Inside our workshop: how a latex mattress is made
From the latex core to the last stitch on the cover, the five steps a mattress goes through on Mavoor Road.
Caring for your mattress through the Kerala monsoon
Damp air, closed windows and mould spots: how to keep coir and latex mattresses fresh from June to October.
Kozhikode gets around three metres of rain a year, most of it between June and October. In those months the air indoors stays damp for weeks, and mattresses absorb some of it. A few habits keep them fresh.
Air the bed every morning. Pull back the sheet and blanket for at least half an hour after you get up, and open the window if the rain allows. Body moisture from the night needs somewhere to go. On rare sunny days, open the windows wide and let the room breathe. Use a mattress protector. Our quilted cotton protector has a thin waterproof layer that stops sweat, spilt tea and children’s accidents reaching the mattress. Wash it every two weeks, and dry it fully before putting it back; a damp protector does more harm than none.
Lift the mattress off a solid base. A mattress on a plywood board or directly on the floor cannot breathe underneath, and that is where mould usually starts. A slatted wooden base with gaps of 5 to 7 cm, or a board with drilled holes, helps a lot.
If you do see small grey or black spots, take the cover off, wipe the area with a cloth dipped in a mix of one part white vinegar and four parts water, and dry it with a fan. Never soak latex, and never leave it in strong direct sun for hours, which makes it crumble. Coir mattresses can be stood on their side in a shaded verandah to dry. When the monsoon ends, rotate every mattress head to foot.
