Mold and mildew are destructive forces when it comes to wood and other materials. What you may not realize, or at least to what extent, is that they can also be destructive to your health. While some people believe mold and mildew are the same, there are big differences between them. They also impact your health in different ways. We’ll go over this below.
Buying a mattress that is naturally mold and mildew resistant, like natural latex, is a great way to safeguard your health against these potential threats that are so common in traditional mattresses.
What is Mold?
Mold is a fungus that thrives in moist environments, and reproduces via lightweight spores that are carried in the air. It is something in life that, like taxes, you can never seem to fully escape. It is everywhere. In the air around you. On your carpet, in the walls, on trees, in grass, etc. It grows anywhere moisture exists, and can have far-reaching health effects for people who have a sensitivity to mold, including:
- Throat irritation
- Allergic reactions
- Pneumonia
- Heart problems (with prolonged exposure)
- Inflammation
- Joint pain
- Dizziness
- Nasal stuffiness
- Coughing
- Respiratory problems
- Extreme fatigue
- Skin Irritations
- Wheezing
People who have serious sensitivities or allergies to mold may experience more severe reactions, while those who suffer from immunity compromising conditions may experience chronic lung illnesses, massive lung infections, and obstructive lung disease from prolonged exposure to mold, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In nature, mold can be a good thing. It serves an important role in the process of breaking down dead leaves, plants, and trees. In your home, it becomes another matter altogether, and can be a destructive force for the structure of your home, your possessions, and your family’s health.
What is Mildew?
Mildew is another fungus that can be found indoors and out. Inside your home, you’ll usually find mildew on plants or plant fibers. Unlike mold, mildew is not airborne. It sticks to the surface of the substances it effects, surfaces like:
- Paper
- Damp surfaces
- Wood
- Fabrics
- Leather
Essentially, any type of organic material is fair game to support the growth of mildew, including the interior regions of the average mattress. While the health consequences of mildew are not as serious as they are with mold, they can have a negative impact on your quality of life and include:
- Coughing
- Headaches
- A sore throat
- Respiratory problems
Because of this, mildew is a problem that needs to be addressed quickly, and managed effectively to avoid potential negative health consequences and discomfort.
How Traditional Mattresses Harbor Mold and Mildew
Traditional mattresses are prime targets for mold and mildew growth. They are filled with materials, and nighttime sweats combined with body heat create a warm, moist environment for mold and mildew to flourish and grow.
The problem is that the mold and mildew grow in places you can’t necessarily see in your mattress. In other words, the deep recesses of the materials inside your mattress is where these pleasant invaders lurk, waiting for the opportunities to become the stuff your nightmares are made of.
Most people don’t even realize there’s a problem, or even the possibility of a problem, until they are already experiencing negative health effects of the mold and/or mildew in themselves or their children.
Why is Mold and Mildew in Mattresses such a Big Deal?
The problem with mold and mildew in mattresses is bigger than you realize. Think about it, your mattress is something the average person spends eight or more hours each day in close proximity to. You are breathing in the mold and mildew at times when your body is supposed to be healing, renewing, and resting. Instead, it is fighting off the foreign materials coming in as you breathe at night.
The first sign of a mold or mildew problem, aside from the potential health responses, is usually something you can smell rather than see. Mildew and mold each have distinctive odors that you may often experience long before any visible evidence of mold is apparent.
How Latex Mattresses Repel Mold and Mildew
Latex mattresses are great choices for people concerned about mold and mildew and the negative health consequences, not to mention total yuck factor, they create. Natural latex is naturally antimicrobial. This means that mold and mildew can’t grow on natural latex, and is why it was such a popular choice for hospital gloves.
The best news is that latex achieves this without adding unpleasant and unhealthy chemicals into the mattress because it’s a natural property of the latex. It’s not just the materials in natural latex mattresses that repel mold and mildew, though. The nature of latex mattress construction allows air to flow freely through the mattress, providing sufficient ventilation to keep moisture out of the wool and cotton that might otherwise attract the two.
Because moisture evaporates nearly instantly, and cool air flows through consistently, mold and mildew have no quarter in natural latex mattresses.
Latex for Less Latex Mattresses
Our latex mattress offers many benefits over traditional coiled innerspring mattresses, making it a healthier choice for you and your family. While the 100% natural latex eliminates all mold and mildew concerns and that is reason to take a second look, the organic cotton cover and organic wool fire barrier are also great reasons to bring this mattress home.
Enjoy the unique benefit of a mattress that offers both medium and firm support with the health benefits you expect from natural latex today.
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