Last Elements: In-State / Out-of-State Store Policies & Warranties

[phoenix]

Hi wenisleep,

[quote]In regards to the organic certifications, I’ve noticed that Flexus ( www.flexuscomfort.com/untitled1.html ) & SleepEz
ADMIN NOTE:Removed 404 page link | Archived Footprint: sleepez.com/certifications/natural-d...c-latex-standard.pdf
have identical GOLS certificates issued to Latex Green on their website[/quote]

These are for the latex foam layers/components that both companies use.

[quote]Organicpedic/Lifekind
ADMIN NOTE:Removed 404 page link | Archived Footprint: static1.squarespace.com/static/5762d2db7...3400GOLS-01.2017.pdf
, Naturepedic ADMIN NOTE:Removed 404 page link | Archived Footprint: naturepedic.com/media/wysiwyg/PDFs/G...Certificate-2017.pdf
, and Soaring Heart ( Global Organic Latex Standard Certified Latex - Soaring Heart Natural Bed Company ) have GOLS certification issued directly to them.[/quote]

These are for finished products that these particular manufacturers make. If you read the second page of each certification (Soaring Heart’s isn’t posted on their site) it shows the completed items that have the GOLS certification, not just the layers within the product that are certified. The new Global Organic Standard ( GOLS) 3.0 can certify both the organic latex foam (made with a 95% latex rubber sap content from organic certified rubber tree plantations ) used within a product, and it can also certify the entire finished product such as a mattress or pillow that meets the certifications standards using an “organic” latex core or foam layer.

[quote]Savvy Rest ADMIN NOTE:Removed 404 page link | Archived Footprint: savvyrest.com/sites/default/files/C815081GOLS-03.2016.pdf
and Sleep Organic (attachment not working) have GOLS certificates issued to Cocolatex but they aren’t identical[/quote]

The Savvy Rest certificate is for the latex componentry they get from Cocolatex. Did you mean Sleeping Organic for the other company? If so, you’d have to provide a link to the page on their web site you’re mentioning showing/linking to their certificate (I’m guessing it must be posted somewhere as you mentioned they don’t match). I can’t speak to what the certificates cover without seeing the other one you’re referencing.

I know Latex Green & Cocolatex are a couple of the major manufacturers of latex but I’m not sure why certain companies don’t have the certification issued directly to them and others do.

The certification applies to either the latex foam componentry or the finished product. If a company is applying for the GOLS 3.0 certification on the finished product, that certification would be issued to the finished manufacturer, not the manufacturer of the componentry used within the mattress.

Yes, both companies have comparable policies but not sure why Flexus has 30 non-prorated and Sleep Ez has 20 prorated. A rep at Sleep Ez told me that latex manufacturers only back warranties at max 20 years.

I linked to quite a bit of information regarding mattress warranties in my previous reply and how a longer warranty isn’t an indicator of a “better” product. A manufacturer can choose to offer any sort of warranty time frame they desire for their finished product, regardless of how long their component suppliers guarantee to them the layers used within their product. As I mentioned in the previous reply link, I personally would be happy with a 5 year warranty (against manufacturing defects) if I knew the materials could last me 15 - 20 years (like in the products you’re mentioning) … but of course the vast majority of consumers would believe that a mattress with a 5 year warranty was an inferior mattress. There’s a good Beducation video about mattress warranties here.

Do you have posts you can refer me to regarding details specifically about organic wool that narrows down the search to the benefits (if any)?

I don’t have a specific topic where I talk about this. Post # 3 here lists quite a few wool manufacturers with whom I am impressed and I consider them excellent resources, and a phone call to any of them can result in some of the reasons they decide to carry or not carry GOTS certified wool. Shepherd’s Dream speaks a bit about the difference between Eco Wool and “organic” wool on their FAQ page, and they are a good resource for what can be a complicated topic. For some people, having an organic certification is more of a lifestyle choice, even if a “natural” wool can be produced in the exact same manner but hasn’t gone through the certification process, and there is plenty of “non-organic” wool that is of very high quality.

I read that organic cotton that is of a stretchy knitted quilting w/ diamond stitching is best for latex?

This would be a personal comfort preference choice. Some people prefer a ticking that is more flexible that allows for more of the point elasticity of the latex to “show thorough”. Some prefer a thicker canvas-like covering. A tighter quilt pattern can result in a firmer compressing of the wool quilted to the ticking, while a tack and jump or channel quilt can allow for more loft of the wool quilted underneath. There really is no one “best” configuration. Just what’s best for you.

I also heard that we should ask if the organic cotton is 100% organic through and through (front, fill, back) because the industry standard for organic cotton is 1) Organic Top; 2) Polyester Fill; and 3) Unbleached cotton backing?

I’m sorry, but I’m not sure what “industry standard” you’re referencing, but a ticking can be made using organic certified cotton but then contain other materials, or it can be made with organic certified cotton and then the completed ticking can also be GOTS certified. If you’d like to read more about the GOTS standard, you can do so here.

Lastly, according to industry experts and consumers would you provide the top companies that are on par with OMI/Lifekind, essentially using the same materials, quality, and certifications without the price tag? Is Flexus & Sleep Ez on that list?

There is no such list. There are many manufacturers using the same/similar high quality componentry as those brands, including, but not limited to, many of the site members listed here.

Phoenix