How to Deodorize a Mattress

No matter how well you care for them, most mattresses are going to start to get smelly eventually. So what do you do about it? You could have your mattress professionally cleaned, of course. But that’s often expensive, and it can still be a pain to find a reliable cleaning service.

The good news is there are plenty of options out there if you want to clean and deodorize your mattress yourself. Below, we’ll go over a few of them.

Bench the Stench

While there are more ways to deodorize your mattress than the ones we’re going to talk about below, these methods are some of the most tried-and-true ways to get the bad smells out of your mattress without ruining it.

Ruining your mattress with DIY cleaning methods is a real risk, so it’s important to stick to your method of choice and not try to wing it with products not safe for mattresses. In general, natural and non-toxic cleaners are safe to use on your mattress.

1. Baking Soda

Baking soda is one of the best natural mattress cleaners out there. Not only can it help remove the odor from your mattress, but it can also help lift stains and lighten discoloration. To use, first blot any stains with a little lemon juice on a paper towel.

Then, sprinkle baking soda evenly over your mattress’s entire surface and let it sit for 30 minutes to 24 hours. The longer you leave it on, the more effective it will be. Vacuum the baking soda residue off your mattress when you’re done, and make sure you’re getting all your mattress’s crevices and seams.

2. Corn Starch

Cornstarch helps absorb body oil and sweat, which are two of the most common reasons for odors in your mattress. The best way to use cornstarch is to mix it in with your baking soda and sprinkle the mixture over your bed, letting it rest at least overnight, though 24 hours is best. Just like with baking soda, vacuum your cornstarch mixture off your mattress when you’re finished letting it sit.

3. White Vinegar

White vinegar is another great natural deodorizer because it denatures a lot of the compounds that cause odors. Make a mixture of equal parts distilled white vinegar and water and put it in a spray bottle. Spritz lightly over the mattress—you don’t want to make it too wet—and let it dry before putting bedding back on. You can also use white vinegar as a first step before sprinkling baking soda onto your mattress, though you’ll still want to be sure to let it dry before doing this.

4. Essential Oils

Essential oils won’t deodorize your mattress by eliminating bad smells but by overpowering them with good smells like eucalyptus, peppermint, or lavender. As with cornstarch, mixing a few drops of your favorite essential oil into your baking soda before sprinkling it over your bed is going to be your best bet to deodorize your mattress and add a fresh scent.

5. Vacuuming

Vacuuming your mattress is something you should do regardless of whether it stinks. A vacuum cleaner gets the dust, dirt, dust mites, and allergens out of your mattress, which will help get rid of some of the agents causing your mattress to stink. Give the entire surface of the mattress a thorough cleaning with an upholstery attachment or furniture vacuum whenever it starts looking dingy.

FAQs

Why is my mattress stinky?

There are several factors that could be making your mattress smell bad. One of the biggest factors is the buildup of dead skin cells, sweat, body oils, and other stinky things that come off our bodies while we sleep. Another biggie is improperly cleaned spills from eating or drinking in the bed. Bacterial and/or mold growth can also make your mattress stink.

Unfortunately, if it’s mold or mildew inside your mattress that’s making it stink, it’s not really possible to remove it. You can get it off the surface, but if it’s inside the mattress, you’ll probably have to get a new one.

How do I prevent my mattress from getting smelly?

Since moisture, body fluids/oils, spilled foods and drinks, mold, and all kinds of things can make your mattress stink, protecting it from these threats can go a long way to keeping it smelling fresh. One of the best ways to do that is using a waterproof mattress protector.

A mattress protector is like a fitted sheet with a flexible impermeable barrier sewn inside it. It goes directly over your mattress, mattress pad, or mattress topper, but underneath the sheets, and it has the added benefit of helping your mattress sleep cooler. Aside from protecting your mattress from spills and body fluids, you can just pull your mattress cover off your bed and toss it in the washing machine when it’s dirty.

Can sunlight help my mattress?

Yes, sunlight can naturally freshen your mattress, and sunshine will even help whiten your mattress if it’s yellowing. The sun’s radiation has natural bleaching properties that can both kill bacteria and mold and lighten stains, so setting it in the sun for a day or two can really make a difference in your mattress’s look and smell. Make sure to flip your mattress while it’s outside so the sun can hit both sides of it.

Can I wash my mattress?

Most mattresses shouldn’t get wet, especially memory foam beds and hybrid mattresses, because the foam can take too long to dry on the inside, which can encourage mold and bacterial growth. Therefore, it is best to spot clean your mattress without too much water.

If you feel your DIY efforts aren’t getting the job done, it’s better to call a professional mattress cleaner than trying to actually hose off and soap up your mattress.

Will it help to air out my mattress?

Airing out your mattress can be a great way to get it to smell better, especially if you keep it on the floor or another base where it doesn’t get much circulation. To air out your mattress, lean it diagonally against the wall for a couple of days. Make sure to vacuum it on both sides before putting it back in your bed frame.

Bottom Line

If your mattress smells bad, you do have some options to try before you think about getting a new one or having it professionally cleaned. Baking soda, starch, vinegar, and other natural options can go a long way towards deodorizing your bed.

However, if you want to keep your mattress from getting smelly in the first place, consider your bed base. If you leave your bed on the floor, a bunkie board, or on some other base that impedes aeration, it can cause it to smell bad. For that reason, we recommend getting a good mattress foundation or platform bed if you don’t have one. These bases can help get the air flowing underneath your mattress and keep it smelling fresh so you don’t have to worry about deodorizing it.