Almost every one of us spends roughly one-third of our lives on a mattress. When it comes to mattresses, most people only look at their comfort or firmness. They do not pay any attention to the cleanliness or hygiene, which invites so many health hazards.
According to statistics, an unclean mattress contains between 100,000 and 10 million dust mites. Mattresses are also home to dead skin cells, sweat, and a lot of dust.
All of these elements pose serious dangers to our health. This is why contacting professional mattress cleaning services once your mattress becomes visibly unclean is highly recommended.
This blog highlights some serious dangers that unclean mattresses contain and the effect that they have on your health. So, let’s jump right ahead.
- Factors That Make Your Mattress Unclean
- Dangers of an Unclean Mattress and The Health Risks They Pose
Factors That Make Your Mattress Unclean
The following are a few points that show why your mattress might be a breeding ground for contaminants or health hazards.
- Your sweat or other bodily fluids seep into the mattress. This creates a perfect environment for bacteria to grow.
- An average person sheds about 0.5–1 gram of dead skin cells each day. These dead skin cells accumulate in the mattress and invite dust mites.
- Spills from your drinks or crumbs from your food leave behind residues that facilitate the growth of bacteria or fungi.
- Environmental particles like dust, pollen, or pollutants settle onto the mattress. This makes them highly unhygienic.
- Particles or pathogens from the bodies of your pets also get trapped inside mattresses, which can lead to infections or skin irritation.
Dangers of an Unclean Mattress and The Health Risks They Pose
This section lists some major hazards that you face when you sleep on an unclean mattress. It also highlights common health risks that these dangers entail.
- Dust Mites
Dust mites are very small, almost microscopic creatures that thrive on the dead skin cells inside your mattress. Research shows dust mite concentration is about 0.5 microgram per 1 gram of dust in 8-25-month-old mattresses.
Effects On Your Health
- Dust mites can trigger allergies. The symptoms can range from sneezing or coughing to itchy eyes and even nasal congestion.
- Dust mite exposure worsens the asthma symptoms. They make it difficult to breathe which makes them particularly dangerous for children.
- Another study shows house dust mite allergens that you find in dirty mattresses are a major cause of allergic respiratory diseases such as allergic rhinitis, as well as asthma.
- The feces and body parts of dust mites are potent allergens that can trigger severe reactions like skin rashes or eczema flare-ups in some people.
- Bacteria and Fungi
Bacteria or fungi are also a major threat in unclean mattresses. These result from the accumulation of sweat, saliva, bodily oils, or spills in the mattresses. Regularly cleaning a mattress is the only way to deter the bacteria or fungi growth.
Effects On Your Health
- Some types of bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus cause skin infections like boils or rashes.
- Bacteria or fungi from your mattresses can also become airborne. These can cause allergies and respiratory issues even for people who don’t use the mattress.
- Mattresses that trap germs or bacteria can cause the spread of illnesses.
- Bacteria buildup also causes unpleasant smells that make it very hard for you to sleep peacefully. This causes physical as well as mental fatigue.
- Mold
Mold is also a major nuisance that results from the presence of moisture in your mattress. The damp environment inside the mattress creates perfect conditions for mold to spread in the inner layers of the mattress. This makes it nearly impossible for you to detect it with the naked eye. Mold also spreads along the seams or the underside of the mattress.
Effects On Your Health
- Mold spores trigger allergies that can lead to coughing or wheezing. It also causes shortness of breath in people with asthma.
- Mold is also a major cause of rashes or eczema flare-ups in people with sensitive skin.
- The presence of mold increases the risk of infections in people with weaker immune systems.
- Bed Bugs
Bed bugs are blood-sucking creatures that are extremely harmful to your health. These tend to hide in the seams of your mattresses. You can also find these in the sheets or the bedroom furniture.
If you notice red or itchy bite marks on your skin or some spots of blood on your bedding, you might be dealing with bed bugs.
Effects On Your Health
- The bites from bed bugs cause reddish bumps and itchiness. They also make you prone to secondary infections.
- Bed bug infestations also lead to anxiety or discomfort, which affects your sleep quality.
- Allergens
Your mattress can also accumulate a wide range of other allergens. These include pet dander, pollen, dust, or VOCs. These allergens affect your breathing as well as your overall health. This is why it is paramount that you contact professional mattress cleaning services regularly to prevent all of these contaminants from damaging your mattress and health.
Effects On Your Health
- Pet dander which consists of small skin cells of your pets like cats, dogs, rodents or birds is known to aggravate allergies.
- Pollen or environmental dust also triggers allergies or infections.
- VOCs from flame retardants or other chemicals that get trapped inside the mattresses create indoor air pollution.
Conclusion
An unclean mattress is a big hazard that can affect your health in a serious way. Dust mites and bed bugs in the mattress cause skin infections. The allergens or bacteria trigger or exacerbate allergies.
The dangers that reside inside an unclean mattress not only pose physical threats but also affect your mental state and peace of mind.
This is why it is extremely necessary that you learn about all the major dangers that a dirty mattress possesses. This can help you take the most effective measures that ensure your mattress stays clean and you get a peaceful sleep all year round.
Visit us at Lulu Pest Control and Cleaning Services today to get the best mattress cleaning and maintenance services to ensure the best comfort and health for you and your dear ones every single day.
FAQs
After how many years do you need to replace your mattress?
Experts suggest you need to replace your mattress every 7–10 years to prevent health risks.
Can an unclean mattress make you ill?
Sleeping on a dirty mattress exposes you to bacteria, dust mites, bed bugs, and pathogens that can trigger allergic reactions, asthma, and skin infections.
What happens if you don’t clean your mattress regularly?
An unclean or unwashed mattress is the breeding ground for harmful bacteria and fungi. These mattresses can cause acne, asthma, rashes, and even staph infections.
Can an unclean mattress affect mental well-being?
It is not possible to get quality sleep on an unclean mattress. The poor sleep quality affects your mood to a great extent. It triggers anxiety and frustration, which increases your stress levels as well.
What is the sign that shows your mattress might contain dust mites?
Visible dust accumulation is a major sign that your bed has dust mites. Other symptoms include respiratory issues, skin irritation, asthma, allergic coughs, and unexplained fatigue.