes, a mattress topper is all that's required to bring a whole new level of comfort and support to our nightly slumber, and if you'd like a more eco-friendly option than the uber-popular 'memory foam' toppers, one great choice is a 100% natural latex topper.I'm not going to debate the safety and health issues with memory foam toppers and mattresses here, as it seems to be a contentious topic for those who notice no VOC off-gassing or other adverse effects from their synthetic foam mattress.
We've covered the topic before, and there are plenty of resources on the web for finding out about the potentially toxic ingredients in conventional mattresses, so it really comes down to personal preference (and the individual's level of chemical sensitivity) as to the choice between 'natural' mattresses and synthetic ones.We've always chosen to sleep on a futon rather than a standard mattress, for a variety of reasons (lower price, less potentially toxic materials, firmer support), and it's been a few decades since I've had a conventional mattress, so I'm a bit biased when it comes to bedding. However, one weak point of futons is their tendency to get compacted over time, and what starts out as a soft surface can end up being rather firm after a few years, so when Sleep On Latex asked if I'd be willing to try out one of its Pure Green 100% natural latex mattress toppers, I jumped at the chance.A few weeks ago, the UPS truck rolled up to my house with a rather small box, which I had a hard time believing contained a queen-sized mattress topper.
After opening the box and unwrapping the tightly rolled topper, which quickly expanded to full size, I stripped the sheets off the bed, put the topper on, and re-made it. A quick laying-in session confirmed that indeed, this topper showed promise, but it wasn't until sleeping on it for a few nights that I came to appreciate the comfort and support of this mattress addition.What was previously a very firm futon that we were considering replacing instantly became a wonderfully soft and supportive mattress again, and one with absolutely no sketchy ingredients. And considering that we co-sleep with our kids when they are young, and that we currently have a little one in bed with us, that was a really important distinction for us.The Sleep On Latex toppers are made with 100% natural latex, sourced from rubber tree plantations in Sri Lanka, which is then processed into latex foam using the Dunlop process. The latex foam in the company's toppers, mattresses, pillows, and other products is certified by both Eco Institut as well as the Oeko-Tex Association, which indicates that the products are free from known harmful ingredients and that consumers can be assured of their safety.
According to the company, its 100% natural latex products contain no synthetic latex, fire retardants, fillers, or other additives, which can be an issue with some other companies' "100% latex" products.That said, for those who have a latex allergy, these certifications and standards don't matter, as contact with latex can cause a range of symptoms in those allergic to it. None of my family are allergic to latex, so that isn't a concern for us.After a few weeks of sleeping on a 2"-thick 100% natural latex mattress topper from Sleep On Latex, I'm sold on it as an option for those looking to refresh their bedding. It's like having a brand new bed, and at a price that won't break the bank. The 2"-thick queen-sized topper is currently priced at $199 (sale price, plus free shipping), which is a bargain when considering how hard it is to put a price on a good night's sleep. Sleep On Latex offers the 100% natural latex mattress toppers in sizes ranging from twin to California King, in thicknesses of 1, 2, or 3", and either soft, medium, or firm (we chose the medium, which feels soft enough to sink into, yet firm enough for full support).
If you're interested in exploring the world of 100% natural latex bedding products, see the Sleep On Latex website.[Disclosure: Sleep On Latex sent me a topper for review purposes, but all opinions, errors, or omissions in this post are mine alone.]Natural Latex Mattress Toppers are made from eco-friendly botanicals and all-natural components with the use of no toxic chemicals, synthetic or petroleum based fillers. These non-blended, dunlop processed toppers are completely free from: polyurethanes, synthetic foams, vinyl, phthalates, polyester, polyethylene and other off-gassing chemicals. Absolutely no chemical additives are used, which are sometimes added as fresheners, odor camouflage, softeners or stain guards. Through the elimination of these additives, you are truly able to sleep in a natural environment. The ventilated and supportive surface offers the best sleeping condition possible with a Pressure Point Relief System. The Natural Latex Mattress Toppers conform to your body shape, with particular focus on your spine and neck to offer the right support that you need.
