A good mattress is the key to healthy and sound sleep, excellent health and good mood during the day. This is not possible if, after prolonged use, your mattress begins to emit unpleasant odors. Unfortunately, your newly purchased mattress may also emit toxic chemical odors, making it difficult to enjoy your purchase and get a good night's rest. It’s easy to get rid of the smell from a mattress using simple methods and maintain its appearance. Fortunately, there are very simple and effective ways to help solve this unpleasant problem.
First, you need to understand the cause of the smell: the origin of the smell is different for a new and old mattress. Methods for eliminating odors are different for these two options. Read about this in our article below.
Maybe you will be interested and useful to know: – How to get rid of dust mites, bed mites and bites.
Eliminating odors from a used mattress
When a mattress is used for a long time, it will undoubtedly absorb many odors. This is both human sweat and leftover food, because we all love breakfast in bed, and perhaps your pet thinks that this is the ideal place to relieve itself? How to get rid of these odors?
Read also: Nosebleeds in children
Method: soda
Regular baking soda is the number one cleaner in any housewife's home. It can easily cope with unpleasant odors emanating from the mattress. Clean it from stains and sprinkle generously with baking soda on one side. It is advisable to wait one day, then turn the mattress over and sprinkle it on the other side. After the second day, vacuum the mattress and the unpleasant odors will disappear.
Method: cleaning
This method is more effective, since many odors are not on the surface of the mattress, but are absorbed inside, so to completely get rid of them, you will have to work a little.
Start by vacuuming both sides of your mattress. Brush additionally with a dry brush to remove any stubborn stains and dust. Prepare a soap solution and a sponge. Apply foam to the mattress and make circular movements. Do not press too hard to avoid wetting the inner layers of the mattress. It is best to place the mattress on its edge so that liquid does not penetrate inside. Pay attention to both sides of the mattress, as well as its sides.
Foreign odor depending on the type of filler
Organic and synthetic mattress fillers have specific odors. This is normal and is not considered a defect.
How to get rid of latex smell from a mattress
Natural latex has a slightly sweet, milky smell. If the mattress is not made of a monolith, but of glued pieces of material, glue may be mixed with the smell of baked milk. It can be disguised with air freshener or incense.
How to remove odor from a coconut mattress
The smell of a mattress filled with coconut coir depends on the production technology:
- The needle-punched material smells like wood, it will disappear in 10-15 days.
- Coir, latexed with natural rubber, smells faintly of milk. The smell will disappear within a month.
- If the coir is latexed with artificial rubber, then the bedroom will most likely smell like car tires. The smell can be masked with an air freshener. It's unlikely to disappear.
How to remove the smell of a foam mattress
A new mattress emits a chemical smell when taken out of the package. Foam rubber (modern names for the material are memory foam or polyurethane foam) smells of the chemical components from which it was obtained by foaming. If it is made from quality raw materials according to international standards, the smell will disappear after 7 days of good ventilation.
The smell of an orthopedic mattress
Independent and dependent blocks are made from different glued materials. The covers of independent blocks are also glued together to preserve the structure of the product. The smell of orthopedic spring mattresses is mainly due to the quality and quantity of glue. Conscientious manufacturers do not use formaldehyde. Cheap mattresses may contain components with toxic fumes and unpleasant odors.
An undried orthopedic mattress may smell if it was not kept in the workshop for several days, but was immediately packed in plastic. Vapors from the drying glue accumulate inside the package. Intensive ventilation for a week will help get rid of them.
What mattress manufacturers say about odor
It's simple: not a single serious manufacturer believes that its mattress can cause long-term and persistent discomfort due to its odor. At the same time, each purchase agreement contains a clause on the need to weather the new product.
It is noteworthy that the length of this process varies from factory to factory: from several hours to several days. This is not accidental: in production, either odorless water-based adhesives, “quick” hot-melt adhesives, or odor-producing compositions containing organic solvents can be used.
We analyzed the supply on the Russian market in stores and on the Internet. When purchasing, each consumer is warned that the new product has a residual manufacturing smell, and getting rid of it is a matter of time.
Is it possible to return a smelly mattress under warranty?
When attempting to return or replace, you will have to follow the rules established by the manufacturer.
