Hong Kong belongs to the subtropical monsoon climate area. The climate is mild and humid. Spring is particularly humid and foggy. The walls, the ground, and the glass windows all have large water droplets. Even the clothes, bedding, and bed sheets are affected by the humid environment and become sticky. It is quite common that we have to diligently clean and prevent the growth of mold.
We spend around one-third of our life sleeping. After a busy day, the greatest comfort is to rest and sleep comfortably in bed. Mattress maintenance and moisture protection are very important for extending the life of the mattress. Mold can grow all year round. Finding mold on a mattress is not only disconcerting, it can also be a potential hazard to your health.
What is mold?How is mold on the mattress formed?
Mold is a type of fungi that are commonly found in homes and which thrives in moist environments. It can grow all year round and grow fast. Typically, the earliest symptoms of mold under the mattress is a visible appearance of small black dots.
Mattress mold will not always be immediately visible to you, it will attach to dust, and stay on various objects. They rely on the decomposition of organic matter in the environment. Stains on mattress fabric,dirts,oils, mites, etc. all make the mattress a perfect host for mold growth, especially when in a dark and unventilated environment. When it meets the appropriate humidity and temperature, the growth of mold can be terrible.
Mold typically occurs on the bottom of your bed.The reason why the underneath of your bed is the most common spot for fungus growth is that it gets practically no light exposure and the air circulation is limited.
Will mold on the mattress affect human health?
Mold will affect the health of human skin and respiratory tract. We sleep in bed for a few hours every day. If mildew is found, it needs to be removed immediately. We must not sleep with the mold.
Because mold spores are so small, they can become airborne easily and spread quickly.The mold can enter our respiratory tract and lungs through the nasal cavity and mouth. People with allergies and weak resistance may have asthma, or even more serious illnesses. People with skin allergies may also get infected by exposure to mold.
My mattress is moldy, what should I do?
The so-called prevention is better than cure. Airborne spores are everywhere. Mold damage is not always obvious or visible, anywhere moisture is present, mold could be there. When you find that the mattress is invaded by mold on a large scale, it would be much more time-consuming to clean it. Therefore, once you notice there’s mold in your mattress, even if it is only some black dots, please clean your mattress as soon as you can.
Although there are many mold removal tools and cleaning products on the market, it is recommended to use mold removal products with natural ingredients. For example, you can use white vinegar and baking powder, which will cause less damage to the mattress and reduce the adverse effects on the human body.
Wipe with a dry cloth when cleaning. Do not use a damp cloth because it may further worsen the situation. Sprinkle the baking powder on the affected surface of the mattress and wipe it with a dry cloth or toothbrush. You can also choose to use a vacuum cleaner to remove the residue. In addition, you can choose to dilute a small amount of diluted white vinegar with a dry cloth, and then gently wipe the surface until the mildew spots are completely removed.
Sheets or mattress covers can also be cleaned by the above method, and then washed by hand or washing machine according to the cleaning instructions of the items. The bed frame and the slatted base also need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. After the bed and mattress are completely dry, they can be put back on the bed. Please wear a mask when cleaning the mold to avoid any inhalation.
Some people will choose to place the mattress under the sunshine and expose it for several hours or even a few days, but please note that not all mattresses are suitable for this method. For example, the latex of latex type mattresses, when exposed to sunlight for a long time, the UV rays will damage the latex and degarde the mattress, even causing crumble.
Future preventions
You should always take steps to prevent molds on the mattress. The cleaning of the mattress is not once and for all. To prolong the life of the mattress, it must be cleaned regularly.
Protect mattress
Moisture and sweat in the room can further cause the mold for a rapid growth. In order to prevent the mattress from being directly affected by the moisture, you can choose to buy a mattress protector. The mattress protector can be placed on top of the mattress to remove sweat and avoid direct contact with the mattress surface. If the mattress itself is provided with a waterproof cover, it can help you a lot in preventing mold on the mattress as well as base forms inside, and the mattress would be more durable.
Every time you get up, uncover your bed during the day to allow the mattress surface layer to be breathable, to avoid residual sweat and body temperature on the mattress, and to keep the mattress ventilated and dry.
Bed frame type
When the mattress is placed on the box spring/foundation or just simply directly placed on the ground is most likely to appear moldy. The reasons are first of all, the mattress is not breathable, and second, when the mattress is placed on the ground, the ground moisture condenses the bottom of the bed, and it is easy to provide a perfect host for the mold. .
The air permeability of the slatted bed frame is high, and we recommend the use of a dehumidifier indoors to make the room be well ventilated as well.
Moisture-proof measures
Many people use a dehumidifier when it is wet to keep the room dry and remove accumulated moisture, but it may not be enough to keep the mattress dry. You can choose to use a desiccant or anti-mold agent and place it near or at the bottom of the mattress to absorb the moisture to avoid the accumulation of moisture.
In addition, the environment should be kept well ventilated. Although closing the window can indeed prevent moisture from entering the room, it will also prevent the entry of fresh air. Insufficient air convection may also help mold to be formed. You may open a little window to allow good circulation, and then add a dehumidifier to dehumidify, making the room both ventilated and dry.
There’s no perfect mattress and no perfect environment, but knowing good care instructions can create a healthy environment for both of you and your mattress.