Years and years of usage will make your mattress smelly, even though you change the bedsheets often. To remove the smell caused by stains, sweat and spills from the mattress, you should deodorise them once every six months. And if you are a person who tends to have frequent night sweats, then it is better to deodorise it more often. You can use everyday cleaning solutions to do this or else you can get professional help for a more thorough deodorising. If you are trying to do it alone, then always go through the mattress manufacturer’s manual before starting the process. Let us check some household techniques to get rid of the stinky, sweaty smell of the mattresses.
Baking Soda
It is used for neutralising the odour. Sprinkle the baking soda evenly on the top of the mattress using a flour sifter. Keep it there for 2 hours. During this period, baking soda will react with acidic odours and neutralise them. Vacuum the baking soda after 2 hours using an upholstery brushhead fixed vacuum cleaner.
Essential Oils
Essential Oils will give your mattress a sweet fragrance if added along with baking soda and repeat the process mentioned above. Add a few drops of essential oil to the baking soda before sprinkling it over the Mattress. You can opt for essential oils like lavender, chamomile, jasmine, peppermint, etc as they are also known for their calming properties, which will help you sleep better.
Cornstarch
Cornstarch can also be used along with baking soda and this will absorb the body oil in the mattress and get rid of the odour caused by that. Follow the same procedure as given in the above section
Vinegar
This is for removing stains and dirt from the mattress. The only problem is that a strong vinegar smell might remain after this process. It is better to give this kind of cleaning job to professional cleaning companies, as will be able to get rid of the vinegar smell effectively as well.
For the home remedy, you have to mix water and white vinegar in equal parts in a spray bottle. Lightly spray the mix on the top of the mattress, don’t overdo it because we do not want a damp mattress. Turn the mattress sideways by putting it against a wall. Then you can use a hairdryer to dry it quickly, and letting the air out will also help to reduce the strong vinegar smell.
Laundry Detergent
This can be used to remove any spots or stains on the mattress. Make a thick paste of a mild laundry detergent, baking soda and water, then spread it over the spot or stain. Let it sit there for a few hours. Remove it with a towel or spoon once it dries over the spot.
Vacuum
If the mattress smells dusty or if it has got dirt or pet dander, then the most effective way to remove the particles is by using a vacuum cleaner. Always try to use a handheld vacuum cleaner fixed with an upholstery brush. Make sure you vacuum every nook and corner of the mattress and don’t forget the sides.
Sunlight
After vacuuming, putting the mattress under the sun will help to kill any bacteria that cause the odour. The fresh air will flow through the fibres of the mattress and this will remove the odour. Keep it under the sun for at least 4 hours.