What are the pros and cons to individually wrap each latex layer with organic cotton? I have notice that some companies do this while others do not.
Thanks, Songbird
Hi songbird,
I think the main advantage in talking to manufacturers about this is that it covers up the latex layers and the natural imperfections, voids, tears, and crumbs or dust that cut layers usually have and prevents them from seeing them and believing that they have received defective latex which in turn reduces consumer complaints and improves consumer perception.
It would also make the layers a little easier to handle without tearing the latex both in manufacturing or when consumers handle the latex to re-arrange or return a layer.
In theory … it may also offer better protection for the latex against ultraviolet light and ozone which are the two main “enemies” of latex but in practice with a good quality mattress cover I don’t think this would make a meaningful difference unless the cover was very thin and poor quality.
As far as any downside … it could allow for a little more shifting of the layers because fabric is not as “sticky” as latex on latex but this probably wouldn’t be a major factor with a tight fitting cover. It would also add slightly to the wholesale cost of the mattress which in turn may affect the retail cost.
If for some reason they were to shift because of moving or transporting the mattress or with ongoing use on an adjustable bed or for any other reason then with a component mattress with a zip cover it would be a simple matter to unzip the cover and “wave” the latex back into position again.
There are also some who say that it helps prevent damage to the latex from layers that rub against each other in use but I don’t think this is an issue with a good cover that is tight so the latex layers tend to stay put and don’t really rub against each other anyway to the degree that would make a meaningful difference.
In theory loose layers of latex would “slide” a little more easily over another layer than latex on latex and act a little bit more independently and this may have a small effect on how each individual each layer responds and in “theory” could “act” a little softer but this will probably be too subtle to notice. The fabric around the latex could also have an effect on how the latex compresses (although it’s usually thin and stretchy with little effect). In practical terms in an apples to apples comparison I don’t think there would be any significant difference between the softness of a covered layer and the same type and ILD of unglued layers of latex that didn’t have a cover and what you feel on the mattress would be more important than whether the layers were covered.
The number one benefit though IMO would be consumer perception and ease of handling.
Phoenix
i belive it tried one of these the other day, and it was a little more jiggly as a result. i will have to check on my cheat-sheet when i get home.
Hi paisley,
I certainly agree that in some cases the covered layers can have a noticeable effect on the feel and performance of the mattress depending on the type of cover and on the position of the covered layer in the mattress. this seems to be one of the “topics of the day” 
and there is more discussion about this in my earlier reply in another thread here.
Phoenix
In the marketing materials for The Clean Bedroom’s Oyasumi II mattress, they cite an additional benefit: “Being individually wrapped also enables the latex layers to work independently, versus other mattresses that use raw latex layers that work as one big chunk.” I wonder if there is any truth to this statement? If there is, I’m not sure I understand how that would work, or exactly what benefit you would get. Any insight, Phoenix?
Hi DahliaM,
Individual layers (covered or not) will act a little more independently than the same thickness of a single layer of the same material because they will “pull in” from the side a little more when they are compressed and be “held back” a little less by the foam beside the area of compression (for example 3 one inch loose layers of a material will act a little softer than the same material in a single 3" layer in the comfort layers). This would be much more noticeable in the upper layers that are compressed more deeply than it would in the deeper layers that compress much less.
In theory … covered layers may slide over each other a little more easily than uncovered layers which could result in a slight increase in the softness because of the slightly greater edge effect (the material is “held back” less by the material around it) but again this would be more noticeable in the upper layers and in the deeper layers beyond the top 3 - 4" or so this would have a minimal effect that for most people wouldn’t be noticeable. The fabric itself could also have a slight effect in reducing the compression of the latex as well but this also wouldn’t be particularly noticeable in the deeper layers. Whether any difference was beneficial or detrimental would depend entirely on which version provided the best PPP (Posture and alignment, Pressure relief, and Personal preferences) for a particular person because one certainly wouldn’t be inherently “better” than the other just like a softer or firmer layer may be better for one person and worse for another. In practice with the deeper layers we are talking about a theoretical difference that for most people wouldn’t be noticeable if all the other variables were equal.
Phoenix