5 Easy Ways to Deodorize a Mattress & Freshen Your Bed

A mattress is an investment. It's an essential bedding item we use every single day. Keeping it clean and fresh can significantly improve our quality of life, however, since it's in constant use, it can easily become dirty, damaged, or worn.

Mattresses can be afflicted by various woes, from stains to smells, to dust mites and pet dander.

If your mattress needs some TLC, we’re here to help! There are several simple and accessible ways to help freshen a smelly, dirty mattress so that it feels good as new. 

Let’s look at the things that can cause your mattress to become funky and review five effective ways to remove unwanted odors from your faithful companion and freshen your entire bedroom. 

What causes mattress odor? 

Mattress can be constructed from various materials, such as latex, memory foam, polyester, cotton, and more. Since most mattresses are made from several layers of materials, dirt, dust, and odors can easily become trapped in the mattress.

Here are a few things that can cause mattress odor: 

• Chemical off-gassing: Mattresses are often made with synthetic materials manufactured using chemicals that can give off unpleasant odors. Memory foam mattresses tend to be the worst offenders of giving off an unpleasant smell.

• Moisture build-up in your mattress. Sometimes sweat from sleeping, accidental spills, or general moisture in the home can penetrate deep into our mattresses. This may cause bacteria to thrive, causing a foul odor. 

• Dust, animal hair, and dander. Debris from daily life, such as dead skin cells, body oils, hair strands, dust, and other dander, can accumulate on our mattresses over time, contributing to a bad smell. 

• Cigarette smoke. Smoke from cigarettes tends to linger, especially on porous surfaces.

• Inadequate ventilation. Stagnant air can trap odors, making them more intense and noticeable. 

Keeping your mattress fresh can be a big task. The best way to accomplish an odor-free mattress is to take proactive steps to avoid odor-causing bacteria finding their way into your mattress in the first place.

How to prevent mattress odors

The best offense is a good defense. Before focusing on eliminating odors, consider how to avoid a bad-smelling mattress in the first place.

Off-gassing odors

Off-gassing odors, which you may conflate with the unpleasant "new mattress smell," are, in fact, avoidable. While these odors are not harmful, the intense smell given off by a new mattress is strongest from those constructed with synthetic materials.

The best way to avoid off-gassing odors is to choose a mattress made with natural materials, such as latex, innerspring, or micro coils.

Polyfoam and memory foam mattresses are the worst culprits for off-gassing odors. Since these odors are an effect of the manufacturing process, they are difficult to avoid. Ventilation and time will usually dispel the off-gassing mattress smell; however, if you want to avoid the odor altogether, go natural.

Waterproof mattress protectors

Keeping your mattress dry and clean is essential for proactively fighting mattress odor.

A mattress protector is one of the easiest, cheapest, and safest to ensure your mattress isn't exposed to the possible odor-causing hazard of daily life.

A mattress cover creates an extra barrier between you and your mattress. If you tend to sweat a lot during the night, shed a lot of hair, eat in bed, have pets, or smoke in the household, a mattress protector is essential for guarding your mattress against these elements.

Mellanni's Microplush Mattress Pad is a mattress protector and a luxurious mattress pad. This mattress pad helps protect your mattress from dirt, dust, and dust mites while providing extra support for a cozy night's sleep.

Five ways to deodorize your mattress

Even with all the foresight in the world, bad odors may still find their way into your mattress, affecting the freshness of your bed and entire room. If you notice your faithful friend is starting to stink, there are several easy and attainable ways to deodorize your mattress quickly.

1. Baking soda 

Baking soda can be found in just about any kitchen. It is incredibly versatile and, coincidently, one of the solutions to a smelly mattress. 

Baking soda naturally absorbs odor. This is because bad smells are generally acidic, and baking soda acts as a PH neutralizer. It's simple chemistry!

To help freshen your mattress, sprinkle baking soda generously across the surface of your mattress. Let the baking soda sit for several hours, and then vacuum away the excess. 

Top tip: sprinkling baking soda to eliminate odors can work on any porous surface in every room. If you notice the couch giving off a funky smell, sprinkle baking soda across the entire surface of your couch (just as you would your mattress). Vacuum away, and voila!

2. Enzyme cleaners

While baking soda is one of the easiest ways to freshen a mattress, sometimes you need something more potent. An enzyme cleaner is a great option for a strong smell that can't be cured with baking soda alone.

Enzyme cleaners break down organic matter, including the bacteria that may cause nasty smells. You can easily find enzyme cleaners online or in a home goods store like Home Depot or Lowes.

