Is a removable and cleanable mattress cover important for your sleep? The answer is a resounding yes. Let's find out why.
A fully removable and cleanable mattress cover keeps your mattress clean & hygienic
You certainly don't want perspiration, dust mites, mould, and bacteria accumulating on your mattress over a decade. That's why a mattress cover that you can remove and clean is ideal to ensure that your mattress is hygienic at all times. Surprisingly, very few mattresses in other stores have this option. At Okooko by European Bedding, all of our mattresses come with a removable cleanable mattress cover.
Let's find out more about what sorts of things can get on your mattress - you may be surprised!
Perspiration
When you spend 8 hours a night on your mattress, a considerable amount of perspiration will make its way into your cover over that time. Even if you don't feel too warm, your body naturally loses some water during sleep. No-one wants months-old or years-old perspiration on their mattress - yet that is exactly what will happen if you don't have a removable mattress cover that can be cleaned.
When you spend 8 hours a night on your mattress, a considerable amount of perspiration will make its way into your cover over that time. Even if you don't feel too warm, your body naturally loses some water during sleep. No-one wants months-old or years-old perspiration on their mattress - yet that is exactly what will happen if you don't have a removable mattress cover that can be cleaned.
Dust mites
A cleanable mattress cover allows you to remove dust mites. Even though some mattress cores, such as those made of latex, are dust mite- and mould-resistant, the outside fabric cover has to be kept clean. Dust mites are tiny organisms, barely visible to the naked eye, but they are the most common cause of allergies. They feed on our dead skin flakes and are commonly found in bedding due to the abundance of dead skin and moisture from perspiration. Did you know that dust mites belong to class arachnida - the same class as spiders and scorpions? You certainly don't want a bunch of these in your bedding.
A cleanable mattress cover allows you to remove dust mites. Even though some mattress cores, such as those made of latex, are dust mite- and mould-resistant, the outside fabric cover has to be kept clean. Dust mites are tiny organisms, barely visible to the naked eye, but they are the most common cause of allergies. They feed on our dead skin flakes and are commonly found in bedding due to the abundance of dead skin and moisture from perspiration. Did you know that dust mites belong to class arachnida - the same class as spiders and scorpions? You certainly don't want a bunch of these in your bedding.
Bedbugs
Have you ever woken up with reddish bumps on your skin similar to a mosquito bite? You will be surprised to know that the real culprit may not be mosquitoes but bed bugs instead. The scientific name of a bed bug is known as Cimex Lectularius. It feeds on the blood of warm-blooded animals including humans. As we spend one-third of our life in bed, our mattress becomes a favorite habitat for them unless we keep it clean.
Have you ever woken up with reddish bumps on your skin similar to a mosquito bite? You will be surprised to know that the real culprit may not be mosquitoes but bed bugs instead. The scientific name of a bed bug is known as Cimex Lectularius. It feeds on the blood of warm-blooded animals including humans. As we spend one-third of our life in bed, our mattress becomes a favorite habitat for them unless we keep it clean.
Mould
While a latex mattress is naturally mould resistant, your bedding isn't. In the humid climate of Hong Kong, mould can grow very easily on fabric surfaces. Regular removal and cleaning of the mattress cover is critical in preventing growth of mould spores, especially on the underside of your mattress.
While a latex mattress is naturally mould resistant, your bedding isn't. In the humid climate of Hong Kong, mould can grow very easily on fabric surfaces. Regular removal and cleaning of the mattress cover is critical in preventing growth of mould spores, especially on the underside of your mattress.
Bacteria
Even the cleanest people release oils and perspiration into their bedding as they sleep, and this attracts bacteria. You simply cannot avoid this. Bacteria will continue to reproduce when conditions are favorable for them (food source available, correct temperature, etc.), so stop them in their tracks by getting them off your cover.
Even the cleanest people release oils and perspiration into their bedding as they sleep, and this attracts bacteria. You simply cannot avoid this. Bacteria will continue to reproduce when conditions are favorable for them (food source available, correct temperature, etc.), so stop them in their tracks by getting them off your cover.
Smell
Mattresses tend to develop an odour over time, no matter how careful you are about cleanliness. The smell may be due to things such as bacterial growth mentioned above, or odour from oily hair, and so on. To avoid this, regularly rid your cover of the bacteria and bodily secretions that cause these odours.
Mattresses tend to develop an odour over time, no matter how careful you are about cleanliness. The smell may be due to things such as bacterial growth mentioned above, or odour from oily hair, and so on. To avoid this, regularly rid your cover of the bacteria and bodily secretions that cause these odours.
Allergens
Some people are allergic to dust mites, mould, and certain species of bacteria. For anyone suffering from allergies, it's critical to avoid these allergens. We learned above about these things from a non-allergic perspective, but this becomes even more important for those who suffer from allergies and are tired of waking up with a stuffy nose every morning.
Some people are allergic to dust mites, mould, and certain species of bacteria. For anyone suffering from allergies, it's critical to avoid these allergens. We learned above about these things from a non-allergic perspective, but this becomes even more important for those who suffer from allergies and are tired of waking up with a stuffy nose every morning.
If you want to avoid allergens in your mattress, you will absolutely need to have a removable cleanable mattress cover. Remember also that those who suffer from allergies will need to have their mattress cover cleaned even more frequently than those who don't.
How should I clean my mattress cover?
The mattress cover will unzip all the way around for easy removal. All Okooko mattress covers can be drycleaned, and we recommend doing so at least 1-2 times a year. Make sure to follow the care instructions that come with your mattress!
Conclusion
You can't completely avoid the presence of bacteria, dust mites and so on. But you can (and should) periodically remove them from your mattress. By making a smart choice and choosing our mattress with an easily removable and cleanable cover, you can relax knowing that the bed you sleep in every night is always hygienic and fresh.
A version of this article first appeared on the European Bedding Singapore website.
