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Willow Mattress has improved on its 100 per cent natural latex product with an organic option and a customisable one, Willow Mattress 2.0
Sleep, when we are getting enough of it, takes up approximately a third of our lives. Sleeping well—that is, soundly, and free from aches and pains—means waking up to a sharper mind and better disposition. In the long term, it can also reduce the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
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Considering the importance of sleep, the choice of bedding should never be a compromise. This is something Chantal Travers, founder of Willow Mattress, feels strongly about.
Above The latex used for Willow Mattress is sourced from the Southeast Asian rubber tree, and offers a natural defence against mould, bacteria, and infection
The latex used for Willow Mattress is sourced from the Southeast Asian rubber tree, and offers a natural defence against mould, bacteria, and infection
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Willow Mattress specialises in 100 per cent natural latex mattresses. The material was chosen after Travers and her husband went on an extensive search for the perfect mattress in 2016.
Sourced from the Southeast Asian rubber tree, latex is a milky white sap that is the tree’s natural defence against mould, bacteria, and infection. When used as a material for mattresses, it retains its anti-fungal, anti-bacterial properties to provide a healthy sleeping environment.
Latex’s natural elasticity also means it is able to adapt to any sleeping position to provide the ultimate support and comfort. Inherently breathable, it keeps the sleeper cool in Singapore’s hot, humid climate, and is also naturally hypoallergenic and resistant to dust mites.
Travers cautions that not all latex are made equal. Willow Mattress’ “100 per cent natural latex” labelling is an important differentiator that indicates a superior product.
Synthetic or partially synthetic latex could have binders, fillers and chemicals added to them. Therefore, mattresses made from synthetic latex, or a hybrid of synthetic and natural latex do not offer the same health benefits that 100 per cent natural latex does.
Above Every Willow Mattress is 100 per cent biodegradable and hence, eco-friendly
Every Willow Mattress is 100 per cent biodegradable and hence, eco-friendly
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Willow Mattress was launched in 2017, after a year of intensive research. The firm sources its latex from a rubber plantation in Thailand, manufactures close to source, and ships its mattresses directly to Singapore. Keeping every step of the process either local or within the region is not typical for the industry.
Travers explains, “Although the latex used in mattresses is mostly manufactured in Southeast Asia, most of it is shipped to Europe, the US, and Australia, where it is finished and branded, before being shipped back to Southeast Asia. This not only added a huge cost to us as consumers, but to the environment as well.”
By bucking the trend, Willow Mattress has managed to keep the carbon footprint of its products much lower than many of its contemporaries. The 100 per cent latex contains no harmful additives, and is fully biodegradable, except for the zippers on the cover.
Above Willow Mattress sources and manufactures within the region, avoiding expensive and unsustainable shipping practices
Willow Mattress sources and manufactures within the region, avoiding expensive and unsustainable shipping practices
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The brand has gone from strength to strength ever since. Not one to rest on her laurels—or, for that matter, on a mattress that she thought could be improved, Travers has constantly strived to better her product range.
In 2020, the brand introduced a 100 per cent organic option that uses latex from a plantation that is managed without synthetic pesticides or fertilises, further reducing its environmental impact.
In 2021, a further improvement was introduced to the product range—Willow Mattress 2.0, which boasts all the features of its predecessors, with the addition of a new comfort level that allows for even more specific customisation. Where customers used to have three firmness levels to choose from, they now have four—Medium-Firm, In-Between, Firm, and Extra Firm. The different firmness levels can be layered in various configurations to create the perfect sleep experience for each individual and is available for both the 100 per cent natural latex range and the 100 per cent organic line.
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Travers’ 5 tips for choosing the right mattress
- Your current mattress plays an important role in informing your next purchase. Ask yourself what you like about it and what you don’t, so that you know what you want and what you don’t want.
- Always ask a lot of questions. The salesperson should know his products and show an interest in helping you find the right one for you without being pushy.
- Test the mattress in the showroom. Wear comfortable clothes, lie on it for at least 10 minutes, and even bring your own pillow if you have to. Try lying in different sleeping positions and on different parts of the bed.
- Trial periods, comfort guarantees and warranties are must-haves. A reputable mattress store will offer at least a 30-day money-back guarantee and ideally, a 15-year warranty. Willow Mattress offers a 100-day trial and a free mattress pick-up and recycling service for your old mattress upon delivery of the new one.
- Most importantly, take time to fall in love. Travers cautions that it takes the body time to adjust to the feel of the new mattress – which is where Willow Mattress’ 100-day trial comes in handy.