This is a true comfort masterpiece that is free from heat sensitivity and a static surface. Available in several thicknesses to ensure the perfect support. Latex Mattress Toppers are available bare or covered. Sizes: Twin (38 X 75) Twin XL (38 X 80) Full (53 X 75) Queen (60 X 80) King (76 X 80) Cal King (72 X 84) Extra Firm (38-40 ILD) 2 inches for Cribs Covered with an eco – friendly 100% Natural Wool Cover Sizes: Mini Sleeper (18 X 31), Co Sleeper (18 X 36), Porta Crib(26 X 38), Crib (28 X 52) Twin (38 X 75) 7 Unique Firmness Areas Sizes: Twin (38 X 75), Queen (60 X 80)Best memory foam mattress topper Memory foam mattress toppers are the most popular choice among users, and we found more reviews for them than for any other type of topper. A number of memory foam mattress toppers get very high ratings at different review sites across the Internet, but none fares better than the Serta Ultimate 4-inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper (Est. $200 and up).
Owners say the Serta Ultimate Foam mattress topper is very comfortable and supportive, and many report that it provides relief from pain and stiffness. This Serta is reported to be on the soft side, so it gets better ratings from back sleepers than from side sleepers. That's not unusual for softer mattresses and mattress pads as side sleepers tend to sink deeper into those. However, for those who love a soft bed, the Serta Ultimate is the "ultimate" in comfort, users say, with many likening it to sleeping on a cloud. For some, though, that cloud feels more like a giant sponge, and some say that this memory foam topper traps heat too much and also makes it difficult to move around. This Serta memory foam mattress topper comes in a wide range of sizes, twin, full, queen, king and California King. The four inch thickness is a great choice if you're a heavier individual, or if your mattress is significantly hard or sagging. The 2-inch thick Serta only comes in three sizes, queen, king and California king.
The Serta Ultimate mattress topper is a good choice for allergy sufferers as it's is hypoallergenic and antibacterial. Long-term reviews indicate that this mattress topper is quite durable, although some experts say that you can only expect a memory foam mattress topper to last about three to five years. Since the Serta comes with a long, three-year warranty, it seems that this one may be at the longer range of that scale. The Red Nomad 2-inch Memory Foam Mattress Topper (Est. $70 and up) is another great choice that gets raves from experts and owners. It also comes in a wider range of sizes, twin, twin XL, full, queen and California king. The Red Nomad also comes in a 3-inch thick size. , where it earns an overall owner satisfaction sample of 94 percent. However, that is based upon far, far fewer owner surveys (for example, 788 surveys for Red Nomad, 25,542 for Serta; Serta earns a rating of 89 percent). That's significant because in our research on both mattress toppers and mattresses, which we cover in a separate report, the more input a manufacturer has, the lower their ratings tend to be.
Still, owners at retail review sites love the Red Nomad mattress topper. They say it adds a lot of comfort to a too-hard bed and that it fits extremely true to size. Most say they noticed absolutely no odor upon unpacking the mattress topper; others say it had a slight odor, but that it aired out very nicely. , is another popular memory foam mattress topper. Owners give it high praise for comfort and pain relief. Many say that after trying this on their own bed, they have purchased additional mattress pads for other beds in the home. This mattress topper also comes in a full range of sizes, twin, twin XL, full, queen, king and California king. The Memory Foam Solutions pad gets more durability complaints than the Serta or the Red Nomad, with some saying the foam disintegrates within a few months. gets good reviews for dealing with complaints. If you tend to get hot when you sleep, you might prefer the Lucid Gel Memory Foam Mattress Topper (Est. $85 and up). This memory foam mattress pad is infused with a gel designed to disperse heat and improve airflow.