Latex vs. regular foam

[sea island mama]

I need a new mattress & have been wanting to get a latex one, but they are soooo expensive . I was told by a guy at a foam store (who sold both & seemed very knowledgeable) that regular foam mattresses are inert once they are made & don't off-gas. I am having a hard time finding any information on this. It seems to me that the only difference between the two is that latex is natural & the other foam is a petroleum(?) product & so not as environmentally friendly. If this is the case, I might just have to go for the foam for now as it is 1/4 the price & I really need a king-sized bed soon!
Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[ilex]

Hi! I am in Vancouver, where are you looking? I recently bought a natural latex bed (there is latex and then there is natural latex) from Dream Designs, after mush research. It was expensive but well worth it. I love it. What I know of natural latex and foam is that in fact they are very different. Natural latex is anti-microbial, hypoallergenic, impenetrable to dust mites and the material releases your pressure points which does wonders for your back. These are very different materials. Foam doesn't have any of these qualities, it isn't natural, it off gases for years, they are not inert. If you have ever put your head on one of these things and really put your nose in there you can smell the chemicals. Maybe he gets a higher commission, who knows, but what he told you is wrong.
I went to sleep country when we were looking for a bed and asked them about their policies with fire-retardents since I know it is illegal to sell mattresses without it UNLESS it has a layer of wool included, since wool is a natural flame-retardent. Well, of course the very knowledgable saleslady said no, we don't use that stuff. Of course they did, and I called back later and talked to the manager and sure enough, they did. They will tell you anything.
We bought the Naturalatex mattress and it is topped with a wonderful layer of wool, and therefore has no chemical flame-retardent within the mattress. Another plus. Here is a link.
ttp://www.nontoxic.com/latexmattress/naturalatex.html

To me there is no comparison, if you have to work on a stiffer budget I would go for a natural cotton/wool combo futon before getting a foam mattress. Dream Designs has these as well. they have a website...I will try to find it if you are interested.
~Holly

[Astrid]

hi Holly
My ds needs a new bed, any info would be wonderful!
Thanks so much
S

[ilex]

Hi! I'm emailing you...

[Astrid]

Holly, are you still around??
I found the Dream Designs on line but they didn't give any info just a picture of their store (which looked very nice by the way) I was hoping to find out the prices on the latex and natural cotton/wool combo futon if you know it.
Thanks

[ilex]

Haha, according to the dates on this thread, it sounds like I left you hanging, and never spoke to you again...which I didn't do... I couldn't even find the Dream Designs website...Where did you find it? ummm, do you want a futon? We are going there tomorrow to pick out a futon for our new spare bedroom So I can check out some prices for you. I know they have organic cotton futons, and reg ones, as well as the wool/cotton, and the foam/cotton ones. We bought the natural latex mattress there, and it was a hefty price but so damn worth it. I think we paid about $1300.00 for a queenish size. w/o the boxspring. It fits queen sheets but I think it is technically a double. I'll get whatever info you need sweetie. Email me and I will email you too.