5 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Airing Out Your Mattress

Can’t remember the last time you aired out your mattress? No worries, you’re not alone. But, not doing it might be costing you more than just a fresh night’s sleep. 

As summer approaches and spring cleaning is in full swing, why not add airing out your mattress to the list? It’s one of the simplest ways to keep your space clean, healthy, and give your mattress longevity. It helps reduce odour, moisture, allergens, and bacteria that naturally accumulate over time, but if you’re not doing it correctly (or at all) you could be at risk of serious sleep sabotage. 

If you’re planning on taking on the challenge, here are 5 common mistakes people make when airing out their mattress (or not airing them out) and how to avoid them.

Not airing your mattress out at all

Why it’s a problem:

Goes without saying, but a mattress can hold more than just dreams. Over time, they can trap moisture from sweat, humidity, and body heat. Without airing it out, that moisture can lead to damp, mould, and lingering odours—far from a restful night’s sleep. 

What to do instead:

Make the art of mattress airing part of your seasonal cleaning routine. Once every few months is ideal, but try and do it more often if you live in a humid climate or suffer from allergies.

Airing it out in a humid environment

Why it’s a problem:

Trying to air out a mattress in a damp or rainy environment? Big no-no. This can encourage more moisture to get trapped and become a breeding ground for mould and bacteria. Not ideal.

What to do instead:

If your climate allows it, pick a dry, sunny day to air out your mattress (we recommend morning to mid-afternoon as it’s the driest part of the day). If not, ventilate the room well with a fan, open windows, and a dehumidifier.

Leaving bedding on whilst airing

Why it’s a problem:

It might seem like pulling the duvet back is enough, but leaving bedding, mattress toppers, and other accessories will trap the moisture that you’re trying to get rid of. Instead of helping your mattress breathe, it’s simply keeping the warmth and moisture locked in. 

What to do instead:

For proper airing, strip the bed completely. Sheets, mattress toppers, covers, the lot. Let the bare mattress breathe for 2-5 hours in a well-ventilated room or with an open window (weather permitting). If you’ve got time, give it a quick vacuum to get rid of dust and other allergens and say goodbye to itchy eyes.

Not lifting or moving the mattress

Why it’s a problem:

Give your mattress proper ventilation. Airing out a mattress isn’t just about pulling the covers back, it needs full access to the airflow. Leaving it on a bed or against a surface means the underside stays trapped, harbouring heat and moisture. 

What to do instead:

When you’re giving your mattress a proper refresh, strip off all the bedding and, if you can, lift or tilt the mattress up. Standing it against a wall or propping it to allow airflow on all sides helps it ventilate fully. It takes a bit of effort, but it’s worth it for a fresher, healthier sleep setup.

Top tip: If you can, call in extra reinforcements (an extra pair of hands) to help you move a mattress. Trust us, it’s not easy.

Skipping the first air-out on a new mattress

Why it’s a problem:

If you’ve got yourself a brand new mattress, chances are it’s vacuum-packed, which means it could be full of residual chemicals from the manufacturing process. This can cause odours and irritate sensitive sleepers, so always make sure you air out a brand new mattress before use. 

What to do instead:

Let your new mattress air out for 24-48 hours in a well-ventilated room before sleeping on it. This helps any lingering manufacturing smells (known as off-gassing) to dissipate and reduces the chance of irritation or sensitivity to the skin from chemical odours. It also gives the materials time to settle and expand fully, especially if it's been vacuum-packed.

Airing out your mattress might not be top of your to-do list, but doing it right, and avoiding these common mistakes, can make a big difference to your sleep, health, and lifecycle of your mattress.