Latex rubber is an all natural material derived from the sap of the Rubber Tree, Hevea brasiliensis. The trees are a renewable and sustainable resource, found plentifully in places such as Sri Lanka and other parts of southeast Asia, where plantation management assures resourceful access to latex for generations to come. When shaped and molded into bed mattresses using various forming techniques, it yields a resilient and unique sleep surface which is naturally antimicrobial, resists mold and mildew, is antifungal, and is not tolerated by dust mites and other allergens. It does not settle or pack down over time, and sleeps cool in summer and warm in winter because of its inherent breathability and open cell structure. It is extremely durable, unlike many other petroleum based foams which tend to degrade and discolor over time, and has a lifespan of over 20 years with undue deterioration. Also, there is a distinction to be made between natural latex rubber, and the man made synthetic version, which is a petroleum based product. Some people claim that the synthetic version can produce "off-gassing" of petroleum based chemicals, but little is know about this. The synthetic version of latex is almost indistinguishable as far as feel, thought the synthetic material is not quite as soft as the natural.

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Latex has unique properties that make it different from other sleep surfaces. It tends to be more elastic, responds faster to body shifting than many "memory foam" materials, and will not bucket or indent like many pillow top mattresses, due to body impressions. Because it is not made from petroleum based materials, and is a naturally derived resource, there is no need for concern about off-gassing or leaching of chemicals from the mattress. A Latex bed assists in improving circulation by softening pressure points without the "caved-in" feel, and tends to provide a "hovering" kind of sensation rather than a settled in or nestled feeling. There are no metal coils to contend with, no leaking air bladders, and no remote controls.

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This is a commonly asked question, since many customers discover through their own research that the Talalay method of vulcanization can be used with synthetic, petroleum based liquid latex, as well as with 100% botanically derived natural liquid latex. The method of vulcanization is the same, but the materials are dramatically different. We use only 100% botanically derived natural latex in our Talalay process. This yields the buttery soft, plusher top 2" layer that we use on our Premium 8" natural latex mattress which will withstand many years of use. Typical problems associated with synthetic latex such as crumbling, darkening due to light exposure, rutting and formation of body impressions and dips do not occur with botanical latex. Make sure you ask lots of questions about the source of all latex materials used in the manufacture of your latex mattress, regardless of where you shop.

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It is a common misperception in the mattress industry that the more stuff you build into the mattress, and the thicker it is, the better it must be. We call it the "piling on" phenomenon. When we designed our line of mattresses, we engineered our beds with comfort and support in mind ... providing the optimal amount of natural latex without adding unmanageable weight and materials. It simply is not necessary to build a 12 inch thick latex mattress. Since the material is so resilient and elastic, even our 6" model is designed to accommodate larger framed persons, without the sensation that you've bottomed out because there is not enough support below. The end result is a reasonably priced natural latex mattress made with pure, botanical materials, that is easy to handle and will last the full lifespan for which it was intended.

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Many customers who research latex mattresses are very specific about their needs, and find manufacturers and stores that allow you to custom build your own latex mattress by selecting different densities of latex to give you a personalized feel to your bed.

Before we designed our two models, our 6" firmer natural latex mattress, and our premium 8" plusher natural latex model, we experimented with this option, but soon discovered many problems and unique observations with the idea of "individually customized" latex mattresses. One, latex mattresses that have layers that are not laminated together have shifting problems over time, with various layers bunching and migrating during use. That is why we use a proprietary non toxic latex based adhesive to laminate our 2 layers together in our premium 8" model, designed to fall right at the top center of the bell curve in comfort and appeal for most people who want good underlying support, but with a plusher finished feel.

Remember, the difference between natural latex and other materials, is that you just don't need multiple layers of zoned latex, different densities, etc...our research indicated that designing more complicated ( and therefore more expensive) mattresses with too many options and variations, did not necessarily add any benefit whatsoever ... the simpler the mattress, the less likelihood for failure.

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Among many of the characteristics of Latex is its ability to effectively dissipate heat. This is due to its open cell structure and the fact that it is less dense than memory foam and other bedding materials, which some people find warmer than other sleep surfaces. In fact, many folks end up researching Latex beds for the sole purpose of finding a bed which does not "sleep hot". Using moisture repelling materials such as Cool-Max fiber in the bed covering is also a big factor, though. If you are using very high thread count sheets, with counts of 500 or higher, this author says "get rid of them". They provide minimal ventilation, typically are very heavy, are hard to care for in general (they stay wrinkled even after vigorous tumble drying) , and provide no more benefit to a hot sleeper than a nice set of 300 thread count cotton sheets.

