Why Does My Mattress Smell? How to Get Rid of the Odor

It’s a question that has been asked for decades. Why does my mattress smell? Many people will assume it’s because you’ve been sweating and not washing your sheets often enough. However, there are other reasons why mattresses can have an odor. It could be because of the materials used to make them or perhaps because they weren’t stored in the right conditions. Even brand new mattresses can have an odor if they have been compressed in shipping or left somewhere humid. This article examines some of the possible reasons your mattress smells and what you can do about it.

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Storage Conditions

For anything to be stored correctly, its environment must be the right temperature and humidity level. If the conditions aren’t right, the item will begin to deteriorate and smell. The same is true for mattresses. If they are stored in a too wet, humid, or hot place, they will begin to smell. The smell might not be apparent when you first buy your mattress. But, as it ages and is exposed to the wrong conditions, the smell will become much more noticeable. If you are storing your mattress in a basement or garage, make sure it is in a place that won’t be too damp. Ideally, your mattress should be in an area where the temperature is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit with a relative humidity of less than 50%. If you store your mattress in a humid area, it will begin to smell. The same goes for keeping it in a dry place.

Exposure to Urine and Feces

If your mattress is used by someone who is incontinent, it will begin to smell very quickly. Dirty mattresses are some of the worst-smelling ones out there. If someone is suffering from a urinary tract infection, they might not realize it. This could result in them urinating on the mattress without even knowing. If you are using a bed that has been contaminated with urine, it will start to smell very quickly. Both feces and urine will break down the materials in a mattress. This will soon cause it to smell very badly. If you think your mattress might have been contaminated with feces or urine, there are sure signs to look out for. A mattress that has been contaminated with feces will be soft in some areas and feel very squishy.

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Exposure to Sweat, Dust, and Skin Oil

Mattresses will begin to smell if used a lot and are not cleaned regularly. This is particularly true if you are sleeping with many people in the same bed. Everyone’s skin produces oil while they are sleeping, and this oil gets rubbed into the mattress as people move around and lie on it. The more people who sleep on the bed, the more oil and sweat it will absorb. Over time, the mattress will begin to smell like sweat, dust, and skin oil. This is a very familiar smell, often described as a musty smell. If your mattress begins to smell like sweat, dust, and skin oil, it’s essential to clean it regularly. 

Recycled Materials and Organic Mattress Smells

Some mattresses are made from recycled materials, and these could be materials used in previous mattresses or car seats. If your mattress is made from recycled materials, it will likely smell like whatever was used to make it, and the most common smells are rubber, plastic, and rubber. 

Organic mattresses use plant-based materials to make them, resulting in mattresses free of chemicals and pesticides. Many organic materials smell very strong, and grass, clover, and soil are common among organic mattresses. While these smells are pleasant when buying your mattress, they are likely to become intense after a few months.

Exposure to bugs and Pets

If your mattress smells like an old musty carpet, it might be because there are bugs in your mattress. There are a few common insects that might be found in your mattress. The most common type of mattress bug is the black widow spider, and another common mattress bug is the stink bug. Stink bugs are known for smelling like cilantro, and they are tough to get rid of. 

Dogs and cats sometimes like to sleep on your bed and mattress. If your pets have been on your mattress, they have left behind some hair. Over time, the hair will begin to smell strong. If your mattress smells like it has been contaminated with pet hair, you’ll need to remove it.

How to Get Rid of Mattress Smell – The Quickest and Efficient Ways

Numerous DIY tricks and professional services can help remove this undesirable aroma from your mattress and keep it from coming back again in no time at all!

Change the Bedding

This is one of the easiest and most effective ways to get rid of the mattress smell. If you are using a new mattress, the odor is coming from the bedding. So, if you change the bedding, you’ll get rid of the smell. You could use an old bedsheet or buy a new one. It all depends on the severity of the smell. However, make sure to wash the new bedding before using it. This will ensure that the scent is not transferred from the old bedding to the new one.

Drying and Ventilation

You can get rid of this smell by drying out your mattress and increasing the ventilation in your room. You can do this by placing a dryer sheet inside your bed and letting it sit for a few hours. This will help dry out the moisture and get rid of the bad smell. You can also open a window in your room to allow some fresh air. Doing so will speed up the drying process, and it will also help get rid of the smell. Plus, it will help prevent moisture from accumulating in your room from all the activities you’ve been doing inside.

Febreze, baking soda, and charcoal

You can use a home spray, such as Febreze, to get rid of the mattress smell. Baking soda and activated charcoal will help remove unwanted smells from your mattress. You can sprinkle a few scoops of baking soda or activated charcoal inside your mattress. Let it sit for a few hours and notice the change.

Professional odor removers

If the smell is too strong, you might consider using a professional odor remover. There are plenty of odor removers available in the market, and you can choose the one that suits your needs. Follow instructions. Odor-absorbing sprays, which come with mild fragrances, help get rid of the smell from your mattress.

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