Is the soft 20 -22ILD layer you bought dunlop or talalay? I assume it is 3". I am still trying to decide on a topper…I’m a little afraid of dunlop because I think it gave me a headache each time I tested it out in a store. It had a strong rubber smell to me. My mattress is natural talalay and the smell does not affect me, so I should stick with it for my comfort layer. I think I only want 1" though to put between my mattress and a wool fleece topper. Hard too find and very expensive… I’ve only seen 1" blended talalay from SLAB, and it’s over $400 with a cover. May have to splurge. I am thinking of 19-22 ILD also.
Does anyone know of another vender who sells 1" blended talalay?
I bought 100% natural dunlop from SleepEZ. You’re right, it’s a 3" topper. We chose dunlop because I had a reaction from the natural Talalay samples sent by Flobeds. When I called afterwards, they assured me that the samples were 100% natural. I’m not sure what component triggered my reaction, but I have heard that the Talalay process required the addition of more chemicals (ammonia?). And, to be fair, I cuddled up with the samples against my bare skin (and face). I really wanted to know before we made a purchase. It’s possible that I could have ordered Talalay and been fine with it inside of a cover. Just being cautious here
Re: your question about 1" blended Talalay toppers. I believe that some sellers will do these as a “custom” order. I’m pretty sure that SleepEZ will cut latex to 1". (And they’re having a special right now that includes the cover, if you need one.) Here are a few links that MIGHT offer you want you’re looking for:
Re: wool fleece topper. Someone gave me an older one and I LOVE it. I had no idea that I would find it so cozy. So now I’m considering one for our king size bed. (After we get all the other components of our “sleep system” in place). Can you recommend a brand or seller?
I just called Shawn at SleepEZ. He was unloading a semi-truck and couldn’t give me pricing, but he said that he WOULD sell you a 1" blended Talalay topper. He will be back in the office after 10AM (MST) and he said to have you give him a call if you’re interested: 888-707-7533.
Plus, I think that since we’re “friends”, he might even give you an additional 10% off. *I don’t know the return policy on custom orders. I think that they do allow returns on many of the toppers, but you might want to ask specifically if this is important to you.
I am so paralyzed from the thought of having to shrink, pack, and pay for shipping, another piece of latex, that I can’t pull the trigger on a topper! I think I also had a slight reaction to my talalay latex mattress, but I didn’t feel it after a week or so. When I tried out the natural dunlop at 2 stores, boy I had wicked headaches. Could have been the stress of the whole mattress ordeal, but to me, the dunlop had a very strong unpleasant rubber smell. Even my hands reeked after touching it. Does it dissipate after some time? Later I heard that dunlop does have a stronger smell. There are many more options for a dunlop topper, but I have fear that I will have a reaction.
Because of this and not having stores nearby to test toppers, I change my mind daily… so I’m not ready to purchase yet. I almost think that I can use some 3Lb polyfoam and it might be more comfortable than latex, although it will not be as durable.
It is thick and comfortable. It does have a rather thick, stiff polyester fabric at the bottom. It is washable because of the polyester. I washed it thinking that this fabric would soften a little, but it didn’t. The wool does mat down somewhat after it’s washed, but it is still very comfortable and can be fluffed with you hands. I couldn’t sleep on my too firm mattress without it. Because it is thick, I was thinking that I might only need an extra inch of 22ILD blended talalay under the fleece for pressure relief. Who knows… but I love sleeping directly on wool fleece. Get the best, thickest that you can afford. I bought new cotton jersey sheets (soft and stretchy) from The Company Store and love how they feel on top of my wool fleece.
I will call Sleepez about the 1" blended talalay. (Return policy is important to me.) Thanks for the heads up.
P.S. Some wool fleece smells like sheep, so read reviews. My Snugfleece does not.
Yes, it can be stressful trying to “fine tune” our sleep systems!
Our dunlop has a slight scent, but I can’t notice it when covered with a pad and a sheet. Another factor swaying my choice of a thick cover (encasement/ticking) with quilted wool. I left the Talalay samples in my car for awhile & it even bothered me to drive! Seems weird. Back when I first started exploring latex options, I contacted some of the exclusively organic retailers. I found out that many of them do not offer Talalay. Period. I guess it’s partly because there’s no organic certification for Talalay, right? But they also told me that there were more additives in it than dunlop.
