Memory foam vs Latex, what's the difference?

So, you’re in the market for a new pillow. It’s an important decision. Your pillow truly does define how well you sleep at night and whether or not you wake up with an aching neck or back. Unfortunately, although it is quite an important decision, it is not always an easy one. Especially now, Australians are starting to pay more attention to what’s inside their pillow and its environmental impact. They want something that will be supportive, relaxing, well-designed but also eco-friendly and free of toxins. But how do you choose!? There are a wide variety of pillow types out there to decide from, and some of them sound quite similar. We are here to explain the difference between certain types of pillows to help you choose the right pillow for you and your family.

Memory Foam

Memory foam is made from viscoelastic polyurethane. It was first used in the medical field for wheelchair seat cushions and post-surgery padding before making the commercial transition to bedding. Memory foam was designed to be an innovative material and continues to be a popular choice for many mattresses and pillows, although the fanfare has started to die down. While initially hard to the touch, memory foam softens from the natural heat of the body. A visible imprint is left behind for a few seconds. Memory foam adjusts around pressure and is slow to bounce back, which gives it that typical “cushioning” feel. The main selling point of memory foam in pillows is that they hold the contours of the head and neck, distributing weight evenly, relieving pressure, and helping with neck and back pain. However, these types of pillows can be quite stiff and get hot during the night. They are also prone to ‘off gassing’ – when volatile organic compounds break down over time forming gases.

Synthetic Latex

Synthetic latex is a man-made material produced from petroleum compounds. it comes without the elasticity of natural latex, making it feel somewhat stiff. This lack of elasticity also prevents synthetic latex from stretching and accommodating to support your posture in the same way natural latex does. Additionally, while synthetic latex is cheaper than natural latex, it is dependent on crude oil commodity pricing. Synthetic latex is also less durable as natural or organic latex and is more prone to losing its shape over time.

Natural Latex (Non-organic)

Natural latex is created when raw liquid latex is harvested from tropical rubber trees and transformed into foam without the addition of any synthetic materials. Latex trees are farmed on plantations in tropical environments, mostly found in southeast Asia. Natural latex has a unique softness and instantly molds to the shape of your head and neck providing a soothing pressure. It is more elastic than memory foam giving it a faster response time and more bounce. One important thing to take note of, though, is that while the latex used in natural latex may be 100% natural, sometimes extenders are added which dilute the latex. These are called “fillers” and are most commonly clay, calcium oxide, or titanium dioxide. When these are added to the mixture the integrity of the latex is diminished.

GOLS Certified Organic Latex

Organic latex is 100% natural latex without fillers and is farmed without the use of pesticides under the supervision of monitoring bodies. Currently, there are two major organizations inspecting and monitoring the wholesomeness of organic latex producers. One is GOLS (Global Organic Latex Standard), which is the first organization to certify and monitor organic latex producers. This organization monitors farming practices, materials sourcing, fair trade practices, and wastewater treatment as well as the social and environmental impact of the product to ensure that what you are receiving is of the utmost quality. These products are incredibly eco-friendly and extremely comfortable.

Choosing a pillow made from certified organic latex has incredible benefits for sleep. It is supportive, quiet, long-lasting, hypoallergenic, pain relieving and temperature controlling. If you want to get a great night’s sleep whilst staying environmentally conscious, you should consider purchasing an organic latex pillow.

Which Type of Pillow Should you Choose?

At the end of the day, choosing the right pillow comes down to personal preference, and there are certainly many great products out there to choose from. However, we must admit that we recommend investing in an organic latex pillow. To put it simply, they are comfortable, free of toxins and eco-friendly. Our manufacturer was the first in the world to be certified as organic by the Global Organic Latex Standard (GOLS). This certificate is highly regarded, especially in the sleep products sector. It means that the latex used to make our pillows is extracted from trees which haven't been exposed to pesticides or chemical fertilizers. It also means that our manufacturer follows mandatory social and environmental regulations. We are honored to provide forward thinking products to the Australian market. We would love to help you next.