Friend needs help with already bought latex mattress
Jan 6, 2011 2:30 PM
Joined: May 12, 2010
Points: 241
My friend bought a DUNLOP latex mattress and it is supposed to be of medium feel but after he slept on it he felt it was feeling firm to him. The latex layers are not changeable as they are stitched together so he cannot move them up or down.

 

Questions:

1.  How can he make the mattress feel softer for himself?

 

2.  Does the latex soften over time? I mean if the latex is supposed to have a medium feel then does it become softer after sleeping in for some time?

I mean does the latex breaks in like the memory foam is supposed to break in and become softer after sleeping for some time?

 

3.  Can he buy a latex topper and place it on the top of this latex mattress?

If so, What ILD latex will give him a softer feel?

And which latex will be better? Dunlop latex or Talalay latex?

(please NOte: that the mattress is Dunlop Latex)

What places will provide good quality and value for this latex topper?

 

4.  If not latex can he get a memory foam and what kind and from where?

 

Lots of questions but please help. Thanks so much.

This message was modified Jan 6, 2011 by roy1
Re: Friend needs help with already bought latex mattress
Reply #5 Jan 7, 2011 10:49 AM
Joined: Oct 15, 2009
Points: 966
Relaxo wrote:

  

I feel I'm in the same boat as your friend. My soft latex base + 3" soft topper from FBM still feels a bit firm to me, I need something more plush. Mem foam is out of the question for me so I'm going to try a natural featherbed topper.


I agree with Phoenix that the FBM soft is probably firmer than the 20ILD they indicate.  That is based on other peoples comments, since I have never tried it.   It is possible that they process is really more like dunlop and not talalay.

I tried a feather bed once and ended up returning it.  It added more "fluff" than I like, and it really did not add support.   I just sank through it and bottomed out on the layer below.  It was a pretty good one too, if the details were accurate.  Small duck body feathers with a layer of down on top.
 

You may want to consider soft talalay from latex international.   Sleeplikeabear seems like the main place that sells 14 and 19 ILD blended.  The 100% natural is usually firmer than 20, but still might be softer than the FBM 20.

p.s. FBM stands for foambymail.com.

This message was modified Jan 8, 2011 by sandman
Re: Friend needs help with already bought latex mattress
Reply #6 Jan 11, 2011 3:01 PM
Joined: May 12, 2010
Points: 241
Phoenix wrote:

 

 

How can he make the mattress feel softer for himself?

 

Adding a topper

 

Does the latex soften over time? I mean if the latex is supposed to have a medium feel then does it become softer after sleeping in for some time?

Latex is a lot more durable than other foams so it's (hopefully) not too likely it will get much softer. Perhaps a little ... or he may "get used to it".

 

Can he buy a latex topper and place it on the top of this latex mattress?

Yes

 

If so, What ILD latex will give him a softer feel?

The ILD and thickness would depend on his weight, sleeping positions, and what feels soft to him. Everyone is different.

 

And which latex will be better? Dunlop latex or Talalay latex?

They are just different, one is not "better" than another. Having said that, Talalay comes in softer versions than Dunlop and there are probably more people who prefer it in a topper than Dunlop. Again though his personal preference may be different.

 

What places will provide good quality and value for this latex topper?

There are lots but a few of them (for Talalay at least) are listed here

 

If not latex can he get a memory foam and what kind and from where?

He can ... but whether it would be better or preferable would be up to him. Memory foam is confusing and very "complicated" in terms of choosing between a gazillion different types ... some of which are junk and some of which are better quality. Most places don't tell you who manufacturers their memory foam so you often don't know what you are really buying but in general the memory foams made by Foamex (usually Aerus and Sensus) are among the better ones. There are some others as well and some research on the forum will probably "point you in the right direction".

Phoenix



Thanks Phoenix but more questions as I gave this print out to my friend.

1.   Why add a topper?

He is 2 minds about keeping the bed and returning it. In other words he is not sure about whether keep the bed and add a topper OR just returning the bed! and getting a complete new one wholly made from Talalay latex since the one he has is made from Dunlop latex which is so hard(firm). 

About keeping the bed and adding a topper - he thinks the firm bed gives him a firm support base since it is all Dunlop and he can add a topper and make it softer.

And since the bed will only soften very little over time he can just add a topper and keep changing the toppers only?

 

2.  How the Bed feels to him now -

A.  He keeps waking through out night due to hardness(firmness) of the bed! He has had the bed only for 1 week now!

He says the bed feels less firm when he lays on it in the begining but soon it starts to feel harder(firmer). 

 

3.  He has several questions about toppers.

First The background:  He is 6 feet inch tall, says he weighs 225 pounds and usually sleeps sideways.

A. He is wanting to know the thickness of topper he should get - 1 inch/2inch/3inch or more?

B. Pure talalay latex or blended talalay?

C. What ILD Talalay latex would be suitable?

 

Without testing and laying down on a topper he is not sure about buying from internet?

