Latex pillows

The quality of sleep of a modern person should be top notch. The mood, general well-being and health of the body depends on how comfortable and complete the rest will be. One of the modern developments affecting the quality of night rest is latex pillows. They stand out noticeably against their counterparts and have several advantages.

Latex is a product of processing natural rubber tree material. It is found in the form of a light, stretching juice, resembling milk, which is distinguished by evergreen rubber-hevea. The homeland of this material is South America, there are large plantations of juice in Thailand (Thai), Africa, Southeast Asia, Vietnam, Brazil, India and other countries.Countries where such trees do not grow use imported raw materials that have excellent practical and quality characteristics.

Collect this raw material by hand, using special bowls. The volume from one tree is up to 100 grams for 1 collection. The juice changes its structure fairly quickly (about 4 hours), so within a few hours immediately after its production it turns into rubber or latex foam.

The rubber base is exposed to ultraviolet radiation and fat, therefore it is supplemented with isoprene monomer in its production. Quality pillows are made from liquid raw materials. If the juice has time to collapse during the delivery process, the quality of the latex will be low.

Today, latex pillows are made from two types of raw materials:

• natural (natural);
• artificial.

Natural latex, consisting of rubber and water, is a highly elastic foam material that contains no more than 15% synthetic additives, due to which its elasticity and durability increase and an optimum density is created (natural material is very hard).The concept of "100% latex" means that the percentage of the content of natural material is 85%. This is the most high-quality type of raw material for pillows, it is better than an artificial counterpart, is expensive, it can not be found in every store. Prices for such pillows depend on the production technology.

Artificial material - an analogue of natural latex, close to it in properties and performance characteristics. This product is called polyurethane foam - it is a modern material with a finely porous structure, which is far from the usual foam rubber and has a small percentage of latex content, due to which it is elastic. The structure of this filler is more rigid, it is inferior in quality to the natural counterpart, winning only in price.

Recognize two types of material can, if there is an opportunity to see the filler itself. Natural latex has a milky shade, while synthetic has a pure white color. A latex product always has characteristic openings (can be of different depths and diameters).

Artificial latex gives off a pleasant fragrance. (it is flavored to kill the unpleasant technical smell).Companies that value an honest name do not use glue in the development by combining latex fibers by a thermal method. Artificial latex is not as durable as its natural counterpart.

Pillow filler is made in two ways. On this basis, the density may be different. Performing latex according to the Dunlop technology (cast format, used since 1929), it is saturated with air, soaking in a special centrifuge, filling the prepared forms with spikes (with the help of which holes are formed in the material) and heating. After polymerization, "cast raw materials" are washed, then dried.

After the war, the product is obtained using Talalay technology. Latex is poured into prepared molds, creates hermetic conditions, after which air is removed and frozen. Under these conditions, the formation is porous, due to which the filler acquires a breathable structure.

Buying a latex pillow cannot be based on external qualities. It is chosen according to the recommendations of the doctor. Such products are good for people with sleep problems due to various causes. Latex pillows are shown for:

• snoring;
• increased pressure on the intervertebral discs;
• chronic diseases of the cervical spine;
• dizziness;
• headache and migraine;
• general weakness;

• respiratory failure;
• spasms in the spine;
• impaired blood flow in the neck and head;
• neck tension;
• short, jerky sleep.

Depending on the model and shape, latex pillows are well suited for adults and children (taking into account the peculiarities of a certain age).

