Mold on a mattress
The discovery of mold on a mattress is always quite shocking to most; it is made more disheartening because the presence of mold is very risky for the occupants of the bedroom’s health. In this write up most of your questions concerning this unwanted microbe on your mattress will be answered, how to handle its occurrence and prevent it.
What does mold on a mattress look like?
Mold on a mattress mostly occurs as a huge dark stain on the mattress. This stain indicates where the mold has infested your mattress. It can also appear as an off-white or pink-looking spot on your mattress.
What is a mold?
A mold is known as a type of fungus that grows unusually in that it does not grow in the common single-celled filaments; rather, it sprouts in a multicellular form, often referred to as hyphae.
The mold is a microbe, and it is mostly found in divisions. They are known to cause rapid biodegradation of most natural materials, an example of which is the mattress being discussed. They are known to be capable of causing major damages to property.
What are the causes of mold on a mattress?
Mattresses do not just suddenly start sprouting mold; all mattresses at the time of production are usually extremely clean and mold-free and are usually packaged properly and tightly sealed before being sold out. Mold is most often caused by environmental factors like a humid bedroom environment created when a mattress is placed directly on the floor; they also need food, moisture, and optimum temperature to thrive perfectly.
The sweat produced by the human body during perspiration added to a humid room would create the perfect environment for maximum growth of molds; materials such as cotton and dead skin matter found on many mattresses are a sufficient food source for these microbes. The availability of this humid environment and food materials encouraged the rapid growth of mold on a mattress.
Mold in mattress symptoms: what are the early signs of mattress mold?
It is crucial to note that no mattress is not susceptible to mold, and if not treated early, it can lead to the destruction of your property and pose a very high risk to your health. The first thing to note in the case of a moldy mattress is the smell. Mold gives off a pungent, musty smell that starts slightly and gets worse with time.
Multicolored stains whose cause cannot be explained are also noticed in small patches on your mattress. The mattress would start to attract different insects and parasites in large quantities.
Another tell-tale sign of a mold-ridden mattress is the appearance of mold in other parts of your bedroom.
Is mold on a mattress dangerous?
Yes, It is. If you have foam on your mattress you are predisposed to certain health problems. Mold can cause respiratory health problems as well as allergic symptoms.
Is it safe to sleep on a moldy mattress?
If you are sleeping on a moldy mattress, then you are susceptible to health risks. Mould leads to respiratory diseases especially. After long exposure to a moldy mattress, there is a high risk of developing asthma allergies, wheezing, or difficulty breathing. Most people don’t usually associate these symptoms with mold most of the time.
It can also lead to rash in some people at the point of mold exposure. People often have different reactions to this microbe, and it’s better to get rid of it quickly.
How long does mold require to fully develop?
Once a mattress is exposed to moisture and becomes a comfy place for mold to thrive, the mold colonies will fully develop in24 to 48 hours. The mold is reproduced by spores that are carried in the air. They survive by digesting every available organic material.
Can a moldy mattress be fully free of mold?
This can be achieved by following the proper steps to get rid of molds and using certain materials that aim to fight mold spores to the end, like Lysol. Lysol can be employed to blast all mold residues from your mattress. Alcohol, white vinegar, or bleach will fully serve this purpose, too, coupled with a thorough vacuuming of the mattress.
How do you get mold out of a mattress?
Once you find out that your mattress has been infected with mold, there’s no need to panic; there are steps to follow to salvage your mattress from the hands of this unrelenting microbe.
- The first thing to be done is a thorough vacuuming of the mattress. The two sides of the mattress must be subjected to this rigid process; no inch of the bed must be left out to avoid a further recurrence. Once this has been achieved, the vacuum has to be completely emptied to avoid the growth of any new molds.
- The affected area of the mattress should be properly cleaned using a damp cloth and soapy water.
- After these steps have been carried out properly, the last step is to air out the mattress; the most advisable way to do this is direct exposure to sunlight, ensuring that the mattress is fully ventilated. In cases where full exposure to sunlight is not possible, expose the mattress to as much air as possible.
Mold on the floor
Wooden floors often attract mold, especially in houses with enough moisture, food, and warmth that will let the mold thrive. Their presence on the floor will be marked by discoloration of the wood leading to stains. It can make wood rot faster. Blocking out moisture will cause a stop in mold growth.
Mold on memory foam mattress
All indoor environments always harbor a form of mold, all that they require is a suitable spot to grow and thrive.
The memory foam can serve as the perfect environment for mold growth, which would be very detrimental to your health.
What is memory foam?
A memory foam mattress is simply a mattress that can recall your most comfortable sleeping position and body shape and conform its shape to what best suits you, which prompted its name “memory” foam.
The foam is made up of a combination of memory foam and a support foam joined by springs. It morphs to your body shape and provides the perfect settings for your sleep by using your body heat. It provides maximum support and comfort for its users.
How long should a memory foam last?
Compared to another normal mattress which usually has a lifespan of about 7 years, the memory foam is known to last about 10 years if properly maintained. The memory foam is considered one of the best for its longevity and awesome enhancement of sleep health.
How to remove mold from memory foam mattress
The memory foam should be stripped of all lining; once the mattress is free from wall coverings, it should be exposed to air; this can be done with electric fans or opening of all windows in the vicinity; this would help to dry off any moisture on the surface of the mattress. Once this has been achieved, a vacuum should be used on the memory foam.
All parts of the foam must be thoroughly vacuumed to avoid missing any of the mold spores, no matter how little. The vacuum bags must be properly disposed of to avoid transferring the mold spores to other parts of the house. Create a mixture of hot water and a little quantity of a mild dishwashing detergent; stir this until you start noticing some frothy soap bubbles.
Get a sponge and dip it in the bubbles created only, then run the sponge over the mold marks on the mattress to ensure the death of any lingering mold spore. Dab all lingering soap suds with a damp cloth and dry off finally with a fan or opened windows.
Finally, apply a disinfectant on the memory foam to get rid of any mold residues.
Also read:
Can mold grow after leak is fixed
How do you kill mold spores in the air naturally
How to prevent mold on memory foam mattress
1. Maintain a high humidity in the room
A dehumidifier will work perfectly well for this cause and prevent mold growth on your memory foam. It’s also cheaper to use compared to trying to fight the humidity using electrical appliances.
2. Using appropriate bed protectors for your memory foam: the use of proper waterproof materials will keep moisture from touching your foam and thereby leave it completely mold-free. This cover will prevent your memory foam from becoming an environment where mold can thrive.
3. Proper airing of the memory foam: this process involves giving your mattress space to breathe; this can be achieved by making sure the window is left open from time to time, or with the use of electric fans or AC and even by just taking off all covers to enable the foam breath.
4. Avoid placing memory foam on the floor directly: it is best to place your mattress on plywoods, thick rugs, or even bed frames; placing it on the floor will only ensure that molds appear in full force. The floor is a very risky place to place your mattress as it might even have mold spores lying around already; also, it limits the flow of air in the mattress.
Conclusion
All mattresses are prone to mold infestation, but this does not necessarily mean the end of the mattress or memory foam. Basic steps like proper vacuuming and airing should be taken to prevent mold spores and prevent a recurrence. Procuring a proper bed cover and support system will also go a long way in keeping your mattress mold-free.
