Our FAQ

Natural mattresses are, as the name suggests, mattresses made from natural materials. For this we use cotton or new wool, horsehair or coconut fibre, hemp or natural latex. (Link: material guide) Thanks to the specific properties of these materials and the way they are combined, we can offer you a broad spectrum of natural mattresses for every kind of sleeping comfort. On request we will also make the mattresses to your own specifications, according to your individual needs and intended use. Material guide

Just as you may take care that textiles are natural, free of harmful substances and pleasant to the touch, many people consider it important that their mattress meets comparable criteria. Our latex and natural mattresses are free of synthetic materials based on crude oil* (unlike foam rubber or cold foam) and contain no metal (unlike innerspring mattresses). At the same time, the differing properties of the materials we use allow us to offer the desired lying comfort for almost any individual requirement – from a firm new wool and coconut combination (Aman) through to a point-elastic natural latex mattress for optimal body contouring and support of the spine.

The raw material of natural latex is the milky sap of the rubber tree (Hevea Brasiliensis), which is obtained by cutting into the bark of the plant. This raw material is processed by foaming, vulcanising, washing and drying into a natural upholstery material with high elasticity and dimensional stability. Natural latex offers precise, anatomical body contouring and thus supports the extension of the spine and the complete relaxation of the muscles during sleep. Various firmness levels and combinations with other materials allow the lying properties to be tailored individually to your personal needs. Thanks to its perforation and its open-pored cell structure, natural latex is breathable and well ventilated. At the same time the material is largely resistant to bacteria and mould, guaranteeing a high level of mattress hygiene in the long term. All of our latex mattresses have a summer and a winter side, i.e. the cover made of untreated cotton is quilted on one side with a fleece of cotton or new wool respectively.

The decisive criterion when choosing a mattress is lying comfort; other factors such as allergic sensitivities and the like may also play a role. Our extensive range of natural and latex mattresses takes account of the differing individual requirements of our customers. Whether a mattress should be firmer or soft and elastic cannot be answered in general terms. Your experience with your previous mattress offers an important point of reference. Was its firmness pleasant, or would you like a change? Generally speaking, most people get on better in the long run with a medium-firm to soft mattress that provides orthopaedically supportive body contouring. Even so, there are certainly people who prefer a firm lying feel. How a mattress is perceived also depends on the sleeper’s body weight and the choice of slatted frame. To make your decision easier, we offer you our online mattress consultation.

One-sided strain in working life leads to poor posture over many hours. Muscles, tendons and ligaments suffer as a result. The entire supporting apparatus and the intervertebral discs are damaged. Headaches, shoulder pain and neck pain are the consequences. These in turn lead to renewed poor posture of the spine. Visual disturbances, poor concentration and fatigue become permanent burdens. The intervertebral discs deserve particular attention, especially their gelatinous core, which is filled with water. A well-filled gelatinous core acts like a water cushion between the vertebrae: cushioning, pressure-equalising, stabilising. Under the heavy strain of the day the gelatinous core loses fluid and therefore pressure as well. The surrounding connective tissue sheath is also compressed and becomes flatter. That is why, at the end of a working day, we are usually 15–20 mm shorter than in the morning. For a healthy balance the gelatinous core needs relief. When we lie down for a longer period, above all during the night’s rest, the gelatinous core takes back the fluid and nutrients it has lost. The deeper the relaxation and the more natural the position of the vertebrae, the more room the gelatinous core has to expand back to its ideal size. This makes it clear how important an individually suitable, orthopaedically supportive mattress is for regeneration at night. For this we offer you our online mattress consultation.

Slatted frame and mattress

The slatted frame primarily serves to ventilate the mattress sufficiently. A general distinction is made between rigid frames, which serve ventilation only, and flexible frames, which additionally support the body contouring of the mattress. The supportive effect of these frames is all the more noticeable the softer the mattress placed on them, because body weight is transferred more selectively onto the sprung wooden slats. With both types of frame, the gap between the slats, like the width of the slats, should be no more than 4–5 cm. All frames we sell meet this criterion.

Slatted frame and bed

So that the slatted frame and the bed can be combined without problems, it is important that the insert depth of the bed frame is sufficient to accommodate the height of the frame and part of the height of the mattress, i.e. flexible frames should be used in bed frames with an insert depth of at least 10 cm. For reasons of stability, rigid frames are supplied divided from a width of 140 cm (2x70 cm) and flexible frames from a width of 160 cm (2x80 cm). The bed must then have a centre rail on which the frames can rest. All beds we sell are supplied with a centre rail from these sizes upwards.

An allergy is a reaction of the immune system to foreign substances (e.g. pollen) which, unlike pathogens, actually pose no danger to health. Although some 20,000 substances with allergy-triggering effects are known, the problem with sleeping furniture can be narrowed down to three common areas: house dust, animal hair and latex allergies. House dust allergy, triggered by the mites living in house dust, is by far the most frequent problem in the sleeping furniture sector. In this connection the German Allergy and Asthma Association (DAAB) advises: "Buying synthetic mattresses and doing without organic materials has also proved to be of little effect. (...) The most important measure is to fit the mattress with a mite-proof protective cover. This shuts the mites out of their main habitat and prevents the mite allergen from penetrating". We stock Protex mattress covers made of skin-friendly, untreated, mite-proof cotton fabric, which effectively contain the problem. These are washable at 60 degrees and tested for harmful substances in accordance with the Öko-Tex Standard 100. In the case of sensitivity to new wool or horsehair, these materials can be replaced by cotton or hemp fibre respectively, where present in the mattress.

Please note this request in the comments field of the order form.

A relatively rare allergic reaction to the proteins contained in latex mainly affects the medical field (latex gloves), but is occasionally also raised in connection with latex mattresses. According to the expert opinions of the Quality Association of Environmentally Compatible Latex Mattress Manufacturers, it can be stated that in the 60-year history of the latex mattress not a single case has been observed in which an allergy to natural latex was triggered by sleeping on a natural latex mattress. As a matter of principle, every allergy sufferer should avoid the triggers of their allergy that are known to them. Anyone who is already allergic to natural latex should therefore avoid the material to be on the safe side.

Should you have further questions on the subject of allergies, the DAAB offers initial guidance and contact options

As a general rule, every mattress must be ventilated sufficiently. It is usually enough for it to lie on a suitable slatted frame. In addition, mattresses can be turned occasionally to achieve even loading. If the mattress is placed on the floor or on a closed platform/high bed, this restricted ventilation situation must be compensated for by turning and standing the mattress upright correspondingly often. Cotton futons should be rolled up regularly, ideally every day, and shaken out occasionally. This prevents the cotton filling from compressing prematurely and preserves the breathability of the topper.

To maintain mattress hygiene in the long term, we recommend using a mattress protector to protect the mattress against soiling. We stock Molton mattress toppers from Dormisette, a high-quality twisted-yarn Calmuc made of 100% cotton. It is washable at 90 degrees and tested for harmful substances in accordance with the Öko-Tex Standard 100. Accessories. Should the mattress nevertheless become soiled, air it thoroughly and remove surface dirt with a damp cloth. Under no circumstances should the original mattress covers be removed or machine washed.