Carefully follow the instructions, which usually include spraying your mattress with the enzyme cleaner, letting it sit for the suggested amount of time, and wiping it off with a clean cloth.

3. Fresh air

Fresh air, essential for overall health, is also an excellent way to deodorize a mattress or a musty room in general. 

To circulate air in your bedroom, open a bedroom window and prop open the door. If you have other windows in the house that can help circulate a breeze, open those as well. Otherwise, bring a fan to help move the air through the room.

Remove any sheets or mattress protectors so the fresh air can also make contact with the mattress. Leave the windows and door open to help circulate air for several hours.

4. Essential oils

Essential oils are concentrated aromas extracted from plants. They work perfectly to deodorize a mattress because they have aromatic properties (they smell good) and can also help with various conditions, from stress and depression to headaches and indigestion.

To deodorize a mattress using essential oils, mix a couple of drops of your favorite oil in a spray bottle with water. Mist your mattress accordingly, ensuring to distribute evenly.

Make sure you allow your mattress to air dry completely before adding bedding—a damp mattress, even with essential oils, can contribute to bacteria growth.

5. Vacuuming

Sometimes, without us realizing it, our mattresses become full of dirt, dust, dead skin cells, and other allergens or bacteria that cause bad smells.

Vacuuming your mattress is the best way to remove this sometimes invisible debris build-up.

Pull out that vacuum cleaner and give it a whirl on your mattress.

Many vacuum cleaners come with an upholstery brush attachment, which is meant specifically to help with jobs such as mattresses, couches, chairs, etc.

Mattress stains

Mattress odors can be annoying and unpleasant, but stains are another common mattress plague. 

Removing stains from your mattress can be as challenging, if not more so, than removing odors. That said, you can do a few things to remove mattress stains, even deep ones. 

Before attempting to remove a stain on your entire mattress, test on a small part of the stain to ensure the process won't damage the mattress.

Blood stains 

Mix one tablespoon of salt with 1/4 cup of cold water to remove a blood stain from your mattress. This will create a paste.

Spread a few drops of the paste over the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes.

Dip a clean cloth in cold water and blot the stain.

Urine stains 

A white vinegar and water mixture should do the trick for urine stains.

Mix equal parts of distilled white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the stain evenly with the mixture and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

Blot the stain with a clean cloth and repeat as needed.

Sweat stains

Mix three tablespoons of baking soda with one tablespoon of water to remove sweat stains from your mattress. This will create a paste that should be spread on the stain and sit for 30 minutes.

After letting it sit, vacuum up the excess baking soda.

Food and drink stains

We all like to eat in bed from time to time. It may feel luxurious but can contribute to food or drink stains.

To remove stains caused by food or beverages, mix 1/4 of hydrogen peroxide, one tablespoon of dish soap, and one tablespoon of salt.

Spread the mixture over the stain and let it sit for 30 minutes.

Dip a clean cloth in cold water and blot.

Additional tips for a fresh bedroom 

Having a fresh-smelling mattress is important for a healthy sleeping environment. Keeping your bedroom fresh is also important. 

There are a few ways you can ensure your bedroom feels calming, fresh, and inviting for a good night’s sleep. 

Clean bedding

Keeping clean bedding on your bed is essential for a healthy, clean sleeping environment. Bedding should be changed at least every two weeks (although experts recommend switching once a week) for an ideal sleeping environment.

Choosing comfortable, soft, and easy-to-care-for sheets can help make your bedroom feel luxurious, lush, and fresh.

Mellanni has a wide variety of high-quality and affordable bed sheets, perfect for protecting the sanctity of your bedroom.

Aromatherapy and decorating

Introducing candles, diffusers, or incense is another great way to make your bedroom feel comfortable and fresh. A pleasant aroma can help you feel relaxed when it’s time to fall asleep. 

Plants are scientifically proven to increase air quality and reduce stress. They also add a calming touch to your bedroom and can immediately bring something extra to bedroom decor. 

General Hygiene

Keeping your bedroom clean and uncluttered is one of the easiest ways to ensure your bedroom looks and smells fresh. Don’t forget to vacuum, dust your surfaces, and organize your belongings. 

Final Thoughts 

Having a fresh, clean mattress not only makes your sleeping environment more friendly but also more healthy. The state of your bedroom can make or break your health hygiene. 

Give your mattress and bedroom a little love, and sleep better today! 

Mellanni is also here to help:

• We have a huge collection of sheet sets to ensure you always have clean, soft, and stylish sheets on hand. 

• Our Microplush Mattress Pad helps protect your mattress from dirt, dust, and accidental spills while providing excellent support and comfort. Imagine not having to deep-clean your mattress since you have a mattress protector that can be easily washed!