I'm an expert vacuum tester, and no, you really don't need a mattress vacuum – here's what to use instead

The more we learn about microbiology in our homes, the more we realize our homes are dirtier than we once thought. However, as an expert vacuum tester, I can reveal that no, you don't need a mattress vacuum.

Of course, thousands of dust mites live in our beds and feed off our dead skin, which is why we advocate that everybody should vacuum their mattress every time the sheets are changed. But do you need a special appliance just for this job?

As a home tech editor, and somebody who's spent more than 200 hours testing and reviewing the best vacuums, I've spoken to industry experts to see if a mattress vacuum is worth the extra spend, and can reveal what attachment to use instead.

Do you need a mattress vacuum?

At first, mattress vacuums seemed like a gimmick to me. Of course, it's great to have a new, handy bit of tech that can help do something as specific as cleaning a mattress, but why not just use your normal vacuum cleaner? Strong suction power on a normal household vacuum will do the job just fine.

You'll likely already own a vacuum with suction that's at least twice as strong as what you'd find in a mattress vacuum. It's why the suction of a full-sized vacuum isn't measured in Pa, as its motor can generate a more powerful airflow that can pull dust from deep within rugs, carpet fibers, furniture and mattresses.

However, it is worth mentioning that the unique selling point of a dedicated mattress vacuum is often its built-in UV light, which can effectively kill mites and bacteria and penetrate the surface for deeper cleaning. UV-C light specifically can attack the DNA and RNA of dust mites, preventing them from reproducing.

Dust mites are one of the most common household allergens, so it's important to make sure you're dealing with them to avoid suffering allergy symptoms. When we talk about dust allergies, we're actually referring to allergies to dust mite fecal matter, which the mites produce as a result of eating organic matter.

'On average, humans shed two grams of skin per day, and even more at night where friction from bedding causes dead cells to shed,' shares Dennis Mathews, lead research scientist in microbiology at Dyson.

'From May-October, the dust mite breeding season takes place, during which time the female of the species lays between 60-100 eggs. But even though mites die off in the winter, the allergenic material they produce – including feces, body parts and saliva – is left behind,' he adds.

So, this is why it's paramount to vacuum your mattress and clean your mattress topper. It justifies the UV-C light function of a mattress vacuum to effectively sanitize the dust mites' organic matter from your bed. You still need strong suction, however, and I'd recommend aiming for anything above 14-15k Pa, like in the Jimmy BX7 Pro Max Graphene Mattress Vacuum at Amazon.

What can you use instead of a mattress vacuum?

My concern with a specialized mattress tool is its ability to vacuum. As Dennis explained, the organic matter that dust mites leave behind still needs to be removed after the mites have been killed, so even with a mattress vacuum's UV light, suction is important. Otherwise, they'll still trigger your allergies.

Most of the best cordless vacuums and best upright vacuums come with an upholstery tool too, and while it can't be used to prevent the mites from reproducing, it can do a better job of removing them from your bed.

One of the best vacuum attachments for pet hair is a mini motorized brush, and its spinning brushroll will pull even more matter from within your mattress. Using your full-sized vacuum also means you have the luxury of using the hose or wand, so you can reach the full length of the mattress from one spot.

So, instead of spending the extra $100 or so on a special mattress vacuum, you can make use of your current one and invest in a new attachment, then spot clean the mattress as and when needed.

Next, find out how to make a mattress smell nice, and take note of the 10 worst mattress cleaning mistakes to avoid.