Do you wake up feeling like you haven't slept at all? Is your mattress making you sick? Don't underestimate the importance of good sleep.
Most of us have a cordial relationship with our mattresses. We're grateful that they provide support for our bodies at night, allowing us to get a good night's sleep. For the most part, they blend into the background of our lives, and we hardly consider them. Today, we ask: Is your mattress making you sick?
However, disturbing news has recently been emerging about them. Mattresses, it seems, are not whiter than white. They could be harming your health. Old mattresses can become a breeding ground for bacteria and germs from accumulated sweat and dead skin. Many mattresses, especially older ones made with synthetic materials, contain harmful chemicals like VOCs and flame retardants.
The most recent warning comes from the Sleep Council, the consumer–education arm of the International Sleep Products Association. It found that mattresses were a breeding ground for a wide range of nasties, including mould and the hospital superbug, MRSA.
Is Your Mattress Making You Sick?
It’s not the first time mattresses have come under assault from the scientific community. Over the years, researchers have criticised them for their effects on posture and the annoying habit of cutting off circulation to the skin. Despite their efforts, mattress makers have yet to find a magic formula to address these issues, even as technology continues to improve. Over time, mattresses accumulate dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and other allergens, which can exacerbate health problems.
Part of the problem stems from the way manufacturers produce mattresses. Because they’re so thick, they’re impossible to clean inside. You can’t take them apart piece by piece and throw the various bits in the wash. Instead, you’re stuck trying to find ways of preventing dirt from infiltrating in the first place. And if you’re like most people, you only discover such things years after the fact. Allergen buildup is common in worn mattresses, which collect pet dander, mildew, and other allergens over time. Maintaining cleanliness is essential to prevent mattresses from harbouring dust mites and allergens, as these can trigger allergy symptoms and other health issues.
Another issue is that humans have only recently begun sleeping on mattresses. For most of history, we slept on bits of vegetation and straw. Later on, we started using animal hides, but they didn’t provide anything like the plushness of modern bedding. Springs, coils, and foam are recent inventions – at least on evolutionary timescales.
Nobody did long-term studies on how these products would affect posture and spinal alignment over many years before bringing them to market. As a result, we’ve been living in a kind of natural experiment to determine the physiological effects of modern bedding on our bodies. The results are still not entirely clear. Choosing mattresses made from natural materials can help reduce exposure to toxins in the bedroom.
In this post, we outline the surprising ways your mattress could be contributing to your health issues. Some involve the materials that comprise the mattress itself. Others have to do with the fact that cleaning standard bedding isn’t easy.
It's Full Of Hidden Chemicals
When you go to bed at night, you imagine that you’re sleeping on a combination of traditional materials – like cotton – and metal springs. But that’s a long way from the truth. Allow your new mattress to air out in a ventilated space before use to reduce off-gassing odours.
Many mattresses contain fire-retardant chemicals – compounds that are great for keeping you safe if you forget to stub out your cigarette, but not so good for keeping you healthy over the long term. Some common VOCs found in mattresses include formaldehyde, benzene, and toluene. Chemical off-gassing occurs when volatile compounds used in mattress production break down and release gases into the air. Synthetic latex, commonly used in mattresses, can also release VOCs, such as formaldehyde and benzene, during off-gassing.
Research shows that many of these chemicals are dangerous to the body. Boric acid – a standard inclusion in many mattresses – can irritate the skin and damage the eyes. Formaldehyde can cause dermatitis and itching. Exposure to chemicals in mattresses can also cause skin rashes. And polyurethane foam – the core material in many memory foam mattresses – can heighten allergies and, in some cases, lead to organ toxicity. Exposure to these chemical emissions is associated with headaches, dizziness, and respiratory problems. These emissions can also trigger breathing difficulties and chest tightness, especially in individuals with sensitive respiratory systems.
So what’s the solution? Your best bet is to check if the mattress adheres to the Oeko-Tex Standard 100. It limits the number of chemicals the product can emit over its lifecycle and certifies that it does not contain flame-retardant chemicals. Mattresses certified by programs like CertiPUR-US, OEKO-TEX, or GREENGUARD have low chemical emissions.
