Increasingly, latex mattresses and pillows can be seen on store shelves and in advertisements. Not everything explains why they are so good and why this material is suitable for a healthy sleep on it. So what is latex? And what is it used for?
What is latex?
For many people, information about the appearance of natural cotton, linen and silk is not surprising. But the fabric that is made from the sap of trees? Having learned what latex is and how it appears, many at first do not believe it. And this material does not look like fabric at all, it’s just like synthetic to the touch and look.
Strictly speaking, even natural latex is not such, it is obtained in a special way from rubber - the juice of Brazilian hevea grown on plantations around the world. By the way, a substance similar in properties is familiar to almost any European - this is the milk of an ordinary dandelion. The raw materials are processed, various ingredients are added to it, the output is a homogeneous, initially liquid, and later more viscous substance.
This material has unique properties, so its use is so widespread, but there is one serious drawback - for some people it is allergenic.
Artificial latex
It is perhaps difficult to imagine even more unnatural material, but it exists. Synthetic latex made of artificial rubber using emulsion polymerization technology differs in many respects from its analogue obtained from natural raw materials. They are not completely identical even in appearance, not to mention some important properties. But artificial hypoallergenic, so it can successfully replace a fellow when the need arises. In other cases, natural will be preferable. By the way, sometimes manufacturers mix these two varieties, obviously, trying to reduce the cost of manufacture, but to preserve the advantages of material of natural origin.
First, artificial latex absorbs water, although not much better than its counterpart. Secondly, it is odorless, while natural may at first have a specific aroma that disappears in a few days. In addition, synthetic latex is more rigid and “dry”, and over time it also becomes brittle. Generally speaking, the quality of the final product depends entirely on the raw materials, sometimes the difference between artificial and natural material is minimal and almost imperceptible.
The properties
To the touch and appearance, this material is somewhat reminiscent of vinyl or rubber, but differs from them in chemical composition. The main properties that natural latex possesses are as follows:
- Elasticity. This material stretches and bends, but easily takes its previous shape.
- Hygiene Hevea juice initially has bactericidal properties, latex preserves them, so that dust, mold do not accumulate in products made of this material for a long time, and extraneous "residents" do not start.
- Durability. With careful use, pillows, mattresses, clothes and other latex items retain their properties over a long period.
- Softness. Although latex products keep their shape, they are pleasant to the body.
- Thermoregulation. Comfort during sleep is very important, so good thermal conductivity is a valuable quality for a mattress and pillow.
- Hydrophobicity. Natural latex does not absorb moisture at all, which often only increases its service life.
Modern application
There are a lot of uses for this unusual material. Firstly, it is widely used in medicine - gloves, elastic bandages, bandages, plasters are made from it. Secondly, because of its properties, it is suitable for household items such as pillows, mattresses, linoleum. Thirdly, for make-up artists and requisites this material has become a real find - masks, special face pads and much more. Finally, it is used in the manufacture of clothing and footwear, especially sportswear. They are not always made of latex, but with its use. And also balloons, condoms, baby's dummies, etc. In addition, in the industry, latex is used in the processing of some minerals, so the need for the appearance of a large number of plantations is not surprising.
Household items
What is latex in terms of its chemical structure? It looks like a porous sponge from round elements arranged in an orderly fashion. They provide its elasticity and good heat dissipation. Therefore, latex pillows and mattresses have gained such popularity - similar materials cope with the task of providing comfort during sleep much worse. And they eventually become a real hotbed of dust mites, causing a terrible allergy.
In addition, latex pillows are considered orthopedic, they ensure the correct position of the head and prevent small nerves from being pinched in the cervical spine. As a result, a person after sleep feels really rested and ready for new achievements. It is also an excellent prevention of osteochondrosis, so people who take care of their health choose latex. Reviews of sleep on such pillows make you really think about purchasing such mattresses and pillows, because the quality of rest largely determines the well-being during the day.
As for mattresses, another advantage is the absence of springs. Surely everyone at least once in his life slept on a terrible old crushed mattress. Every recess and bulge is felt there, and even metal elements can make unpleasant sounds. Soft or hard, but invariably resilient latex mattresses last a very long time and simply cannot cause such sensations. And if many similar materials require an increase in temperature to effectively take on body shape, then this is not necessary.
clothing
The mere fact that latex does not absorb moisture at all suggests that it will not work every day. On the other hand, it can be well suited for outerwear in rainy weather, although it retains heat quite poorly. In addition, it is soft, in a word, it is a rather specific material.
Nevertheless, latex clothing is often used as stage costumes for artists, and in the minds of ordinary people it is associated with eroticism due to the “second skin” effect. This hardly compensates for the fact that with the slightest increase in temperature above room temperature in such a dress it becomes very hot and uncomfortable. But couturiers are trying hard to get girls to wear latex gloves and leggings, which, despite their impracticality, often look pretty pretty.
disadvantages
The most serious and already mentioned minus of latex is that some people have a pathological reaction to it. This is due to its composition. After all, what is latex? Hevea juice contains special proteins, upon contact with which the body can react with allergies. So natural material for them, unfortunately, is contraindicated. This greatly complicates their life, because the result can be anything: from simple irritation on the skin to anaphylactic shock and sometimes even death.
Another disadvantage of natural latex that can only bother at first is the smell. This not very pleasant property quickly disappears, but for some it can be terribly annoying. Occasionally he returns, but here the peculiarities of handling things come into play.
Care
Perhaps an important advantage of natural latex over other materials is its ease of handling. There are only a few features:
- it is necessary to minimize exposure to direct sunlight;
- do not pierce with sharp objects;
- to clean, you can simply rinse in cool water and let it drain;
- when an odor occurs, place the product in a ventilated area.
Obviously, these rules are much simpler than the instructions attached to many other materials. Observing them, you can be sure that any items, whether pillows, mattresses and latex clothing, will last quite long and well.