If your mattress has been with you for a while, you might notice it doesn’t smell as clean as when you first got it. This could be due to several factors like dead skin cells, dust mites, moisture, spills, and sweat. If your dog also sleeps in your bed, it might contribute to the odor. Keep reading to find out how to make your mattress smell fresh again.
How to Deodorize a Mattress
Like any other furniture in your home, it’s important to clean your mattress regularly—at least once every six months. This helps prevent odors and reduces allergens. If you’re new to mattress care, here are some easy tips to help you freshen up your mattress and enjoy a cleaner, odor-free sleeping surface.
Baking Soda
A great and safe way to get rid of odors from your mattress is by using baking soda, a common household item. Sprinkle baking soda evenly over your mattress using a hand sifter. If your mattress feels damp, let it dry out. After waiting for about an hour, vacuum up the baking soda. You might need to vacuum a few times to completely remove the baking soda from all the creases and seams of the mattress. This will leave your bed smelling fresh.
Cornstarch
If your mattress has stains from body oils, cornstarch is a great option for absorbing and removing these marks. Mix baking soda and cornstarch together, then gently rub the mixture into the stains using a paper towel or soft cloth. Let it sit for about an hour. After that, vacuum your mattress thoroughly to remove all traces of the cornstarch and baking soda mixture.
Essential Oils
Essential oils are fantastic for tackling odors and can add a relaxing scent to your bedroom. To use them, just add a few drops of your favorite oil to the baking soda mixture and stir well to combine. Then, apply it to your bed as described earlier. Some popular essential oils that help promote relaxation and sleep include:
- Lavender
- Peppermint
- Rose
- Chamomile
- Ylang-ylang
- Sweet orange
- Jasmine
- Vanilla
- Vacuum
You might have realized we mention “vacuum” quite a bit, but that’s because regular vacuuming is key to keeping your bed fresh and free from odors. It also helps eliminate dust mites, dead skin flakes, hair, and other debris. A handheld vacuum is particularly effective for cleaning your mattress. If it comes with an upholstery attachment, use it for an even deeper clean. Make sure to use the crevice tool to reach all the tight spots. Don’t forget to vacuum the sides of your mattress as well.
Laundry Detergent
Using a mild laundry detergent can be very effective for cleaning a smelly mattress. Be careful not to use too much liquid. To tackle stubborn stains, mix a few drops of detergent with baking soda to create a paste. Apply this paste directly to each stain or spot and let it sit for a while. Then, scrape off the paste with a spoon and vacuum the area. Make sure to let your mattress air dry completely before you put the bedding back on.
Other Tips to Prolong Your Mattress’s Freshness
If you’ve been consistently cleaning your mattress but still notice issues, it might be time to consider replacing it, especially if it’s lumpy or has indentations. Regular deodorizing can only do so much if the mattress is physically worn out.
Air Out Your Room
It’s common to become accustomed to unpleasant smells in your home. On warm spring, summer, and mild fall days, airing out your room can really help. Opening windows and doors allows excess moisture to evaporate quickly and freshens up your space. This simple act of ventilation can also help remove any stale odors from your mattress. So, don’t hesitate—open those windows and let the fresh air in!
Buy a Mattress Protector
Using a mattress protector is an important step in maintaining the cleanliness and longevity of your mattress. It can protect against spills, absorb odors from sweat, and keep dust mites at bay. A good mattress protector also helps ensure that your sleeping environment remains hygienic and comfortable.
Clean your Box Spring or Foundation
Even if you’re great at cleaning your mattress, don’t forget about your box spring or foundation. It’s a good idea to clean and vacuum the support under your mattress regularly. This helps keep both the mattress and its base as dust-free and odor-free as possible.
Wash Your Bed Sheets Regularly
Another easy way to keep your mattress fresh-smelling is to wash your bedding regularly, changing them once a week. Your bed sheets and pillowcases are the first-line defense in trapping dead skin cells, so to reduce the numbers of dust mites stealthily (and invisibly) chomping away at your discarded cells, wash your sheets! Changing your sheets weekly also helps limit the amount of time you’ll spend deep cleaning your mattress and bed base.
FAQs
How to Deodorize a Mattress Quickly?
Sprinkling baking soda across your mattress and then vacuuming it up after letting it sit for a while is indeed an effective and quick way to deodorize a mattress. This simple technique helps absorb odors and freshens up your sleeping area efficiently.
How to Get Pee Out of a Mattress?
Accidents happen, whether it’s from a child or a pet, and those spills can really smell bad. If the stain is new, dab the area to soak up extra liquid. Then, you can either use a store-bought enzymatic cleaner or make one yourself. How? Just mix 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide, two tablespoons of baking soda, and a few drops of gentle, bleach-free dish soap. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle and shake it until the baking soda is completely mixed in. Then, spray the solution onto a clean cloth and dab the stain. The baking soda absorbs the smell, and the hydrogen peroxide helps remove the stain.
How Do You Deodorize a Mattress Without Baking Soda?
You can freshen up your mattress without baking soda in a few ways. One option is to use a commercial mattress cleaner with an enzymatic formula. When using any liquid cleaner, it’s best to first apply it to a clean cloth and then use that cloth to clean the mattress. This method prevents the mattress from becoming too wet. Alternatively, you can make your own cleaning solution. Mix about 1/3 cup of hydrogen peroxide with 1/3 cup of water and a few drops of gentle dish soap. Pour this mixture into a spray bottle, then spray it onto a clean cloth before wiping the mattress. Make sure the area is completely dry before you put your bedding back on.
How to Get Blood Out of a Mattress?
Use hydrogen peroxide again. Just pour some into a spray bottle and spritz it onto a clean rag. Dab the stain with the peroxide-soaked rag. Keep repeating until the stain is gone, and make sure to let the mattress dry completely.