The 8 most disgusting things lurking inside your mattress

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The INSIDER Summary:

• Mattresses collect all sorts of gross things over time.
• They're mostly harmless, but can exacerbate asthma and allergies.
• They include skin cells and long-lasting chemicals.

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You spend about a third of your life sleeping on the dirtiest object in your room.

It becomes more horrifying when you realize that mattresses are really hard to wash.

Luckily, the substances that end up in your mattress — like food particles, sweat, and cosmetics — are mostly harmless. But they do create conditions that let fungus and bacteria thrive. And they could exacerbate allergies and asthma.

The best thing you can do is wash your bedsheets often.

Here are the eight grossest things hiding in your mattress.

Diana Yukari/Business Insider

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