We should be cleaning our bedding weekly and mattress every six weeks, according to experts. However, there's one area of the bed that is often forgotten when we clean – and it's a hotspot for mould to grow.
According to bed experts at MattressNextDay, the drawers of a divan bed are a mould and mildew hotspot, and once it grows it can start to spread quickly.
Martin Seeley, CEO of MattressNextDay explained: "The dark, warm environment of bed drawers is the perfect place for mould and mildew to grow."
"Once it starts, it can spread quickly and can ruin the belongings that you've safely stored away – clothes and bedding may become unusable and may need throwing out."
He continued: "Not only will you have to throw away a lot of your items, but the mould can also leave an unpleasant smell in your room, which is hard to remove."
The company has now shared the a step-by-step guide for how to banish the mould altogether. You'll need to gather together things you probably already have at home – goggles, gloves, a mask, a brush, a spray bottle, white vinegar and a cloth.
First, it's best to take our your drawers and put them somewhere well-ventilated to clean, so that the mould doesn't spread elsewhere in your house.
Mould can be hazardous for your health, potentially causing allergic reactions and asthma attacks, so the best thing is to wear a mask, goggles and gloves.
The experts recommend first spraying the drawer with water to reduce the amount of mould that is released into the air. Then brush any discoloured specks with a dry scrub brush or broom.
Then you'll create a product that will banish mould combining equal parts warm water and vinegar into a spray bottle. Vinegar is better at "penetrating porous materials like wood which stops it growing underneath the surfaces," than bleach, according to the experts. As an added bonus it also doesn't damage or fade the wood.
Spray your homemade solution over the drawer and let it sit for a couple of hours, before wiping it down with a damp cloth, followed by a dry towel.
If there's still stubborn mould that won't budge, experts recommend making a second homemade mixture of a tablespoon of borax, a non-toxic alkaline mineral salt cleaner, and 240ml boiled water. Borax is banned in the UK, but bicarbonate of soda is a good alternative.
Work the mixture into the wood using a soft-bristled brush until the mould is removed, then lightly mist the solution over the drawers to prevent it returning.
The experts added: "It's incredibly important to air-dry the drawers completely before putting them back in your divan bed base. Putting them back in your bed still damp is a sure way for mould to return – you can dry them in the sunlight for a few days for peace of mind.
"You should store fewer items in your drawers so that air can circulate and there’s less chance of the mould returning."
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