A mattress that is coming to the end of its lifespan can hold up to two bathtubs worth of bodily fluids.
People lose around 500ml of fluid every night and shed dead skin cells. This amounts to an average of two bathtubs of bodily fluids and 3kg of dead skin being absorbed by their mattress over seven years.
Some experts recommend people change their mattresses every seven years to improve comfort and support for their body. But they also advise cleaning mattresses to prolong their lifespan.
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Experts at Mattress Online analysed Google searches to reveal which household items Brits find most difficult to clean - with mattresses coming out on top for the bedroom. Keeping your mattress fresh and maintaining its condition doesn’t take long if you keep up with regular cleaning.
Mattress Online’s Steve Adams said: “We recommend cleaning your mattress every time you change your bedding, so you’re less likely to forget about it and let the dirt build-up. Once the bedding is removed, start by vacuuming your mattress.
"Always use a clean vacuum attachment, ideally a brush. Work your way across the mattress, making sure to vacuum along seams and stitching which are prone to dust and dirt building up.
"To remove odours, lightly sprinkle baking soda onto your mattress and leave for at least an hour or longer if possible, before vacuuming your mattress thoroughly. For the majority of mattresses, we recommend using a mild detergent and cold water to spot clean any stains.
"Be careful not to soak your mattress and use a clean, damp cloth to gently rub the stain. Allow to fully dry before putting your bedding back on."
Their data also showed how many had also searched for advice on cleaning their pillows. As a general rule, you should replace your pillow every 1-2 years.
However, this can change with each type of pillow, including memory foam, latex, synthetic and natural pillows, which all have different recommended life spans. Steve said: “You should wash your pillows according to the care instructions every three months, and spot clean as and when any spills or accidents occur.
"Properly maintaining your pillows is important for overall hygiene reasons and helping to keep them supportive for as long as possible. Most pillows can be popped in the washing machine, but the care guide says you can tumble dry your pillows, you should be aware that the fillings could clump together.
"This is an issue that only really affects pillows that have shredded or loose fillings. To avoid this, you could put a tennis ball in your tumble drier with the pillows to keep the fillings separated. Always make sure pillows are completely dry before sleeping on them."
You can find the full research here.
