Why your mattress can trigger allergies#

Mattresses are warm, humid and full of the skin cells dust mites feed on, making them the single biggest dust-mite reservoir in most homes. For people with allergic rhinitis or asthma, mite droppings are a leading indoor trigger, which is why symptoms often peak overnight and on waking.

Which materials resist dust mites?#

No mattress is truly "dust-mite proof", but some constructions are far less hospitable:

  • Latex: dense and naturally resistant to mites and mould, the strongest material choice for allergy sufferers.
  • Memory foam and high-density foam: the solid structure gives mites little room to burrow compared with a traditional spring mattress full of air space and fabric.
  • Pocket sprung: more internal cavities and fillings, choose one with a tightly woven, washable cover and pair it with a barrier protector.

What about the "new mattress smell"?#

People with sensitivities often worry about foam off-gassing. Independent testing of memory-foam emissions found measured volatile organic compounds well below health-based guidance values, decaying within weeks of unboxing.1 Airing a new mattress in a ventilated room for a day or two before use is a sensible precaution, but for most people the odour is mild and short-lived. If you are highly chemically sensitive, look for natural latex and certified low-emission foams.

The protector matters as much as the mattress#

An allergen-barrier mattress protector with a tightly woven or membrane layer stops mites and their waste passing between you and the mattress, and it can be washed hot regularly. This is the highest-impact, lowest-cost step you can take. See our mattress protector guide, and choose a breathable one so it doesn't trap heat and moisture, which mites love.

Habits that keep allergens down#

  • Wash bedding weekly at 60°C to kill mites.
  • Air the bed each morning, throw the covers back so trapped moisture evaporates instead of feeding mites.
  • Keep the bedroom cool and well ventilated, mites thrive in warm, humid air.
  • Vacuum and rotate the mattress periodically, see our mattress cleaning guide.
  • Replace an old, stained mattress, allergen load builds up over years of use.

Browse latex mattresses and foam mattresses, or take our quiz for a personalised match.

References#

  1. Beckett EM, Cackovic K, Charles S, et al. Quantification of volatile organic compound emissions from memory foam mattresses and predicted inhalation exposures. Chemosphere. 2022;303:134945. doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134945