100% Latex Instant Recovery Memory Foam - Frequently asked questions

What is latex?

  
By definition, latex is a rubber particle suspended in water. There are 2 types; NR or natural rubber latex and SBR (styrene butadiene rubber) or man made latex. All latex is either a blend of the two or 100% natural latex.

All mattress components from EURO-FLEX SLEEP SYSTEMS are 100% latex. We use a proprietary blend of natural and man made latex to provide the optimal balance of comfort and durability. Natural rubber latex is used for durability. It inhibits tearing as it can be stretched like a rubber band. Man made latex (SBR) helps in creating a product that is very resilient to body sets as it can be compressed over and over and will continue to provide showroom feel.

Wear and tear simulation testing shows blend superiority. 100% natural latex cores experience 5 to10% more mattress core height loss (i.e. body impressions) due to wear and tear than our Talalay and 2 to 3 times more loss (softening) due to repeated sitting and sleeping.
 

How is latex different from memory foam?

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Latex is made from a rubber-based product versus memory or visco-elastic foam which is derived from plastics. Latex provides “instantaneous recovery” as it contours and supports any body movement, while memory foam provides “slow recovery”. With memory foam, the sleeper must wait for their body temperature to soften the foam prior to getting the true contouring support that they would experience immediately with latex.
 
Instant Recovery Latex Foam Slow Recovery Memory Foam
What’s the difference between Talalay latex and Dunlop process latex?

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The Talalay process is a highly controlled, sophisticated latex manufacturing process that produces the highest quality and most consistent latex available in the world. The Dunlop process is the most commonly used production method globally. It creates a firmer product that is used more as base core component.
 
Talalay Process

The major difference between the two processes is what happens in the mold just prior to the initial latex curing stage. In the Talalay process only a small amount of latex compound is poured into the mold. Air is extracted to perfectly distribute the foamed liquid inside the mold and to create a consistent round, open cell structure. The mattress core is flash frozen to lock the cell structure in place and to prevent the particles from settling.

  
Dunlop Process

In the Dunlop process, the molds are filled to the rim, air is not extracted, and there is no freeze stage. Therefore, the latex cell structure is less “airy". Gravity takes over and particles settle creating a denser product than Talalay latex.
 


 
Is all latex alike?

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No, all foams are not created equal. Formulation and process controls help determine the level of consistency and durability in a latex product. Our manufacturing process helps make the most consistent and durable latex in the world.
  • The only manufacturer to ILD test EVERY mattress core in 9 locations to ensure product firmness consistency.
  • The widest range of firmness with the tightest tolerances in the world: 8 ILD choices (14, 19, 24, 28, 32, 36, 40 and 44) to provide you with the exact firmness and feel you’re looking for. Other latex providers offer limited firmness ranges with wide tolerances around targeted ILDs.
  • Ultra consistent cell structure for stronger, defined walls that provide longer lived comfort that won’t breakdown. Note the gaps and unique snowflake structure of the cells in competitive latex, which leads to a higher propensity for the mattress to mechanically breakdown and create body impressions.
Talatech Latex European
Dunlop Latex 		Asian 100% Natural
  • EVERY mattress core and pillow washed in a unique 5 stage washing process that removes residual soaps and proteins (the leading cause of premature softening that leads to returns—EURO-FLEX SLEEP SYSTEMS mattresses have the lowest return rate in the industry).
  • Every latex pillow is hand inspected and weighed.
  • Translation: Talatech™: the only latex made in the U.S.A—the finest in the world—for uniform product feel from top to bottom.
     
How does EURO-FLEX SLEEP SYSTEMS Talatech™ compare to imported latex?

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Extremely stringent durability testing is performed to compare our latex to competitive materials. The following two tests illustrate our superiority to imported Talalay, Dunlop process, and 100% natural latex.
 
Compression Set Test: This test simulates the effect of body impressions on the latex after a person lies on the bed for extended periods of time. Latex mattress samples are clamped to 50% of their original thickness for 22 hours at 158 ° F. When removed, the percent loss in thickness is measured. Higher values indicate a higher propensity for the product to take a body impression over time. Our Talatech  latex consistently outperforms imported latex.

Percent Loss of Core Thickness :

  • EURO-FLEX SLEEP SYSTEMS Talatech: 3.3%
  • European Talalay latex: 5.7% (73% more loss than EURO-FLEX SLEEP SYSTEMS)
  • European Dunlop process latex: 7.5% (127% more loss than EURO-FLEX SLEEP SYSTEMS)
  • Asian 100% natural latex: 12.5% (279% more loss than EURO-FLEX SLEEP SYSTEMS)
     
Impact Test: This test is used to simulate the effect on the latex when a person continuously gets on and off the bed over extended periods of time. A block of latex is tested for ILD (firmness) and then placed in a testing machine where a weight is dropped on the latex repeatedly for 24 hours. The product is then removed from the machine and allowed to recover for 24 hours. ILD is again measured and recorded. Higher loss values indicate a higher propensity for the material to soften over time due to mechanical breakdown of the product. EURO-FLEX SLEEP SYSTEMS latex consistently recovers better, with less loss.  

Percent Loss of ILD:

  • L I Talatech : 6%
  • European Talalay latex: 16% (167% more ILD loss than EURO-FLEX SLEEP SYSTEMS
  • European Dunlop process latex: 16% (167% more ILD loss than EURO-FLEX SLEEP SYSTEMS)
  • Asian 100% natural latex: 15% (150% more ILD loss than EURO-FLEX SLEEP SYSTEMS)

Are latex allergies an issue in bedding products?

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In the late 1990’s, latex allergies became a topic of concern. Publicity revolved around a very small portion of the public exposed to a protein found in natural rubber latex that caused allergic reactions. The majority of these cases involved health-care workers who came in frequent contact with medical products made using a dipped vulcanization product, often produced in third world countries that do not have the stringent GMP manufacturing codes employed in the United States.

Although the process is completely different from ours, EURO-FLEX SLEEP SYSTEMS takes action to prevent the potential for allergic reaction. Non-skin contact products, such as mattresses and pillows, that may contain some natural rubber latex, undergo a five stage washing process which removes reaction-causing proteins while enhancing the over quality of the product. The openness of Talalay latex foam cells, allows for thorough washing.

Complaints for allergic reactions to natural rubber latex are monitored by the FDA. To our knowledge, there has never been a single complaint over our more than 28 years of experience stemming from the natural rubber found in our mattresses and pillows. Our products have been tested by outside facilities and are shown to be inherently hypoallergenic for sufferers of mold, mildew or bacterial allergies. In addition, our mattress and pillows are resistant to dust mites and are naturally resistant to mold and mildew which are contributors to asthma and pulmonary function allergies.

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