Full Latex Mattress in Sydney

Discussions General Mattresses Questions
1

Hello.
Thank you Phoenix for creating this site. It is very informative and an excellent resource for those trying to make informed decisions about bedding purchases.

I have read through a lot of posts previously covered about mattresses available in Australia and have a few additional questions.

My wife and I are both about 5’8" and 145lbs. I sleep on my back (and side) and she sleeps on her side. Our current mattress is a Sealy posturepedic that is 8 years old. It was advertised as having a “latex and wool” pillow top but I now realise that it probably has a lot of polyfoam in it too. Still, it’s given us 8 years service.

I am looking for a full 100% natural latex mattress for the following reasons:

  • I quite like the way that foam feels (I like the soft cushy feeling)
  • I am allergic to dust mites and like “anti dust mite” properties of latex
  • I don’t really like the way the whole bed wiggles when my wife moves about on the bed
  • I like the idea that latex is the most long-lasting of the mattress materials

It seems that in Australia, we are limited to fairly few options in terms of 100% natural latex.

  • latexco is commonly used in a lot of brands
  • latex gold (formerly manufactured in New Zealand now in Sri Lanka I understand)
  • Zentai (from Malaysia)
  • Heveya organic latex
  • unknown sources in Malaysia

Most of the latex cores available have five or seven zones. You have said previously that more than three zones is unnecessary. Is it a bad thing that I should be trying to avoid?

All of the options I am considering claim to be 100% natural latex with no added inorganic fillers.

They are:

Revor Madrid: sale price $2000 $90 shipping
7 zone 7" latexco core with a 2" latexco soft topper on one side wrapped in removable/washable bamboo cover

This one has an excellent warranty including a 6 month home trial with option of a full refund.

Latex Mattress Warehouse: Latex pod $2000 + $250 shipping
7 zone latex core with 2 separate pieces of 2" latexco topper - ie one on each side of the mattress.
George (the man in the video) recommended the topper to be medium for us but these can be swapped out at a cost of $180 per side.
in a removable cotton and linen cover (which George says is nice and soft a stretchy).
I like the idea that the topper is removable for replacement but how often would you need to do this in reality?
I worry about a crack developing in the middle of the bed.
I’m worried that the comfort layer and core are not glued

Comfort shop sports latex mattress $3560
Stella Rubino italian latex - no comfort layer

Latex Mattress Factory Pure comfort medium $3674 special price
Latex from malaysia
Normal mattress construction ) ie not removable
Double sided mattress

Rockdale Mattress Factory (RMF) Ecological prob around $3000-$3500
latexco core with wool and 1/4" latex in quilting with organic cotton ticking
non-removable cover
Store manager seemed very proud of the construction in that the ticking is fully adherent to the core
As they are the factory they can add in a comfort layer if I want it
This is a double sided mattress

Town and Country NZ latex mattress $2000
NZ gold latex 6"core medium with 2" soft topper
Bamboo, silver thread or phase change cover options (removable)

Town and Country Latexco mattress $1775
7" latexco core and coolmax cover

These guys worry me that they use other people’s videos on their site.

My leaders are the top two but the RMF appeals too

So here’s my questions if you have any advice to give please:
-How important is a removable cover?Or is normal construction with edge seam stitching better
-Is it better if the quilting is adhered to the core/comfort layers?
-Is it a benefit to have a double sided mattress?
-Do you think that the separate comfort layers in the latex pod would separate to create a crack?
-Should the comfort and core layers be glued to each other?

Thank you.

2

Hi cachexian,

Yes … they are now in Sri Lanka. The rationale was that being closer to the source of raw materials would be a significant cost savings.

Most of the latex zoning … particularly with Dunlop … is not much more than the natural variation in the layer anyway. I don’t think it would be harmful because of the fairly small zoning variance (although some types of zoning can be counterproductive for some people) but I wouldn’t pay extra for that many zones. Your own personal testing will tell you if it is OK more than anything else but I would guess in most cases it would be fine.

