Whether you’re a tenant or a homeowner, we all agree that mold is a nightmare. Mold is not only unpleasant to look at, but it also poses serious health risks to you and your loved ones.
While most of us associate mold with damp environments like the attic, bathroom, or kitchen, it’s important to remember that it can also thrive on your mattress. In fact, mold may already be growing in your mattress beneath your nose.
Can a moldy mattress be saved? In a word, yes. Lysol is one option for killing mold on a mattress, but you can also use bleach, white vinegar, or rubbing alcohol.
Use a sponge or rag to apply one of these solutions, then scrape away at the moldy areas until they disappear. The mattress has to air dry thoroughly.
To get rid of mold and keep it from coming back, you need to know where it comes from and how to spot it. Let’s look at a mattress with mold and see what we can do about it.
What does mold look like on mattress?
How do you figure out if there really is mold in your mattress or if it’s just a thought? Some of the more prevalent warning indicators are as follows:
Staining
A mold infestation can cause your mattress to get covered in a fuzzy layer. White or black, it grows very large within the mattress. You may need to replace the mattress, as you can remove it with soap and water like mildew.
Odor
Oddly enough, mold and mildew do not have the same smell as their spores. Most people think mold has an awful odor, like rotting food. But the spores on your mattress emit a musky, moist wood or stale water-like odor.
For example, if you notice a musty odor, it’s time to look for mold. Always double-check your entire bedroom, including your mattress and the underside of your bed. If you carefully look, you can identify the infestation before it gets too far into your mattress.
Why does mold grow on mattress?
Mold is a fungus; like all fungi, it prefers a moist, dark, and warm environment to grow. The following causes can cause your mattress to become such a place:
Liquid spillage
In no time, liquids can permeate a mattress’s innermost layers, where they can start a mold infestation. The mold that grows on the surface is usually a sign that it has spread throughout the mattress and that it’s time to get a new one.
Low ventilation
Air should be able to flow freely throughout a mattress. However, limiting this circulation by using synthetic bedding, avoiding direct sunlight, or placing the mattress directly on the floor might increase the risk of mold formation.
High humidity
Because a mattress is made of porous materials, extra moisture from a humid environment can get deep into the layers of the mattress. It will eventually condense within the foam’s individual cells. Because of this, even long-lasting mattresses made from naturally cooling or non-synthetic materials are at risk of mold formation.
Type of mattress
Memory foam mattresses have a higher mold growth probability than conventional mattresses. This is due to the fact that memory foam has a porous structure, which allows it to absorb water. Mold may easily grow since it is a temperature-sensitive substance that retains heat.
What happens if you sleep on a moldy mattress?
The health risks associated with a mattress infested with mold are real. The mold on a mattress, whether memory foam or another material, can pose health risks.
Mold can cause a wide range of respiratory issues.
- Allergy symptoms
- Asthma
- Breathing problems
- Wheezing
In some cases, a rash will appear on the area of the body exposed to the mold in the mattress. A worsening rash or irritation at the site of contact is possible.
Some people are more susceptible to the dangers of mold than others. For example, mold exposure can cause the onset of lung infections in people who are predisposed to them due to preexisting conditions.
How to get rid of mold on your mattress
If you find mold in your mattress, you must immediately act. The longer you allow mold to grow, the more likely it is to spread and infest other parts of the mattress.
Mold can become impossible to remove if left unchecked for too long. This leaves you with little choice but to replace the affected item.
If you see mold on your mattress, you can get rid of it in five steps.
- Give your mattress a good, thorough vacuuming on both sides. When you’re finished, empty the vacuum’s dust collector to avoid redistributing the mold spores.
- In a disposable container, combine equal volumes of warm water and rubbing alcohol. To remove the mold, soak a clean cloth in the solution, squeeze off the excess water, and then scrub the affected section of your mattress. When scrubbing, use a lot of force and a circular motion. If you can, inspecting beyond the mold’s immediate vicinity is a good idea.
- Warm water and a fresh, wrung-out cloth should work well to re-wet the region. To prevent further mold growth on the mattress, make sure to wring out these clothes thoroughly.
- Spray a mattress disinfecting solution that is safe for your mattress’s material evenly across the entire surface.
- Bring your bed to a spot with lots of sunlight and airflow. If you leave the mattress here, it will dry out completely, and mold growth will be thwarted (sunlight destroys mold).
Some future preventative measures to take
If you want to make sure that mold doesn’t return, consider these further precautions:
- Allow air to circulate around the mattress’s underside
A slatted bed base, as opposed to a solid one, will allow air to flow freely around the mattress on both the top and bottom.
When compared to traditional flat-top bed bases or box springs, slatted bed bases make it less likely that mold will grow on the bottom of the mattress.
- The mattress must be kept dry
Your mattress should also stay dry. Mold can grow in areas with even trace amounts of moisture. You may reduce the likelihood of mold growing in your mattress by keeping it dry.
First, get rid of any messes as soon as possible. Take out the mattress and use clean towels to wipe the area. It’s also a good idea to use a hair dryer to get rid of any extra moisture.
It’s also smart to invest in a mattress protector. Covering mold with a waterproof protector sheet is one way to prevent mold from growing in your mattress.
Allowing your mattress to breathe and aerate can help keep mold at bay. To do this, untuck all the sheets and throw open the window coverings. By rotating and flipping it regularly, you can increase airflow and protect the mattress from mold and moisture. Every two months, you should aerate your bed.
- Keep a room air purifier in your bedroom
If you want to improve the quality of the air in your bedroom, an air purifier is a great investment. When used properly, an air purifier may eliminate mold spores from the air and stop their spread.
- Leave the vents open so the air may keep moving
The next step is to install a better ventilation system in the bedroom. Be sure to leave plenty of space for air to enter and exit the room.
Condensation and humidity from inadequate ventilation can be a breeding ground for mold. Mild humidity might cause mold to grow on the mattress and in the bedroom.
The easiest way to let more air into a room is to open a window on a regular basis. Installing exhaust fans in your home will improve air flow and get rid of too much humidity. Finally, ensure the vents are working properly by checking them and cleaning them regularly.
- Keep your bedroom dry by using a dehumidifier
To keep mold from growing in the bedroom again, it’s best to use a dehumidifier to keep the humidity level low.
When mold on your mattress just won’t go
You should probably consider getting a new bed if you’ve tried everything you can come up with to get rid of the mold, including alcohol sanitizers, hydrogen peroxide, and bicarbonate of soda.
Mold on a mattress can be difficult to remove. There’s no point in shortening your life by sleeping on a filthy mattress, so you’ll have to dispose the mattress.
Professional cleaners can come clean your mattress thoroughly and make sure it is safe to sleep on again. If you are at a loss and have no one else to turn to, give them a call.
Be sure that your mattress sheets and protector are also mold-free when you clean your mattress. When cleaning a mattress topper, three cycles in the washing machine set to high heat will do the trick.
It will help remove any mold from the fabric and leave your bed feeling clean and fresh once more.
