How to Clean Mould on a Mattress
On a mattress that has been exposed to moisture, mould can develop quickly, which should be treated as soon as possible before it grows and spreads over the entire mattress, as well as your bed frame or the sheets! How can you clean mould on a mattress? Here, we give you the steps for removing these unwanted embedded mould stains.
Step 1: Dry the mattress
If the mattress is still damp, dry it without the sheets either in the sun facing the rays on a patio or balcony or with a fan or a sufficiently powerful hair dryer.
Step 2: Vacuum the surface
Using a vacuum cleaner, vacuum the surface so that there is no residue left and the embedded stain is clearly visible.
Step 3: Apply a product
Using a cotton ball or a damp cloth, which are soft surfaces that will prevent you from damaging the mattress, apply the product of your choice to the mould stain(s):
- Baking soda
Using a soft brush such as a shoe brush, a toothbrush, or a nail brush, gently scrub the stain, which was coated with warm water beforehand, then rinse the brush and scrub the stain again with clear water.
- Ammonia
This is one of the most effective products for getting rid of old, embedded mould stains, but be careful, because it’s a dangerous product to handle. To use it safely, you should therefore protect your hands with gloves, avoid any contact with the skin, don’t inhale the fumes from the product, and make sure that the room in which you’re working is properly ventilated. Finally, pour the product on a cloth and scrub the stain with it.
- Bleach or borax
Bleach and borax powder are products used to remove mould on mattresses, because they deodorize, loosen stains, and disinfect. However, be careful to use them on white mattresses only, because on a coloured mattress, their use could cause significant discolouration stains. Once your hands are protected, pour two cups of hot water and ½ cup of the product of your choice into a container, then soak a sponge in the mixture and scrub the stain gently.
- Hydrogen peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide has disinfecting and bleaching properties that help easily remove moisture stains such as mould. Simply by dabbing a cloth soaked in hydrogen peroxide, you can therefore get good results.
Step 4: Dry the mattress (again)
After working on the stained area, you should gently dry the surface by scrubbing with a spongy washcloth. You can also enhance the drying with a hair dryer or even air it out well using a large fan so that you can finally notice the result.
Step 5: Make sure to place it in a dry location
Once you’ve finished cleaning your mattress, take note of the result and – above all – be sure to give it a new place that’s much drier than before to prevent any new mould stains from forming. It’s best to place it on a bed frame in a well-ventilated and less heated room, if necessary.
Opt for at-home mattress cleaning service
If you have neither the necessary products nor the time or desire to do a full cleaning, the other highly effective alternative involves entrusting the cleaning of your mattress to a specialized company that will come right to your home to remove even the most stubborn mould. Thanks to a steam cleaning system, your mattress will be disinfected and free of any noxious smells.
