An open letter from Jeff Garfield, Bedrooms & More in Seattle about comments on the internet regarding problems with some latex mattresses
My name is Jeff Garfield and my wife, Wanda, and I own Bedrooms & More.
It is difficult to read about problems about any latex mattress when we believe in them so strongly. I know that people who love a product rarely write reviews. Someone who has problems or receives bad service is most likely to complain. We get more referrals to our store by latex mattress owners than any other product we have carried since 1972.
Englander has been in business for over 100 years. Like many national companies, Englander licenses use of it’s name to different manufacturing plants throughout the country. For the 22+ years we have dealt with “Englander,” our manufacturing plant has been Tualatin Sleep Products, Tualatin, Oregon. The national “Englander” organization has been very weak, with each franchised plant pretty much building whatever mattress styles they wanted with little national consistency. Our Tualatin Sleep Products builds more than 800 different mattress styles with many dozens of those being latex or part latex. These exact same mattresses are not available through any other plant. We know this from occasionally trying to buy models from different plants to avoid shipping them across country to our customers. How other plants deal with dealers or customers is not standardized throughout the country, however, this is due to change as the individual franchisees have just completed purchase of the Englander name with a goal of standardization.
We have carried, or currently carry, mattresses by Sealy, Stearns & Foster, Englander, Serta, Simmons, Kingsdown, Restonic, King Koil, Springcraft, Springwall, Natura, OMI, Temperpedic, Select Comfort, Boyd and Somma. I have yet to find a perfect product and there are pluses and minuses to all. Some of these brands we found to be unacceptable for various reasons and we took them off our floor. Englander, of all the brands mentioned, we have found to be the most recommended and the company (Tualatin Sleep Products) to be most responsive to warranty and comfort concerns. From articles on the internet, there may be other plants and/or dealers that do not respond as well. Are Englander products perfect? No, of course not. As I said, I have yet to find a perfect product. How do they compare? Our experience puts them right at the top of the list for satisfaction and responsiveness.
I think a lot of the problem with mattresses today is that customers want plusher, thicker mattresses without understanding that the addition of soft surface materials allows for some impressions. One sided, so called no-flip mattresses have contributed significantly to the problem with impressions. When mattresses were all two sided, and hard, thin mattresses were the norm and very few impressions would form. Usually the only material on top of the spring system would be a firm pad, very like a thick carpet pad. This pad would have very little compression plus the warranty would call for regular turning and rotation of the mattress. The mattresses would retain their smooth tops but would offer little in the way of comfort. Firm mattresses now account for fewer than 25% of sales on the West Coast. The plush mattresses lessen pressure points and help reduce tossing and turning. Manufacturers have come up with many types of soft foams and fiber combinations to provide this soft surface. Almost all of these materials have some degree of compression.
A foam manufacturer I spent some time with said that their goal was that, after break in, the soft foams should retain 80% of their thickness and that that thickness could be expected at the 10 year point. This points out that the less soft foam or fiber there is, the less the impression. If a mattress has four inches of soft foams above the spring unit or other core, the compression would be about 8/10′s of an inch. If there are six inches of padding, an impression of 1 1/4″ can form. I have not found a brand of mattress that in a very plush version cannot get some impressions if not turned and rotated to insure an even break in. I suspect that many people are unwilling to do even minimal maintenance to ensure a long lasting product and then are surprised that there is pocketing right where they sleep.
So, does latex stand up to impressions? First, Englander uses 100% rubber latex cores, not synthetic latex (sometimes called pure latex). It has been our experience in 23 years of carrying latex, that latex does not take an impression over long periods of time (most customers say 15 to 30 years). The latex itself, although it can be molded in different densities, is still pretty firm (hard) and so sometimes other materials are used on the top to provide plushness. The less soft material on the surfaces, the less chance of any impressions. Latex only mattresses should have no impressions as there are no softness layers on top.
Here at Bedrooms & More. First, we have about 30 latex models on our showroom floor. About half of those come from our local Englander plant. We have these made especially for us and are made two sided; both sides have identical comfort layers. We recommend, in person and in writing, a turning and rotating schedule to get the most life and comfort from the mattress. We oftentimes recommend one of the natural models that uses only latex and suggest a topper that can be replaced or turned as necessary for the longest life. A comfort topper can be a great choice as our bodies change over time. What we like today may not be right for us 5, 10 or 15 years from now. Changing to a different topper during the long life of a latex mattress can keep you comfortable for years without the major expense of a new mattress.