Natural latex has many advantages. This material was used in the early twentieth century. Latex does not change its properties in the finished product, it:

• provides a balance of elasticity and elasticity, allowing you to choose a comfortable posture;
• makes sleep comfortable and useful, contributing to proper rest during the night;
• in its natural form has no contraindications for use: being a hypoallergenic material, it is suitable for any user, even for allergies and asthmatics;
• has antibacterial properties, it is an environmentally friendly material, safe for human health, not emit toxins, resistant to the appearance of microbes (fungus, mold);
• due to its structure, which has many cells, it has good air exchange, therefore it does not trap excess moisture and heat, does not allow overheating of the head (body);
• it is silent in operation (it has no creaking and rustling irritating sounds disturbing the idyll of sleep);

• with proper operation, it has a long service life (from 5 to 10 years and more);
• does not accumulate static electricity, therefore, does not have a negative magnetic effect on the body, does not provoke headaches, dizziness, general fatigue;
• has a clear shape, not adapting to the user's contours and easily restores its structure in the absence of load;
• depending on the model, it may have a different type of surface of the pillow (smooth, embossed, with longitudinal slits, round holes, etc.);
• easy to clean, complemented by a cover; in the presence of a removable pillowcase, it significantly extends the service life and attractiveness of the original look.

Latex pillows have a wide range of shapes and sizes (they are anatomical, massage), which allows you to choose a model for each customer based on their own preferences. They have an orthopedic effect, due to which they provide proper support, improving blood supply to the head and cervical spine. They are distinguished by a small thickness, do not immerse your head in the material, like memory foam, although the texture is optimally soft and elastic.

Despite the many advantages, latex pillows have several disadvantages:

• initially inconvenient, you need to get used to them, which repels users;
• at the beginning of operation they may have a specific smell (sweetish milky and rubbery aroma);
• may cause allergies in people with intolerance to the proteins contained in the composition of the material;
• not always afford the buyer, which forces to look closely to other models;
• do not heat up in the cold, like down pillows, so they can not provide the user's head with heat.

Sometimes manufacturing companies located far from growing trees use ammonia during transportation to preserve the properties of liquid latex.Of course, creating a useful foam from latex, ammonia is removed from it, but at the same time the percentage of natural material is also reduced (up to 20%). Synthetics, of course, stronger, easier to transport, it allows you to speed up the processes of polymerization, although it changes the original properties of latex.

The appearance of latex pillows produced by modern brands is diverse. Depending on the model, these products are in the form:

• a rectangle;
• square;
• circle with a hole in the center;
• horseshoes;
• roller.

Pillow options are different. Each brand offers its own options, so sizes can vary. Conventionally, the models can be divided into several options, each of which has its own size and weight on average:

• large rectangular - 60x38x15 cm (1.9 kg);
• small rectangular - 57x35x12 cm (1.3 kg);
• standard low - 65x41x11 cm (1.8 kg);
• large (stones), rectangular with a front notch - 63x37x14 cm (1.6 kg) and small - 56x35x11 cm (1 kg);
• wavy large - 62x40x12 cm (1.3 kg);

• small wavy - 51x32x9 cm (0.8 kg);
• children's wavy - 50x26x7 cm (0.6 kg);
• round models for babies - 33x26x6 cm (0.2 kg);
• Large rollers - 102x18 cm (2.4 kg) and small - 92x17 cm (1.6 kg).

Choosing the right latex pillow is not a difficult task, but it requires a careful approach. Since models are sold in cases, this makes it difficult to choose (you can not see the filler). However, knowing the subtleties of the purchase, you can buy exactly what you need, without giving the seller extra money for advertising.

The main aspects that are important when purchasing are:

• Production technology. If you want to sleep on an optimally soft pillow with good air exchange, you should choose a model made according to the freezing technology, if you need a hard pillow and a limited budget, choose a model according to the heating technology.
• Shape and relief pillows. It depends on medical indicators and obeys the beloved postures of sleeping users. Universal options in the form of a square wave are designed for those who prefer to sleep on their backs.Also, they may come up with options-rollers, perfectly supporting the cervical spine. For users who like to fall asleep on their side, developed latex pillow-bone.

• The size. The height of models for women is 8-10 cm, for men 10-14 (the wider the shoulders, the higher). Products for teenagers range from 8 to 11 cm, children's pillows have a lower height: up to a year from 1-4 cm, up to two years - 3 cm, 5 years - 3.5 cm, from three to 10 years - 7 cm, after 9 years - 8-9 cm. However, the height is relative (the products are selected individually!). Often, orthopedic doctors do not recommend such pillows to children under 7 years of age.
• Material and removability cover. Ideally, it is cotton, velor, knitwear with a zipper, allowing you to simplify the care of the product. Among the quality material includes bamboo pillowcases with antimicrobial impregnation.