I think that having a zip cover is a bonus because you can make adjustments to the mattress if you make the wrong firmness choices, change out the layers down the road if your needs or preferences change, replace just one layer of the mattress if it wears out faster than the others, and you can wash the cover from time to time. All of these I would consider to be a benefit, especially the ability to exchange a layer. If you are ordering online it can be a real benefit but if you have tested a mattress locally then a tape edged mattress which you can’t change wouldn’t be as big an issue (many local manufacturers will open it up and change a layer if necessary) although it still wouldn’t have the flexibility of a zip cover.

It could help the cover maintain its shape a little better and keep it from shifting and developing creases or wrinkles but you would also lose the flexibility of having a zip cover. Creases and wrinkles are generally not as big an issue with quilted covers as they are with thinner stretch covers though.

Yes … if you flip it regularly it will last longer because each side is subject to the stresses of sleeping on it for only half the time. while latex is the longest lasting of the foam materials and while there is some design flexibility lost with a double sided mattress in terms of layering (you shouldn’t have too much soft foam on the bottom and you can’t use progressively firmer layers in the same way) it has a durability benefit even with latex.

The latex won’t develop a crack in the middle no and with a tight cover latex stays in place very well (it’s quite “sticky” and doesn’t slide over other layers). As long as there is a layer such as quilting or a thin layer of latex that will even out the feel of the split then it will be fine and it’s a very worthwhile option for many couples. You can see more in post #2 here.

I don’t believe it’s really necessary with a latex mattress that has a zip cover no. If something for whatever reason (say moving the mattress on its side) caused the layers to shift then it’s an easy matter to open the cover and shift them back. Gluing generally isn’t necessary and you would lose the advantage of being able to exchange or change layers down the road.

Just in case you haven’t seen these … post #2 here has a link to all the Australia threads on the forum and one in another forum as well. I also amalgamated all the links to all the manufacturers and retailers that were mentioned in all the Australia threads (including the one in the other forum) in post #7 here although you already seem to have many options.

Hope this helps.

Phoenix

3

Thank you very much for your very helpful information.

I had found all those links that you posted but thank you for linking to them again.

It seems that my only options for flippable mattresses are the:

-Latex Pod (but this would require individual flipping of the internal layers, which I imagine might damage them).
-Latex Mattress factory (this does not have a removable cover)
-Rockdale Mattress factory (again, no removable cover)

I will get a more accurate price for the RMF mattress.

Thanks again.

4

Hi Phoenix,

Thank you again for all your helpful advice.

I got some more information from Rockdale Mattress Factory about their Ecological Latex Mattress.

Whilst the website is a bit lacking in the details of the mattress construction I have found the salesman very helpful and knowledgeable and very open about the construction. He showed me through the factory at some old other branded mattresses to show me how to recognise poor quality latex.
Anyway, here’s what he wrote:

I tried the Ecological mattress in store with additional toppers to get a feel for what a modified mattress would feel like. The toppers are made with the same organic cotton cover described in the quote above.
Here’s what I tried:

  1. Ecological alone - (that’s core + 0.5"latex + 150g/sqm wool)
    -this felt a little too firm for me as far as comfort goes, alignment felt good
  2. Ecological + 2 additional layers of quilted cover - (that’s core + 3x0.5"latex + 3x 150g/sqm wool)
    -this felt a bit too soft, I felt as if I was sinking too deep in the pelvis area when on my back
  3. Ecological + 1 additional layer of quilted cover - (that’s core + 2x0.5" latex + 2x 150g/sqm wool)
    -this felt just right.

If I go for the custom mattress with the additional 12mm latex that would be similar to option 3 with one less layer of wool quilting. Am I correct in thinking that this wool quilting probably makes negligible difference to the feel?
I’m tending to go for the 12mm additional layer because it’s always possible to add a topper to make it softer (in any case, I’ll be adding a mattress protector) and much more difficult to correct a mattress that is too soft to give good support.

As far as the cost goes…
At $3100 the RMF mattress is about $1000 more than my other two frontrunners (Revor Madrid and Latex Pod). But unlike those two, it is a truly double sided mattress. Am I correct in thinking that I should expect that it would likely last at least half as long again even with latex?
Also I assume that part of the additional cost is involved with the different construction. With the RMF Ecological the cover is quilted with latex and wool. With the others, the layers of latex are inserted into thin covers and those layers are slipped inside a removable bamboo/linen cover.
What do you think about the relative value of these three options?