What of other brands? The big “S” mattress companies (Sealy, Simmons, Spring Air, Serta) have sold out to financial groups – they are no longer owned by “mattress people”. These companies have gone to single sided, can’t flip mattresses as there is a savings of almost 30% in the manufacturing process. This 30% is not being passed on to you, the consumer, or the retailer. Unfortunately, these large manufacturers do not necessarily have your best interests at heart. These one sided mattresses sold by many major companies have very short life spans and getting warranty service can be iffy. It is now recommended that these “can’t flip” mattresses be replaced in 5 to 7 years. We see many of these people when they are replacing mattresses after only a few years and unsatisfactory warranty service. Often, latex is the best answer for these people.
If you don’t want to worry about impressions, get a latex only mattress and add a topper. Even if the mattress is not only latex, you can expect a longer life (of the mattress) if a reasonable turning and rotating schedule is maintained.
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thanks.
I am in the market for a latex mattress.
You article is very helpful.
What is your take on the Sters & Foster latex mattress,
thanks,
phyllis yuen
Hi Phyllis,
The Stearns and Foster Mattresses are all one sided. We do not carry any one sided mattress because they do not last that long. With that being said latex is an extremely durable product and really does not have to be flipped. However, Stearns and Foster puts a lot of cushioning in the form of Poly Foam and or Memory Foam on top of there latex. Which will break down. We had been a Strearns and Foster mattress dealer as recently as last year and some of them have had body impressions. The problem with most manufacturers of latex mattresses is that they topfoams other than latex which will break down. You may not want to buy a latex mattress unless it is flippable or has a removable cover that alows you to flip and rotate it.
I was looking into getting a latex mattress… I’ve been having a few sleepless nights on an old “foam” mattress I got a few years ago – I believe it to be the cause of some of my recent back problems. I’ve tried a couple of “Englander” models I found on craigslist however they seemed way too soft – what model latex bed do you recommend that is not too firm or too soft ? – I believe the ones I tried were 8 to 10 inches thick – I think I’m looking for something more in the 6 inch range for comfort. Also, do you offer a trial of some kind in case the bed isn’t a match for back? Thanks!
Hi Eric,
The latex models that we sell most do not have any of the poly foams or other sorts of padding that is used in almost all of the other Englnder Latex Models out there. Im pretty sure these are the models you are talking about. Being Englanders largest dealers in the United States gives us the privilege of having the ability to custom build the models we carry. With that said we have 2 models that are our best selling beds that have an almost non existent cushioning on top of 7 3/4″ of latex that is available in a Medium (the one you may like) or and Extra Firm feel. We do also carry two 6″ models with no cushioning in a Medium and Extra Firm feel also.
We do offer a 60 Day Comfort Exchange on all mattresses.
What size are you looking for? Please email me shawn@bedroomsandmore.com and Id be happy to send you the pricing on these.
Thanks for “the real review.” It is honestly the most straightforward article I have read about the problem with mattresses. I have been reading and searching for a good, reliable mattress for about 5 months now, and up to this point I have refused to purchase one because I don’t have money to throw away at a mattress that I’ll be replacing in a matter of months. So again, thank you – I’ll be emailing you for more info!
Thanks Keith. I’m glad the information was helpful. Please feel free to contact us with any questions.
I’m in California and have been looking at Englander, which is made here in their Stockton, CA location. It’s hard to get good information on their product, since most salesman don’t truly know what they’re talking about. I’m a little concerned now over the different plants and quality controls at each…but thought your above article was very sincere- thank you.
I recently found an English made 4 poster bed, the dealer said Englander is the only one that has a mattress for that size bed. We want the new latez pillow top My husband is a disable vet and he needs a great mattress. The dealer told us you make the best. Where do we find this mattress and how much is it? We are in Oregon.
thank you
Thank you for this web site, and some straighforward answers about mattresses (hard to find!).
I’m hoping you can answer my questions. I’m having a hard time believing the answers I’m getting from my retailer (we’re on the other side of the country from you).