We carefully read the contract regarding the establishment of a guarantee and determination of the product of proper quality. In general, the criterion is this: the mattress must comply with the certificate and the specifications prescribed by the seller. These documents describe the maximum permissible standards for the emission of harmful substances and the characteristics of the materials from which it consists. Important: the smell does not always mean that the maximum permissible concentration indicated in the certificate has been exceeded! There is nothing specifically said about the fact that the mattress should not smell.
What are the forecasts?
In the best case, the smell from the mattress will gradually disappear (within a maximum of one month). In some cases, manufacturers warn the consumer that the odor will naturally dissipate over a certain (stated) time. However, what if the smell does not go away after a long time, and is also quite “acrid”? This phenomenon should be alarming. In this situation, the safety of sleeping on this product, unfortunately, is called into question.
How to bleach and disinfect covers and bedding
Covers and bed linens are also important parts of the bed. To keep them reasonably clean, it is recommended to change them every two weeks.
You can bleach and disinfect them using hot water, lemon and vinegar.
What do we have to do?
- Boil a liter of water and add white vinegar and lemon juice.
- Remove this mixture from the heat and soak the covers and linens in it for an hour.
- Then rinse them by hand or in the washing machine.
As you can see, you can keep your mattress clean and free of mites and bacteria without purchasing expensive chemicals.
Clean it once a month and whenever necessary.
How to remove a greasy stain
Many young people like to have breakfast right in bed, then carefully clean away any greasy traces of food.
What product can you use to remove fat? Many housewives believe that the most effective product is dishwashing gel. Apply the gel to the fat, leave it for 30-40 minutes, then rinse thoroughly with water.
You can put a paper napkin and iron it with an iron. The fat will remain on the napkin. Potato starch or talcum powder sprinkled on the fat will absorb it. Then just shake off the powder and that’s it, the fat should disappear.
A noticeable mark may also remain from chewing gum. Ice is applied to it, then scraped off with a knife.
The hardest thing to clean off are marks from a ballpoint pen. Hydrogen peroxide will help here, especially if the mattress is white.
How to remove urine smell from a mattress?
The appearance of an unpleasant urine odor on the mattress is a problem faced by parents of small children or pet lovers. To eliminate an unpleasant odor, do not hesitate! Try to act immediately, and then the mattress will be beautiful, convenient and comfortable for a long time.
Effective and simple ways to remove unpleasant odors:
Soda.
To avoid damaging the delicate skin of your hands, be sure to wear gloves. To eliminate unpleasant odors, sprinkle baking soda on the mattress. After 24 hours, remove the soda from the surface. To do this, use a dry cloth and a vacuum cleaner. If the smell remains, pour baking soda on the mattress again and remove it after a day. Remember that wet soda is more effective, but it is much more difficult to clean the mattress.
Cleaning with baking soda is also effective for sofas. The principle is the same, but you should try it on a small area, and then proceed to completely clean the mattress.
To prevent the appearance of unpleasant odors after cleaning the mattress, use green tea. Place green tea leaves in the area between the sofa and mattress. They have unique properties and a pleasant aroma. It has already been proven that caffeine, which is part of green tea, relieves inflammation, reduces redness and has a beneficial effect on the skin. It can be used as a deodorizing agent that can be easily removed from the mattress using a vacuum cleaner.
Ammonia solution.
If you need to eliminate persistent unpleasant odors from your mattress, use ammonia. To prepare the mixture you need 100 grams of ammonia, 100 grams of peroxide, 400 grams of running water. This must be mixed in a jar and applied to the mattress using a rag. Then rinse the stain again with clean water and dry the mattress in the sun.
What to do for prevention
Removing urine odor is a very difficult task. Therefore, we must try with all our might to prevent it or at least reduce it to a minimum. There are special pads and diapers for those suffering from enuresis. And if a person is embarrassed to use them or does not admit the existence of a problem, you can cover sofas and beds with oilcloth and lay down urological diapers.
Waterproof mattress covers are sold for mattresses. Of course, sheets, bedspreads and blankets will get dirty, but washing them is not difficult. Moreover, there are household chemicals that remove stains and odors on sale.
A persistent smell of urine can appear in anyone's home. There are many reasons. These include small children, animals, and sick relatives. Now you know how to get rid of this problem and try to prevent it. Just remember that you cannot use aggressive products such as bleach. They can cause harm not only to furniture, carpets and other surfaces, but also to your health.