You can also buy ‘organic mattresses’ that contain more than 95 per cent organic materials under the Global Organic Textile and Global Organic Latex Standards.
It Traps Bacteria And Allergens
According to the New York University School of Medicine, the average home generates around forty pounds of dust annually. And much of that ends up on and in your mattress.
Dust is a problem. While most of it consists of harmless dead skin cells, some of it contains pollen and even bacteria. And once it gets into the mattress, it is almost impossible to get out.
In 2014, researchers investigated whether rolling from your stomach to your back could release these trapped particles in sufficient quantities to affect your health. Experimental participants turned over as they would naturally, and then investigators measured the number of particles that passed through their mouths and into their lungs. 'Resuspension rates', as they called them, were high, meaning that lots of previously trapped dust came back out of the mattress. And when people moved more vigorously, the contamination got worse.
According to experts, the reason mattresses get so filthy has to do with gravity. Eventually, airborne particles make their way downwards and need somewhere to settle. Mattresses have a large surface area, allowing them to collect thousands of particles each day. Once they land, there's nowhere else for them to go.
The problem doesn't end there, though. When you sleep on your mattress, your body creates friction with the mattress material, and this pushes particles further into the fibres. Eventually, they become trapped, lurking until you disturb them.
The Risks of Dust Mites in Your Mattress
Dust mites are one of the most common—and invisible—threats lurking in your mattress. These tiny insects thrive in warm, humid environments, making your bed the perfect breeding ground. Feeding on dead skin cells that naturally shed while you sleep, dust mites can quickly multiply, with a single mattress harbouring anywhere from 100,000 to 10 million of these microscopic creatures.
The real problem isn’t just their presence, but what they leave behind. Dust mites produce waste pellets that can become airborne and easily inhaled, especially when you move around in bed. For many people, this triggers allergic reactions such as sneezing,a runny nose, watery eyes, and even more serious respiratory symptoms like asthma or difficulty breathing. Over time, exposure to dust mite allergens can contribute to chronic health issues, particularly for those with allergies or compromised immune systems.
To reduce the risks associated with dust mites, regular cleaning is essential. Using mattress protectors creates a barrier that helps prevent dust mites from settling deep into your mattress. Maintaining good indoor air quality by ventilating your bedroom and controlling humidity levels can also make your mattress less inviting to these tiny insects. If you’re especially sensitive, consider choosing a mattress made from natural latex, which is naturally resistant to dust mites and can help minimise allergen buildup. By taking these steps, you can transform your mattress from a breeding ground for dust mites into a healthier, safer place to rest.
Saggy Foam Causes Back And Neck Pain
Manufacturers make modern mattresses in layers. At the bottom, you have a spring system for soaking up big impacts. Then on top, various layers of foam contour to the shape of your body. Some manufacturers use regular polyurethane-based foams while others rely on space-age technologies such as memory foam. At first, these hold their shape quite well, but eventually, they lose their bounce and go flat. Seeing permanent body indentations in the mattress is a clear indication that it needs to be replaced. If your mattress is over 10 years old, it might be time to consider replacing it. A mattress that lacks adequate support can lead to back pain, discomfort, and a decrease in sleep quality.
For regular human bodies, this is a problem. Without proper foam, the mattress can develop poor support and become an unsupportive mattress, failing to provide adequate support for your back. This can result in neck, joint, and spine pain – not what you want disrupting your sleep cycle. Difficulty finding a comfortable sleeping position or struggling to fall asleep can also be signs of poor support or a bad mattress.
You can try solving this issue in two ways. Rotating your mattress can make a difference. Usually, the foam near your feet is less fatigued than the foam near your head. Rotating your mattress every few months can help maintain its shape and support. However, an older mattress or a bad mattress may not provide adequate support, regardless of rotation. Sometimes, the bed frame can also contribute to sagging or poor support, so checking the bed frame is important. If that doesn’t work, you can invest in a brand-new mattress or purchase a new foam layer and place it on top. A foam mattress should provide adequate support, but a worn-out foam mattress can become an unsupportive mattress and fail to provide the proper support needed for healthy sleep.
