The age when mattresses become a 'bacterial perfect storm'

A study has found how much bacteria is presentat different stages of a mattress' lifespan.

The Amerisleep.com research has revealed that one particular length of time not only has the most bacteria, but the most aggressive strains of it.

We spend a third of our lives in bed but typically replace our mattresses after 10 years, well after they've become covered in germs.

The researchers swabbed mattresses after one year of ownership, then at two years old, five years old and seven years old.

In less than one year of ownership four strains of bacteria are present in equal numbers but interestingly Bacilli, which can lead to food poisoning almost disappears by the time the mattress is five years old.

But when mattresses have been owned for seven years they are bacterial "perfect storm" with all four types of bacteria present. This includes Gram-positive Cocci, which is linked to skin and respiratory infections, which was found to be the most dominant.

And Bacilli, which was found to nearly vanish at five years, returns when the mattress reaches seven years of ownership.

Mckenzie Hyde, certified sleep and science coach at Amerisleep.com, warned that mattresses are a hygiene risk once they've reached seven years of age.

"Our research shows that bacteria not only increase in number with age, but their composition shifts, favouring tougher strains over time. By the time a mattress reaches seven years, it's hosting a complex ecosystem that could affect your health," she said.

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This doesn't necessarily mean ditching mattresses sooner as good hygiene and cleaning habits can reduce the amount of bacteria that accumulates on them.

Tips to reduce bacteria on mattresses include washing sheets and pillowcases weekly, using mattress protectors and washing them monthly, vacuuming mattresses every few months and showering before bed to reduce the amount of bacteria we're bringing into the bed.

If you have worsening allergies and have owned a mattress for seven years then the researchers recommend replacing them.

"Many people assume their sheets are the main source of germs, but our data shows the mattress itself becomes more concerning over time. While fresh sheets help, they can't erase the bacteria that are already thriving within the mattress fibres," Hyde said.

"Also, some of these bacteria are relatively harmless, but others, like Gram-Negative Rods and Gram-Positive Cocci, are linked to respiratory and skin infections. People with allergies, asthma, or weakened immune systems may feel the effects more strongly when sleeping on older mattresses."

Previous research from Amerisleep.com found that pillowcases contain 17,000 times more bacteria than a toilet seat one week after use.

Sheets, meanwhile, have 25,000 times more bacteria than a bathroom door knob one week after use.

According to the study, the distribution of bacteria on pillowcases is worse than on sheets, which is an unpleasant fact given that's where we place our heads.

While these results might make you uncomfortable, it's important to know that not all bacteria can cause illness. However, there are things you can do to reduce your exposure to germs, and decrease the amount that builds up on your bedding.

The study recommends washing both pillowcases and sheets at least weekly, but more often if you fall asleep with make-up on or have been sweaty.

Pillowcases are a relatively easy piece of bedding to swap out more frequently than sheets, so it's worth considering changing these every few days.

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