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All manufactured latex is formed using either a pouring or injection molding process. Within the mold, hundreds of small steel pins point upward, and the latex is poured around these pins. The end result is a mattress with hundreds of small holes which penetrate through the entire surface. These holes provide added flexibility to the material, provide ventilation, and prevent the mattress from tearing if rolled or folded. They also affect the feel of the mattress, helping to make the material more pliable and softer.

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Certainly there are many resources for purchasing a latex bed, and in many forms. There are companies who take a "green" approach and offer organic latex (never been in contact with chemicals, including bleaching agents, soaps, pesticides, VOC's, etc.), and other companies who combine the latex with bells and whistles such as memory foam, air bladder combinations, wool topper pads, many of these options being commensurate with higher prices, too. If you are purchasing a latex bed for the first time, simpler is better. To save money, one option is to purchase a latex bed which has at least a 6" slab of latex on top, and a supportive base layer of high density foam, so that the entire bed has a substantial height similar to other recognizable mattress styles. Most bed frames are designed to accommodate mattresses at least 8-10" tall to fit aesthetically against the headboard and footboard. Other options include enjoying a piece of the Talalay blend as a topper piece above a layer of firmer latex to provide a softer finished feel, while offering good support underneath, so you don't feel like you're being swallowed up in a giant hot dog bun.

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It is probably fair to say that since there are so many unique materials available to embellish the top of a bed these days, that it is wise to consider some that offer functional benefit to what you are buying. Most latex bed manufacturers offer at least a basic cover which is usually a stretch knit material, or a terrycloth type fabric. It is a thinner material which does not add unnecessary "fluffiness" to the bed, but rather allows you to be closer to the latex material underneath. Folks who like a firmer, more resilient feel, will appreciate this material for its simple, functional nature, and you may feel less of that "caving in" sensation by not having layer upon layer of various materials between you and the good stuff. When you start upgrading to more sophisticated models, such as a pillow top covering quilted with such materials as wool or cotton, or other filler material, although it may add a degree of "sumptuousness" to the bed, you may be spending money on unnecessary embellishments that keep you too far from the latex to provide you the great benefits that were after to begin with. Bottom line, avoid overkill. Latex beds vary greatly in price. A 12" thick piece of Natural latex in a mattress is probably not going to provide any more benefit than a 6" piece. But you will certainly pay for it. Get the best materials for your need. But keep it simple in design.

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Latex is highly elastic, even in cooler climes. Since memory foam material is temperature reactive because of its higher density, it aggressively responds to lower temperatures by becoming much stiffer, the colder it gets. Of course, it reacts equally as fast to a warm body, but in very cold environments, this may take some time. Expect latex bedding to be more reactive and responsive, even during colder times of year, or if you prefer to keep your ambient room temperature a little lower.

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We provide free UPS Ground Shipping for all of our Natural Latex products. There are no hidden freight or shipping charges. Our latex beds are packaged in an innovative vacuum packaging method. When your order is processed for shipping, the mattress is gently rolled (the rolling process will not harm the product in any way, and this method has been field tested and used for many years for a variety of bedding products by our factory), and double bagged using heavy plastic. A vacuum system is used to remove air to temporarily reduce the thickness of the bed during the shipping process. It is then sleeved into a heavy duty corrugated box, and shipped. When you receive the bed, you may need a second person to bring the box inside your home, as the delivery is handled in the typical "to the front door" manner that UPS would deliver any other package. The UPS driver will not help you setup or install your new Latex bed. It is very easy to do, and there is absolutely no assembly required. Bring the package to your bedroom, and CAREFULLY remove the outer box by peeling it off by hand. Do not use knives, boxcutters, or any sharp objects. Tear open the plastic bag and remove by unsleeving it from the mattress. The bed will immediately start to return to its original shape. This process takes about an hour before it is complete. Place the mattress onto your existing boxspring, foundation, or platform. Have another person get on the opposite side of the bed. Grab the mattress and "plop it" up and down several times to help shift the covering into the desired position if it needs straightening up a bit. The mattress is ready for use immediately.

