Prep first
Before you start
- Read the care label or the maker's website before you use anything wet.
- Find out how the mattress is built, since memory foam, hybrid and innerspring each need a different amount of moisture.
- Test any liquid on a small hidden spot first, and let it dry before you go on.
- Check whether the cover is meant to come off, and leave it on if it isn't.
A mattress holds sweat, body oil and moisture deep in its layers, so the smell usually goes deeper than the surface. Memory foam, hybrid and innerspring each hold moisture differently, so the construction matters. Check the care label or the maker's website first, since it sets how much moisture the mattress can take.
Removing sweat or body odor from a mattress usually comes down to a careful deep clean. Clean the bedding and the mattress in the same session, because pillows and sheets pick up the same odor. Let everything dry fully before the bed goes back together.
Before you start
What mattresses, pillows and sheets can take
Use with care4
- Water
- Oxygen bleach
- Enzyme cleaners
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
Avoid4
- Hot water
- Soaking
- Chlorine bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
9 items
What you'll need
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- Handheld vacuum with an upholstery brushLifts dust, dander and loose dirt from the surface and the seams. (opens Amazon)
- Baking sodaAbsorbs body oils and neutralizes acidic odors. (opens Amazon)
- Mild liquid soapLifts sweat and oil from a spot when mixed with cold water. (opens Amazon)
- White vinegarFreshens smelly spots when diluted and used as a light mist. (opens Amazon)
- Spray bottleLets you mist lightly instead of wetting the mattress. (opens Amazon)
- Clean white towelsBlot spots without transferring dye onto the mattress. (opens Amazon)
- Flour sifter or fine mesh strainerSpreads the baking soda in an even, thin layer.
- FanSpeeds up drying so the mattress doesn't stay damp. (opens Amazon)
- Waterproof mattress protector (opens Amazon)
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7 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 7
Strip and wash the bedding
Take off the sheets, pillowcases, blankets and mattress protector, and check each label before washing. Wash the protector in hot water if its label allows, and wash the rest as its label directs. Dry everything completely before it goes back on the bed.
Tip. Wash pillows along with the bedding; memory foam pillows need it more often, about every two to three months.
Step 2 of 7
Vacuum the whole mattress
Run the upholstery brush over the top, sides and ends, then go over the seams and corners. Odors come from sweat, body oils, allergens and pet dander, so removing loose debris first makes the rest of the work easier.
Step 3 of 7
Spot-treat sweat and oil marks
Lightly apply a mild soap mixed with cold water to any sweat or body oil mark, then blot with a clean white towel as you go. Work only on the spot itself, and keep the moisture from spreading across the mattress. For urine, blood or another specific stain, treat it first with that stain's own method before you go on.
Tip. Press the towel down rather than rubbing, so the stain doesn't spread.
Careful. Never soak the mattress or foundation with any liquid, since excess moisture can break down memory foam.
Step 4 of 7
Sprinkle baking soda everywhere
Sift a thin, even layer of baking soda over the whole top, sides and ends of the mattress. Leave it for up to two hours so it can absorb body oils and neutralize acidic odors.
Tip. A flour sifter spreads an even layer, and a thin layer works better than a thick pile.
Step 5 of 7
Vacuum up the baking soda
Vacuum all the baking soda off with the handheld vacuum and upholstery brush. Go over the seams and corners several times so no powder is left behind.
Step 6 of 7
Mist the smelly spots lightly
Mix 2 parts water with 1 part white vinegar in a spray bottle, then mist only the smelly spots until they are barely damp. Keep the spray light, because the goal is to freshen the spot rather than wet the mattress.
Careful. Don't spray vinegar over the baking soda, since mixing them cancels out both, so do this step only after the vacuuming.
Step 7 of 7
Air the mattress until fully dry
Strip the bed, open the windows, run a fan and prop the mattress on its edge if you can. Leave it to air for at least a day, until it feels dry all the way through.
What makes the job easier
Products that help
Plain baking soda, white vinegar and a mild liquid soap cover most of the steps here, so a special mattress cleaner isn't needed. Keep a spray bottle and a clean set of white towels on hand for the rest.
SafeRest Zippered Mattress Protector
How we picked these: each product is made for this kind of odor or surface, its maker doesn't warn against using it on mattresses, pillows and sheets, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely before you use it again.
How to tell it's really done →A faint smell often fades as everything dries and airs out; give it a day before a second round.
Find the guide for your stain →Heavy grime or a lingering smell usually needs a second round once it's fully dry.
See what to do for what you're seeing →When to call a professional →How to tell it's done
The mattress is clean when the smell is gone and it feels dry all the way through, including the middle. If it still smells or feels damp, air it again with a fan and open windows before you make the bed.
If there is a stain too
Related guides
A smell usually has a stain or a spill behind it. These guides cover the cleanup in detail:
What changes for yours
Adjust for the smell
Sweat and body oil
Sweat and body oil sink into the top layers, so the spot treatment and baking soda matter most here. Lightly apply the mild soap to the side you sleep on most, since that is where the oil builds up. For sweat and body oil, mix a small sprinkle of cornstarch into the baking soda and leave it about two hours.
