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.]It’s not easy to fall asleep when you can feel your sweat tickling your skin as it rolls off you into the fabric sauna your mattress has morphed into. Keeping your body at a comfortable temperature is one of the most important factors in getting a good night’s sleep. Whether you’re kept awake by hot flushes, night sweats, an illness or hot weather, there are several effective ways to lower your temperature in bed. In this review, I’ll be looking at the 2 main approaches: cooling mattress pads and bed fans. Depending on your budget and the level of cooling you require, they range from simple fans and well-designed mattress pads to complex bed cooling systems. Hopefully you’ll find something here which helps make your bedroom the cool sanctuary of rest that it should be.
The Bedjet is my top pick of the bed cooling systems with its sleek design, great performance and effectiveness across a range of desired temperatures. At first glance it may seem a little expensive for what’s essentially a bed fan. However, the reality is that there isn’t another similar system on the market which can so reliably keep you cool all night long. Other bed fans have a habit of either falling over in the night or just pushing warm air around the room. The bedjet overcomes both of those issues with its advanced design and range of options. Made in a way which can fasten to any bed, you can either have cold air blowing gently over your body, or in between your mattress and under-sheet. So it will cool both you and your bedding, helping wick away the heat which gets trapped under your covers. In the winter you also have a heating system which is just as effective. And if you and your partner have different opinions, you can get dual fans to have your own temperatures.
The motor runs smoothly and quietly, and won’t disturb you at all. And you have the option of either remote controls or syncing it with your phone or tablet with the Bluetooth app. You can then conveniently change the auto-off timer and temperature settings from your own device. The main downside is that it’s quite an expensive piece of kit, especially the version with dual zones. So if you just need a little extra cooling at night, maybe a gel mat or cooler bedding might do the trick. But if you need something which will reliably keep you cool and comfortable at night, you won’t find a more effective option than the Bed Jet. Ideal full-size cooling mattress pad The Iso Cool mattress pad is an effective and unique cooling option because of the high-tech material it’s made from. The cover is made from a luxurious 300-thread count cotton, but the interesting part is the internal cooling material made by the company Outlast. When I looked into this I discovered that the material was originally designed for NASA.
The Outlast website explains that their fiber works differently from material which wicks heat. Instead, the material contains ‘Thermocules’ which absorb your body heat. Then when your body cools down in the night, they release the stored heat. The idea being that it keeps your body temperature stable throughout the night. This works great, especially if you only have mild over-heating problems. And it will continue to work during the night because you tend to move in your sleep, helping the fiber do its job. However, if you have extreme heating problems it might not quite provide the serious cooling you’re hoping for. Overall, this is a comfortable mattress pad which adds some padding to your mattress and helps regulate your temperature. Many people will find that this is exactly what they’re looking for. But if you have serious heat issues, you may need to go one step further with one of the more high-end cooling systems. Effective mattress pad water cooling system which lasts all night
The Chilipad takes the concept of bed cooling to a whole new level. Like the Bedfan, it’s not cheap, but it’s one of the few pieces of bed cooling technology which can handle serious heat problems. The most important point is that it can effectively keep you cool all night long, unlike more basic options like gel pads and fabric toppers which are only good for a few hours maximum. It works by what’s essentially a water cooling system, with semi-conductor technology adjusting the temperature of the water as it flows through the base unit. You place the mat on your bed, set the temperature you want, and cooled water will flow through the tubes buried inside the mat. The mat and tubes are well-designed so that you don’t feel them underneath you, and are durable enough to last the test of time. The temperature range means you can use it for cooling or heating, with a range of 60° – 110° Fahrenheit (15.5° – 43° Celsius). And with dual remote-controlled units for larger bed sizes, if you sleep with a partner, you can both have the exact temperature you need.
One criticism is that although the new models have quieter fans, they do still put out some noise. So if you’re easily disturbed by sound, you might find that an issue. Overall, the Chilipad is a great piece of kit and definitely worth considering if you need something to keep you cool throughout the whole night. It’s very much up to the job of helping you sleep in the hottest of environments. Transportable cooling mat you can place anywhere Rather than being a full-size mattress topper or pad, the Gel’O Cool is a transportable mat which you can place on any part of your bed. It works by dissipating your body heat to the parts of the mat which aren’t in contact with your body. This does mean that for children and smaller adults the smaller version is adequate, but larger adults may need the bigger mat. It doesn’t need any special preparation, so you simply place it either under or on top of your sheet and leave it there. You can also place it in the fridge before bedtime to boost how long it’ll last for.
I found that it did a good job of keeping me cool, but the reality is that it only lasts for a few hours. After that, it struggles to dissipate your heat at the rate your body produces it. But during those few hours it’s very effective and can help you cope with hot flushes, night sweats and the problem of falling asleep in hot weather. It’s very easy to use, can fold up neatly, and has a sturdy and safe design. Even your dog or cat can use it if they’re suffering in the heat too! Overall, the Gel’O Cool is a great cooling pad you can use for a few hours on any bed. But if it’s essential that you have cooling in place for the whole night, you might need to consider one of the more complex bed cooling systems. If your Budget doesn’t stretch to the Bedjet, then a more affordable alternative is the Bedfan. If you find that having air fanned at you under the covers is all it takes to keep your temperature lower, then it’s a reasonable alternative to the more high-end bed cooling systems or mattress pads.
There are two different models available, depending on the range the height of your bed falls into, so you should be able to find one which fits your bed. There’s a nice design touch with the ‘breeze bar’ which lifts up the sheet above the fan, allowing even more air circulation. And there’s a good range of speeds to choose from so you can find a comfortable level of air flow. There are though a few issues which stop it from really contending with systems like the Bedjet. There’s no temperature control, so in hotter weather you might not find the air flow sufficient to cool you, especially as the air flow is a bit underwhelming even on the max setting. The controller is on a wire rather than remote control, and although the wire is long enough it’s still inconvenient to have another cable next to the bed. And despite the fact that it does have a way of slotting between the bed-base and mattress, it’s still quite flimsy. You may find you end up attaching it to the bed in a make-shift way, and the sheets easily slip off the breeze bar.