Big Mood Designs

Tiny House Bedroom Life

One of my favorite things to do in the tiny house is lay down in the bedroom loft, and watch the sunset over the ocean. It’s peaceful, relaxing, and reminds me to give gratitude for where we get to live. My serene moment was shattered the day I discovered mold had infested the bedroom and the mattress. YUCK! Join me on my journey as I learn how to avoid mattress mold in my small bedroom loft.

First I had to figure out what was causing the mold problem. It turns out there was a cracked seal on the window. That crack let in moisture to the bedroom. Thankfully, the window was an easy fix. But, I had to toss the pillows and the sheets. I even followed all of the DIY cleaning methods possible for removing mold and mildew from a mattress. 

I’ll be honest, I’m just not satisfied with the results. All I can think about is how mold can make my family sick. With the threat of Coronavirus still out there, I do not want to put my family’s health at greater risk. So, I’m shopping for a new mattress for our tiny house bed! 

Finding an Expert

Next up, I did a quick search to find the best mattress, but there are an abundance of options! It’s so overwhelming!  I needed to interact with a real person, so I chatted with the helpful, friendly staff at Mattress Insider. I asked a bunch of questions, and they quickly gave me answers.

There are so many questions to ask when buying a mattress. What are the mattress dimensions? Is the mattress firm or soft? What’s the difference between standard mattress and a made to order mattress? What materials are used in the mattress? And most importantly, how do I protect my mattress from mold and mildew?!  

Avoid Mattress Moisture

Before picking out the mattress, I needed to know how to prevent mold. I had no idea that the heat from our bodies travels down to the bottom of the mattress. The heat can escape in a slatted bed frame. A solid wood frame traps the cold air and causes condensation. The loft mattress lays on a solid slab of plywood with storage underneath.

This means I need the Hypervent Aire-Flow™ Moisture Barrier mattress underlay. The mattress underlay prevents mold and mildew buildup by allowing the air to circulate underneath the mattress. Yes! Score a win for avoiding mattress mold.

Avoid Mattress Mold and Mildew

Next, I needed to know how to avoid mold getting in the top and sides of the mattress. Mattress Insider recommended the Waterproof Fitted Mattress Protector. The mattress protector can be easily removed and thrown in the wash in case of spills. (Which happen regularly with my toddler and dogs). The top part is waterproof, yet breathable, so the mattress stays clean and free of condensation so you can avoid that dreaded mattress mold problem.

Custom Made Natural Mattress Topper

Now, I could just get a new topper. A huge priority for me is a mattress with natural materials. I make an effort to live a healthy lifestyle. I buy organic fruits and veggies, I try to get a good nights sleep (with a toddler kicking my side), and I regularly go for 3-5 mile runs. My effort to live healthy extends to the products that my family and I use everyday. So I appreciate that the Custom Memory Foam Topper is made of organic cotton fabric.

Custom Fit Natural Mattress

Then, I looked into the mattresses. For me, it needs to be free from harmful irritants. Mattress Insider makes every single mattress made-to-order and never sprays the mattress with chemicals. Other bed in a box brands spray the mattress in order to avoid mold as it sits a warehouse until it’s ready to ship.

My mattress also needs to be made from natural materials. Both the gel and foam mattresses are made from plant based materials that are CertiPUR-US certified. I really like the Luxury Queen Mattress because the gel foam layer wicks heat away from your body as you sleep. This is a necessity living in Southern California. Most of our nights are cool, but the summertime can be brutal! Plus, the memory foam layer is made to bounce back quickly so it keeps the shape and integrity of the mattress.

Finally, I plan to measure for a custom size fit for the tiny house loft. So look out for a future post on How to Measure Your Bed for a Mattress.

Were there any questions I missed? Let me know in the comments below.