Do you have mold on your mattress? How to find it and eliminate it easily
Mold is an organism from the mushroom kingdom capable of covering all surfaces with its spongy mycelia, which reproduce through spores. It usually appears on spoiled foods (although in some cases, it is cultivated for the production of certain cheeses and antibiotics).
In addition to food, mold also appears on other surfaces in our homes, such as wood, walls and fabrics and, especially in old houses, in humid areas (like the bathroom). If not stopped in its tracks, mold can cause numerous problems, especially to our wellbeing.
Being very prolific, it is not easy to get rid of mold, especially when you can't see it. An example of this is the mattress on our bed, which can be subject to the proliferation of mold without us realizing it. However, there are some signs we can use to identify mold in time and eradicate it easily before having to replace the mattress.
Let's find out together how to find hidden mold on your mattresses and how to eliminate it.
Mold on the mattress: how to recognize it early and prevent it
Mold on the mattress is a problem that most people ignore despite it being dangerous to our well-being. It usually presents as a whitish, pink or black, fluffy spotting, but before reaching this stage, it goes through several phases where you may not be aware you have a problem. Some early signs of mold on the mattress are:
- a bad smell;
- insects and parasites attracted to the mattress;
- the onset of unexplained, multicolored spots/stains;
- the presence of mold in other areas of the bedroom.
Visually inspect your mattress for stains and pests, then smell your mattress for any pungent odors, and finally check all areas around your bed for signs of mold on the furniture and walls.
Mold grows rapidly in dark and damp environments and if your bedroom has these characteristics, unfortunately it will be very difficult to avoid mold formation. However, you can achieve good results if you ventilate the room frequently, cover the mattress with an antimicrobial mattress cover and equip your room with a dehumidifier.
How to remove mold from a mattress
If mold has already appeared on your mattress but is only present on the surface, you can effectively eliminate it in various ways, as long as you act quickly. Proceed with cleaning the mattress on a sunny day, so that you can completely dry your mattress in a few hours.
- Hydrogen peroxide: one of the most popular remedies against mold, hydrogen peroxide proves to be very effective in removing it from the mattress. Check the label of your mattress before taking action, if it recommends not to bleach the mattress, you will have to choose another remedy. Otherwise, proceed first by vacuuming the mattress on both sides. Then prepare a solution of 3 parts hot water and one part hydrogen peroxide, which you will spray directly on the mold stains and scrub with them with a nylon brush. Spray a small amount of the mixture over the entire surface of the mattress and leave it to dry in the sun, repeating the operation a second time to eliminate all traces of spores and bacteria.
- Denatured alcohol: another product that is very effective in eliminating mold is denatured alcohol which must be mixed with hot water in equal parts. After carefully vacuuming the mattress on both sides, dip a cloth in the water and alcohol solution, wring out well and rub the stains with circular movements. Rinse with a damp, well-wrung out cloth, then spray all surfaces using an upholstery disinfectant. Leave to dry thoroughly in the sunshine.
In case of persistent mold, you can try commercial detergents or turn to professionals, who will return your mattress as good as new.