My wife and I went to a furniture store to buy a qulaity mattress. We bought an Englander Splendor King set. Part of the advertising for this mattress was “Odorless.” My major problem is that it smells of stale cigarette smoke. We’ve had it now for 3 weeks, and the smell is the same as the first night. We don’t need to move on the mattress to get the smell, we can be off the mattress and bend down to get our faces close to it and the smell is obvious. I’m having trouble sleeping on it.
The store tells me this is normal and that the mattress is “off-gassing”, and that the odor is also trapped by the mattress cover and sheets. From what I can read, off-gassing was a problem with some memory foam mattresses, but should not be for natural latex. Also off-gassing, when it is a problem, normally stops after a week or so. Also, would those gasses smell like stale cigarette smoke?
When we bought it no one advised us that this was an issue, or suggested we should do anything different than immediately put it to use.
Can you help clarify this for me?
Thank you.
Hi Bill,
Im not sure what the smell is coming from but it sounds to me that it is a latex mattress but not 100% . A mattress can be 12″ Thick and have only 4″ of latex in the center and be called a Latex mattress. I know its a shame. I would request the company who sold it to you to show you the specs.
Hi Marcy,
We have lots of different mattress in our store. It may be best if you were to give us a call so that we can ask a few questions and qualify what mattress would be best for you. My name is Shawn and I can be reached at 206-633-4494.
I purchased a Spring Air King size mattress less than two years ago and within 18 mos. it had such deep body impressions that both my husband and I are now miserable. The Leeds store where we purchased the mattress acknowledged that this mattress has “problems” and has been returned by countless customers. Its easy to see from online reviews that Im not the only one having problems with this mattress. The store was willing only to sell me another mattress at cost. Ive now read countless articles and reviews on mattresses and believe that, as you state, a latex mattress with a topper that can be replaced as needed is the way to go. Both my husband and I prefer a firm mattress and wonder which one you specifically recommend? I used to live in Seattle and wish that I still did so I could visit your store and thank you for this article! It is by far the most comprehensive article I have read.
Hi, i’m loving this post. Thanks for your review
Latex Mattress Toppers
Wow! My husband and I are just about to go mattress shopping. I literally stumbled on this web-site looking for Englander dealers in the Portland, Or area. I wish we could go to Seattle and buy ours from this store! I am printing out all of this information and comments so my husband can read it in depth. We have a mattress that he turns and rotates religiously, and is probably 20 years old! It’s simply wearing out. Thank you for this useful information!
MY problem with my Englander latex is it is WAY to hard, still- about 4 years of owning it.
I TRIED very hard to have the retailer take it back by the 90 day trial, but they were SO insistant that “it will soften up!!” They fooled me! I cry sometimes, to this day, I should not have been so soft and given in to them. I paid 1200 for this mattress- no chump change to me! I can’t afford to buy another mattress, but this one is still way way too hard.
Hi Debra,
Latex can be firm but gives good support. Use of a topper of wool or other materials can cushion the mattress and still give the benefit of the firm, latex core. Many of our customers choose to purchase a firm core latex and then select from a dozen different toppers or combination of toppers to get the comfort they want.
Hello,
We are curious if you have a Showroom in the Portland, Or. area? We live close to the Tualatin Sleep Products Store that you have found to be the most recommended and the company to be most responsive to warranty and comfort concerns. I have been researching organic latex mattress for weeks now and have learned latex is quite heavy, true? Our friends are happiest with their Englander premium latex with lumbar support (10″ deep pocket, non-flip) they have had since 1999 and they think they purchased it in Tualatin?
If we must take a trip up north to your store, we will, but was hoping we could try before buy locally?
Thank you, Noveta
Hi Noveta,
We only have one store its in Seattle. We however build all of our Englander Latex mattresses a little different than the others out there. All of ours are Two sided and Flippable and consist of mainly latex. Not that a latex mattess has to be turned or flipped but the one sided mattresses out there are built generally with some polyfoam in them which can break down and over a short time. The Beauty of latex is it wont break down and get body impressions like all other foams out there. We are well worth the trip up here and can arrange for pick up at te Tualitan plant. Let us know if we can answer any other questions you may have. Thanks.
