What is a Talalay Latex Mattress?

The material your mattress is made of impacts its price, feeling, durability, and ability to provide you with a supportive sleep environment. Latex mattresses are known for offering a springy or bouncy feeling. When you lie down on a latex mattress, you won’t have to worry about being trapped or sinking into the bed.

There are two main types of latex foams: Talalay and Dunlop. Mattresses can be made up of one or a combination of these two latexes. Each latex type has a slightly different manufacturing process. These varying processes result in two mattresses that feel either springy or bouncy.

In this article, we’ll explain the benefits of sleeping on a latex mattress. We’ll dive into how a Talalay latex mattress is made and compare it to Dunlop latex. To conclude our discussion of Talalay latex mattresses, we’ll answer several questions about latex beds.

Talalay Latex Mattress: What is it?

The manufacturing of a Talalay mattress begins with latex in its natural liquified form. This liquid is put in a mold without filling the mold completely. The extra open space in the mold is then pumped full of air with a vacuum. The addition of air to the mold allows the latex to grow and expand in size.

After the air is added, Talalay latex is then frozen into a gel form. This gel form is heated back up, cleaned, and then used to produce a natural Talalay latex mattress. From start to finish, the Talalay process is quite time-consuming and requires a lot of energy.

Benefits

Talalay latex beds naturally ward off dust, dust mites, bacteria, and allergens. This makes them great mattresses for allergy sufferers and easy to keep clean. The responsive feel of a Talalay latex mattress allows for little motion transfer. This means you won’t be awakened in the middle of the night when your partner gets out of bed or rolls over.

The natural ingredients used in a latex mattress prevent heat from building up while you sleep. Therefore, these beds are ideal for those who suffer from night sweats and seek a cooling mattress. The bouncy support that Talalay mattresses offer is helpful for heavier sleepers who need joint support and pressure point relief.

Drawbacks

Talalay latex mattresses are not 100% organic or natural. They contain small quantities of chemicals and synthetic materials. While this isn’t going to impact your sleep quality, it is a dealbreaker for those looking to purchase an organic latex mattress.

The chemicals used in a Talalay latex mattress may produce an odor when the mattress is first unboxed. This off-gassing is perfectly normal, and the smell should dissipate after a few days. Those with skin sensitivities may want to steer clear of Talalay latex beds due to the artificial compounds they contain.

Dunlop Latex Mattress: What is it?

Natural Dunlop latex mattresses are produced by filling a mold up completely with liquid latex. The liquid is then heated up, cleaned, and allowed to air dry. Once the mixture has dried into a solid piece of foam, it is ready to be used in your mattress. This shorter manufacturing process often results in a thicker surface level and a thinner base layer for your mattress.

Benefits

Dunlop beds are ideal for sleepers looking for an all-natural or organic mattress. Many contain an organic cotton cover and wool batting. While not all Dunlop mattresses contain solely organic materials, plenty do.

The absence of chemicals used in manufacturing makes Dunlop latex superior for those with sensitive skin. The chemical-free production process that results in Dunlop latex also makes it more durable and longer-lasting than Talalay latex.

Drawbacks

As mentioned above, the drying phase for Dunlop latex can result in certain portions of the bed being denser than others. In some instances, half of a Dunlop latex mattress may be more or less firm than the other half. This may cause discomfort or result in inadequate support for certain sleepers.

An all-natural production process also impacts the price of Dunlop latex mattresses. These mattresses can be as much as $1,000 more than their Talalay latex mattress counterparts. However, if buying organic is important to you, this higher price tag may not be a huge drawback.

Talalay vs Dunlop Latex Mattress: Which is Better for Me?

So should you choose a Talalay or Dunlop latex mattress? Which of these latex mattresses is right for you comes down to your personal preferences.

In general, latex mattresses are great for heavier sleepers and back, side, or stomach sleepers. The sink-resistant design of a latex bed can establish a mattress for joint pain and help with proper spinal alignment.

Dunlop latex mattresses have a dense, springy feeling. They are better for the environment than Talalay latex mattresses due to their shorter and chemical-free manufacturing process. However, Dunlop beds do come with a higher cost. Their longer lifespan and organic label offset this higher cost.