In addition, each person has his own preferences for sleep. In order to understand whether the pillow is good, it is necessary to test it for convenience when purchasing.

When choosing a latex pillow, you should keep in mind:

• holders of wide shoulders do not fit low models;
• Those who have a daily broken condition associated with pain in the neck and stiffness of the shoulder girdle should think about the greater height of the pillow;
• preferring to sleep on your back, you need to choose the option with a low layer of filler;
• people with a constantly uncomfortable posture should look for low cushion models (usually this is due to the high position of the head);
• Those who constantly place their hand under the pillow can choose a model with a high layer of filler.

In addition to the natural or artificial material of the pillow, when buying such a product there is a risk to buy a fake with the presence of harmful impurities (for example, phenol). To buy a quality product that will last more than 10 years, you should take note of a few tips:

• a high-class product always has a certificate of quality and compliance with hygiene standards, as well as a seller’s guarantee (in this case up to 5 years);
• the best cushions are produced in countries where rubber trees grow (you should ask the producer country);
• if the pillow forms creases when bent, the composition of the latex is far from natural;
• a high-quality latex model instantly restores the original form with any pressure.

To understand what are latex pillows, you can refer to the products of proven companies, having a lot of positive comments from real buyers:

• Arpico - products of the Turkish manufacturer for children and adults in the form of classic models and rollers of different sizes and shapes, contributing to the correct support of the spine, equipped with a microfiber cover;
• Trives - perforated latex pillows for users of different ages with the prevention of various diseases, reducing pressure on the intervertebral discs, which have a massage effect and promote deep, healthy and proper sleep;

• Liena - pillows of Vietnamese manufacturer of natural latex cream shade with a matte surface, resistant to deformation, characterized by a long service life, but not suitable for everyone and in need of "addiction";

• Baby nice - orthopedic products for toddlers and children of different ages, differing in budget cost, good quality and practical characteristics, sold both separately and in a set with pastel linen, complemented by a removable velor case;
• Mediflex Revolution - unique anatomical pillows on latex springs with excellent air exchange, allowing the cervical vertebrae to maintain a single line with the spine, eliminating the squeezing of blood vessels, which helps to relieve the user from headaches and confusion.

Latex cushions of represented brands receive conflicting reviews. One user likes them (for models of Vietnamese manufacturers), people notice the comfort and relaxation of the neck muscles, which saves them from morning headaches.

Customers who have tried Thai pillows write different reviews, expressing their point of view: these pillows are good in appearance, sometimes comfortable, but it is not always possible to sleep on them. From them the head and even jaw starts to hurt. In addition, these pillows sometimes have a peculiar smell of the dog. As a result, buyers believe that the purchase of such pillows should be strictly individual and coordinated with the doctor.

Caring for a latex pillow is easy. It is important to consider the type of filler (natural or artificial), because each material has its own nuances.Both varieties safely tolerate dry cleaning, but it is worth protecting them from unnecessary mechanical influences.

Such products are not washed in a washing machine, and certainly not unscrewed. Usually the entire care consists in washing the removable cover. If it was not possible to avoid the ingress of liquid, in extreme cases the pillow can be soaked in warm water without the use of chemical agents (maximum, in a mild soap solution), then gently squeeze and dry in fresh air. It is unacceptable to use heating devices to accelerate drying: from this latex is reduced in size. This material will react to hot tea or a touch of a cigarette.

It is impossible to dry such a pillow in the sun: it is detrimental to the material, leads to the formation of sticky spots and loss of shape. If you take out a latex pillow in the cold, it may not withstand a similar temperature: in the cold, the filler crumbles and may crack.

In the next video you will find a presentation of a pillow made of natural latex.