The Benefits Of Natural Latex: An Eco-Friendly Material That Makes Your Home And Heart Happy
Looking for a natural stress-reliever that’s sustainable as well as stylish? Our natural latex knot pillows, the Huggets, might be your perfect match.
Bearassentials
Our Huggets are filled with satisfyingly squashy Melofoam™, an all-natural latex made exclusively from the sap of mature rubber trees.
Natural latex is an eco-friendly material. It’s biodegradable, sustainably harvested, and – unlike synthetic latex – contains no dangerous chemicals.
Our new collection of stress-relieving knot pillows deliver therapeutic relief as well as being sustainable, and beautifully stylish.
Did you know?
Natural latex foam was invented by EA Murphy, a scientist at Dunlop. He tried to create the perfect foam from natural latex, but its bubbles wouldn’t hold up, so his wife suggested using a cake mixer and a steam oven. Voila! Latex foam was born.
One of the most exciting things about our new Hugget knot pillow collection is their huggable Melofoam™ filling. This therapeutic, planet-loving wonder is an all-natural latex, made from the sap from rubber trees. There are a lot of types of latex out there, so let’s take a closer look at the pure natural latex that fills every Hugget with pure joy, and what makes it different.
What is pure natural latex?
Melofoam™ is a pure natural latex made from rubber tree sap. It contains no fillers or chemicals – the only addition is a blend of natural minerals to help the sap thicken into our satisfyingly squashy foam. Those additives make up just 3-5% of the mixture – the rest is pure tree sap, collected in a coconut shell, and gently steamed until it becomes solid!
Other products often contain synthetic latex, or styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), which is made from petrochemicals. It’s easier and cheaper to produce, but the process involves chemicals like formaldehyde and flame retardants, which are harmful to our health and the environment.
Many products also use blended latex, which is usually a mix of 30% pure natural latex and 70% synthetic latex. The small amount of added natural latex gives the synthetic latex a pillowy feel, but while the monetary cost is reduced, the cost to the planet and our health can be much higher.
What are the benefits of natural latex?
The natural latex Melofoam™ is packed full of benefits for you and the planet. Here’s a rundown:
- Natural latex is extremely sustainable. The rubber trees that provide the sap for our Melofoam™ aren’t cut down during harvest. Instead, they’re left to thrive, so they continue to absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Unlike its synthetic and blend counterparts, pure natural latex is so natural, it’s biodegradable.
- It’s safe and non-toxic. Our natural latex Melofoam™ is resistant to mold, mildew, and dust mites. It contains no harmful additives, so you can rest easy knowing that our Huggets are safe to cuddle!
- Natural latex is extremely durable. The Melofoam™ in our Huggets is satisfyingly squashy and responsive, but no matter how it’s hugged and squeezed, it’ll continue to hold its stylish shape for years to come.
Latex vs Memory Form: Which one should you choose?
We've delved into natural latex, but another similar material that you may often have come across is memory foam. So how does it differ from latex and what are the differences between the two?
Polyurethane foam and other added materials are used to make memory foam. It is highly durable, malleable, and shock-absorbing. The thicker density and firmer feel of memory foam, often make it the popular choice when it comes to pillows for conforming to your head and neck with support. On the other hand, natural latex has a lighter density and softer firmness.
Your choice between the two depends on the features you need. When you need an eco-friendly solution with more bounce and a faster response time, latex foam is the best choice. While those who want deep compression support and a slower response time might choose memory foam.
Why choose a natural latex knot pillow?
There’s a lot to love about our Huggets. Here are a few reasons our natural latex knot pillows are perfect for you, your home, and the planet.
Responsive support
Unlike a pillow filled with polyester, or feathers, our Huggets are springy and responsive. Kneading, squeezing, or hugging our latex knot pillows brings about a naturally soothing tactile sensation, delivering calming comfort right to your couch.
Safe and Sustainable
Our Huggets are free of nasty chemicals, and encased in 100% organic cotton. The natural antimicrobial compounds in natural latex are retained in rubber pillows, making them the perfect choice to keep allergies at bay.
Durable and biodegradable
Our Huggets are extremely durable. Our Melofoam™ filling is soft but strong, and can live for up to 20 years. By comparison, down pillows last up to 12 years, and memory foam pillowsonly last 3 years. At the end of its life cycle, our biodegradable Huggets can return to the soil and help new things to grow.
Low maintenance
Our Huggets don’t attract allergens so they make a clean and stylish addition to your space. If they do get marked, we recommend spot cleaning with water.
If you’re looking for a knot pillow to soothe tension, be kind to the planet, and add a stylish touch to your space, our Hugget has the answer. We’re on a mission to create a calmer, more comforted world, and by choosing a natural latex knot pillow, you’re helping us to do just that! Choose from three different sizes of Hugget knot pillow to squash, squeeze, or hug away the stress of the day, while welcoming joy, beauty, and kindness into your home.
