My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Jan 31, 2010 1:48 PM
Joined: Jan 31, 2010
Points: 54
Hi guys,

I signed-up for this site because I conducted some research of the various types of beds out there.  Based on my research uncovering huge problems with each option, I have no idea what to buy.

I need to buy a new bed soon..

When I researched spring mattresses I found the following problems:

- They usually sag after a while and the sag is most often not covered under warranty because the warranty states that some level of sag is acceptable to them, the manufacturer, whilst the buyer remains stuck with a sagging mattress.

- they allow for dust mites etc. to accumulate

- it is impossible to comparison shop due to shady collusion between manufacturers and retailers obfuscating the features/specs of the products

- from my own personal experience with other spring mattresses, I don't like how they have thousands of tiny balls form on them, kind of like pilling in clothing...I presume that all spring mattresses do that?  I really hate that.

When I researched memory foam mattresses, I found the following problems:

- they tend to crap out after a few years

- they get infested with mold if they get wet and then they are health hazards and nothing can be done about that

- some of them emit toxins due to the glue used in their manufacturing or something

Ok, so now that I know about these problems, I will feel like a sucker for buying any kind of bed. Yet, I still need a bed so I will have to buy something.

Is there any kind of bed that doesn't have these problems?

I hope you guys can help give me some clarity as to how I should wade through these problems and determine  what I should buy.  What kind of bed can I buy that will give me the peace of mind of knowing such defects won't mess with me in the future?

I live in Toronto, Canada and my price range is about $1500-2000 CAD but I might be willing to go higher (maybe up to $3500 CAD max)  if I can find a bed that doesn't have any of the aforementioned type of problems.  I do not have a lot of money, so it is very important for me to buy a bed that will last for around 10 years at least.

This message was modified Jan 31, 2010 by confusedbedbuyer
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #31 Feb 4, 2010 2:13 AM
Joined: Aug 21, 2009
Points: 486
I think we're all going to be eagerly awaiting your report about what the law label says.  If it's not too much trouble, maybe you could even take a picture of it and post so we can all see the label.  If it actually is a 100% latex mattress a those prices, well, maybe some of us will be buying one :)
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #32 Feb 4, 2010 9:40 AM
Joined: Feb 1, 2010
Points: 18
KimberlyH wrote:
I think we're all going to be eagerly awaiting your report about what the law label says.  If it's not too much trouble, maybe you could even take a picture of it and post so we can all see the label.  If it actually is a 100% latex mattress a those prices, well, maybe some of us will be buying one :)

I will gladly post pics. And like I stated, I had to negotiate that price for the mattress only. I don't think you would have that option ordering online.
This message was modified Feb 4, 2010 by london79
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #33 Feb 4, 2010 9:47 AM
Joined: Feb 1, 2010
Points: 18
KimberlyH wrote:
I think we're all going to be eagerly awaiting your report about what the law label says.  If it's not too much trouble, maybe you could even take a picture of it and post so we can all see the label.  If it actually is a 100% latex mattress a those prices, well, maybe some of us will be buying one :)

I don't think Sealy makes an all latex mattress. They all seem to have multiple layers of 3 or 4 different types of proprietary foams mixed with latex layers. Funny how this Serta model isn't on their website. It may be exclusive to the Mattress Firm only.

Also, for anyone concerned with the price being too good to be true, buying this queen mattress alone on the Mattress Firm's website will set you back $2730.
This message was modified Feb 4, 2010 by london79
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #34 Feb 4, 2010 12:01 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
i know in my neck of the woods Sealy has had a "100% Latex" mattress for years.  It still has polyurethane quilted into the cover and the latex is 100% synthetic content.  So there isn't any 'real' latex in it whatsoever.
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #35 Feb 4, 2010 3:37 PM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
budgy wrote:
i know in my neck of the woods Sealy has had a "100% Latex" mattress for years.  It still has polyurethane quilted into the cover and the latex is 100% synthetic content.  So there isn't any 'real' latex in it whatsoever.

What does that mean, that it has 100% synthetic content? That means it has no actual rubber from the rubber tree?? Then how could they call it latex? I'm confused... I thought synthetic latex meant it was a blend of rubber from the rubber tree and -whatever they add to it.
By the way, when you buy a "blended Talalay" for example, from LI, what is the non-natural-rubber part of the blend? ((I have probably read this before but cannot for the life of me remember right now.)

But yeah, this mattress Serta has could be "100% latex" but 100% synthetic latex, then, couldn't it? Even though processed using the Talalay method?
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #36 Feb 4, 2010 4:56 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
its still 'latex'.  synthetic latex means 100% synthetic.  blended latex means a blend of synthetic and natural (most latex sold is a blend of the two).  100% natural would mean the absence of synthetic rubber. 
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #37 Feb 5, 2010 3:16 AM
Location: L.A. area
Joined: Jan 18, 2008
Points: 1161
budgy wrote:
its still 'latex'.  synthetic latex means 100% synthetic.  blended latex means a blend of synthetic and natural (most latex sold is a blend of the two).  100% natural would mean the absence of synthetic rubber. 

But what IS synthetic latex?? I mean, is it pure chemicals? What chemicals? Link ?
Is it any good at all?
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #38 Feb 6, 2010 10:31 AM
Joined: Feb 2, 2010
Points: 88
See my thread, "I made my own Hybrid mattress" It may shed some light.
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #39 Feb 6, 2010 12:24 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
jimsocal wrote:
But what IS synthetic latex?? I mean, is it pure chemicals? What chemicals? Link ?
Is it any good at all?

Yes, Synthetic Latex IS SBR Rubber (Styrene Butadiene).  It is made from petro chemical derivatives.

It's bouncy and supportive, but it has absolutely none of the hypoallergenic properties of NR (natural rubber), and it lacks the elasticity. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Styrene-butadiene

Most latex sold in North America is Styrene Butadiene, (actually most is a blend of natural and synthetic rubber, but with more of the latter)
Re: My research has discovered major problems with all types of beds, yet I still need a bed. Please help.
Reply #40 Feb 6, 2010 12:54 PM
Joined: Oct 15, 2009
Points: 966
Budgy, is there a distinctive way to tell the blended latex from the 100% natural?  I have a topper that it suppose to be 100% natural, but I am not totally convinced that it is not the blend.  It seems very similiar to the blend I tried and has about the same density (4.6 for 32 ILD).  The blend might have had a slightly more chemical smell, which is the only thing that makes me think what I currently have might be 100% natural.  However, with no labels on toppers it is hard to know for sure what you are getting. 

Do some places call the blend 100% natural, on the basis that petroleum is "natural".  That is very misleading if that is the case.

I might add that both Flobeds and Sleepez told me that the blended performs very similiar to the 100% natural.  Almost like the blend was a better value because it was cheaper and might last longer.  Flobeds did say the 100% natural was heavier and slightly thicker (the pieces they sell).

This message was modified Feb 6, 2010 by sandman

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