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Does your room smell a bit musty? Are you reluctant to go to bed because you think you might have mattress mould? Well, we have some good news. The Mattress Warehouse cares about the quality of your sleep, so we put together a guide on how to get mould out of your mattress. Moreover, when you keep reading, you’ll also find out the differences between mildew and mould. So go ahead, and find out how to remove mould from a mattress.
Mould is a fungus that thrives in hot, humid, and dark conditions. So a mattress in a warm country like South Africa, especially in the rainy season, is a prime spot for mould colonies to grow.
Mattress mould is similar to the mouldy blotches you see on stale bread. You might notice dark spots on your mattress with a very fine hairlike growth surrounding it. These spots are normally accompanied by a musty odour that may remind you of rotten wood or wet newspaper.
One wonders what causes mould. It’s simple. Mould spores are minute and they are commonly found in the air. And if you’ve had mouldy bread in your house before, chances are there are some mould spores floating around.
When the right criteria are met, mould can start growing in and on your mattress. What are those conditions, you might ask?
Yes. The underside of your mattress will more likely have mould than the rest of the mattress. This is because the bottom of the mattress gets less air circulation and practically no light.
If it goes untreated, mould in mattresses can spread at alarming rates. And more often than not, by the time you see mould on your mattress, it has already spread considerably.
There are thousands of species of mould. But in your house, especially on your mattress, you’ll commonly find allergenic moulds (they trigger allergies) that are green or black in colour and have a faint odour.
Tip: If you suffer from constant allergic reactions like those described above, it is recommended that you see a healthcare practitioner.
If you are exposed to it for a long time, mattress mould can make you sick. It will start off with common allergic reactions, like red eyes, a runny nose, sneezing etc. Over time, these allergies may become more pronounced and in the end, they can lead to asthma attacks and other breathing-related ailments.
Indeed, these two terms go hand in hand, and yet they are not the same. Many people talk about mildew and mould as interchangeable fungi, but it is not. Mildew is a specific type of mould, whereas not all moulds are mildew. Here are some easy ways to discern which is which:
Mould is a fungus that grows in dark, damp, and humid places. It occurs in various settings in nature and feeds off dead or dying organic matter. Mould spreads by spores and can grow into the object that it is feeding on.
Mattress mould feeds off dead skin cells and sweat. It can be seen as dark green or black spots on your mattress and feels slimy if you rub it with your hand.
Tip: Wash your hands thoroughly with warm water and soap after touching mould. Do not touch your face after touching mould, as it may cause a rash or respiratory allergies.
Mildew is a type of mould that grows on flat surfaces. An important aspect separating mould from mildew is that mildew does not grow into objects. It only spreads on the surface of the object that it is feeding on.
You will often find mildew on rotting wooden surfaces, like window sills at a rarely visited seaside cabin or on a shower wall. Mildew is normally lighter in colour than mould, often appearing as light yellow or white growth with a powdery feel.
Tip: Once again, do not touch anything until you’ve thoroughly washed your hands after touching mildew.
There are three ways to remove mould from your mattress:
There is not much to say about number three, apart from doing your homework properly before just getting anyone to clean your mattress. So we will take a more in-depth look at methods one and two. Both of these methods make use of fairly potent chemicals, so be sure to work safely.
What you’ll need:
How to do it:
What you’ll need:
How to do it:
There are quite a few methods to prevent mould from growing in your mattress.
If you’ve tried to get the mattress mould out, but it doesn’t want to go, you may have to replace the mattress. Check out our great mattress deals and remember to also get a mattress protector to keep that mould out from the word go.
Reviewed by Andri Papaloizou | Microbiologist
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Local Shopping Guide: Bed Mattress for Sale Near Me
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Make Your Bed: Tips for a Hotel-Worthy Bed
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Mattresses for Different Sleeping Positions
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