Natural Latex

Natural Latex has had a marked resurgent in popularity in Mattresses because of it’s environmental credentials, it’s comfort and durability.

At Town and Country Re-Upholstery, as re-upholsterers we know that when recovering lounges with latex cushions that are in excess of 30 years old, we can expect the latex will still be in excellent condition.

There are two methods of making mattress foam cores using latex, one is the Natural Dunlop method whilst the other is the Talalay process.

In America they favor the Talalay process, as natural latex is harder to procure.  Synthetic Latex for foaming consists of Styrene (a circular ring of carbon chains) and butadiene (a straight carbon chain group) with the styrene giving the final material a firmer feel due to its shape. Also, the pin conformation may make a core feel softer or firmer.

Natural Latex is made from 100% natural rubber extracted from the Hevea Brasiliensis tree, a renewable resource grown in Malaysia.

Attributes of Natural Latex

·         Outstanding elasticity

·         Excellent body support based on sound biochemical and ergonomic principles

·         Anti-fungal and hygienic

·         Certified quality guaranteed through permanent quality control

·         Total absence of irritating noises

·         Respect for the environment

·         Self-ventilating and moisture regulating

·         Long-lasting

Also with the advent of Visco-elastic foam (Memory foam) many top of the range mattresses are a combination of these 2 products which work very well together.

Foam derived from 100% natural latex passes the cigarette test (foam will not ignite), with additions of synthetic latex making a foam more likely to catch alight during the same test. Quite often foams containing synthetic foam will have a harsher feel.

There have been many questions about latex mattresses being “hot” over the years, but it is generally thought that this is just misinformation. Latex cores have an open cell structure, so every time you move on a latex mattress air is pumped through the core. Solid foam pillows though such as latex do tend to feel warmer than normal pillows as the head moulds into the foam, rather than the filling being dissipated, as in feather type pillows.

Beware of cheaper Asian latex products as they are made with synthetic hardeners to make it seem natural, however this type of latex deteriorates within a few years. Good Natural latex will last 30 years Plus.

Although dust mites can not live in natural latex, if you have a fitted cover they can live in this, that is why being able to take the cover off and clean it every 12 months or so will keep the dust mites away. It is really a bit pointless having a non removable quilted cover on a latex mattress.

Please do not confuse solid pin core natural latex, which is the premium product, with pillow top latex with springs. Adding springs is a cheaper way to go and sometimes the latex they put in can be as little as 6mm (1/4inch) thick and are still promoted as latex beds.

Some  European Natural Latex has a 3 or 7 zone construction. This Zone construction means that the latex at the head and feet has wider holes and the centre has smaller holes and is more dense.  This allows for less latex overall and less cost.

Town & Country Mattresses & Beds

Call 1300 556 305 (Local call cost Aust-wide)  

A division of

Town and Country Upholstery Service
ABN 32 097 888 965
270 North East Road (Head Office)
Klemzig SA 5087

Mattress Delivery Charges (Insured)
Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast all $95.
Country Victoria, Country NSW, ACT, Country SA $95, Darwin, Tasmania $195.
All other areas please inquire.