Natural Latex - Facts About Latex

Facts About earthSake 100% Natural Organic Latex

earthSake Natural latex foam is 100% botanical - derived from the hevea brasiliensis (rubber tree).

3-4 times as durable as polyurethane foams

Bacteriostatic. Naturally mold and mildew resistant.

Does not provide a favorable environment for dust mites.

Very resilient: no need to ever turn the mattress.

Breathable pincore construction that keeps you cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Latex foam is hypo-allergenic and dust mite resistant, making it the perfect mattress material for allergy sufferers.

Biodegradable

Natural foam latex contains no toxic substances, emits no fumes, no ozone-depleting gases.

Natural latex mattresses offer natural alignment of the spine, supporting the shoulder and hip area without pressure points.

Naturally adjusts to the contours of your body, providing gentle orthopedic support for proper spinal alignment.

Reduces pressure areas and helps prevent restricted capillary blood flow, which can cause muscle aches, tossing and turning, and other sleep-related discomforts.

Types of Latex the Earthsake Brand products require:

Organic Latex:  Organic latex is made from the sap of the rubber tree which is manufactured in the Dunlop or Talalay process.  A mattress made from organic latex does not contain any chemicals, synthetics, pesticides, herbicides, or other man-made products.      (GOLS and USDA-NOP)

100% Natural Latex:   100% natural latex is made from the sap of the rubber tree which is manufactured in the Dunlop or Talalay process.  While 100% Natural latex does not contain any chemicals, synthetics, pesticides, herbicides, or other man-made products, it might not carry the associated USDA agricultural certification due to its cost or availability.    The manufacturing process for earthSake organic latex and 100% natural latex is the same.  The purity and quality of the end-product is identical.     (EU and ISO)

Why GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard is NOT enough)
To achieve GOLS certification, a product must contain more than 95% of certified organic natural rubber latex. The product shall not contain synthetic latex and/or non-organic natural rubber latex. 

GOLS permits the following as approved additional materials/accessories in addition to latex for the making of products:

1. Polyethylene as a support material
2. Polylactic fibers (PLA) and/or other natural or synthetic fibers as a flammability protection material 
3. Synthetic and man made fiber as a lining for supported gloves
4. Linings, interlinings, flanging, netting
5. Natural graphite as fire retardant

earthSake organic latex mattresses can NOT contain the 5 items above which is why we certify our organic latex mattresses to Four Pure Latex Certification levels rather than just GOLS.  

Earthsake Brand products can NOT contain:

Synthetic Latex: Latex that is not 100% natural or organic and is mixed with petroleum based plasticizer like butadiene and styrene to create a synthetic latex or latex foam. No synthetic latex for earthSake.

Blended Latex: Some companies combine organic or natural latex with synthetic latex in their mattresses. This is not allowed in Earthsake brand products.  Some combination latex mattresses also include fillers which are particles of clay (or other materials) that are mixed into the latex. Fillers make latex cheaper, but also less durable and stiffer.  No blended latex for earthSake.

Dunlop latex and Talalay latex are not two different kinds of latex.  Instead they refer to two different processes used to make latex.  Both processes can be used to make natural or synthetic latex or blended latex.  Both processes produce latex with the same options in firmness, despite some claims that Talalay makes a softer latex.    Latex firmness is measured in ILDs, Impression Load Deflection. In other words, how many pounds does it take to compress a four-inch piece of latex one inch or 25%?  Since both Dunlop and Talalay processes can be measured, the firmness between two pieces of latex can be exactly the same. The real difference is durability, price, and response.  The Dunlop process adds to durability as the Talalay process creates a more gentle response which may create the perception of it being softer.  Either way we can specify either type of process if you have a preference.  They are both pure processes that do not impact certifications. There is usually a price difference with the Talalay process being more expensive.