Mold and Your Mattress

A lot of people fail to realize how toxic bedding is, from conventional cotton sheets loaded with cancer causing chemicals, pesticides, and toxins to the VOCs like formaldehyde, toluene, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), benzene, trichloroethane, perfluorocarbons and more in the mattress itself… not to mention any contamination in pallet bed frames, reclaimed wood bed frames, or solid wood frames that have toxic glue and coating to “protect”… The last thing you want is to lay to rest at night and be greeted by mycotoxins, dust mites, the bacteria & pathogens these two invite, and all the other microscopic organisms our eyes can’t see.

Our homes should be our safe havens, our bedrooms especially. Here are some ways mold can occur in your mattress and some tips help you create a safer space and healthier home environment for your and your family.

How does mold penetrate your mattress?

Mold can contaminate items it’s never grown on. Mold can travel through the air, it hitches rides on your porous clothes, it is carried around by dust mites, if mold is present the friction of walking through carpet or sitting on a porous item that has mold spores will actually send these particles into the air causing them to be airborn and travel for an hour & sometimes longer.

• Sweating in your sleep soaks into the mattress, the heat & water creates a food source.
• Positioning your bed by a window increases the chance of mold growth.
• Having a wooden bed frame, reclaimed wood or chemically treated wood can be moldy and provide a food source.
• Leaving damp towels or anything of that nature on your bed increases mold growth.
• EMF in your bedroom proliferates mold.

When cleaning your mattress

Do not use harsh chemicals, vinegar, or douse with essential oils. You do not want to leave behind any organic substances or excess moisture as food sources for potential mold growth.

What you’ll need:
• Steamer (or warm water w/ non toxic soap)
• Mircofiber cloths
• Basket or Bucket (preferably with holes/wires)
• HEPA vacuum or UV Vacuum
• Microbalance EC3 Mold Solution

Best practice: Use a steamer & HEPA vacuum

Always use warm water & non toxic soap to remove any organic substances if a steamer is not applicable. Make sure you pat dry the
entire surface area of the mattress. Use a HEPA vacuum in sections to capture & trap potential mold particles & other byproducts. Can also use a UV vacuum to sanitize the surface area of the bed.

Why do I recommend a steamer? It’s the safest & most effective way to decrease the overall amount of harmful bacteria without the use of toxic chemicals. Essentially removing all the bacteria & pathogens feeding the mold.

Always pat dry the surface of the mattress to remove any excess water. This is an essential step not to be overlooked or taken lightly. Use microfiber cloths, put your weight into it, & make sure you absorb all excess moisture.

To finish you can gently spray with Microbalance EC3 mold spray to reduce the overall amount of spores that may be present.
Again, make sure mattress is completely dry before moving forward with making your bed.

What can I do to prevent mold in my mattress?

• Invest in Organic GOTS certified cotton sheets or Organic Bamboo sheets
• Invest in an Organic & non toxic mattress
• Invest in a waterproof mattress protector
• Invest in an air purifier
• Reduce the amount of clutter on your bed & in your bedroom
• Reduce sources of EMF in the bedroom, turn off your wifi during the night, & set your phone to airplane mode
• Position your bed away from windows
• Make sure your mattress is on top of a breathable bed frame
• Remove memory foam & plastic toppers
• Wash your bedding in non toxic detergent along with EC3 laundry additive weekly
• Clean & dust with proper precautions regularly
• Allow sunlight & fresh air into the room daily
• Make deep cleaning your mattress apart of your regular cleaning routine

Written by: Alexandra DeLeón (@holisticallylexy)