It's Brimming With Bed Bugs
Bed bugs – also known as dust mites – are tiny insects that feed on flaking skin. These little creatures make their home in your bedding, waiting for the opportunity to chow down on any tasty morsels you send their way. Once a meal arrives, they begin feasting on it, pooping out waste pellets you later breathe in during the night. Dust mites feed on dead skin cells and thrive in the warm, humid environment a mattress provides. Dust mite droppings can lead to allergies, asthma, and bronchitis, presenting serious health concerns.
It sounds gross – and it is. Over ten years, mattresses can double in weight due to the accumulation of dust mites, according to the National Pest Management Association in the US. But you can fight back.
No mattresses are wholly resistant to dust mites and other critters. However, if you use a mattress protector – an impermeable sheet – you can significantly reduce their numbers. Vacuum your mattress regularly to eliminate dust, dirt, and allergens.
Failing that, you can vacuum regularly. Doing this will remove any dust and critters before they get a chance to move deeper into the bedding.
It Harbors Fungi
Humans produce about 26 gallons of sweat every year. And because we spend around a third of our lives in bed, a significant amount of it gets into our bedding, creating a moist environment that allows fungi to thrive.
Studies show that more than 47 types of fungi live in mattresses, with the average pillow containing between four and eight species. The combination of body heat, sweat, and fabric fibres provides the perfect medium for mould to thrive.
Breathing in mould spores is no laughing matter. These particles can lead to allergies, breathing difficulties, and more severe asthma attacks.
According to the data, synthetic pillows are the worst offenders, harbouring the most species. Natural pillows may offer some protection due to the natural antimicrobial properties of duck down.
Some reactions to mould buildup can be severe. For instance, Aspergillus fumigatus is a relatively common fungus that spreads throughout bedding and causes aspergillosis. The disease is unpleasant by itself, but it can lead to fatalities in people with leukemia.
If you're concerned about fungal buildup, try lowering the temperature in your bedroom at night to reduce excess sweating. You can also buy natural bedding materials that seem more resistant to mould growth. Using a dehumidifier can help reduce moisture levels in your bedroom, protecting your mattress.
It Can Affect Sleep Quality
Poorly designed or old mattresses can also affect sleep quality – something that has massive ramifications for the rest of your health. Poor support from an old mattress can lead to poor sleep quality and prevent you from getting a good night's sleep.
Sleep, for instance, plays a vital role in the physical healing and repair of your heart and blood vessels. If you don’t get enough of it for several days in a row, it can lead to a host of conditions, including heart disease, kidney disease, stroke, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Lack of sleep may even be a driving force behind the recent increase in obesity rates. Spot clean any spills or stains on your mattress promptly to prevent odours and mould.
Not all modern sleep issues are directly related to mattresses, but many are. As they age, they tend to become malformed and, eventually, they lose their capacity to conform to your body at all – a process that leads to diminished sleep quality. Poor sleep quality can be caused by an old mattress that no longer provides adequate support.
Humans go through four sleep stages during the night. Stage one or n-REM sleep is when you’re half-awake, just nodding off. Often during this stage, you’re able to catch yourself falling unconscious and snap yourself out of it.
n-REM stage two is where you’re asleep, but somebody wouldn’t have much trouble waking you. It usually sets in several minutes after you start to lose consciousness.
Stage 3 NREM is perhaps the most critical stage of sleep. Both your brain and body become completely relaxed, and your temperature falls, allowing your cells to carry out vital repair work to prepare you for the next day. You don’t dream.
REM stage four sleep (or rapid eye movement sleep) is a deep kind of sleep in which you dream. Researchers believe it’s essential for processing what happened during the day and consolidating memories.
Ideally, you want to alternate between NREM stage three sleep and REM stage four sleep throughout the night, aiming for seven to eight hours of rest before your alarm goes off. When your mattress is sub-par, though, it can prevent this from happening. Your body never feels comfortable enough to go into a deep sleep, and so vital repair work doesn’t get done.
You can often tell you’ve missed out on stages three and four when you wake up in the morning. Even if you’ve been in bed for hours, you still feel groggy.
