Latex mattresses and DC

November 30, 2006 2:48 PM

The old futon has finally given up the ghost, and I find myself in the market for a new bed and mattress. Latex mattresses intrigue me. For those of you who own or have slept on them, what do you think? I hate being warm and could never use memory-foam as a result.

Also, anywhere in DC that sells a variety of them in different firmnesses? Some things can be bought online, but I think mattresses are probably not on that list.

posted by piro to Home & Garden (9 answers total)

I have a solid core latex mattress and it's totally spoiled me for anything else. Highly recommended. I too get hot, and for that, I can't say enough good things about the Chillow. It sounds stupid, but it really works.
I'm sure that latex mattresses have been discussed here before, but I'm on a slow connection. I'll try to find the link later.
posted by Caviar at 4:16 PM on November 30, 2006

I grew up with a latex mattress and it was great. I miss it.
posted by Rubber Soul at 4:35 PM on November 30, 2006

We have a latex mattress, and I love it. I hate being too hot also, but it's never occured to me that latex was bad for this, I mean, I don't get too hot that often. I think it's more hygienic, and I love the texture (our one is pretty firm). My parents always told me to buy one, and have had theirs for 20+ years. Ours is just from Ikea, but I think they only do latex in one or two firmnesses. A++++++ would buy again!!!
posted by crabintheocean at 4:39 PM on November 30, 2006

I bought a latex mattress from Ikea about six months ago. It's the best thing I've ever slept on. If you're willing to drive to either of the Ikea stores bookending D.C. (one's north of Baltimore, the other's in Woodbridge, VA), they have a pretty good selection of latex mattresses at decent prices. As I recall, they sell a bunch of models in different firmnesses.
posted by killdevil at 4:42 PM on November 30, 2006

Having worked at a furniture store I know the main problems with them are cost and weight. They are really hell to move because they are so floppy.

But they last longer than regular mattresses. They don't break down and have springs come pop out.

From selling them I know that the people who love them really love them and the people who hate them really hate them.
posted by nyxxxx at 5:18 PM on November 30, 2006

I have a memory foam mattress. I am a naturally hot person; I wear shorts in the dead of winter. I don't have air conditioning, and I live in Silicon Valley, where it does occasionally get hot. And I have only once or twice thought that my mattress was making me too hot.

Just a data point for ya.
posted by oats at 8:44 PM on November 30, 2006

BTW, the northern DC Ikea isn't north of Baltimore (although there may be one there too). It's in College Park - where Route 1 crosses the Beltway.
posted by crabintheocean at 11:26 PM on November 30, 2006

You don't say how much you want to spend, but we have a Select Comfort bed. We love it. It's especially nice for two people as each of you can adjust the firmness of the mattress. Over the years we've both found that our optimum firmness changes for a good night's sleep.
posted by Taken Outtacontext at 9:55 AM on December 1, 2006

We got our awesome mattress from Design within Reach in Adams Morgan. Loooooooooove it!
posted by terrapin at 10:32 AM on December 1, 2006