Thanks,
Cachexian

5

Hi cachexian,

A topper will act slightly softer than the same layer inside a mattress cover and the wool would act to firm it up a little but overall I think this would be close enough to get a very good indication yes.

I would tend to choose as accurately as you can (rather than knowingly too firm) but if there are two seemingly “equal” choices then I would choose the firmer. Since it seems that the one extra layer was the one you preferred more anyway then as you say if it turns out you need a little more softness then a topper is always there as a backup.

If everything else was equal (same softness of latex etc) then this would seem reasonable to me.

[quote]Also I assume that part of the additional cost is involved with the different construction. With the RMF Ecological the cover is quilted with latex and wool. With the others, the layers of latex are inserted into thin covers and those layers are slipped inside a removable bamboo/linen cover.
What do you think about the relative value of these three options?[/quote]

A wool quilted cover is certainly more costly than a plain cover but not by $1000

So if I’m understanding this correctly you are choosing between …

Revor Madrid: sale price $2000 $90 shipping
7 zone 7" latexco core with a 2" latexco soft topper on one side wrapped in removable/washable bamboo cover

Latex Mattress Warehouse: Latex pod $2000 + $250 shipping
7 zone latex core with 2 separate pieces of 2" latexco topper - ie one on each side of the mattress.
in a removable cotton and linen cover (which George says is nice and soft a stretchy).

Ecological with an additional 12mm perforated latex, on both sides of the mattress $3049.00 GST INC.
which would have the same 7 zone Latexco core (is this correct?) along with 1" of latex on either side of the core with a wool quilted cover.

I would probably want to know whether all the latex layers in each of these were natural or blended Dunlop but overall it seems to me that if the Ecological has the same core as the other two then they would have better “raw value” (particularly the two sided one) even without the wool quilting (and you could always add a wool topper for less than the difference between them) but of course the value to you would include all the other parts of a mattress purchase such as which one was best in terms of PPP (Pressure relief, Posture and alignment, and Personal preferences) and any other benefits that come from dealing with each manufacturer that was an important part of your personal value equation.

Phoenix

6

I just want to clarify a few points:

They’re all natural latexco.

Same size and thickness and claimed density but not certain that they’re the same. I’ve no way of comparing. And can’t try the latex pod as its 1000 km away.

[quote]Latex Mattress Warehouse: Latex pod $2000 + $250 shipping
7 zone latex core with 2 separate pieces of 2" latexco topper - ie one on each side of the mattress.
in a removable cotton and linen cover (which George says is nice and soft a stretchy).[/quote]

It’s only one sided. I didn’t describe it well. It has one comfort layer divided into two pieces. Left and right. You can choose a different density for each partner.

But despite these clarifications, it does seem that the value doesn’t stack up for the RMF ecological at $3049.

7

Hi cachexian,

Sometimes “natural” doesn’t mean “all natural”. For example if you look at the Puralux here it is made from a blend of natural and synthetic latex. While it’s still a very good quality material … it isn’t 100% natural latex. The toppers that are used in Asia could be the same material (or they could be 100% natural rubber but these would typically be firmer).

The simplest way to compare is by production method (Dunlop or Talalay and in this case all are Dunlop) and by blend (either 100% natural rubber or a blend of natural and synthetic rubber). This makes things apples to apples comparisons.

Thanks for the clarifications. In “raw value” terms I would agree with you although “value” includes all the other parts of a mattress purchase which includes the benefits, services, and options that come with dealing with a particular manufacturer or retailer. “Raw value” (comparisons of materials only) is certainly part of this but each person also needs to factor in the value they place on all the other parts of their personal value equation.

Phoenix

8

Just an update on my mattress purchase.

I went with the Latex Pod in the end. The owner of the business (George of Latex Mattress Warehouse) was extremely helpful with recommendations.