Many of these mattresses come with a GOLS or GOTS certification. Other certifications to look for include:

• eco-INSTITUT
• Rainforest Alliance
• OEKO-TEX®

In contrast, Talalay mattresses feature a soft, bouncy feeling. This more responsive feeling can be beneficial for releasing built-up tension and providing larger sleepers with a more comfortable sleep surface. A Talalay latex mattress also costs less, as little as $1,200 to $1,500 for a queen mattress. Dunlop queen beds cost between $2,500 and $3,000.

If you aren’t quite sold on one form of latex over the other, don’t worry! There are many latex mattresses out there that use a combination of both Dunlop and Talalay latex. A bed containing both forms of latex is more durable than Talalay latex and less expensive compared to Dunlop latex. These mattresses are also dust mite resistant.

Plus, there are other types of mattresses to consider. Many prefer the feel of a memory foam or innerspring mattress.

We have compared latex to other mattress types in a number of guides:

• Latex vs. Memory Foam
• Latex vs. Gel Memory Foam
• Latex vs. Innerspring Mattress
• Latex vs. Hybrid

FAQs

Is Talalay latex toxic?

Talalay latex is not toxic and is safe for humans to sleep on. A Talalay latex mattress does contain trace amounts of chemicals and synthetic materials. However, these materials aren’t considered dangerous.

Some Talalay latex mattresses do give off a distinct odor for the first day or two after being unpackaged. This smell is from the volatile organic compounds or VOCs used in producing the mattress.

How long does a Talalay latex mattress last?

On average, latex mattresses last for 12 to 15 years when made solely with natural latex and no chemical compounds. Talalay latex mattresses have a slightly shorter lifespan due to their artificial components. A Talalay latex mattress lasts for 6 to 8 years.

Can latex mattresses cause back pain?

A latex mattress should not cause back or spine pain. If you notice that you have unusual back pain or exacerbated back pain after sleeping on a latex mattress, the bed may be too firm. Those suffering from back pain should opt for a medium to medium-firm mattress. You can soften your existing mattress by adding a latex topper to it.

Mattress toppers are widely available and can help with temperature regulation as well. Wool mattress toppers are preferable for winter. If your mattress is a recent purchase, consider returning it and getting a plusher latex mattress.

Is Talalay latex eco-friendly?

The harvesting process for Talalay latex and latex, in general, is eco-friendly. There is no damage done to the soil, water, wildlife, or surrounding environment when the latex is harvested. The rubber tree is left standing, intact, and able to produce additional sap for several decades.

However, Talalay latex manufacturing does take about four times longer than Dunlop latex manufacturing. As a result, the whole process to make a Talalay latex mattress uses five times more energy than making a Dunlop latex mattress.

Is latex or memory foam better for side sleepers?

Latex and memory foam mattresses can both be great options for side sleepers. These sleepers need extra targeted support for their hips, neck, and shoulders. Which type of mattress is better depends on the sleeper’s size and joint health.

Lightweight side sleepers are typically more comfortable and receive more targeted joint support from a memory foam mattress. Memory foam mattresses are made up of polyurethane foam and have a thick comfort layer. The material responds quickly to heat and pressure.

Heavier or larger side sleepers are better suited with a latex mattress. Side sleepers can consider an all-latex bed or a latex hybrid. Hybrid mattresses contain a latex top and coils at the bottom for stabilization.

Conclusion

A Talalay latex mattress provides sleepers with a bouncy and responsive bed. This style of latex mattress is excellent for all sleep positions and particularly beneficial for larger sleepers. Dunlop latex is another option for consumers looking to buy an organic latex mattress. A Dunlop latex mattress comes with a higher price and a longer lifespan than Talalay latex mattresses.

In general, the responsive feel of a latex mattress helps decrease motion transfer and prevents overheating at night. If you aren’t picky about the type of latex in your mattress, you can choose a latex mattress that contains a blend of both Dunlop and Talalay latex. Those who have an allergic reaction to latex should not sleep on a latex mattress.

No matter what type of latex mattress you choose, remember to consider its sleep trial and warranty. A quality latex bed should at least come with a 10-year warranty, and many brands offer sleep trials between three months to a year.