Cleaning Your Mattress & Reducing Bedroom Allergens
The bedroom is the room where Ontario residents spend the most continuous time — 7–9 hours per night — and allergen management in the bedroom has direct impacts on sleep quality and respiratory health. Mattresses are the primary allergen reservoir in most bedrooms, yet they're rarely cleaned properly.
Dust Mites: The Invisible Residents
Dust mites — microscopic arthropods that feed on shed human skin cells — are present in virtually every mattress and fabric item in Ontario homes. Their waste particles are a major allergen for the 15–20% of Canadians with dust mite sensitivity. You cannot eliminate dust mites, but you can significantly reduce their population and allergen load:
- Encase mattress and pillows in allergen-proof covers (impermeable to mite waste) — this is the single most effective intervention
- Wash bedding weekly in hot water (60°C+) — hot water kills mites; cold water doesn't
- Vacuum the mattress surface with a HEPA-filtered vacuum monthly
- Keep bedroom humidity below 50% (dust mites thrive above 50% humidity, which is common in Ontario summer)
Cleaning the Mattress
Vacuum both sides of the mattress (top and bottom) monthly using a HEPA-filtered vacuum with an upholstery attachment. For odour or spot treatment: baking soda sprinkled across the surface, left for 2 hours, then vacuumed up is effective for deodorizing. For stains, a small amount of dish soap in cool water (not hot — sets protein stains) dabbed on with a cloth, then blotted dry. Professional mattress cleaning services operate throughout Ontario for deeper treatment.