Latex foam explained.

Dunlop or Talalay Latex only signifies what manufacturing process is used to turn latex milk into a final product. There is absolutely no difference in the latex milk from which the mattresses are produced. The Dunlop method is the oldest method of producing latex mattress cores and toppers. Talalay or soft latex is a newer method of producing mattress cores and toppers. Talalay goes through several more steps in the manufacturing process than Dunlop and costs more because of it. The Dunlop process gives you get a denser, firmer product. The Talalay process gives you get a softer final product. Latex foam is made through a process of heating liquid rubber with sulphur. This process, called vulcanization, creates a foam core with outstanding elasticity that is ideal for use in mattresses. All Dunlop and Talalay latex mattress cores are put through several washings as part of the manufacturing process. The washing process removes soaps, ammonia, and anything water soluble which has served their purpose and are no longer required or desirable. The washing process entails the cores going through a series of compressions and rinse cycles just like a sponge that results in a pure product that chemically safe, non-toxic and healthy. As far as outgassing, both blended and natural latex are completely safe. Sometimes latex has a smell to it, but it generally dissipates quickly and is not harmful. There is no such thing as a certified organic latex mattress. There are a small number of plantations that claim organic plantation status for their rubber trees, so yes, there is organically certified latex milk. However, it is impossible to make latex foam out of this raw material without the use of a number of non-organic additives (soap, sulphur, gelling agents, etc.). So you see, there is no such thing as a certified organic latex mattress. Only the sap from plantations with “organic plantation status” can be considered truly organic. If you see any organic logo used to represent any latex mattresses, it is a falsehood and it is not sanctioned by the United States Dept. of Agriculture (USDA). It is being misrepresented to apply to the organic latex mattress core, rather that truthfully stating that it applies to the rubber-tree crop only. The USDA currently has no approved manufacturing standard for latex sap. Accordingly, no possible USDA  certification can be obtained for a mattress core or for the mattress itself.  Ask the seller to send you a copy (or post one online) of the USDA certification for their finished product or latex core. They will not be able to do so. Price and quality are the most important variables to any consumer. Latex is expensive and generally out of many people’s price range. That is why the hybrid latex mattress is important. Latex mattresses that are constructed with regular foam cores and or springs overlaid with real latex are considered hybrid latex mattresses. This doesn’t mean they aren’t good because they are. The question is how much latex do you really need in a mattress to properly support you and feel  good to you? Price is a major factor when buying any latex mattress. It all boils down to how much money the customer has to spend. Most consumers do not have several thousands of dollars more to spend on an all latex mattress. It’s just overkill and really will not perform any better. Latex is expensive and even wealthy folks want to save money.