What is a Dunlop latex mattress?
A Dunlop Latex mattress is made using the Dunlop process of production. These mattresses will generally include layers of latex constructed using this method. They often have a cotton cover encasement that gives the mattress a comfortable and natural finish. To meet legal guidelines for mattress manufacturing, companies incorporate a wool fire barrier. Natural wool is the alternative to chemical fire protection. This approach makes a Dunlop latex mattress a long-lasting natural product that is comfortable for good sleep.
Dunlop Latex Mattress Firmness
With a Dunlop latex mattress, the firmness level can come in firm, medium, soft, or adjustable. These are general terms, however they are measured and rated using ILD or IFD. So, for example, a soft latex mattress might fall somewhere around 20 ILD whereas a firmer mattress could be as much as 36 ILD. The mattresses usually indicate a range of ILD versus a specific number. So, a soft might be 19-21 in this case. Adjustable Dunlop latex mattresses will have some sort of method for changing the firmness from soft to medium, medium to firm or soft to firm. This generally materializes as a multi-layer system in which layers can be removed and arranged to produce the desired outcome in firmness. The firmness, or comfort level, should be chosen based on what you personally like. Whichever you choose, Dunlop latex is a favorable alternative to polyurethane mattresses due to its pressure relieving qualities. A 2016 study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine compared pressure profiles when laying on latex versus polyurethane. It concluded that not only does sleeping on latex result in more low-pressure areas, it specifically reduces pressure in the torso and buttocks areas.
Making a Dunlop Latex Mattress
There are a couple ways that Dunlop latex mattress are made; the traditional way and the continuous pour method. Get the specifics below. Dunlop latex production is simple and energy efficient. Either process that is used starts the same way with tree tapping and sap collection.
Tapping Trees: To begin manufacturing a latex mattress, it starts with farmers on plantations, generally in Southeast Asia. We visited a rubber estate in Malaysia and saw firsthand the tall rubber trees in action. Farmers first use a Jabong knife or a V-groove tool to tap the trees. This gets the flow of sap dripping down the trees into collection pans near the ground. Collection pans can be recycled jugs, bowls or cans.
Milk Collection: The latex milk is then gathered from all the trees and poured together. It is dumped through a strainer to filter out impurities such as dirt and tree bark. Water is added to dilute the milk.
Foaming and Pouring: Manufacturing a mattress using the Dunlop production technique is a large-scale production. As so, factory machines are used to add and mix air into the liquid latex before pouring into a mold.
Traditional Dunlop Vs Continuous Pour Latex Mattress Production
Vulcanization Process: Sometimes this is referred to as coagulation. It is the process of hardening the milky substance into latex rubber. This is where the two approaches begin to differ. In the original method, the liquid latex is poured into a mold that is cured using heat to vulcanize. In a Continuous Pour situation, the liquid flows into a mold on a conveyer belt and then it is baked.
Washing Procedure: After the sap is hardened into rubber it must be washed. The Dunlop method requires the sheet of latex to be removed from the mold first, while the continuous movement on the belt is all that is required in the continuous method.
Drying Process: In both styles of production, the sheet is then put through a large roller machine to squeeze roll before air drying.
Measure and Cut: When you purchase a latex mattress there are certain aspects that as a consumer, you consider. The size, weight and firmness are all important to customers. The measuring and cutting station is where this is determined. It is also where any visual defects are discovered and rectified.
Verification Activities: No matter how the mattress is constructed, it must be verified to meet regulatory standards. This is called verification. It is first verified by the manufacturer, then sent out of house for lab verification. This ensures the ILD rating listed is correct and that weight and dimensions are confirmed to be accurate.
Storage Facility: Typically, a latex mattress will still need to sit for a while before it is shipped. Storing the mattresses in a warehouse for at least a day or two guarantees the latex is fully cured.
Questions & Answers
Is Dunlop Latex natural?
Dunlop latex is natural latex, and it can be organic latex also. It is a more natural way of producing latex than Talalay. With Talalay, molds are chemically frozen and expanded whereas Dunlop skips this step.
Does Dunlop latex smell?
Any natural product will have a slight scent at first. Dunlop latex has a very faint rubber smell that generally goes away in a week or so. Most people don’t even ever notice it.
Is a Dunlop Mattress a Good Choice for You?
A Dunlop latex mattress is a good choice for several reasons. It is made using eco-friendly practices. It is natural, with very few chemicals used in processing. Dunlop latex mattresses are responsive. When you get out of bed, a Dunlop latex mattress will instantly return to its original shape. They are springy and denser than other types of latex. Additionally, Dunlop latex mattresses offer good motion isolation. They also naturally offer edge support superior to many foam mattresses.
