Sleep Health

Published July 1, 2022

10 min

How To Deodorize A Mattress

DreamCloud Editorial Team

Table of contents

Baking Soda Water with Vinegar Cornstarch Essential Oils Laundry Detergent Vacuuming Tips To Freshen The Mattress Conclusion Frequently Asked Questions

For most people, their mattresses are their go-to comfort zone where they relax, chill out, work, and rest. However, every time people use their mattresses, they tend to leave behind a residue of sweat, dead skin, and dust, which can result in moisture retention and mold build-up. This can, in turn, result in the bed emitting foul odors and nasty smells. The best way to avoid the above problem is to learn how to deodorize a mattress, to keep it healthy and enhance its life. This article offers practical tips to keep the mattress odor-free and smelling fresh. Deodorizing the mattress helps remove smells caused by the accumulation of stains, spills, dust, dirt, sweat, and allergens in the mattress. If not attended to in time, these odors may turn toxic and result in various health hazards. Regularly deodorizing the mattress help keep it fresh and healthy and enhances its life. Read to learn how to get smell out of mattress quickly and effectively.

Baking Soda

Baking soda is a classic deodorizer that people use for removing odors from the mattress. Users can follow the steps given below to clean the mattress with baking soda.

Sprinkle a layer of baking soda on the mattress using a flour sifter.
Choose how long to leave baking soda on mattresses as per the strength of smell, with a minimum duration of two hours.
Clean the mattress with a vacuum using the upholstery brush attachment.

Water with Vinegar

A mixture of water and vinegar is another classic mattress cleaner that people use to eliminate smells and odors. Follow the steps given below to deodorize a mattress using this method.

Mix water and distilled white vinegar in equal amounts in a spray bottle.
Spray the solution lightly over the mattress without making it too wet.
Leave the mattress to air dry and speed up the process by switching on fans and opening windows.

Cornstarch

The body oils people leave behind on the mattress are a common cause of foul odor emitted by the bed. Cornstarch is known to be quite effective in absorbing body oils and other similar elements, thus helping deodorize mattresses.

Scatter a mixture of cornstarch and baking soda on the mattress surface.
Allow the mixture to rest on the mattress for at least one day.
At the end of this duration, clean the mattress by vacuuming the cornstarch and baking soda mixture.
If the smells persist, users can repeat the process to deodorize the mattress.

Essential Oils

Essential oils, when mixed with baking soda, not only act as a perfect mattress deodorizer but also leave it smelling fresh. While the baking soda absorbs the smells and odors, the essential oils leave behind a naturally refreshing fragrance.

Mix 15-20 drops of any essential oil such as lavender, eucalyptus, jasmine, peppermint, rose, etc., with baking soda.
Sprinkle a layer of this oil-containing soda on the mattress using a flour sifter.
Leave the baking soda on the mattress for a few hours before cleaning it using a vacuum cleaner.
Repeat the process until the mattresses are entirely free from the odor and are refreshingly clean.

Laundry Detergent

Another way to remove strong smells from the mattress is by using laundry detergent and baking soda. Buyers seeking an answer to how to deodorize mattress using laundry detergent read ahead

Create a paste by mixing a gentle laundry detergent and baking soda.
Gently spread the paste over the area emitting a smell.
Let the paste sit for a few hours until it is scorched.
Clean the paste by gently scraping it off the surface of the mattress with a spoon and moist towel.
Repeat the process if need be until the smells are entirely gone.

Vacuuming

Many times, the accumulation of dust, dirt, or pet dander is the cause of foul odors coming from the mattress. In such cases, buyers need not worry about how to get odor out of mattresses. A practical and easy way of doing so is through vacuuming.

Use a handheld vacuum with an upholstery attachment to clean the mattress surface.
The vacuum helps to remove the particles of dirt, dust, and pet dander from the mattress effectively.
Vacuum the sides and crevices of the mattress to leave it refreshingly clean.

Tips To Freshen The Mattress

Deodorizing the mattresses is only the first step toward enhancing their life and keeping them clean and healthy. Once deodorizing the mattress is complete, users need to take the necessary steps to maintain its freshness. This can be ensured by following the tips given below.

Keep The Room Airy

Keeping the room airy helps prevent moisture build-up in the mattress, which causes it to emit odors. The best way to air out a room is to keep the doors and windows open for a couple of hours after the users wake up in the morning. It also provides an easy solution to the problem of how to get sweat smell out of mattress. Air acts as a natural deodorant and effortlessly carries away the bad smells from the mattress. Users can also keep their ceiling fans on for an hour after waking up. These methods help dry out any moisture traces, leaving it fresh and healthy. Combining these methods can help speed up the process and restore the dry fresh appeal of the mattresses.

Place The Mattress in the Sunlight

Placing the mattress in sunlight every few weeks for a couple of hours is another effective way to maintain mattress freshness. The sun's rays' heat and light help remove any moisture, mold build-up, or allergens present in the mattress. This method is highly recommended for mattresses that are mostly placed in dark, damp environments that receive minimum or no sunlight. It is advisable to place such mattresses in sunlight for more than a couple of hours, preferably an entire day. Users should also ensure that when they put the mattress in sunlight, they expose each side for a long enough duration to eliminate any smells.

