A good mattress is an investment, and well-taken care of, should last at least 10 years. Since people sleep approximately 8 out of every 24 hours, keeping a mattress fresh and clean is important.

Mattresses absorb moisture from perspiration as we sleep, creating an environment for moulds, pests and dust. A poorly ventilated room may cause build-up of these allergens in furniture and bedding, which can trigger allergic reactions as well as respiratory reactions for people with asthma.

One of the biggest problems is unseen: the occurrence of dust mites in mattresses, pillows, carpets, draperies and furniture. People with allergies are particularly sensitive to the fecal droppings left by these microscopic Acari, a type of arachnid that includes mites and ticks. Dust mites feed on dead skin that sloughs off and settles in the mattress. They occur on every continent and in all climates.

Regular cleaning prevents build-up of moisture and allergens and may also extend the life of the mattress. Experts recommend turning a mattress every six months to even out the wear and prevent sagging. When turning, thoroughly vacuum the top, bottom and sides with a crevice tool along the seams and a brush and upholstery tool over the surfaces. This will remove dust and much of the waste material left by dust mites.

Putting the mattress in the sun allows both heat and ultraviolet (UV) rays to kill bacteria and mould and remove moisture. Bring the mattress back inside before sunset, when the dewpoint rises and moisture may again settle on the mattress.

Dust mites burrow into a mattress deeper than an ordinary vacuum can reach. They rise to the surface for feeding, then burrow back inside. Although freshening bedding can reduce the number of dust mites in mattresses, the best way to eradicate them is by using a professional mattress cleaning service. Professionals use several machines and products that penetrate deep into the mattress to extract both the mites and the wastes they produce.

Specially-made, heavy-duty portable vacuums with High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters remove 99.97 percent of all particles greater than 0.3 micron (µ) and remove spores and bacteria to 0.1 µ. To be effective, the air must be drawn through the filtration system so that particulates are trapped before the air is expelled. Household HEPA vacuum cleaners typically leak, allowing air to escape before filtration occurs. Thus, household machines re-release mould, fungi and small particles into the air.

Ultraviolet light is used in medical environments to kill bacteria, fungi and mould. Specifically, UV-C, or shortwave radiation, has been proven to have a germicidal effect. Professional cleaning combines HEPA and deep-penetrating UV-C light to kill mould, bacteria, fungus spores and other micro-organisms. Your mattress will be sanitised and freshened, allowing you to breathe and rest in comfort and health.

Steamy’s Cleaning and Restoration Services has acquired a hydroxyl generating air purifier, the Odorox BOSS XL3, a patented device that eliminates bad odours and airborne contaminants from indoor environments. If you have had the unfortunate experience of damage to your home or business from fire, flooding or other natural disasters, you will understand why we are so pleased to offer this new service to our customers.

Hydroxyl generators can be used to treat airborne contaminants including bacteria, mould, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odourless gasses. Although we offer several types of effective odour remediation, the Odorox purifier offers additional benefits that systems such as ozone remediation cannot provide. The Odorox purifier does not produce gasses or chemical reactions that will harm you or your property. The molecules penetrate porous surfaces such as fabric, wood and upholstery, neutralising odours.

The Odorox air purifier uses hydroxyls to clean the air, just the way nature does. If you remember high school chemistry, water, or H2O, contains two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. When ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun hits water vapour, a chemical reaction occurs. One hydrogen atom is released from the water molecule, leaving the remaining hydrogen attached to the oxygen. This molecule, called a hydroxyl, OH, is unstable, with a free electron. The molecule becomes stable by forming a chemical bond with another atom. This happens automatically and naturally outdoors, but does not happen naturally indoors.

ODOROX Hydroxyl Generators replicate this natural processODOROX implements a dual process attack on contaminants.

The Odorox Hydroxyl Generator creates three types of UV light within the machine. As air is blown in, these rays interact with the humidity in the air to create hydroxyls. The contaminants bond to the hydroxyl molecules. This happens naturally and does not create toxins or chemical reactions. The pollutants are neutralized.

This generator can be set up on your site to remove airborne contaminants, mould, smoke and bad odours. The amount of time of remediation required depends on the type and extent of damage and the extent of the area to be treated. We use air movers and air injectors to increase and direct air flow through the generator. We will be glad to provide an assessment for remediation at your site.

ODOROX Boss XL3