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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