If you want a great night’s sleep on a terrific mattress, if you want to purchase a quality mattress that will last for years if not decades, if you’re looking for a “green” option for your bed because being environmentally savvy helps you sleep better at night, you should check out latex mattresses.

“Natural” latex mattresses are made from the sap of a rubber tree. A latex mattress provides a very yielding and conforming place of rest for your body while offering exceptional support. The “traditional” box spring mattress can end up sagging as time goes on. Any firmness it may have when new soon enough will dissipate as you use it. You can purchase latex mattresses that use latex as the top layers surrounding the springs and you’ll also find mattresses that use latex to replace the innersprings entirely.

Mattresses made of organic cotton or wool can be as eco-friendly as natural latex mattresses, but a cotton mattress will “pack down” and become harder and less yielding over time. Wool mattress covers are nice to have; place them over a natural latex mattress and you’ll be sleeping in complete comfort. Natural latex is exceptionally elastic, so you’ll be able to roll over easily while you sleep: no more waking up each time your body decides it needs to shift position.

The mattresses are hypo-allergenic and they help keep bacteria and dust mites at bay because bacteria and dust mites need a synthetic environment in which to thrive.

Be Aware of the Difference Between Natural and Synthetic Latex Mattresses

As you search for natural mattresses, be aware that not every mattress labeled “natural” really is. All-natural mattresses are made from the sap that flows from a rubber tree. Many latex mattresses are made of a blend of natural latex and synthetic latex, which is made from petrochemicals.

To be sure you are purchasing an all-natural mattress, check to see if the mattress was made in the “Dunlop method” rather than the “Talalay method,” which involves flash freezing the sap at one point during the heating and solidifying process. The sap that becomes a latex mattress via the Dunlop method is slowly heated and gets its rubbery consistency without being flash frozen.

The Dunlop method also creates latex mattresses that are a bit firmer and more supportive than those that went through the Talalay method (although Talalay latex mattresses do tend to have a bit softer “feel” to them).

As you go about searching for latex mattresses, before purchasing, be sure the manufacturer offers warranty of at least 10 years. You also should look for a retailer/manufacturer that will let you return the mattress in case it’s just not working for you. Look for a trial period of 60-90 days.

Finally, don’t forget your head. Your body will be thanking you for searching latex mattresses; let your head have the same experience and purchase latex pillows when you buy your mattress.