Mattress Covers
Jan 24, 2010 9:46 PM
Joined: Sep 6, 2008
Points: 87
Hi Everyone, I have wrestled with wanting a latex mattress for such a long time ... last week bought a Stearns and Foster latex mattress and then when the sales associate at Sears said I had to have a waterproof cover over it to protect the warrantee on it ... I started to shudder and cancelled the order pronto. I thought why the heck would I pay almost $3,000 on a great mattress ... and by DIYers it isn't great ... only to wrap it with a "plastic" cover ... thought it would resemble a hospital bed. Anyways, I just heard of Sleep like a Bear and thought I would look at their site. I like the look of this Zippered Quilted Mattress Cover ... http://www.sleeplikeabear.com/product/COV-WOL-018 Does anyone have one? Are there other sites that offer similar products at better price?
Re: Mattress Covers
Reply #1 Jan 24, 2010 11:00 PM
Joined: Aug 17, 2009
Points: 542
I am like you. anyone who tells me that I have to have a waterproof mattress cover over my expensive mattress or the mattress guarantee is void, can have their mattress back. A simple thin (1 inch or less thick) cotton mattress cover is all you want over a latex mattress, in my opinion.

The latex manufacturers that sell on line that I would recommend are in the following order.

1. FloBeds  2. SleepEZ  3. Foam Sweet Foam 4. Savvy Rest 5. Habitat.

They all have their pluses and minuses you will just have to go to their websites and check it out for yourself. My personal experience is stipulated quite extensively in my thread, "Just bought a new FlowBeds" If you want to read it all you will have to go to the bottom of the last entry and click on the word "All" as it is quite long at 148 posts.
This message was modified Jan 24, 2010 by eagle2
Re: Mattress Covers
Reply #2 Jan 24, 2010 11:04 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
this other cover you found is literally the whole cover for a bare latex core (and a pretty nice one at that).  it isn't really a protective cover, it would still require the use of an additional protective cover, unfortunately most stores are really big on these water proof protectors as they are basically pure profit, and yet they really take away from the comfort of the mattress overall (and sacrifice a great deal of airflow despite claims that they are breathable).  I would recommend just a fitted mattress protector filled with either cotton or wool, and I would highly recommend you get one that can be machine washed/dried. Try a quick google search for that type of mattress pad and you will probably find plenty of places to buy from. 
Re: Mattress Covers
Reply #3 Jan 25, 2010 2:05 AM
Joined: Aug 21, 2009
Points: 486
I bought one of those waterproof mattress covers for my latex mattress, and I hated it.  I took it off.  Although it was very thin, just a thin layer of terrycloth with some waterproof backing, it completely dampened the feel of the latex.  I do not recommend getting one.  There are some other threads on this forum about mattress covers, I believe some people like a cuddlebed mattress cover that's sold by . . . Costco I think?

Budgey is right, the mattress cover from Sleeplikeabear you're referring to is just that - an all-encasing cover for the latex layers.  That's not what you're looking for, you're looking for something more like a mattress PAD.
Re: Mattress Covers
Reply #4 Jan 25, 2010 10:42 PM
Joined: Sep 6, 2008
Points: 87
Hi Eagle, Budgy and Kim, Thanks for your thoughts. I agree with each of you. Forget paying all that money and then wrapping plastic around it ... I am not interested in sleeping in a hospital bed. They tried to tell me I wouldn't tell the difference I just started shaking my head and said "You are wrong." The mattress cover (not a protector) is quite a nice cover but is close to $500 when you make the adjustment for an Eastern King mattress. I think this is quite a lot of money when you will put a Cuddle Bed or another cotton or wool protector over the mattress cover. I have read and re-read your post Eagle regarding your purchase and compared it with BillB's purchase from Foam By Mail. I know you are quite positive about your purchase and Bill is quite positive about his purchase. For me, I live near Toronto, ON Canada so I have the exchange, a tariff, tax and shipping to contend with which makes buying from Flobeds way beyond my budget. There is a local seller of Latex ... www.foamite.com but his price for an Eastern King is close to $3,000. Why so much people? So, I am considering a Twin Extra Long Euro slat to offer movement isolation, and greater flexibility in firmness ... also, something from FBM perhaps with a Latex Topper from a manufacturer in Canada ... I figure the total cost will be close to $2,200 CDA with frame and mattress components but it will be a sweet ride. Also, I don't type in one long sentence ... why does it post like that? I use Mac Safari ... could that be the reason?
Re: Mattress Covers
Reply #5 Jan 26, 2010 2:11 AM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
Hey Jazzsinger, those Foamite latex mattresses do seem very overpriced considering the extensive use of soy based polyurethane foams (btw, calling that stuff green is a bit of a stretch).  I don't wanna say they are your only options but there are 2 very reputable Canadian manufacturers in Ontario.  Obasan/Sleeptek in Ottawa, and Natura in Cambridge. 