4.  Are there any stores in Dallas-Ft Worth metroplex that sell Talalay toppers? So he can go and lay down on them and see what suits him best?

 

 Thanks so much.

 

This message was modified Jan 11, 2011 by roy1
Re: Friend needs help with already bought latex mattress
Reply #7 Jan 11, 2011 6:03 PM
Joined: Oct 3, 2010
Points: 809
It would probably help to know the brand and model of the mattress he has as this will give an idea about what he considers to be "too firm". In general Dunlop is sometimes too firm for some people on the top of a mattress but it is a great support material. Knowing what he has now will help a lot in deciding what what he could do next.

If you do a search for "Dallas" or "Texas" you will get a couple of lists that includes local manufacturers and retail outlets that sell latex.

Phoenix

Re: Friend needs help with already bought latex mattress
Reply #8 Jan 12, 2011 1:13 PM
Joined: Jan 12, 2011
Points: 17
Phoenix wrote:

It would probably help to know the brand and model of the mattress he has as this will give an idea about what he considers to be "too firm". In general Dunlop is sometimes too firm for some people on the top of a mattress but it is a great support material. Knowing what he has now will help a lot in deciding what what he could do next.

 

If you do a search for "Dallas" or "Texas" you will get a couple of lists that includes local manufacturers and retail outlets that sell latex.

Phoenix



Hi Phoenix, I am the person who puchased this Dunlop Mattress.

It is 1" of 18 ILD on top then the next layer below is 2" of 24 ILD, below it is 6" of 24-32 ILD.  I called the company that makes it and first the person who picked the phone told me that the mattress is medium feel but that is not what I am feeling after trying hard to sleep on it since last week.

 ( I asked him who makes their dunlop and he would not tell me!

So I called their showroom and the sales person did not know who makes their latex! Then he called me later and said it was a company called LATEXCO.

So I called LATEXCO. And they have 2 offices one in East an done on West coast. I called the one in East and asked him if this company sources their latex from you - he replied that it does not ring a bell!

Then he told me LATEXCO DOES NOT MAKE DUNLOP LATEX!

I then called the West Coast office of Latexco and the salesperson told me LATEXCO MAKES DUNLOP LATEX. But he does not think LATEXCO sources their latex to the company I bought this DUNLOP LATEX BED FROM!

The whole thing is starting to sound fishy. )

 

I had the mattress for only a few days. I have a wollen mattress pad on it and a 400 thread count Egyptian cotton sheet on it.

Since the day I had this all supossedly Dunlop mattress, I have not gotten a decent sleep. It feels okay when I lay on it just for a couple

of seconds and then the matress begins to press against my body. Honestly, it feels firm, really firm. I am tossing and turning every minute and I am half awake all night. 

Should I return the mattress or should I spend more money and Add a topper. I have never slept on Talalay latex before so I would like to get a topper from place that takes the returns. What places do you know of that do that?

My Statistics are: weight 225 lbs, height 6 feet 1 inches, side sleeper, health issues are low backpain and neck pain.

Thank you very much Phoenix ;)

Re: Friend needs help with already bought latex mattress
Reply #9 Jan 12, 2011 1:56 PM
Joined: Oct 3, 2010
Points: 809
Latexco does make and supply Dunlop latex (even though they call it their "unique" Latexco process). They also supply Talalay made by a company called Radium.

What brand is your mattress ... who did you buy it from?

I am not aware of any Dunlop latex that is 18 ILD and even 24 in Dunlop is usually considered soft so the first thing to do is confirm what actual ILD and type of latex is in your mattress. Once you know this it will be much easier to decide where to go next.

A wool pad will likely make the latex firmer as well. Some will make it quite a bit firmer ... some only a little firmer. Anything that isn't "stretchy" on top will do this.

Searching "dallas" or "Texas" in the forum will give you a list of outlets that sell latex.

Phoenix

This message was modified Jan 12, 2011 by Phoenix
Re: Friend needs help with already bought latex mattress
Reply #10 Jan 12, 2011 2:20 PM
Joined: Jan 12, 2011
Points: 17
Phoenix wrote:

 

Latexco does make and supply Dunlop latex (even though they call it their "unique" Latexco process). They also supply Talalay made by a company called Radium.

 

What brand is your mattress ... who did you buy it from?

I am not aware of any Dunlop latex that is 18 ILD and even 24 in Dunlop is usually considered soft so the first thing to do is confirm what actual ILD and type of latex is in your mattress. Once you know this it will be much easier to decide where to go next.

A wool pad will likely make the latex firmer as well. Some will make it quite a bit firmer ... some only a little firmer. Anything that isn't "stretchy" on top will do this.

Searching "dallas" or "Texas" in the forum will give you a list of outlets that sell latex.

Phoenix

Thank you Phoenix. What do you suggest I put on the top f the mattress? Any topper at all? What kind of sheets?

