I really didn’t mean to write a book but I almost did:)
My background story: I’ve been a fan of latex mattresses for many years. Back in the early 90’s I bought a used Englander latex mattress for my guest bedroom from a client who was moving. During the first year my guests all raved about how comfortable the mattress was. Unhappy with my nearly new Beautyrest I moved the latex guest mattress on to my box springs and I was hooked! After a couple of years I decided to buy a new latex mattress as the old mattress was thinner and I couldn’t find sheets to fit:(
I bought a “racetrack” latex mattress and had that for about 10 years. Replaced it in 2005 with a custom made latex mattress from a local mattress factory. 6" medium firm core, 3" 21 ILD layer and a 19" ILD topper in a traditional stitched cover.
The last couple of years the mattress started to bother me, I have a bad back and fibromyalgia and although I need support I am very sensitive to pressure points. I’ve been shopping for a new mattress at a few local stores here in Portland. Very few have latex and the ones that do don’t have many options for ILD levels, most are just firm. The one local small latex mattress factory does not even carry a 3’ 19" ILD anymore.
So I found a local mattress factory/wholesale company. I knew they carried latex in the past, unfortunately they stopped carrying latex last year. But they had a Queen latex floor model left at the warehouse. It was never in a retail store, just in their wholesale showroom. I went out to look at it and liked it very much. They made me a great deal and I brought it home a couple of weeks ago.
The mattress is made up of three 3" layers of latex, the top layer is 14-17 ILD, the middle layer is 23-27 and the bottom layer is 34-39. It is quite a bit firmer than my old mattress but I adjusted pretty quickly. I did use an old 3" 21 ILD topper I had on top of the mattress, under my mattress protector and that has made it perfect for me.
The problem I am having is primarily cosmetic, it appears to be sagging in the middle looking at it. It is very comfortable, it doesn’t feel like there is a sag in the mattress. I haven’t slept this well in years. But I am concerned that there is something going on with the way it sits inside the cover that could cause a problem as time goes by.
Each of the latex layers is covered with a thin stretchy translucent material, almost like a nylon stocking. When we lifted it out of the truck and brought it in the house it was like a big bulging sack of latex, no structure to hold it together. The cover is a heavy cotton with a layer of wool. Seems to be made very well. We put it on the bed and kind of stretched it around until all the layers were flat. I’ve played with it a bit to spread it out and added my old latex topper.
I have very bad arthritis in my hands and although it will be difficult I think I need to remove the nylon cover from the latex layers so it sticks together and doesn’t move as much. I’m also considering replacing the bottom layers with a 6" core to give it more structure. I’ve never felt the process of layering toppers without a thicker core was a good idea, it’s one of the reasons I never bought a DIY mattress online. I hard mattress will never work for me, the new mattress is as firm as I could possibly tolerate. So I’m not sure if I added a 6" core what ILD it should be. I think the firm bottom that I have now would be way too firm if it was 6" with a 3" 14 ILD on top as I had to add the 19 ILD topper for it to work.
I would appreciate ideas from the mattress experts here. Especially about removing the nylon covers on the layers, and the best way to solve the sagging problem.
It might seem silly to be thinking of rebuilding a new mattress but I got such a deal on the mattress ($450) that I may consider it.
Thank you for your help!
https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/43479/Organic.Latex.POP.Flyer1(3).pdf
https://uploads.mattressunderground.com/outside/43479/Organic.Latex.POP.Flyer1(3).pdf