Clean The Mattress Regularly

Cleaning the mattress regularly can go a long way in maintaining its freshness. The process of cleaning the mattress is often time-consuming and tiring, especially in the case of heavy mattresses. However, it can help remove any stains, grime, dirt, and bacterial growth that make the mattress unhealthy. Users can try various home remedies like soap, vinegar, or borax to clean the mattress and remove any stains. Alternatively, they can hire the services of professional cleaners to clean the mattress profoundly and thoroughly. In addition to giving the mattresses a new lease of life, thorough cleaning also makes them healthier and restores their fluffiness. Users should follow a three to six-month cycle for cleaning the mattress to maintain its durability and freshness and enhance its life.

Wash The Bedding Accessories Frequently

Washing the bedding accessories frequently is equally essential to keep the mattress fresh. When people use the same bedding accessories such as mattress covers, sheets, pillow covers, quilts, etc., for more than a week, it can cause the accumulated dust and debris from the body of the users to transfer to the mattress. Hence washing these accessories at least once a week is essential to keep the mattress fresh and healthy. Users should clean the accessories at the highest permissible temperature and then tumble dry them for at least 30 minutes to kill any dust mites and bacteria. It is equally important to follow proper care instructions for more delicate bedding accessories like blankets, comforters, and duvets.

Clean The Box Spring And Foundation

Cleaning the box spring or foundation of a mattress can contribute significantly to keeping a mattress fresh. Cleaning the box spring and the foundation is quite similar to cleaning the mattress. Users should vacuum out any dust or dirt and clean any stains by wiping with a moist towel. If the bed has a bed skirt, users should remove it and wash it before reattaching it. Moreover, the users should air out the room to facilitate the sucking up of any moisture and restore the dryness of the box spring or foundation. It is advisable to clean the box spring or foundation every time the users remove the mattress for cleaning.

Invest in a Good Quality Mattress Protectors

One of the best ways to keep the mattress fresh and healthy is by investing in a good quality mattress protector. The mattress protector acts as the first line of defense to safeguard the mattresses from accidental spills and stains. They also prevent the penetration of dust, dirt, and grime deeper into the layers of the mattress and hence eliminate the risk of odors. The mattress protectors are designed to enhance the users' comfort and hug the mattress perfectly. Moreover, they can be removed and washed like other bed linen, making them a highly cost-effective and eco-friendly method for maintaining the freshness of the mattresses.

Conclusion

Investing time and effort to deodorize a mattress not only helps users get rid of the pesky smells but also enhances its health and hygiene. Using simple methods like spraying a mixture of water and vinegar or essential oils and baking soda on mattresses minimizes the risk of damage. These easy-to-use remedies also help users save a decent amount they would otherwise spend on hiring professional deodorizing services. Most importantly, they help in eliminating any health risks that may be caused by these odors, which can be toxic. We hope that by following the above-discussed methods for maintaining mattress freshness, users can enhance the life and value of their beds.Disclaimer: This website does not offer medical advice nor professional medical services; rather, it is provided solely for educational, informational, and/or entertainment purposes. Individuals seeking medical advice should consult a licensed physician. The information provided should not be used for diagnosis or treatment of any condition, disease, or injury. When you have a medical condition, you should always talk to licensed doctor or other certified medical professional. You should never delay seeking professional medical advice or treatment based on the contents of this website. Call 911 or immediately go to the nearest emergency room if you think you may have a medical emergency. The contents of this website are provided "as-is", Dreamcloud Sleep and its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, employees, contributors disclaim any warranty of the information contained herein. Please contact support@dreamcloud.com to report any errors, omissions, misinformation, or abuse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I leave baking soda on my mattress? Yes, you can leave baking soda on the mattress at least for half an hour for it to absorb moisture and odor-causing substances. The longer you leave, the better it can absorb and clean your mattress. What happens when you pour baking soda on your bed? Baking soda absorbs odors by attracting dirt and moisture. Allow it to stand for an hour to an hour and a half. Then, reassemble the bed using the clean mattress pad, sheets, and bed skirt. Place the baking soda beneath the new sheets. How often should I clean my mattress As a general rule, you should clean your mattress every 6 months. But, if you spill something on your mattress, you should clean it immediately to prevent the stain from setting in. Using a high-quality mattress protector will reduce the frequency with which you must clean your mattress, and it will keep your mattress hotel-like clean. How do you deodorize a mattress quickly? Baking soda is a wonderful choice for immediately deodorizing your mattress. Sprinkle some baking soda on your mattress, then vacuum it up after 30 minutes to two hours. Baking soda sprinkled on top of the mattress will also neutralize the odor. How do you deodorize a mattress without baking soda? Suppose you’re looking for a baking soda alternative for your mattress. In that case, you can use vinegar with water, cornstarch, or essential oils like eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, or lemon to deodorize the mattress. Does human urine smell go away? An unpleasant odor in the urine usually goes away by itself, primarily if it is caused by dehydration or something in the diet. However, you can use a mixture of baking soda, detergent, and peroxide to get rid of it.

How To Deodorize A Mattress

Baking Soda

Water with Vinegar

Cornstarch

Essential Oils

Laundry Detergent

Vacuuming

Tips To Freshen The Mattress

Keep The Room Airy

Place The Mattress in the Sunlight

Clean The Mattress Regularly

Wash The Bedding Accessories Frequently

Clean The Box Spring And Foundation

Invest in a Good Quality Mattress Protectors

Conclusion

Frequently Asked Questions

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