I initially bought the medium toppers for both my and my wife’s side. After about four weeks of sleeping on them we felt that they were too firm. All it took was a call to Latex Mattress Warehouse and two soft toppers were shipped to me from Melbourne arriving two days later. I was advised to take my time deciding whether I wanted the medium or the soft toppers and then call back to arrange shipping the others back.

I finally decided on the soft top layer. I returned the medium top layers to a business partner of Latex Mattress Warehouse in Marrickville (Sydney) with minimal fuss and no additional cost to me.

It was an example of EXCEPTIONAL customer service. I was never asked to pay any money for additional shipping or for the replacement top layers. They even threw in a couple of offcuts of soft latex that I made into pillows for my kids. When I offered to pay for the additional shipping or even the offcuts of latex George would accept no payment.

If you are buying a latex mattress in Australia don’t hesitate to contact George at Latex Mattress Warehouse. The mattress is fantastic. The service goes well above and beyond what anyone would expect. The shipping was not a problem at all.

And just a point about the Latex Pod… The top layer of the mattress comes in two pieces. I was worried that there would be a crack or a lump in the middle of the mattress. After several months of use I can advise that there is no crack in the middle of the mattress. I believe that the fact that there are separate pieces to this layer also reduces partner disturbance even more.

I love my Latex Pod.

9

Hi cachexian,

Thanks for sharing your feedback and letting us know what you ended up choosing … I appreciate it!

It certainly seems to me that you made a good quality/value choice from a manufacturer that cares about their customers and provides some good options after a purchase.

I’ve added a link to your post beside their listing in the Australia list here so that others in Australia can read about your experience with them as well and also added your thread to the list of Australia forum threads here.

Thanks again :slight_smile:

Phoenix

10

Hi cachexian,

I’m in Melbourne and have also dealt with George (who was very helpful) and he sold me two medium latex toppers for a queen size mattress. I used them on our new innerspring mattress which was obscenely hard!

Thanks in advance for your help.

Natalie.

11

Comment removed … PM sent.

12

Hi Natalie,

I wanted to “echo” and agree with cachexian’s comments and I would talk with them in person before posting something that can reflect negatively on a business when you really don’t know whether your concerns are justified. The internet is filled with comments that have no real basis except perhaps a legitimate concern but if these are unfounded what is written remains behind and will affect others that search online for information and the “seeds of doubt” that they leave behind can certainly cause harm.

Phoenix

13

Fair enough - I didn’t really think of that. Phoenix, if you would like to remove my comment until I’ve spoken to George please do so. I by no means mean him or his business any harm.
Thanks for replying.
Natalie.

14

Hi NatalieC,

I see you edited your post … thanks :slight_smile:

One of the side effects of a forum like this is that the comments posted here usually show up quite quickly in google searches and in some cases they can be ranked quite highly. There are so few good independent manufacturers in most countries compared to the majors that if one of them has a comment posted about them that “appears to be true” or a legitimate cause for concern it can lead to hours on the phone over the course of years trying to convince customers that what they read isn’t correct or true and their customers are often already inclined to be “suspicious” that what they are being told isn’t true … even if it is.

The internet is an amazing tool but in some cases it can also allow a single anonymous negative comment to have a large and disproportionate effect on a good business over the course of many years so I always tend to encourage people to err on the side of caution when there is mainly uncertainty involved until things become more clear.

Thanks again.

Phoenix

15

[quote]All of the options I am considering claim to be 100% natural latex with no added inorganic fillers.

They are:

Revor Madrid: sale price $2000 $90 shipping
7 zone 7" latexco core with a 2" latexco soft topper on one side wrapped in removable/washable bamboo cover[/quote]

I am also looking for 100% Natural Latex in Sydney and have read this post.

The above is not true the “Revor Madrid” mattress is blended. The only mattress that latex bedding co in Sydney (http://www.latexbeddingco.com.au) sells that is 100% natural latex is the “Synchroline III – The Perfect Latex Mattress” which is priced at above $3,500. This post may miss lead some people, but if you go into the store they will tell you that it is blended. They are very helpful and friendly.

16

Hi Jones,

Thanks for the clarification :slight_smile:

Phoenix