Consumer champions at Which? have issued a warning that failing to clean your mattress every six months could lead to allergic reactions. While many people regularly change bed sheets and pillowcases, the mattress itself is often neglected.
According to Which?, there is no hard-and-fast rule for mattress cleaning frequency, as it depends on personal factors. However, they recommend a general guideline: clean and refresh your mattress every six months, and flip or rotate it as per the manufacturer's instructions. Some mattresses do not require flipping, so it is essential to check the care label.
Signs of Allergic Reaction
For allergy sufferers, Which? advises looking out for symptoms such as a runny nose, itchy eyes, or a dry throat, which may signal that it is time to clean the mattress. The frequency of cleaning also depends on how the mattress is used; those who eat, work, or relax in bed may need to clean more often.
Consequences of Not Cleaning
Which? highlights that many people assume their bed is clean if they shower before bed, but this is not the case. According to The Sleep Council, the average adult loses 285ml of fluid each night, sheds around 454g of dead skin over a year, and an average bed contains 10,000 dust mites that produce over two million droppings. These droppings can aggravate allergies.
"So if you never clean your mattress, it could become a hot bed of bacteria, dust, mould or dust mites. All of which is not only unhygienic, but can also aggravate allergies," Which? warns. They stress the importance of checking care labels before cleaning.
When to Buy a New Mattress
Which? also advises on when to replace a mattress: "Investing in mattress toppers and protectors can lengthen the lifespan of your mattress, but if yours is truly getting tatty, lumpy or saggy – or you've had a severe infestation of bedbugs – it may be better for your sleep and health to buy a new one."
