Are Mattress Industry Problems Creating a Race to the Bottom?

I’ve seen many cycles during my 45 years in the furniture and mattress business.

Mattress industry problems are part of a cycle starts with a good product. Something is well made and well received. Soon other manufacturers and retailers notice the product. Then the inevitable cheapening of the product begins. Corners get cut, quality is lost to price and inevitably, the original company that manufactured the quality product stops producing it. The cheap and poorly made copies reduce the demand because of their inferior quality and the product becomes nothing but a commodity, a footnote in the history of that furnishing category. Some examples of this cycle that come to mind are metal bunk beds, black lacquer furniture, and metal and brass beds. There are many other mattress industry problems.

I can now foresee this occurring with a product that is near and dear to my heart – latex mattresses.

First, let me say that after 45+ years in the mattress business. I believe that there is no better mattress material for comfort and longevity than pure, botanical latex. A mattress of 100% botanical latex (no synthetic latex) should last 10 to 25 years with little loss of comfort or support. Such mattresses show little or no depression over that time. Latex Mattresses have been our specialty for the past 30+ years with over 25 different models on our floor, most built to our own specifications. Two-sided and flippable is our rule. So, what are the mattress industry problems?

Lately, latex has become the hot item and the cheapening in price and quality is happening.

Many stores have “discovered” latex. Many manufacturers are using synthetic latex (SBR – Styrene Butadiene Rubber, made from petroleum and solvents) because it is cheaper. They are calling their product “Natural” to get an edge. Some are laminating an inch or two of SBR latex to a block of polyurethane foam and calling it a latex mattress. Often they are only upholstered on one side, eliminating the ability to flip the mattress to get maximum life and comfort. The unwary or uninformed consumer is the victim of these retailers, often paying a high price in both money and the sting of poor quality. Many of these manufacturers and retailers represent their products as natural or pure latex.

Catching them lying is unlikely, because latex is inside a sewn cover.

Unfortunately, even researching on the internet is difficult because there is a lot of deception. One manufacturer of synthetic latex represents their latex as being all natural. They’ve flooded the internet with smoke and mirrors. Their “signature product is 80% synthetic SBR and 20% botanical. The product is “tested” to be longer lasting than botanical latex but the test is done at 158 degrees, the lowest temperature where it can test as more durable. Also, petroleum and solvent based synthetic latex, unlike botanical latex, off gasses noticeably for many weeks and even months after opening the mattress.

All of this cheapening of the product I call a race to the bottom.

My concern is that negative reviews will sully the much deserved, outstanding reputation of botanical latex. Some of broken down mattresses represented as latex have little or no real rubber. Pressure to compromise, to appease consumers who shop price alone is ever-present.  Those customers don’t understanding what they are getting. We won’t do it.

“Can’t Flip” “No Flip” mattresses represent the same mattress industry problems. However, we have found taking the high road is best.  Sticking with durable products is in the best interest of our customers, our store, and our planet.

I do hold out hope. The cycle for latex can be different. Maybe consumer will be better informed. I don’t hold out much hope that the manufacturers and retailers will get a conscience.