What to Expect with Natural Latex

Sometimes we don't realize how profoundly synthetic substances have affected our lives until we touch something natural. After living with so many products made of materials that are far removed from nature, made with chemical formulas or processes that ensure each one is exactly like the next, it can feel almost bewildering to touch something organic, simple, and uncomplicated. 

But it also can speak to us at a deeper level. Maybe to the child in us that grabbed a handful of grass or touched an animal, before we learned avoiding dirt was the first priority. 

Is natural latex "dirty"? Not at all. Our latex is washed multiple times, and is very clean. It's also free of toxic chemicals. But because it's natural, it's going to have some unique characteristics. Each piece will not look exactly like the next, and you might also see: 

• Some variations in color. It's not pure white like homogenized milk.
• Very slight variations in the feel, in one part or another.
• Occasional dents, or small shallow tears in the surface.
• Small black bits of charred rubber from where the baking pins got too hot.
• Sometimes, a tea-colored spot or two; residue from the baking process.

Every latex company has its standards for what they will ship to us. We have even stricter standards for what we will ship to our customers. Nonetheless, there will be minor imperfections in natural latex. Some people may feel anxious about this. The best reassurance we can offer is a gentle reminder: natural things have variations--and variations aren't defects. After all, nature doesn't produce plastic or vinyl or polyester, even though these can look "perfect". We hope that in reading through this site, you will come to understand our confidence in natural latex. 

In natural Dunlop latex, variations usually have to do with consistency and minor color changes in the material. In natural Talalay, imperfections more often are small tears or "voids"-which are basically baked-in air bubbles. 

Here's how we ensure that every layer we sell meets Savvy Rest quality standards. We inspect every piece these ways:

• We measure it in both directions because the layers don't always come in perfect rectangles. We cut or trim any sheet that is off-sized.
• We hand-test the length of the sheet to be sure that there is consistency in feel from side to side and head to foot.
• We check for any major discolorations.
• We examine the entire surface to be sure that any tears or voids are so small that they will not affect the durability of the mattress.
• We smell it to be sure there is no strong or unusual odor. (Latex does have a light natural plant scent. It's made from plant juice! But with a quilted casing, mattress pad and sheet over it, it's undetectable to most people.)

We welcome your questions and our commitment to customer service means you can rely on our quality. If anything we sell does not measure up to the standards clarified here, we will make it right. Please review our 20-year Warranty for further detail.