A lack of mattress support is the primary issue here. If the springs or foam become worn, it can lead to tension and joint pain during the night. A mattress should provide adequate support to ensure quality sleep. And these signals then travel to the brain, indicating a problem, reducing your ability to get a thorough night’s rest.
Sometimes, your mattress can even cut off the blood supply to your skin entirely. When this happens, it activates the natural ‘tossing and turning’ response. This, in turn, activates the brain in such a way that forces it to exit stages three and four, fragmenting your sleep and undermining your body’s ability to get the rest it needs. Sleep disorders can also contribute to poor sleep quality, and mattress quality is just one factor in achieving quality sleep.
It Could Be Causing Muscle Pain
Lastly, if you ever wake up in the morning and notice that your muscles ache, it could be an indication of mattress problems.
Mattress manufacturers make their products according to a scale that runs from very firm to very soft. When you lie on a firm mattress, it barely deforms at all. Instead, your body perches on top of it. By contrast, when you choose a soft mattress, you sink into it.
Both types of mattresses come with costs and benefits. Firm mattresses, for instance, are ideal for individuals who are overweight, as they offer extra support. Soft mattresses are beneficial for individuals with chronic pain because they distribute their body weight over a larger area, thereby reducing pressure points.
However, if your mattress is too soft, it can lead to pain and stiffness in the morning. Muscles remain activated throughout the night to hold your body in the correct position. And eventually, they become fatigued, causing pain, cramps and knots.
Mattress Maintenance and Cleaning: Your First Line of Defence
Keeping your mattress clean isn’t just about appearances—it’s a crucial step in protecting your sleep quality and overall health. Over time, mattresses can accumulate dust mites, dead skin cells, and other allergens that contribute to respiratory problems, skin irritations, and a host of other health issues. Fortunately, a few simple habits can make a big difference.
Start by vacuuming your mattress regularly to remove dust, dead skin, and other debris that can attract dust mites. Rotating and flipping your mattress every few months helps prevent uneven wear and reduces the buildup of allergens in one spot. Don’t forget to use a mattress protector—this simple addition acts as a shield against spills, stains, and the accumulation of allergens, making mattress cleaning much easier.
Your bedding also plays a key role in mattress hygiene. Wash sheets, pillowcases, and blankets in hot water at least once a week to kill dust mites and remove lingering allergens. By maintaining a clean sleep environment, you’ll not only reduce the risk of respiratory problems and skin irritations but also support better sleep and overall health. Remember, a little regular cleaning goes a long way in keeping your mattress—and your nights—healthy.
Choosing the Right Mattress for Your Health
Selecting the right mattress is about more than just comfort—it’s a decision that can impact your sleep quality, health, and well-being for years to come. With numerous options available on the market, it’s essential to consider how various materials and designs can impact your sleep and overall health.
Memory foam mattresses, while popular for their contouring support, are often made from synthetic materials that can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) into the air. These emissions can impact indoor air quality and may trigger respiratory symptoms, particularly in individuals with sensitivities. If you’re concerned about chemical exposure, look for mattresses certified for low VOC emissions or opt for mattresses made from natural materials.
Natural latex mattresses are a great choice for those seeking a healthier sleep environment. They’re breathable, durable, and naturally resistant to dust mites and other allergens, making them an ideal choice for individuals with allergies or respiratory issues. Innerspring mattresses with coil support can also provide good airflow and pressure relief, but they may require more diligent maintenance to prevent allergen buildup.
Regardless of the type you choose, investing in a high-quality mattress and maintaining it properly is crucial. Regular cleaning, using a mattress protector, and maintaining a fresh sleep environment will help you get the most out of your investment. By prioritising your health and sleep hygiene, you’ll enjoy better sleep quality, reduce the risk of health problems, and wake up ready to take on the day.
Wrapping Up
We should point out that mattresses themselves are not inherently bad. But you do need to be careful with them. Regular cleaning and replacement are essential. Avoid cheap mattresses where possible. Regularly clean your mattress to prevent the buildup of allergens and bacteria.