We have a new Englander Cashmere. Our first one smelled so horrible and was so “mushy” that we returned it and got a second. The second was almost as bad with outgassing. We finally settled for the floor model, and it has minor outgassing, but I don’t think it should have any. It’s also very difficult to keep it “flat”…the hole gets deeper even though we try to sleep on the middle and keep moving about to help prevent this. I’m really disappointed. We didn’t get ours at Tualatin. I wish I’d just gotten some normal mattress. This one has been a nightmare.
Hi Marti,
Sorry you’re having an issue with your mattress. It sounds to us like the mattress you have is one sided and has lots of poly and or un natural foams, thus the offgassing. Our store only sells two-sided, flipable mattresses from Englander. If your bed is a King size you can turn the bed 90 degrees and lay across the higher portion of the mattress and break-in the center part of the mattress. If you are still having issues you might contact your local Englander plant for assistance. You may be able to turn the mattress over and purchase a mattress topper, to use on top of the bottom of the mattress.
Dear Jeff, I have been reading the internet for days and your column is the best I have read. Can you help me? I have an elderly Mom, 86, 4′ 10″, weighs 95 lbs. and it s side sleeper. Her old mattress is wearing out and the side edges do not give any support. She fell out of bed twice last week because she was too close to the edge. I need a mattress with a strong edge guard, not too high off the floor, no body impressions and a two sided mattress. She also wants an Englander. She wants a separate pillow top. I am at my wits end. No-one even mentions edge guards, etc. Since she is older she does not want to adjust to a foam mattress. Is there any mattress made that can fill her needs?
Thank you so much.
Carole
Hi Carole,
If your mom does not want to try a latex foam rubber mattress I may recommend the one of the Englander Tension Ease Mattresses that we carry. They are specially built for us two sided and flippable, offer a really strong edge support and have an individually pocketed coil that is easier on the body than any other coil out there since they conform to the body separately and are not connected to each other.
If she want to have the softer top separate from the mattress you could combine this Englander Mattress with our 45th Street Wool Topper that would create the softness.
How does this sound? Let us know were happy to help.
Thanks so much for your reply!! As my Mom is always too warm, is there another topper that is cooler?
Also, we live in Maine. I gathered from your site that not all Englander’s are built the same as yours. Is there some way I could ship a mattress, or possibly find out if the ones built in the northeast (Portland, ME?) are as good as yours.
Thanks again,
Carole
Hi Carole,
Im not sure if they make Englander two sided mattresses in your area. Yoiu could check your nearest Englander Manufacturer
We ship mattresses all the time. If you’d like send me an email to info@bedroomsandmore.com with the following information and I can get you a quote.
Mattress Size
Mattress Only or with Box
Destination Zip code
For the Topper – Wool is a great temperature regulator so I wouldn’t worry too much. Wool will cool you when your warm and warm you when your cold. However if If wool was too warm a White Loft Silk Topper that we recently started carrying may be a good choice.
Thanks
I had my Englander mattress made extra extra firm 10-12 years ago. It’s called “Spinal Support”. I’ll be ready to buy another this winter. Is this model still made? Is there a place on line I can look at all the models and get the pros and cons on them? Where can I order/purchase it?
I bought an extra extra firm matress called “Spinal Support” 10-12 years ago. Is this model still being made and where can I get the specks on it? Where can I go to purchase it?
10 or 12 years ago I bought an extra, extra firm englander matress called “Spinal Support”. Do they still manufacture this model? Where can I get the specs on it? Where can I order/purchase this mattress.
Marian
Obviously, I’m in the market for a new bed. Found this string while searching the web for two-sided mattress options (this one-sided crud is infuriating). We live near an Englander-Tualatin plant in Stockton, CA. Are they associated with your Tualatin plant & would their products be comparable? Respectful of your ability to ship, we really want to test the product before committing to it to ensure a given combo of coils and toppers, etc will meet our needs. Thanks for the help !!!
Hi Johnelle,
We are the only company that we know of that is having all of our Englander Mattresses made double sided. Our plant is in Tualitan Oregan. These 2 plants are not associated however. With that said. Englander does have a lineup called the “Tension Ease” which carries and individually pocketed coil that should be available from most Englander Dealers. If you have tried one of those out please let me know which model you tried and we could try to line up the specs with ours.