If you have a bed bug infestation on your mattress, you've probably already looked up how to get rid of bed bugs and asked if vacuuming the mattress alone would do the trick. But now, you'll probably want to safely dispose of your old mattress before buying a new one at the Black Friday mattress sale.

Following last month's outbreak in Paris, bed bugs are making a global comeback. Since then, the eight-legged creatures have scuttled around the world, have been spotted all over the UK, and are now making the US their permanent home. Philadelphia, Chicago, and New York City are among the hardest hit cities, with popular travel destinations, densely populated areas, and apartment complexes suffering the most damage.

Even with the best mattresses in the world, no one is free from bed bug infestation. While one might intuitively think to throw out the old mattress, that is a surefire way to further spread an infestation and increase the risk of getting infested with bed bugs again. Disposing of a bed bug-infested mattress is not the same as disposing of a reusable mattress.

You cannot donate the mattress to charity, and in this situation the white glove delivery service that comes with some of the best mattress-in-a-box brands (including removal of the old mattress before setting up the new one) is not available. So what can we do? Here's how to safely and hygienically dispose of your bed bug-infested mattress to prevent further bed bug infestations...

Most of the usual means of disposing of your mattress are no longer available because your mattress is no longer fit to sleep on and you risk causing further contamination. However, this is something you can ...

To avoid bed bugs jumping on you and biting you, it is a good idea to wear protective clothing before you begin inspecting your mattress for signs of bed bugs. Waterproof clothing that is impervious to bed bugs is a good option (wrapping tape around your wrists and ankles can help prevent the little critters from getting inside).

Look for small black spots that are bed bug fecal matter, translucent eggs, molted bed bug skin, bloodstains, and musty odors. Once you have confirmed that bed bugs are present in the mattress, strip the bed and wash all bedding and soft furnishings in a very hot washing machine, paying close attention to the product's instruction manual.

At this point, it is worth remembering that just because bed bugs live in a mattress does not mean you have to throw it away. You can get rid of bed bugs from your mattress by vacuuming, steaming, or hiring a pest control professional if you have an infestation. However, if your mattress was due to be replaced anyway, it may be time to cut your losses.

If you are disposing of your mattress, it should be sealed and quarantined to stop the infestation. Depending on the size of your mattress, you will need help with this. Use heavy-duty plastic sheeting to completely seal the mattress and duct tape the gaps to prevent bed bugs from entering. (In some states, sealing bed bug infested mattresses is required by law, so you need to be thorough here.)

Since much of what is taken out of the dump is reused, install signs clearly stating that the mattresses are infested with bed bugs. Alternatively, cut a slit in the mattress before sealing it so that it cannot be reused.

In most cases, mattresses infested with bed bugs cannot be recycled, but check with your local recycling center first. In the U.S., the Mattress Recycling Council website has more information on recycling by state, and in the U.K., GOV.UK is a great place to find out where to recycle mattresses.

If recycling options are not available, take your mattress to a local dump or book a waste collection service through your local municipality. This can be free or about $15 depending on location. You can also book a collection date with an extermination service like LoadUp.

Despite their name, it is important to remember that bed bugs do not just live in beds. Plug sockets, deep in the cracks of furniture and soft furnishings are all popular hiding spots for bed bugs. Therefore, it is really important to properly treat a bed bug infestation and avoid cross-contamination before purchasing a new mattress.

Vacuum the bedroom and furniture thoroughly. When finished, take the vacuum cleaner outside and bag the contents before placing them in the outside trash. If you have a steam cleaner, steam all available surfaces, paying special attention to folds and crevices in soft furnishings such as bed frames, headboards, curtains, etc.

Steaming will kill bed bugs and their eggs, but if you are investing in a new mattress during the Black Friday sales, you may want to consider enlisting the help of a pest control professional to ensure that bed bugs do not return.

To avoid re-infestation of your new mattress, Claire Davis, editor of Tom's Guide Sleep and certified sleep science coach, recommends investing in one of the best mattress protectors you can buy. Davis explains, "A zippered mattress cover is the best way to prevent bed bugs in your mattress." Whereas regular mattress protectors only cover the top and sides, mattress covers cover the top, bottom, and sides. And because it closes with a zipper, there is zero chance of bed bugs reaching the mattress."