Questions after receiving my latex mattress

Mattress Talk
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Hello,

Note: this is not a review. I’m new to latex and hoping that this mattress is going to work out for me. Looking for feedback.

I purchased a mattress from MFC after months and months of research.

My memory foam mattress is 8 years old and began sagging this past year.

I’m new to latex and didn’t know what to expect. But after reading so many good reviews about latex, and bad reviews about all of the brands I could try in a store, I took the plunge.

From what I read it seems like people consider latex pretty firm. Searching on Google states that latex pushes back against your weight and has little motion transfer. I also read that organic latex does not off gas, but the mattress has a strong odor (anyone know how long before the smell goes away?).

I reached out to MFC for assistance in selecting a mattress with good support for my back. I purchased what they suggested (Cumulus, coils with two layers of latex).

After unboxing and laying on my new latex mattress, I quickly realized it was very different from memory foam. When I am on my hands and knees climbing onto it, my hands and knees immediately dip. When I laid down it immediately sinks where my hips are. I’m talking several inches of sinking, so that my spine is curved. I’m not sensing any push-back against my weight(I’m around 125lbs). I would not call it firm at all, more like extremely plush. And when I move the whole mattress moves. Lots of motion transfer. If I lay on my side I feel like I’m rolling forward onto my stomach as there is not enough firmness to hold me on my side. Is this normal with latex?

I rolled over to my old memory foam mattress that’d been saggy and it feels extra firm in comparison.

I’d appreciate any feedback from others who made the switch to latex and whether they were able to get used to it. Also anyone who has back, hip, neck pain, how was your experience with latex?

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Hello Onyx!

I’ll tag @MFC here just in case you haven’t already reached out with your concerns, but how long was the mattress unboxed before you laid on it?

NikkiTMU

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I tried it at 4hrs, 5 hrs, 6 hrs, 20 hrs.

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Hi Onyx, welcome to the community, and thank you for sharing your experience.

It’s completely understandable to feel a bit unsettled after your first night on a new mattress, especially when switching to a material like latex, which can feel very different from what you’re used to.

My response isn’t to suggest that a mattress is the same as a pair of glasses or running shoes, but there are some helpful parallels. When someone gets a new pair of glasses with a slightly different prescription, or a new pair of running shoes that haven’t yet conformed to their feet, there’s often an adjustment period.

Similarly, transitioning to a new mattress, particularly one made from different materials or with a different firmness level, often requires time for both your body and your expectations to recalibrate.

Latex behaves very differently from memory foam. It’s more buoyant and responsive, and rather than allowing you to sink in and conform like memory foam does, it offers surface-level support. That “pushback” sensation people refer to doesn’t always feel like traditional firmness, especially at first. At 125 lbs, your experience of plushness may be more noticeable initially, but it doesn’t necessarily mean the mattress lacks proper support ,it may just feel unfamiliar.

It’s also worth considering that your foundation plays a big role in how the mattress performs. The type of base you’re using, whether it’s slatted, solid, or box spring, can influence the feel of latex significantly. If the foundation has too much give, it can exaggerate any feeling of softness.

As for the odor you noticed, that’s common with natural latex, and although it’s not off-gassing like synthetic foams, the natural rubber scent can still be strong at first. This typically fades within a few days to a couple of weeks depending on airflow and room conditions.

MFC is generally very helpful with post-purchase support, and it’s not uncommon for customers to need minor tweaks to dial in the right feel. Some people adjust without any changes, while others work with MFC to modify their setup. Either way, it often takes several weeks, sometimes even a couple of months, for your body to fully adjust and for the mattress to settle into its performance characteristics.

To be frank, whether right or wrong, comfortable or not, your judgment seems a bit hasty. While you’re certainly entitled to your perspective, it may not fully reflect the broader context of the situation. If your experience doesn’t improve after some time, you might consider reaching out to MFC for guidance. You’re not alone in feeling this way early on, many people find that, with a little patience and sometimes a few adjustments, a latex mattress can turn into a long-term source of comfort and support.

Hope this helps,

Maverick

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Thank you for this very thorough reply!

The information you provided is very helpful.

I think there was a knowledge gap for me regarding initial impression/expectations as this is not like any other mattress I’ve used. I just needed to know that this was normal.

I did reach out to MFC and they got back to me promptly and let me know it could take about a month to get used to.

You’re correct, I was hasty, I have very bad back, neck and hip pain and have not a had a good night sleep in years. I’ve been very excited to get this mattress in hopes of finally feeling rested. I’m hopeful this will finally help me get a good night sleep and help with my pain.

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Oh, I didn’t realize you were already in contact with MFC, that makes sense. They’re known for being very responsive and committed to customer satisfaction, so it’s no surprise they got back to you quickly.

