The mattress needs our attention as mould could form. Find out how to safely remove mould from the mattress.
Very often it happens that the mattress has annoying damp spots and takes on an unpleasant smell of mould: although it is a rather common problem, it is an extremely unpleasant situation, as no one likes the idea of lying on a mouldy mattress; to ensure the right comfort when sleeping, therefore, the problem should be eliminated promptly. In addition, we must also consider the fact that the mould fungus can be harmful to human health, and involve a series of inconveniences such as breathing difficulties, nausea, headaches or other pains.
Removing mould stains from the mattress, therefore, becomes a top priority. Fortunately, there are some remedies to thoroughly clean your mattress or pillows, allowing you to return to rest peacefully; in addition, there are also some specialized companies that offer a sanitizing service for all the padding which you can turn. How to remove mould stains from the mattress and eliminate unpleasant odours.
Why mattresses are mouldy
In many cases, especially if you have a very old or damaged mattress, the surfaces may show traces of mould. Although technological developments and the use of innovative and breathable materials have led to a notable improvement, even a latex mattress can make the mould, as well as any other type of filling. This is essentially due to the nature of the fungus itself, which generally tends to develop in humid environments, characterized by poor ventilation and insufficient exposure to sunlight.
In addition, mould does not limit itself to attacking only the external layer of the surfaces but, if not intervened in time, it tends to proliferate, infiltrating more and more deeply; in addition to a purely aesthetic factor, therefore, this problem often leads to rather serious damage, which can compromise the integrity of the mattress. Not to mention the fact that mould is highly toxic, particularly for those with poor immune defences, and inhalation can lead to severe respiratory problems or real allergic reactions.
How to remove mould from the mattress
In general, to prevent the problem of mould, it would be advisable to ventilate the bedroom frequently and to leave the shutters open when the weather permits. In addition, it is important to choose a well-made mattress, with adequate thermal insulation, combined with good transpiring properties; finally, remember to regularly carry out maintenance and cleaning interventions, to guarantee the longevity of the padding.
If your mattress has traces of mould or has taken on an unpleasant smell, there are some remedies you can use to eliminate the problem: the interventions to be carried out to take care of the mattress change depending on the type of material.
- Traditional Mattress:
If you have a traditional mattress, in wool or with springs, the best method to get rid of mould is to use a vacuum cleaner with a vaporizer: after having carefully vacuumed the entire surface, the mattress should be left to air dry open for at least eight hours; if necessary, the operation can be repeated until the stains are completely removed. In the case of advanced mould, a cloth soaked in bleach can be used: ammonia represents one of the most effective home remedies against mould. However, particular care must be taken so that the fabric does not absorb the detergent, so as not to risk the padding being damaged.
- Memory Foam or Latex Mattress:
Although much more breathable than traditional materials and much less prone to the proliferation of mould, even memory or latex mattresses can mould. Since they are much more sensitive to heat, the use of steam is not recommended in these cases. The best method to remove the smell from the mattress and eliminate stains is therefore to use bicarbonate: just sprinkle the entire surface with the powder, and leave it to act for a few hours; bicarbonate is an effective antibacterial and can absorb moisture. Alternatively, ammonia can also be used, however, in some cases, it can be harmful. If the mould is at an advanced stage, you can apply a mixture of baking soda and vinegar, and let the mattress dry in the sun for a few hours.
If none of the listed methods seems to give satisfactory results, or you would simply prefer to rely on an expert to be sure to remove all traces of mould, you can contact a cleaning company or a specialized company that offers a surface sanitization service: they will be able to accurately establish the nature and extent of the problem, intervening with targeted treatments and the most suitable products. In addition, these firms often also offer their services at home.