If the smell is still there after drying, repeat the baking soda and vacuum steps on that side only. Sweat that has gone deep into the layers may need a professional.
New mattress
A new mattress smell is normal and harmless, and it usually fades within a week or two. Let the mattress air out before you add sheets, so the smell can leave on its own.
If it lingers, open the windows, run a fan and air the mattress for at least a day, uncovered and well ventilated. Then repeat the baking soda and vacuum steps, which can help with what remains.
Memory foam and toppers
Memory foam takes moisture badly, so keep liquid to a light touch and never soak it. Only lightly spray spots with the vinegar mist, and let the foam dry fully before anything covers it.
Baking soda and vacuuming work on foam, and they are the safest first steps. A topper follows the same rules. The steps here deal with odor rather than safety, so if you're worried about fumes from new foam, air it out fully and check the maker's care information.
Musty or mildewed mattress
A musty smell usually means the mattress stayed damp somewhere, and moisture is what lets mold grow. Dry the mattress fully and check for damp patches before you do anything else.
If the musty smell returns after drying, or you can see mold, stop cleaning it at home. Mattresses damaged by water and mold are seldom salvageable, so have them sanitized professionally.
Prevention
Keep the smell from coming back
Deep clean the mattress every six months, or more often if you have night sweats. Spot clean spills right away, before they have time to set.
Use a washable, removable protector at all times, and wash it monthly in hot water if its label allows. Wash sheets weekly and pillows every six months, or every two to three months for memory foam pillows.
Rotate the mattress end to end every three to four months, and flip it only if the maker allows, since foam should be rotated rather than flipped.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies get rid of the smell?
Many cleaners sold for stains are a poor fit for a mattress, so only a few have a real job here. A few can help with a specific stain, and the rest belong on the shelf.
Works2Helps2Skip1Avoid2
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use bleach or chlorine cleaners
Chlorine damages the mattress fibers, so keep any bleach product away from the mattress. Never mix bleach with ammonia, vinegar or other acids, rubbing alcohol or other cleaners.
Don't use dry-cleaning products or spot removers
They can harm the fabric and the materials underneath, even when they seem gentle. For a mattress, stick with mild soap, baking soda and a light water and vinegar mist.
Don't put the bedding back too soon
Leftover moisture can encourage mold and mildew, and it can keep the smell from fully leaving. Wait until the mattress is completely dry, then make the bed.
Don't use hot water on a stain you can't identify
Hot water can set protein stains, so it's a bad guess when you're unsure. Identify the stain first, and use the method for that stain.
Don't remove a cover that isn't meant to come off
Covers that aren't designed to be removed or washed can be damaged, and some makers say removing one voids the warranty. Clean around it and check the label first.
Troubleshooting
If the smell comes back
Pick what you're seeing:
The smell comes back a few days later
The source was probably deeper than the surface, or the mattress was still damp when you made the bed. Air it again with a fan and open windows, then repeat the baking soda and vacuum steps on the smelly area. Persistent smells may mean it's time to replace the mattress, since most last seven to ten years.
The mattress feels damp after cleaning
Blot the damp area again with a dry towel, then run a fan across it until it's dry. Moisture left in the mattress can lead to mold, so don't put bedding back on until it's fully dry.
When to call a professional
Get a professional cleaner when DIY doesn't remove a persistent odor, stain or mold, and for deep cleaning and bed bug removal. A professional can also judge whether a mattress that has taken water damage is worth saving.
Questions
Does baking soda get smell out of a mattress?
Yes, it absorbs body oils and neutralizes acidic odors, which is why it is the core deodorizing step here. Vacuum it up completely afterward, because any powder left in the mattress can make it feel gritty.
How do I get smell out of sheets, pillows and blankets?
Wash sheets, pillowcases and blankets as their labels direct, and dry them fully before using them again. Pillows should be washed about every six months, and memory foam pillows every two to three months.
Will airing the mattress out in the sun help?
Sunlight can help freshen a mattress, and airing it out is one of the simplest ways to reduce odor. Some mattress makers warn against direct sun, so check the care label before you leave it in a sunny spot.
How do I get vinegar smell out of a mattress?
Vinegar smell fades with thorough airing, so open the windows, run a fan and let the mattress dry fully. Don't add more vinegar to speed things up, since too much makes the mattress damp.
How do I get an ammonia or pee-type smell out of a mattress?
Pee-type smells need the method for urine, and household ammonia is not a fix for them. For a urine smell, follow the steps in How to Get Urine Smell Out of a Mattress, which covers that stain.
How do I get stains and odor out of a mattress?
Treat each stain first with its own method, then follow these steps to remove the rest of the odor. Once the stain is treated and the mattress is dry, the baking soda and airing steps handle what remains.
How do I get smell out of a mattress topper?
Use the same steps with a light hand, since foam absorbs liquid and is hard to dry. Let the topper air out fully before it goes back on the bed.
Start from the bigger picture
More odor guides
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.