If you've had your mattress for some time, you may have begun to realize it doesn't smell as fresh and clean as it did when it was brand new. There are a handful of reasons, including dead skin cells, dust mites, excess moisture, spills, and sweat. And if Doggo sleeps with you...that increases the chances that your mattress is smelling a bit off. Read on to learn how to deodorize your mattress and freshen up your entire bed.

How to Deodorize a Mattress

Just like any other piece of furniture in your home, you should clean your mattress routinely—at a minimum of once every six months. Doing so will increase your chances of avoiding a smelly mattress, as well as reducing potential allergens. But, if mattress care is a brand-new concept for you, here are some simple tips you can follow to refresh your mattress and help you sleep more comfortably on a clean, smell-free surface.

Baking Soda

A simple way to safely deodorize your mattress is with that handy all-purpose household product called baking soda. Using a hand sifter, sprinkle baking soda over the surface of your mattress. If there's any moisture apparent on your mattress, let it air dry. Then, after an hour or so, simply vacuum the baking soda up, and voila! A fresh-smelling bed. It's not uncommon to have to vacuum a couple of times to get all the baking soda out from the creases and seams.

Cornstarch

If you notice your mattress has spots from body oil, cornstarch is another excellent way to absorb and remove the stains. Combine baking soda with cornstarch, rub it in gently with a paper towel or soft cloth, and wait. After an hour or so, vacuum the mattress until all traces of the cornstarch and baking soda mixture are gone.

Essential Oils

We love essential oils, and using them is a great way to subdue smells. One of the easiest ways to do so is by adding a few drops of oil to your baking soda mixture. Stir well to combine, and then treat your bed as described above. Some of our favorite essential oils that are relaxing and conducive to sleep include:

Lavender
Peppermint
Rose
Chamomile
Ylang-ylang
Sweet orange
Jasmine
Vanilla

Vacuum

You may have noticed we've said "vacuum" a fair amount already. But regular vacuuming is a great way to keep your bed odor-free. And not to mention void of dust mites, flakes of dead skin, bits of hair, and other debris. If you have a hand-held vacuum, that works very well for cleaning your mattress. If it has an upholstery-cleaning attachment, use that, and then use the crevice attachment to get all the nooks and crannies. Don't forget to vacuum your mattress' sides, too.

Laundry Detergent

A gentle laundry detergent can go a long way in cleaning a mattress that smells bad. Take care not to oversaturate the mattress when using liquids. One easy way to clean with laundry detergent—and this is great for stubborn stains too—is to mix a few drops of detergent with baking soda until it makes a paste. Dab this onto each spot or stain and let it sit for a while. Then scrape the paste off with a spoon and vacuum. Be sure to let your mattress thoroughly air dry before making your bed up.

Other Tips to Prolong Your Mattress's Freshness

There are a few other easy things you can do for mattress deodorizing. But, if you've been thoroughly cleaning your mattress for years, you may need to start thinking about replacing your mattress. Especially if the surface is lumpy or has indentations.

Air Out Your Room

It's easy to get nose blind to icky smells. In the spring, summer, and mild fall days, a good airing out of your room by opening windows and doors allows for the quick evaporation of any excess moisture trapped inside. Ventilating your bedroom can also help deodorize a stale-smelling mattress. So, go get those windows opened!

Buy a Mattress Protector

Don't forget the importance of a mattress protector to safeguard your investment in better sleep. Mattress protectors help to shield your mattress from spills, help absorb sweat smell, and can keep dust mites out of your bed. Leesa's Tencel mattress protector helps keep you cool and comfortable throughout the night. It's also treated with antimicrobial silver to help repel odors.

Clean your Box Spring or Foundation

You may be a pro at cleaning your mattress, but what about your box spring or foundation? It also makes sense to routinely clean and vacuum the support your mattress lies on. That way, you keep both as dust- 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. P.S. Leesa sells luxurious sheet sets that are 400-count certified organic cotton.

Conclusion

Is it time for you to get a new mattress? If so, you know where to go. Leesa is about all things sleep. So, whether it's a mattress, a bed base, a mattress protector, new pillows, and more, you'll find it at Leesa or one of our retail partners, West Elm, Pottery Barn, and Macy's.

FAQs

How to Deodorize a Mattress Quickly?

Applying baking soda, followed by a good vacuum cleaning, is our number one way to deodorize a mattress quickly.

How to Get Pee Out of a Mattress?

Pee happens—whether, from a child or a pet, those accidental puddles can really stink. If the stain is fresh, blot the area to absorb the excess liquid. Then either use a commercial enzymatic solution or make your own.

How? Easy! Combine: 1/2 cup of hydrogen peroxide, two tablespoons of baking soda, and a few drops of a gentle bleach-free liquid dish detergent Put the mixture into a spray bottle and shake until the baking soda is fully incorporated. Next, spray the mixture on a clean rag and daub the pee spot. The baking soda helps absorb the odor, and the hydrogen peroxide helps dissolves the stain.

How Do You Deodorize a Mattress Without Baking Soda?

There are a couple of ways to deodorize a mattress without baking soda. One is by using a commercially made bed cleaner, usually one with an enzymatic solution. Whenever using any liquid cleaner on your mattress, be sure to apply it to a clean rag first and then use the rag to clean the mattress. This helps keep the mattress from getting too wet.

Or, you can make your own cleaning solution. Combine: About a 1/3 cup of hydrogen peroxide, 1/3 cup of water, and a couple of drops of gentle dish soap. Combine in a spray bottle and spray the solution on a clean rag before applying it to the bed. Ensure the cleaned area's air is dry completely before adding your bedding.

How to Get Blood Out of a Mattress?

Easy! Call upon our friend hydrogen peroxide again. Only this time, pour some directly into a spray bottle and spray it on a clean rag. Dab the stain with peroxide. Repeat until the stain disappears, and let the mattress thoroughly dry.

The Pursuit of Zzzzz

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