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A high capacity vacuum system is used to remove air first from the mattress as it is laid flat in its shipping bag. This does not harm the latex components or the fabric covering in any way. It is then sleeved into a heavy duty corrugated box, and shipped. Bring the package to your bedroom, and CAREFULLY remove the outer box by peeling it off by hand. Do not use knives, boxcutters, or any sharp objects. Tear open the plastic bag and remove by unsleeving it from the mattress. The bed will immediately start to return to its original shape. In tests we conducted ourselves, the mattress returned to its original shape and size within 3-5 minutes, and may take up to 1 hour to fully "reinflate". Place the mattress onto your existing boxspring, foundation, or platform. Have another person get on the opposite side of the bed. Grab the mattress and "plop it" up and down several times to help shift the covering into the desired position if it needs straightening up a bit. The mattress is ready for use immediately.

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If for any reason, our Latex beds are not what you expected them to be, you may return it within 180 days of the date of purchase for a full refund. Because we package our latex mattresses using a unique and proprietary vacuum packaging system, you will not be able to repackage your mattress back into the original container. You would only be required to fold your mattress in half, (like a hot dog bun), wrap in sheet or drop cloth plastic (available at Home Depot or Lowes, in the paint department) and tape up. We use a nation wide removal service that will pick up your mattress. Simply call us at 1-1-800-231-1651 to arrange for removal and we will handle the details for you. Once your mattress is picked up, make sure to collect a receipt from the removal service and fax it to us at (985) 727-3099 or email your scanned receipt to habitatsales at aol.com . Credit less a $75 return ship charge, will be issued within a few days after we receive documentation. You may keep any freebies such as the Protect-A-Bed mattress protector, and natural latex pillows.

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We have been in the bedding business for 12 years, and we have sold many different kinds of beds from futon mattresses to memory foam, and have researched even more, including air beds, water beds, and hybrid beds with every imaginable kind of specialized foam and advanced fiber in the industry, and one thing has clearly stuck out to us. Most consumers start out enthusiastically searching for a bed for one basic reason...they want something comfortable that is reasonably priced. The bedding industry is so highly competitive these days, however, that most manufacturers are forced to add endless features (we call them "bells and whistles") to new models to outdo the next guy's lineup. The end result are products that are just simply overbuilt, in our opinion. A good example of this is the Tempur-Pedic Grand Bed, a $7,000 high end bed with a silk and satin top, 7 layers of different kinds of specialized foam, and high-tech "air channels" to provide ventilation. One customer of ours (we were one of the largest Tempur-Pedic dealers in the country) told us that she "needed a stepladder to get into her bed".

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Moreover, how much of the "good stuff" (in our case, natural Latex material) is required to make a comfortable bed? The answer is not an easy one. Our first task was to determine what people wanted from a Latex Bed. We knew lots of people were looking for them, and lots of people were aware of the unique properties they have. Over the last couple of years, we reviewed dozens of retailers product lines, looked at many different beds with many combinations of latex with different densities and thicknesses at shows, and talked to industry reps about their opinions. We test drove a variety of Natural Latex mattress configurations,and finally distilled everything down to what we thought would be a simplistic lineup that offered generous comfort at a reasonable price, with the benefits of Latex being the primary consideration, and all without padding, or "piling on", the product with unnecessary layers of ingredients that separate you from the wonderful qualities of natural latex.. We offer 2 very simplistically designed models, and that's it. The price you pay includes shipping and a really nice Latex pillow. We think they provide a good range of comfort choices and maximize the benefits of Latex, with some functional features built in.

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We offer a 20 year Pro-rated Factory Warranty with every bed we sell. This means that the warranty covers you for a full 20 years, with full replacement value for the first 3 years, and after that, the warranty is pro-rated, meaning the amount the warranty covers at the beginning of year 4 is 67% of the original purchase price, and this decreases by 4% every year until the end of the 20 year period. The warranty is comprehensive, and specifically covers any manufacturers defect, and also specifically addresses body impressions and rutting, something which does not happen with Natural Latex, but customers want to feel comfortable about having this addressed in a warranty. Liquid spillage or stains of any kind voids the warranty (we highly recommend using our waterproof mattress protector, which is a complimentary gift shipped with every bed we sell).

