How to Remove Smell from a Mattress: 6 Methods That Work

A smelly mattress affects sleep quality and makes your entire bedroom feel unclean. Mattress odors come from sweat, body oils, spills, pet accidents, and the natural breakdown of materials over time. The good news is that most mattress odors can be eliminated at home without professional cleaning. Here's how.

What You'll Need

• Nutricost Baking Soda (2 lbs) — the most effective natural mattress deodorizer
• Rocco & Roxie Enzyme Stain & Odor Eliminator — essential for pet odors and organic smell sources
• Pressurized Handheld Steam Cleaner — penetrates mattress fabric to eliminate embedded odors
• Febreze Fabric Refresher Spray, Downy April Fresh (23.6 fl oz) — for a quick surface refresh between deep treatments
• Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths (24-pack)
• Essential oils (lavender, eucalyptus, or tea tree)
• White vinegar in a spray bottle

Identifying the Odor Source

Different odors require different treatments:

• Musty/stale smell: Moisture trapped in the mattress; needs drying and baking soda treatment
• Sweat odor: Body oils and sweat absorbed over time; baking soda and steam
• Pet urine smell: Requires enzyme cleaner — baking soda alone won't eliminate uric acid
• New mattress smell (off-gassing): Chemical smell from foam; needs airing out
• Mildew smell: Moisture damage; needs thorough drying and possible professional treatment

Method 1: Baking Soda (Best for General and Sweat Odors)

The most effective and safest method for everyday mattress odors.

1. Strip all bedding and vacuum the mattress thoroughly
2. Mix 10–15 drops of lavender or eucalyptus essential oil into baking soda before applying
3. Sprinkle very generously over the entire mattress surface — use the full 2 lb bag for a queen or king
4. Let sit for a minimum of 4 hours; overnight gives the best results
5. Vacuum thoroughly with multiple slow passes

Method 2: Enzyme Cleaner (Best for Pet and Organic Odors)

For urine, vomit, or any organic odor source, enzyme cleaners are the only solution that truly eliminates the smell.

1. Identify the source area (use a UV blacklight in a dark room if needed)
2. Spray Rocco & Roxie Enzyme Cleaner generously over the area
3. Let sit 15–20 minutes
4. Blot with a microfiber cloth and allow to air dry completely
5. Follow with baking soda treatment once dry

Method 3: Steam Cleaning (Best for Embedded Odors)

The handheld steam cleaner penetrates mattress fabric to reach embedded odor compounds that surface treatments miss. Move slowly across the entire surface, then allow to dry completely with fans and open windows before making the bed.

Method 4: White Vinegar Spray (For Musty Odors)

1. Mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle
2. Lightly mist the mattress surface — don't soak
3. Allow to air dry completely with windows open and a fan running
4. The vinegar smell dissipates as it dries, taking the musty odor with it
5. Follow with baking soda treatment once dry for extra freshness

Method 5: Sunlight and Fresh Air

If you can move the mattress outside on a dry, sunny day, lay it flat in direct sunlight for 2–4 hours. UV rays kill odor-causing bacteria and fresh air carries away trapped smells. This is one of the most effective natural deodorizing methods. Flip halfway through to treat both sides.

Method 6: Febreze for Quick Refresh

For a quick odor refresh between deep treatments, lightly mist the mattress with Febreze Fabric Refresher and allow to dry before making the bed. This masks odors temporarily and is best used as a maintenance step between proper cleanings, not as a substitute for baking soda or enzyme treatment.

Airing Out a New Mattress (Off-Gassing)

New foam mattresses often have a chemical smell from the manufacturing process (off-gassing). To speed up the process:

• Remove all packaging and let the mattress air in a well-ventilated room for 24–72 hours before sleeping on it
• Open windows and use a fan to increase airflow
• Sprinkle baking soda, let sit several hours, then vacuum
• The smell typically dissipates within a few days to a week

Preventing Mattress Odors

• Use a waterproof mattress protector — prevents sweat and spills from reaching the mattress
• Wash bedding weekly in hot water
• Air the mattress monthly by removing bedding and opening windows for several hours
• Deodorize with baking soda every 3 months

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my mattress smell worse in the morning?

Body heat and moisture from sleeping reactivate odor compounds in the mattress. This is especially noticeable with sweat odors and urine (uric acid crystals reactivate with humidity). A thorough baking soda treatment and enzyme cleaner for any organic stains will address the root cause.

How long should I leave baking soda on a mattress?

At minimum 30 minutes, but 4–8 hours gives significantly better results. Overnight is ideal for strong odors. The longer it sits, the more odor it absorbs.

Can I use Febreze instead of baking soda?

Febreze masks odors temporarily but doesn't eliminate the source. Baking soda neutralizes odor molecules chemically. For persistent odors, use baking soda (and enzyme cleaner for organic sources) to address the root cause, then Febreze for maintenance freshness.