Over time, the build-up of dead skin and body oils can create an environment which welcomes both mould and dust mites.
Dust mites are tiny pests which are attracted to dead skin cells and warm environments in bedding.
Nic Shacklock from Online-Bedrooms.co.uk said: “It’s easy to regularly wash the bedding and pillowcases, but many forget the importance of deep cleaning their mattress on a regular basis.
“While it’s often recommended to give it a deep clean every six months, we’re advising everyone to make the clean more regular in a three-month cycle.
“Even if the mattress doesn’t appear to look dirty, it can still be home to dust mites lurking underneath in search of dead skin cells.
“Symptoms which indicate their presence include sneezing, skin rashes and red eyes all of which indicate that you’re allergic to the pests.”
If you notice these signs, Britons are advised to immediately start cleaning the mattress to get rid of them.
Start by gently brushing a mixture of soap and warm water on the mattress, letting it sit for four hours before brushing off.
Don’t pour the water directly onto the mattress, but gently dab a little bit on at a time or mould may begin to grow.
After this has dried and all of the bedding is in the wash, sprinkle some baking soda over the mattress to absorb excess moisture from within it.
Then vacuum up the remaining particles before putting the bedding back onto a clean mattress.
The expert added: “Isopropyl or mould spray helps to scrub the mould off, if it’s in a dire condition, call in the professionals to tackle the cleaning job.
“But if the problem becomes severe, it may mean you need to replace the mattress entirely.
“A strong mattress protector can prevent dead skin cells from deepening into the mattress to help lower the chance of dust mites from appearing.
“Anti-allergy ones in particular will help to prevent dust from causing health problems.
“The typical time to give the mattress a deep clean is every six months, but cutting this to every three months is the most effective way to stop dust mites and mould from showing up.”
