How to Get Rid of Mould on Your Mattress
In a hot country like Malaysia, mould on mattresses is a very common problem. This mars its appearance with black or green stains and releases spores that lead to cough, skin irritation, or itchiness.
The fungi are caused by excess moisture on the mattress coming from sweat, oil, or accidental spills, which can sometimes be hard to avoid without a mattress protector over it.
Fret not, though, as here’s our simple guide to getting rid of mould on your mattress so that you can once again sleep like a baby at night.
Removing Mould from Your Mattress
Here are three easy ways you can remove mould from your mattress using rubbing alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, or a mattress cleaner.
Using Rubbing Alcohol
Follow the steps below to clean a fabric mattress using rubbing alcohol. For this, you’ll need to use a vacuum cleaner, two clean cloths, rubbing alcohol, and warm water.
1) Vacuum the mattress
First, vacuum the mattress to remove its loose dirt and dust.
2) Combine alcohol and warm water
Mix equal parts of alcohol and warm water into a spray bottle or a basin.
3) Scrub the mould off the mattress
Soak a small part of the cloth in the solution, squeeze out the water, and then scrub off the mould stains.
4) Rinse the affected area
Take a new cloth, dip it in warm water, and rinse the affected area. But don’t make it overly wet, as this can only foster new mould growth.
5) Disinfect the stained area again
To prevent the leftover mould stains and discourage new ones from growing, spray the affected area with a mattress disinfectant.
6) Dry the mattress
Dry the mattress outside in the sun. This hastens the drying time and makes it fresher compared to just using a fan or a dehumidifier.
Using Hydrogen Peroxide
You can also use hydrogen peroxide to take out the unsightly mould on your mattress, although be aware that some mattress suppliers don’t recommend it, as it is a bleach product.
Furthermore, it is dangerous when inhaled or if the liquid splashes onto your eyes and skin. It can cause irritation, burns, and blisters.
Therefore, if you choose to use this method, remember to always wear long gloves, a mask, and eye protection.
Also, this method will take longer since you would have to repeat the cleaning process.
Anyhow, here are the steps you should take to remove mattress mould using hydrogen peroxide:
1) Vacuum the mattress
Vacuum the mattress to remove dirt and debris on all sides.
2) Ready the solution
Mix one part hydrogen peroxide and three parts warm water in a bowl. Separate this bowl from the ones you use for food.
3) Scrub the mould off the mattress
Dip the nylon brush in the solution and scrub away the mould with it.
4) Air-dry the mattress in the sun
Take the mattress outside and dry it where the sun hits it. With the same hydrogen peroxide solution from earlier, spritz the stained area on the bed.
5) Repeat the process
Repeat steps two through four to kill and remove the remaining mould and bacteria.
6) Dry
Let the mattress dry again in the sunlight.
Using a Mattress Cleaner
If the methods above fail to work, you can resort to a more potent, commercial mattress cleaner. You can pick one up from your local supermarket, home improvement store, or online.
But when using a mattress cleaner, make sure to read and follow the directions to prevent fabric damage or accidents. If unsure, you can always test out a small amount of the product first on an unused bed sheet or a torn rag.