Thank you for the recommendation of the SnugFleece. We already have a 1.5" wool topper from St Peter’s Woolen Mill~which is wonderful! And we’ll have about 3/4" of wool in our mattress encasement. My husband was wanting to sleep as close to the latex as possible…but I persuaded him that I needed the benefits of wool. B) I guess I’m not sure whether or not he’ll agree with me on the fleece! He seems to prefer a smooth surface. I guess opposites attract :cheer: .
But if we do end up buying a wool fleece, I will take your advice and go for thick! How often do you need to wash it? I bet it’s a personal preference issue? Since it’s always covered by a sheet, right?
I’m also looking for stretchy jersey sheets! Can you send me the link to yours? They have some on sale that are sold out in our size (Company Store). But I found another style, too. Only one review and here’s what it says:
“I’ve been a customer for 20+ years, and always love the products I buy here. This was the first problem I ever had. The manufacturer’s instructions on the sheets said to wash before using in warm water, on delicate, and put in dryer on low. When I did this, the pillowcases shrunk so badly that they don’t even cover the pillow anymore. The fitted sheet now fits only about 2 inches down from the top of my mattress, and so they spring off when sleeping. I called and am returning them today. I’d love to have jersey knit sheets, but if they’re from the same manufacturer, I’d have to decline.”
I’m also considering Lands End and Coyuchi. Both are quite a bit more $$$.
Thanks for your recommendations! And good luck finding the perfect topper!
Hi buttercupbetty - I bought a set of jersey sheets from The Company Store about a month ago. Washed before using, and they’re great - they have only 3 reviews. I got them in the Sesame color, and really like the color and the feel - they’re nice and
stretchy and would fit a mattress way larger than my 9" one.
Okay, maybe I will reconsider dunlop. I would like a soft dunlop which would mean a synthetic blend. I’ve heard that the synthetic blend dunlop may smell a little less than natural dunlop. The 15-18 ILD, 55K density dunlop- does anyone use this for a topper/comfort layer? It is mostly synthetic I believe. I can’t find a topper like this to try, 1 or 2"… can anyone describe the feel of it?
I bought the same Company Store sheets that Clawdia has. I think they are really nice…have them in queen size, the fitted sheets are fairly deep. They fit my mattress at 10" plus a 1 1/2" wool fleece and I think i can add a 2" topper and they will still fit. The standard cases are a little small but fit a regular, not overly stuffed pillow. Could go with queen size cases. I sure like the stretch.
I don’t think it’s a good idea to wash a wool fleece often…only when necessary. I air it out in the sun at times.
So sorry they’re sold out in your size - I love those sheets. They’re the first jersey sheets I’ve felt of that I really liked.
Coyuchi . . . haven’t tried their sheets, but bought one of their honeycomb organic cotton blankets from Sierra Trading Post. It’s the blanket that everyone is selling for $236 in a queen, but Sierra had them on closeout and I paid $76 for the blanket. It’s thick, heavy, warm - and didn’t shrink a single inch when I washed it (I know, because I measured before and after washing). It’s not terribly soft, but will soften with repeated washings, I’m sure, and since I’m using it as a layering piece, the softness doesn’t matter as much as the warmth factor. I’d say it’s the best blanket I’ve ever bought, and it left me with a very good impression of the stuff that Coyuchi makes.
Last I checked, they’re now out of the queen size but had some in the king left - and 30% or higher coupons for Sierra are easy to find.
Hope you like the blanket - I got the light green colour. Doesn’t ‘go’ quite as well with the green walls in my bedroom as I’d have liked, but then again it’s hidden beneath a down comforter, so it’s ok. I’ll be interested in knowing whether you like yours.
I didn’t try the sheets - I like sateen, and the one day they had them they were only in navy, and I took too long to make up my mind and they disappeared quickly.
The flannel sheets I’ve mentioned are coming from there also - very heavy material, even more so than I’d expected, and a good deal to be had on those, too.
[quote=“buttercupbetty” post=27742]Oh, my daughter might want some flannel sheets for Christmas, too!
Can you send me the link to yours?[/quote]
Sure - here’s the link to the queen size.
The blue plaid is really pretty - that’s what my daughter wanted - and she ordered the brown ones for me. One of the reviews pointed out that only the top sheet in the sets is plaid, the bottom sheet and pillow cases are a solid colour.
The set I ordered my daughter came last week - it’s a really thick, soft flannel. I was impressed.
