Welcome to our Healthy Homes & Workplaces 10-part series. In these stories, we delve deep into the science and engineering behind our machines to reveal our Dyson top tips, tricks and recommendations for keeping your home and workplace clean and healthy though lockdowns and beyond. Find out more on Instagram through #DysonHealthyHome.
We spend roughly a third of our lives in our beds, but studies show that hardly any of us regularly prioritise our mattresses as part of our cleaning regimens. Dyson engineers share top tips on how to keep your mattress clean – and tackle the microscopic life lurking beneath the sheets.
October 14 2020
Studies show that many people focus on cleaning their bedrooms than any other room in the house. For example, the American Cleaning Institute’s 2020 study found that 25% of those surveyed stated that their bedrooms were where they focused most of their deep cleaning attention. While 19% of respondents admitted their bed linens were some of the dirtiest items in their homes, mattresses didn’t even make the list of areas that people considered cleaning¹.
While it may look clean, your mattress may actually be a hot bed of microscopic life, which could be impacting your wellbeing while you sleep. Dust mites, their faeces, bacteria, viruses, pollen and other allergens make up the complex matrix that is household dust, which also exists in your mattress.
Indeed, there can be millions of dust mites in a single mattress² and the problem is a global one. One study found detectable dust mite allergen in the beds of about 84% of American homes³ surveyed, while another found detectable allergen in 68% of⁴ European homes⁵. A study in Singapore found dust mites present in 94% of all mattresses analysed.
And while dust mite themselves are harmless, dust mite allergens are actually the most relevant inducers of allergic diseases worldwide⁶. Extensive exposure in early childhood to indoor allergens, including house dust mites has also been associated with asthma⁷.
“Dead skin cells shed by humans and pets is the main food source for dust mites,” says Joanne Kang, Lead Research Scientist in Microbiology at Dyson. “It is no surprise that mattresses, where we spend one-third of our lives and where dander tends to accumulate, is a prime breeding ground for dust mites. In fact, most of us are probably sleeping in a bed full of dust mite faeces – particularly in dust mite season.”
House dust mites are microscopic arachnids that can be found in homes all around the world. Their average lifecycle is 65-100 days and during that time they will produce approximately 2,000 faecal pellets and secrete even more proteins through their saliva – both of which can trigger allergies and impact your wellbeing⁸.
Dust mites feed primarily on dander or dead skin cells shed by humans as well as animals. On average, humans shed 2g of skin per day⁹, and even more at night where friction from bedding causes dead cells to shed. They can also get the nutrients they need from other household debris, like food crumbs¹⁰. So, if you relax with breakfast in bed in the mornings, or cosy up with a pet at night, you might need to clean your mattress even more regularly.
Microbiologist quick mattress cleaning tips
“There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to cleaning your mattress as it depends on the type of mattress, the user, and the user’s susceptibility to dust mite allergens,” says Joanne. “A general rule of thumb is to clean them twice a year: once when you’re doing spring cleaning and once at the end of dust mite season in October. This ensures you’re reducing the number of skin flakes present in your mattress before dust mite season begins, minimizing dust mites’ food source, and removing any excess allergenic material at the end of prime breeding season; supporting your well being through the winter months.”
Follow Joanne’s four easy steps below to cleaning your mattress:
How to tackle stains
Occasionally, mattresses demand more than a surface clean. While it can be tempting to ignore stains on a mattress, or resign yourself to defeat, there are a few things you can try to keep your mattress looking fresh, even after years of use.
“Like with any stain, reading the label of the product you’re using to remove it is essential,” says Dr Calum Robertson, Chemical Research Scientist at Dyson. “Stains can be made up of a number of complex chemical components but understanding the type of stain you’re trying to remove can help point to the right treatment, without being too abrasive or harsh on your mattress.”