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We provide a 20 year Factory Warranty, but this author has seen Natural Latex beds which date from the 1970's, still pliable, flexible, a little worn from use, but amazingly intact. When treated with proper care and used in a typical household environment, it can be reasonably expected to last 20-30 years, especially if you use a protective water proof barrier on top of the mattress.

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Standard fitted sheets will work well with our 6" and our 8" All Natural Latex Mattress. There's no need to buy deep fitting sheets, as most sheets these days are cut to fit mattresses 8-15 inches in depth. Our advice is to wait until you get your bed, try the sheets you already have, and if they don't work, purchase sheets. Remember to avoid really high thread count sheets, such as 500 or 1000 thread count. They sleep hotter, are heavier, and require extra care such as ironing. Get a good 300 thread count sheet, and you will be very happy.

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We evaluated a material called NuForm, which is a homogenized blend of latex and memory foam, and were not impressed with its characteristics. It seemed to feel spongy and crusty, and did not seem to favor good qualities of either memory foam or Latex, so we decided not to include it in our line. Because people have the option to choose from a vast selection of memory foam beds and a more limited selection of Latex beds, we believe them to be different in their characteristics, and we prefer to keep our line distinctively Latex oriented.

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Our beds are manufactured and assembled in a facility outside of Boston, Massachusetts. The Natural latex material we use is imported from Sri Lanka. Other components such as our outer coverings are made in the U.S., and our water based adhesives are derived locally as well. When you call and speak to us, our offices our based in New Orleans, Louisiana, where our Habitat Furnishings operations are based.

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The EZ Sleep Foundation system is 8" tall when finished. It is very simple to setup, requiring no tools. It uses a slat system to support the mattress, which provides effective passive ventilation underneath. Since it is assembled in the room where you are going to use the bed, you don't have to drag, turn, wedge, or mash a foundation piece up stairs, around corners, and down hallways to get it into your room.

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Send us an email at habitatsales at aol.com, requesting a copy of the warranty, and we will gladly email you a copy.

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Many couples are unable to sleep on the same mattress, since their individual needs are highly polarized...one may need a firmer, more resilient surface, and others require softer, less resilient surfaces to relieve pressure points more effectively. These customers consider our Air Bed System, though many couples who are seeking both pressure point reduction, weight distribution and good spine alignment, can choose between the 3 models of Natural Latex mattresses we offer and generally find one that will work for both.

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Our return rate on both our Natural Latex Mattress program and our Air Beds is very low, especially because of our 180 day trial period. Typically, it is about 7% all across the board for our toppers and Latex Mattresses.

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Unlike retail stores, which typically only allow in store credit if you return a mattress, Habitat provides a full refund on mattress purchases, with a return charge of only $75. This fee is the only out of pocket expense you will incur for trying one of our mattresses. Reimbursement is paid by rebate check, and once you return the mattress, it usually takes 10-12 business days to receive your check.

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You can watch our informative videos to get in depth information on how our natural latex mattresses improve both sleep patterns, and offer appropriate spine alignment and pressure point reduction...without sacrificing support. Natural Latex is elastic and giving, providing buoyant support that keeps you on top of the bed, rather than the feeling that your mattress is consuming you. This makes it easy to turn effortlessly, improving sleep hygiene.

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If you have a known severe allergic responsive, causing respiratory issues, we probably would advise against it..however, many folks with contact dermatitis, usually caused by latex proteins on latex gloves, etc, do fine. This is largely due to the fact that during the manufacturing process, the mattresses are rinsed and squeezed ("wrung out") 3 times with potable (drinkable) water to wash away all latex proteins. Also, using the free mattress protector we provide will eliminate transfer of latex proteins to the surface of the mattress.

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The pillows provided are always by default, the Standard 26" pillow, which are made in the shape of a conventional bed pillow, not wedge shaped, or a contour style pillow. Other sizes including Queen 30" and King 36" are available for sale here: Our Latex Pillows

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Definitely do not purchase deep pocket or deep cut sheets. Standard sheets designed to fit leaner, low profile mattresses can be found at mass merchandisers, and online under searches for "low profile sheets" or "euro cut sheets". Since the trend in the US is for mattresses that are not as thick as they have been for the last 20 years or so, lower profile sheets are easier to find. One site we recommend: Got Covers .

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