Short answer? Yep. It definitely can.

Let's break it down without being dramatic about it but… yeah, the floor and the mattress can both get a little grumpy.

🌬️ Airflow Gets Choked Off

When a mattress sits directly on the floor, there’s no space for air to circulate under it. Moisture from your body, humidity in the room, and even normal temperature changes can get trapped between the mattress and the floor.

That trapped moisture = a damp, warm environment = a perfect little Airbnb for:

Mildew

Mold

Dust mites

🛏️ Mattress Damage

A mattress that can’t breathe can start to:

Get musty

Break down faster

Grow mold underneath (especially foam mattresses)

🪵 Floor Damage

If you’ve got:

Laminate or hardwood → trapped moisture can warp planks, discolor the finish, or create soft spots.

Carpet → moisture gets locked in, which can cause mold in the padding and a lovely eau de “basement” smell.

👀 Best Practice?

If someone really insists on keeping the mattress low-slung and minimalist:

Use slats or a low-profile foundation

Prop it up to air out weekly

Use a breathable mattress protector

Make sure the room has reasonable ventilation

But yeah, bottom line? A mattress directly on the floor absolutely can block airflow and cause damage over time. This is why we specifically prohibit this from happening in our lease.

• Turn off the furnace: Shut off the power to the furnace. You can do this at the thermostat by setting it to "off," or by flipping the circuit breaker or a dedicated power switch, often found on or near the furnace itself. 
• Locate the filter: Find the filter housing. It is usually in the air return ductwork before the air enters the furnace, or at the entrance to the blower chamber. 
• Remove the old filter: Open the filter's access panel or door. Slide the old filter out, being mindful that it may be dirty. Note the direction of the arrow on the old filter, which indicates the airflow direction. 
• Insert the new filter: Take the new filter and check for an arrow on its side. Slide the new filter into the slot, ensuring the arrow points in the same direction as the old one—towards the furnace and away from the return air duct. 
• Finish up: Close and secure the filter compartment door or panel. Restore power to the furnace by turning the switch back on or flipping the breaker. The furnace should now be running with the new filter in place. 

• Check for No Power: Lights are out, or outlets/appliances in one area aren't working. 
• Locate the Panel: Find your electrical panel (breaker box), usually in a basement, closet, or garage. 
• Identify the Tripped Switch: Look for a switch that's not fully "on" (up), but rather flipped to the side or in the middle position between "on" and "off". 
• Listen/Smell: A loud buzzing, sizzling, or burning smell from the panel indicates a serious issue needing immediate attention. 

Step 1: Preparation and safety

• Unplug the refrigerator to ensure safety before starting any cleaning.
• Gather your tools: You will need a vacuum with a crevice attachment, a soft-bristled brush or a specialized coil brush, a screwdriver (if needed), and a can of compressed air.
• Consider safety gear: Wear a dust mask and goggles, especially if using compressed air, as it will blow dust around. 

Step 2: Locate and access the coils 

• Find the coils: They are usually located at the bottom, either on the front (behind the kickplate/grill) or on the back of the unit.
• Remove the cover: If the coils are on the front, remove the base grill by opening the doors, pushing in on the top, and pulling up on the bottom. If they are on the back, remove the back access panel with a screwdriver. 

🚨 What to Do When Your CO Monitor Goes Off

• Take the alarm seriously — treat any CO alarm as real and not a nuisance beep. 
• Stop what you’re doing immediately.
• Evacuate everyone from the building right away — all people and pets should get outside to fresh air as quickly as possible. 
• Do NOT ignore the alarm or wait to see if it stops on its own. 
• Call 9-1-1 from outside once you’re safely away from the home. 
• Do not re-enter the building until fire first responders or qualified technicians confirm it’s safe. 
• Check for symptoms of CO poisoning (headache, dizziness, nausea, confusion) — if anyone is experiencing them, seek medical attention immediately. 
• Once outside, wait at a safe location and inform responders that your alarm went off. 

⚠️ Quick Safety Notes

• CO alarms can go off due to dangerous gas levels, but also from low batteries or malfunction signals — but you should still follow the safety steps above until it’s cleared by responders. 
• Even if the alarm stops before you leave, don’t go back in until it’s been checked.