It is made by a company called Innomax. The name of the mattress is "white night". On their web site it describes ILDs of this mattress. 1" of 18 ILD, 2" of 24 ILD, and 6" of 28-32 ILD. On the mattress tag it does not even say what kind of latex it is. Just that it is 94% latex and 6% cloth. When I called Innomax they said it is Dunlop latex but I have No tags on mattress or any literature from the company that says it is Dunlop latex.

I am worried as whole thing is getting confusing. Could SOMEONE CALL INNOMAX and ASK THEM What latex if ANY is used in this mattress? May be they will give him/her a better reply.  Thanks.

Since you said that 18 LD or 24 ILD are soft but they make up only the top 1 inch and the next layer 2 inch of the mattress. So why is this mattress so firm? When I lay on it it feels firm but not too firm but soon it starts to feel firm to the point I am tossing and turning in the bed to get some relief and I lie half awake in the bed all night.  When I get up I look at my face in the mirror and I look really tired.This thing is getting me really worried.

Thanks you Phoenix.

This message was modified Jan 12, 2011 by JoeM
Re: Friend needs help with already bought latex mattress
Reply #11 Jan 12, 2011 3:30 PM
Joined: Oct 3, 2010
Points: 809
At one point, the White Night mattress was listed on the Sams Club site as being Talalay latex but either they have changed it or they have changed the description. Since Latexco makes and distributes Dunlop and distributes Talalay (from Radium) ... it could be either. The "Allura" also made by Innomax uses 3" of Talalay which likely comes from Latexco as well but this does not mean that they use the same in the "White Night".

The first step is to confirm what is actually in it. If it is Talalay, then it would be (and feel) softer than if it is Dunlop.

My phone will be tied up for a few hours but once it is free I will try to confirm which it is. Then it will be easier to decide what to do next.

Latex itself sometimes feels firmer to some people than others (especially those that are used to cheap soft polyfoam) and what feels "firm" to you would be "too soft" for someone else. At your weight, normally a higher ILD will feel softer than someone who weighs less but this is clearly not the case for you.

Being a side sleeper, you may just need another inch or two of soft Talalay to allow your "bony parts" to sink in a little more but before anything else it would make sense to confirm what you already have.

No matter what it is ... it is a nice mattress ... but I understand the frustrations of not being able to get accurate information.

Phoenix

Re: Friend needs help with already bought latex mattress
Reply #12 Jan 12, 2011 4:08 PM
Joined: Jan 12, 2011
Points: 17
Phoenix wrote:

At one point, the White Night mattress was listed on the Sams Club site as being Talalay latex but either they have changed it or they have changed the description. Since Latexco makes and distributes Dunlop and distributes Talalay (from Radium) ... it could be either. The "Allura" also made by Innomax uses 3" of Talalay which likely comes from Latexco as well but this does not mean that they use the same in the "White Night".

 

The first step is to confirm what is actually in it. If it is Talalay, then it would be (and feel) softer than if it is Dunlop.

My phone will be tied up for a few hours but once it is free I will try to confirm which it is. Then it will be easier to decide what to do next.

Latex itself sometimes feels firmer to some people than others (especially those that are used to cheap soft polyfoam) and what feels "firm" to you would be "too soft" for someone else. At your weight, normally a higher ILD will feel softer than someone who weighs less but this is clearly not the case for you.

Being a side sleeper, you may just need another inch or two of soft Talalay to allow your "bony parts" to sink in a little more but before anything else it would make sense to confirm what you already have.

No matter what it is ... it is a nice mattress ... but I understand the frustrations of not being able to get accurate information.

Phoenix

Phoenix I bought this matress from Sams Club and it is made by Innomax and called white night. But the description on sams club and on innomax web site are different and none tells whether it is dunlop or Talalay or blended or what it is really.

Innomax salespeople did not seem confident about what type of latex the matress is made from and specially what is the source of that latex and the labels on the white night mattress like I mentioned before just say 94% latex and 6% cotton nor is the 1 piece of paper that came with the mattress says what latex and what source and if any what certification it has.

I will wait after you can get them to answer these questions clearly. Thanks Phoenix.

(Worried in Texas)

 

Re: Friend needs help with already bought latex mattress
Reply #13 Jan 12, 2011 4:15 PM
Joined: Oct 3, 2010
Points: 809
At one point the descripion on the Sam's Club website said it was Talalay. Now it doesn't. None of the other sites where it is sold say either (although some did at one point) so it's a mystery to me as well. The fact that they do say that the top layer is 18 ILD would indicate Talalay but this could also be a "mistranslation" of a different way of measuring ILD that is used for Dunlop sometimes.

In any case I'll see what I can find out.

Phoenix.

Re: Friend needs help with already bought latex mattress
Reply #14 Jan 12, 2011 4:38 PM
Joined: Oct 3, 2010
Points: 809
I talked to Irvin at Innomax who was very helpful. He told me he believed it was Dunlop but that it may have changed. When I said I didn't know of any 18 ILD Dunlop and mentioned some brands and also mentioned that it could be ILD in kg instead of lbs, he said his curiousity was piqued and he would call his supplier (Sleep Comp or Latexco) and find out for sure and call me back.

Phoenix

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