How to Kill Mildew on a Mattress
Mildew loves damp fabric and mattresses are no exception. When conditions are right--when the area is warm and the mattress is moist--mildew growth can occur quickly. Once growth begins, a mattress develops a distinctive musty smell that is difficult to eliminate. To get rid of mildew on a mattress, you should act fast. Mildew will spread. Once it gets beneath the mattress cover, it may be too late to eliminate. The sooner you kill mildew on a mattress cover, the more likely you'll be able to save the mattress. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Fan (optional)
- Hair dryer (optional)
- Hand vacuum or vacuum with attachment
- Disinfectant spray with fungicide
Instructions
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Move the mattress outdoors if possible. Place it on a blanket or table in full sunlight. Allow the mattress to dry fully if it is still damp. If it is impossible to move the mattress outdoors, turn on a fan in the room to circulate air--speed drying by using a hair dryer on the mattress.
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Sweep or scrub the mattress to get rid of mildew on the surface. Mildew may grow in different colors, including white, or it may not even be easily visible. If the mattress reeks of mildew, however, you can safely assume it is mildewed.
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Vacuum the entire mattress cover, front and back, with a handheld vacuum or a standard vacuum with attachments--use a brush and hose attachment. Vacuuming allows you to suck up as many mildew spores as you can.
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Spray down the mattress with a disinfectant spray that contains a fungicide. Be generous with the spray and don't forget to spray seams.
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Keep the mattress outdoors in the sunlight or indoors in a dry, well-ventilated area. Flip the mattress every two to three hours to allow the other side to be exposed to the sunlight, if outdoors.
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Bring the mattress indoors before nightfall--otherwise, dew will settle on it.
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Tips & Warnings
Respray the mattress and/or expose it again to sunlight if it still smells musty the next day.
If mold or mildew is growing inside the mattress, the mattress should be replaced, the Mississippi State University Extension Service says. Mildew inside a mattress can't be eliminated without help from a trained upholsterer.
