Black mold on mattress - bad?

9 replies

LisaMed · 10/06/2013 22:10

I have a patch of black mold about a foot across on a mattress. The mattress hasn't been used for some time but I hope to be sleeping on it soon. How bad is it to sleep on the mattress?

Many thanks for help

OP posts:

Aetae · 10/06/2013 22:11

I wouldn't, but then I'm violently allergic to mould. Black mould in particular can be rather nasty for the respiratory system.

wendybird77 · 11/06/2013 08:17

I'd consider it very bad. Can you clean it up - bleach / steam? I'd be inclined to get a new mattress if you can at all. I think we got one at Ikea for about £100 and just popped a memory foam topper on it - guests say it is very comfortable.

nannyl · 11/06/2013 09:12

mould on a mattress IS bad.

bin it and get another

Medal · 11/06/2013 09:15

I would get a new one, could trigger all sorts of allergies.

OnTheNingNangNong · 11/06/2013 09:15

Bin it. The spores can be quite nasty and you can't get rid of it fully from fabrics.

Original poster

LisaMed · 11/06/2013 09:39

Thanks for all the help. There is black mold on the walls as well but hoping that I'll be able to sort that out.

I'll get saving.

Really appreciate all the help.

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MrsCosmopilite · 11/06/2013 09:44

I used mould killer on the walls a little while back as condensation had made some black mould 'escalate'.

It's stinky stuff though, so if you're going to use it make sure that
a) you can ventilate the room
b) you can keep out of the room for about 20 mins

It seems to be a kind of bleach/disinfectant combo so it absolutely reeks. However, it has done the trick very successfully, without any damage to the paintwork.

I had a couple of curtains affected by the mould too, but was able to clean them with a hot wash/bleach wash. With a mattress I'd be more cautious, as I don't see that you could be certain that you'd eliminated it.

MrsPennyapple · 11/06/2013 10:07

Get a new one if you possibly can. You can clean the bit you can see but the mould would still be festering away inside the mattress.

Original poster

LisaMed · 11/06/2013 10:51

Thank you

I have a mold killer spray and I have a hand held steamer. The walls are plaster with emulsion on, so porous but I thought I'd blitz with that. I have a dehumidifier going all the time which has helped.

I really appreciate all the advice. I shall be very careful with the spray.

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