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