If you want to know how to tell if your mattress has mold, we will discuss how you can use your senses. We are talking about your visual and olfactory senses, to be exact. You must know if your mattress has fungal growth to avoid irritation and allergies, so never neglect check-ups like this.
We have always talked about the importance of keeping your mattress dry. Unfortunately, dampness and humidity are sometimes overlooked, and they can lead to mold growth. Here is what you can do if suspicions arise:
How To Tell If Your Mattress Has Mold And The Potential Risks To Look Out For
Sight
Even though the naked eye does not easily see fungi, mold presents itself with visual signs. The best way to check for mold growth on your bed is to see black spots on it. The common areas where they are present are those that touch the foundation or ground.
Over time, they can spread all over the bed. This particular appearance is from mildew and generally present on the surface compared to mold. On the contrary, mold growth is deeper, but you can see a fuzzy white or black layer on the surface.
When you try to wipe these growths, the spots from mildew are easier to remove than mold. However, mildew is more common than mold, and homeowners confuse all multi-color stains or growths in mattresses as mold. Once you see these visual signs, the following test confirms your suspicion of mold by using your sense of smell.
Smell
We have taught you before how to address your bed if it smells musty. Unfortunately, this very odor is a telltale sign of mold growth. Have you ever noticed that damp areas tend to smell musty?
If your mattress has the same smell, you need to check for multi-color stains of dots or fuzz. The reason why moldy mattresses smell musty is because of the spores from fungi. Often, the smell is the first thing you’ll notice more than the growths since you can’t see them yet, being microscopic.
Over time, the smell might become more intense when you didn’t address the mold growth immediately. A helpful tip to remember is even if it’s the room that smells musty, you should clean the mattress as well. This way, you can ensure that you will prevent the spread of spores in the room.
Other signs of moldy mattress
Besides the mattress itself, please check your overall well-being. You might notice feeling more congested lately, or you’re exhibiting symptoms of flu such as sore throat and headache. Spores contribute to health problems, so it’s not surprising that you’re getting sick often when using a moldy mattress.
Is It Safe To Sleep On A Moldy Mattress?
We don’t recommend sleeping on a moldy mattress for different reasons regarding your health and wellness. You don’t need to have existing health conditions to avoid mold, and it’s best to fix the mattress or get a new one instead of sleeping on something with fungi. For one, mold growth can exasperate respiratory issues.
The spores can contribute to allergies and asthma. Even if you think you’re a healthy individual, you will notice difficulty breathing and develop wheezing each time you lay in bed. And not only that but do you also see rashes lately?
Contact rash is another symptom of sleeping on a moldy mattress. It will even be worst if you have an existing skin condition like eczema. Finally, mold exposure can weaken your immune system, making you more prone to illnesses.
What Type Of Mattress Resists Mold?
We recommend maintaining your mattress clean and dry to prevent the growth of mold and mildew. You should also regularly aerate it outside on a sunny day to ensure that it’s not damp inside. It’s even better that you vacuum your bed weekly to eliminate any build-up on the surface.
But if you want a specific mattress type that is mold-resistant, some materials like wool and natural latex are excellent choices. If you found a bed that uses rubberized coconut fiber, it will also be more resistant to mold growth than other materials. Still, please maintain your bed properly, as prevention is easy yet effective in preventing the risk of mold and mildew.
Is your mattress at risk for mold?
Mold growth is possible in your typical mattresses like innerspring and memory foam. Remember that if your mattress has moisture that settles and won’t dry out, fungi will thrive. A helpful practice to prevent dampness and promote dryness is to place your bed over something that provides air circulation underneath.
You can also maintain the humidity of the room and occasionally open the windows to provide good ventilation. But if you got your foam mattress wet, moisture could seep deep into the layers. Therefore, it’s crucial that you dry the bed throughout and even use a heatless blow dryer to target some spots.
Conclusion
Mold and mildew in the bed should be addressed as soon as possible. But do you know how to tell if your mattress has mold? To conclude this article, fuzzy growth, and dark spots are visual signs of fungi in the bed.
You will also notice a musty smell and general feeling of discomfort from inhaling and contacting the spores. Therefore, always keep your mattress dry and clean to avoid mold and mildew.