You may wanna look at both of them and check out dealer locators or try calling them.  They are both very recognized names in good quality latex mattresses, and it is of my opinion that if you are going to buy Latex you should go ALL latex as in no polyurethane foam.  With Natura you just want to be a little more specific on this because they make a very large selection of products, but anything out of the "Natural" or "Organic" lines do not contain any polyurethane or soy based polyurethane content.

check out www.naturaworld.com

and: http://obasan.ca/
Re: Mattress Covers
Reply #6 Jan 26, 2010 2:40 AM
Joined: Aug 17, 2009
Points: 542
budgy: Are you not a Canada dealer? if Jazzsinger is not to far away from your store maybe he can come see you. I know Canada is a vary large country and I do not recall where you said you are located.

Jazzsinger. Another possibility for you is why don't you give FloBeds a call and talk to Dave or Dewey Turner. Dave owns the company and Dewey is his son. Explain to them your situation, and that you have been visiting this site, of which they are a advertising supporter. Maybe they can work something out for you regarding cost since you live in Canada. I know that they ship internationally all the time. They seem to have an excellent relationship with UPS.
This message was modified Jan 26, 2010 by eagle2
Re: Mattress Covers
Reply #7 Jan 26, 2010 9:58 AM
Joined: Jan 9, 2010
Points: 128
So, are all of you "dealers"? NOW I know why no one answers my post, won't be making any $ off of me.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH OVERSTOCK????

They have the Costco latex mattress (8 inch) for half the price....??????????????????? Less than $600 to your door.

My latex topper from Overstock (2 inch) rocks.

I am dealing with the "off gases" right now from the futon I bought but I am pretty satisfied with my purchase. Sure, I'd love to sleep on the Queen's $ 20, 000 cashmere bed but that's not happening this lifetime. Not that I can see today! One thing for sure, I have found a wealth of info on here and I like it!! I like Overstock as well and you can make any of the toppers out there yourself. The best thing I have read on here is start with a firm mattress and soften it up to your liking.

To the dealers: Thanks for getting me off air/water, you were right. While I'm not "there" with the right combo, I am close. I can see it will take some time to adjust. To the men, they should be damn glad they don't have to go through men-o-pause, trying to sleep is the pits.

Thanks for all your help and all the time you put in here. Even if you are just trying to sell something you are very wise and this is exactly the way to do it. Knowledge is power!

POWER TO ALL BED BUYERS! That you may get exactly what your back needs!

Alice

Re: Mattress Covers
Reply #8 Jan 26, 2010 12:37 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
haha, I think from what I have seen I am probably the only active dealer on this site, instead of just showing up when a thread gets made about a product I 'hock'. 

eagle2, I would love to help more easily (I got a lot of latex options) but I am quite the trip away lol. 

One thing to keep in mind though, most US dealers are not completely aware of all the brokerage fee's and things like this.  If the object is too big to send with the US postal service and you have to use a company like UPS or traditional truck freight there will be massive brokerage fee's.  That being said from what I can see Flobeds really does have good pricing and even if you get hit with a couple extra hundred as a brokerage fee you will probably still be alright. 

I only say this as fair warning, I have ordered a set of wheels and tires from the US once, sent UPS.  I was hit with a $320.00 brokerage fee I had to pay on site with UPS (unless of course you can clear the products through customs yourself).  This was for 4 small pieces at about 33 lbs each.  On the larger items that have to be sent truck freight the prices vary a lot.  I will tell you from our stores experience, we sell Wesley Allen Iron beds anywhere in Canada, they are made in Los Angeles and we have them sent direct to customers and the bills get sent to us.  If you are in a major metro area you might only be $200~$300 on the freight, if you are far outside of a major hub it can be 30% higher than this easily.  If you are in Nunavut (lol) its like $800. 

I would help with your questions about overstock or costco but quite frankly for obvious reasons I have zero experience with online only dealers, and costco sells a lot of different products in the US than what they do in Canada.
Re: Mattress Covers
Reply #9 Jan 26, 2010 2:38 PM
Joined: Aug 17, 2009
Points: 542
budgy: Thanks for the response. I am sure a lot of Canada folks appreciate your input.

As far as budgy being a dealer, he's the only one that I am aware of on here. He was forthright about telling us his position, and as far as I know, has never tried to use that position to sell anything. While at the same time he has been most forthcoming with his knowledge and helpful with this information.
This message was modified Jan 26, 2010 by eagle2
Re: Mattress Covers
Reply #10 Jan 26, 2010 3:26 PM
Joined: Dec 17, 2009
Points: 850
thanks Eagle :)