Natural Latex Foam Mattresses: A Healthy Alternative to Memory Foam
Did you know that natural latex foam mattresses, made from the latex sap of the rubber tree, are a much safer alternative to the popular memory foam mattresses? Memory foam mattresses, like most commercially available mattresses, are made from petroleum based polyurethane foam, an extremely flammable material. Known as "solid gasoline" by firefighters, the polyurethane foam in most commercially available mattresses burns so furiously that strict new fire resistance standards have been written into law, starting with California in 2005 and going nationwide in 2006. These strict new fire resistance standards are being met by tripling the amount of fire retardant chemicals, called PDBEs, that are added to manufacture memory foam mattresses and mattress toppers.Most mattress purchasers are unaware of the fire danger posed by polyurethane mattresses. But the greater danger may be the higher concentrations of PDBEs used to help prevent combustion in memory foam mattresses. PDBEs build up in the body in ways similar to banned PCBs, and they have been linked to cancer and other illnesses.
PDBEs have already been banned in Europe, but not in North America. Some medical researchers believe that the extra load of PDBEs in newly made mattresses will cause millions of cancer cases in the coming decades. Because you lie directly on your mattress for 8 hours every night, your body has its greatest contact with the dangerous PDBEs while you sleep, and they pass right through your skin.The solution to the PDBE problem is to do what the Europeans already do, sleep on natural latex mattresses. Natural latex mattresses are made from the sap of the tropical rubber tree. Natural latex foam does not burn well, and most natural latex mattresses are also quilted with organic cotton and wool which makes them very fire resistant, complying with all current fire codes.
Latex foam comes a variety of densities for different firmness needs, and, unlike memory foam, it doesn't have to heat up to cradle the body--the effect is immediate. Most people find 100% natural latex foam mattresses to be incredibly comfortable, relieving pressure points and improving circulation. Another great characteristic of latex is its durability. Latex mattresses have been known to last up to 30 years. Because of their resilience, latex mattresses do not need to be turned like innerspring mattresses.Because latex mattresses do not have innersprings, they require a firmer foundation than the traditional boxsprings.
Latex mattresses can be used with a platform bed, a slat foundation which looks like traditional boxsprings, but has slats on the top, or a solid wood foundation, which also looks like boxsprings but has a plywood top usually covered by fabric.Chemical-free natural latex mattresses are produced by a number of North American manufacturers, the largest of which are Vivetique - Crown City Mattress, located in South El Monte, California, and Obasan, located in Ottawa, Canada. There are also a number of European importers of natural latex foam mattresses, the biggest of which is Green Sleep from Belgium.Retailers of natural latex mattresses include a variety of local mattress stores who carry products from these manufacturers. There are also nationwide web retailers, like Dax Stores, which usually have the best prices for these natural latex mattresses..
Mark Sweiger (msweiger@NOSPAMearthlink.net) is a freelance reporter on home and garden topics and ecological news. He strongly recommends that you protect your health and safety by sleeping on a latex mattress.Natural Enzymes Proving Effective in Battling Bed Bugs
(ContentDesk) April 13, 2006 -- Bedbugs little vampires of the insect world have invaded homes even five star hotels with a vengeance and at lightning speed.
These grisly little bugs only come out at night searching for a blood meal. Their residence is our beds and bedrooms.
These creepy crawling night stalkers feast and feed by sucking human blood.
They pierce the skin with their elongated beak -like a hypodermic needle.
Bed bugs inject their victims with their saliva, which contains a numbing agent, like Novocain.
They drink until they become engorged with a persons blood - crawling away satisfied until the next night.Kleen Free Naturally, a nontoxic enzyme remedy, provided by Natural Ginesis is successfully removing these uninvited intruders by the millions for its customers. The fast acting product can be safely sprayed on beds, mattresses, box springs and furniture. Because Kleen Free is nontoxic, no one is displaced from the home,...
Mattresses > Natural Enzymes Proving Effective in Battling Bed Bugs
Why Sleep on a Round Mattress?
A round mattress, like any other mattress, is just another way to get a good night sleep, isn't it?
Or is a round mattress more?
Is a round mattress in some way even better?
The ancient Greek Philosopher Plato, might have said, "Sleeping on a round mattress would be the ideal mattress."
Certainly Buckminster Fuller, the inventor of the Geodesic Sphere would have preferred a round mattress to the conventional square.
In fact, what better addition to a round house, than a round mattress?
A square mattress just wouldn't fit in a round house.
But why round?
What makes the circle so much more important to a philosopher, or a scientist?
In one word; space?
According to Plato, who was well versed in geometry, the sphere is the ideal structure of the universe.
While Buckminster Fuller enjoyed the sphere's philosophical nature, he preferred to see it practically.
Between the sphere and...
Mattresses > Why Sleep on a Round Mattress?
Tips for buying foam mattress.
Most of us have been using spring mattresses for years and we have been accustomed to it. When it comes to changing the mattress we start thinking of buying a latex or memory foam mattress and start asking queries as to which one is the best.
Latex is a white liquid collected from rubber particles in the rubber making process. The liquid is then made into foam and is used to make mattresses. Latex is a natural product and provides the best support while sleeping in any position.
Latex mattresses are anti allergic and dust resistible.
While you toss and turn at night, you will feel very comfortable and won't feel any pressure when you turn to your right and left. The very important feature of latex is, it keeps a person warm in winter and cool in summer.
Latex is manufactured by beating the liquid rubber and converting it into foam and putting the liquid into a mold. Then CO2 is passed on to the rods in the mold and heat is...
Mattresses > Tips for buying foam mattress.
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