I can really relate to your concerns. Having dealt with multiple herniated discs myself, I understand how important and elusive a good night’s sleep can feel. I recently tried a two of the new pillows from European Sleep Works, and even something as simple as a pillow came with a learning curve. The Oxygen Pillow, in particular, is quite unique in design and took some getting used to. That adjustment period reminded me how even small changes can require time, especially when dealing with ongoing physical issues.

In my case, the two different pillow designs actually supported different stages of my recovery, depending on where I was in physical therapy. So I completely get where you’re coming from.

Try not to get discouraged. After about a month on the new mattress, we’ll have a much better sense of whether any fine-tuning is needed, or you just may have found yourself finally getting that comfortable sleep you’ve been hoping for.

All the best,

Maverick

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Yes I’m starting to realize that the tiniest adjustments have a huge effect on my pain.

I’m considering trying to teach myself to sleep on my back with a pillow under my knees (I’m a side sleeper and move around a lot in my sleep, so I can’t keep a pillow between my knees).

I also got two free latex pillows with my MFC mattress, and though I can’t use them yet because of the smell, when I tried them out, the shredded latex pillow seemed very promising. I’m excited for the smell to dissipate so I can try it out. It seems to have the perfect amount of support.

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Give it time. You might end up needing a two inch topper to customize it.

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I’m excited to give it a try. Just waiting for the smell to go away.

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I sleep on 9" of latex. I weigh 115 lbs, not that much less than you, and I have back pain. I sleep on Soft/Medium/Firm. I get a lot of push-back against my weight. I looked up the mattress you bought and it has 2 2" layers on top of springs. I’m guessing the sogginess might be from the springs? I’m not sure 4" of latex is really the same feel as an all latex mattress. I saw that your lawyers are soft and medium-- have you tried switching so the medium is on top? that might help.

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Hi. Thanks for your input. I’m starting to fear that it is the springs that are the problem, but MFC’s exchange policy doesn’t seem to cover springs.

And yes I currently have the medium layer on top.

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Onyx, you might be right! Although I haven’t looked at their policy. But before making any final decisions, always talk things through with MFC or whoever you’re working with. Let them know what you’re trying to do, where you want to go, and what you’re hoping to get out of it. People like MFC are there to help and have your best interests in mind.

Having said hat, nobody likes surprises popping up later on, or the “you never told me stuff.” If everyone’s clear from the start, and the parties involved understand each others goals and motivations, they might even be able to make accommodation a bit to fit your situation.

Hope these words of wisdom help.

Maverick

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Hi Onyx,

Coils can compress approximately 1" to 2" depending on the layers that are placed over them, the weight, BMI and position of the sleeper. Coils are superior than a solid Dunlop latex mattress in reducing pressure points.

When we originally talked, you told us “I generally prefer plush to medium. I find firm causes pain and too much pressure for me.” For this reason, we suggested the Cumulus because it’s the only mattress we have that matches that criteria. All Dunlop latex mattresses will have some pushback to them because they are made of dense, pure rubber and that can causes pressure points to some sensitive sleepers.

The good news if you find the mattress too plush, is that you can firm up the mattress by simply exchanging a latex layer for a firm one. I suggest you get a firm Dunlop latex from us and experiment with the soft, medium and firm layers to find what works best for you and then you can return the layer you don’t need. By placing the firm layer over the core, that will keep you more on top of the mattress and then you can decide if you prefer to sleep on the medium or soft latex layer for your top layer.

Here are the instructions if you want to proceed with a layer exchange.

I hope this helps and don’t forget what Maverick said earlier in this thread that it can takes weeks or months to get use to a new mattress, so don’t give up…

All the best!

Mario

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Hi, Onyx: After a decade on memory foam and three VERY expensive ready-made mattresses, I too went to latex. I did a DIY build (components from LMF), however, so no experience with hybrid that includes coils. As for the latex itself, it is very different from memory foam. Think of memory foam as an angel food cake and latex as a pound cake. Less squish, more support and far more bounce. When layered correctly for your build and sleeping position, it “fills in the gaps”, eg. lower back. Your questions refer to latex in general, but the density makes all of the difference in the world and a mattress is typically layers of different types (Dunlop and Talalay) and densities. You do not mention either. I am about your weight and have firm Dunlop, then medium Dunlop, then soft Dunlop enclosed as a mattress. On top of that I have medium Talalay as a separate topper. I have back, hip and neck pain but with the aforementioned layers on an adjustable base I’m getting the best sleep I’ve had in many, many years. The neck pain, however, is almost totally dependent on the pillow you use. Your neck should be aligned with your spine, NOT with your head bent up like most pillows do. I have found microbeads and now millet hull pillows to cradle my neck and keep the arthritis fairly happy. Good luck in finding your perfect sleep solution.

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