Below you will find a brief description of how DUNLOP and TALALAY latex is processed. (in layman’s terms):
After the milk of the Hevea Brasiliensis tree, which contains an antibacterial substance that is a natural dust-mite repellent, is harvested air, soda ash, zinc and natural soap are whipped into the milk and it is poured into a mold with hollow pins and baked. It then goes through a thorough washing to remove all proteins that could possibly cause an allergic reaction. This is the DUNLOP method.
Those who use the more straightforward vulcanization technique in the Dunlop method like the more elastic, springier feeling it creates and Dunlop has a solid history behind it: It turns out Sears sold an all natural Dunlop method latex mattress back in the 50’s called the “Harvest House” bed, and many are still in homes even to this day.
Although seemingly simple it is a very costly procedure, so use caution when purchasing from large manufacturers looking to cut costs substituting petrol chemical products for the real thing and charging less money.
However, there is a second type of Latex known as TALALAY. A word you’ll hear often. We do not want to infer that one process is any better than the other but Dunlop is definitely purer and more durable. Talalay, although a softer, more fragile latex, has added freezing steps, which will destabilize if synthetic chemicals are not added.
Manufacturers who use the Talalay method, describe their product as being less dense, having more air dispersed in the product due to the flash freeze step used in the process, and claim that it has a more uniform cell structure.
Then there is a third choice. 40% Natural Latex that has been blended with 60% synthetic latex. This is a cheaper mixture containing clays, glues, and other materials causing your mattress to become toxic, break down faster and become uncomfortable; giving truly natural latex a bad reputation.
Unfortunately these manufacturers are permitted to advertise 100% latex omitting the keyword natural. We cannot stress the importance enough to remain as chemical free as the world will allow you and check your sources.
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