How to get rid of the smell from a mattress you just bought
So, a new mattress may smell unpleasant if poor quality packaging was used, the item was stored in a poorly ventilated place, or other violations occurred.
What to do to remove the smell of a new mattress:
- The factory smell will disappear after normal ventilation. To do this, the accessory is placed on the balcony for up to 2 weeks. The method is suitable for warm seasons. If the purchase was made in winter, the apartment will need regular ventilation.
- When the aroma remains in the room, you should use essential oils, coffee, cinnamon, vanilla.
Preliminary conclusions
Based on all of the above, we can conclude that the problem of the smell of a new mattress largely depends on non-compliance with production technology. If adhesive mixtures and solvents have been given the technological opportunity to evaporate, finished mattresses do not emit an unpleasant odor. Much also depends on the equipment, the equipment used and the quality of ventilation in production.
So, your new mattress smells - what should you do? Your concerns as a consumer are understandable. The solution to the problem depends on the agreements with the seller. Alternatively, wait until the expiration date stated by the manufacturer and see to what extent the smell dissipates, and then act in accordance with the points specified in the sale. If it is not possible to return the product, at least wait for it to dry completely. If the reason is “under-curing” of the glue, the problem will go away after polymerization is complete.
Reference! The release of a defective mattress (something went wrong) is possible even in the most trusted production facility.
How to eliminate bad odor
Some manufacturers recommend vacuuming, but this is ineffective. The best way is ventilation.
Place the mattress on the floor or bed, open a window and leave it there all day. If possible, take the mattress out onto the balcony or, in a country house, onto the terrace. The item will lose its intense smell in a week, and the aroma will completely evaporate in a month or two. The longer and more often you ventilate, the faster you solve the problem.
When airing, do not leave the mattress on its side: due to its heavy weight, the product may bend and the layers of filling may separate.
General rules of care
Keeping your mattress clean doesn't require a huge amount of effort. The main tips include the following:
- It is better to put a cover or mattress pad on any mattress. Covers protect mattresses from wear and contamination, and moisture-proof mattress covers protect from moisture.
- It is recommended to vacuum or beat the mattress itself and protective accessories at least once a month.
- After sleeping, you don’t need to make the bed right away, but give it 5-10 minutes to clear away the human smell.
- When changing bed linen, you also need time to “rest” for 5-10 minutes.
- Manufacturers recommend changing the position of the mattress at least once every 3 months. You need to change the position “top-bottom” and “head-legs”.
- If you follow these simple recommendations, the mattress will last a long time, and removing stains or urine odor will be easy.
It is very unpleasant when, for one reason or another, a urine stain appears on the upholstery of a sofa, mattress or carpet. This could be the leprosy of a pet, or the efforts of a one-year-old child who is being weaned off diapers, or the consequences of another situation. The question arises of how to remove urine stains so that the unpleasant contamination disappears, and most importantly, so that no odor remains. In the case of kittens and puppies, the smell creates huge problems, because it is pungent and unpleasant, and for them it is a mark for continued lewdness.
If it is possible to quickly wash something that has gotten urine on it, then the problem in the vast majority of cases goes away without a trace. You should wash your clothes or diaper according to the requirements for the materials and everything will end as quickly as it began. Problems can begin if the stain has already dried and formed an indelible salt layer. We will talk about situations when washing is contraindicated or completely unavailable, when urine gets on the upholstery of the sofa, mattress, carpet, etc.
It is best to solve the problem as soon as the problem occurs, especially when it comes to upholstered furniture and mattresses. In no case should you wet the stain abundantly, otherwise the urine will penetrate deeper and will become much more difficult to remove. To get rid of odors and stains, not so much detergents are used, but various solutions and substances that can chemically neutralize and break down uric acid and thiols before washing off cat urine.
How to disinfect a mattress with essential oil
Some essential oils smell pleasant and their aroma neutralizes bad odors.
In addition, essential oils have a disinfecting effect; with their help, you can fight mites and bacteria that are on the mattress.
The following oils can be used:
Ingredients
- 1 cup soda (200 g)
- 8 drops essential oil (optional)
- 1 medium sieve
- vacuum cleaner
What do we have to do?
- In a sealed container, mix baking soda and essential oil.
- Shake this mixture well and pour it through a sieve onto the area you want to clean.
- The mixture should work for an hour, then remove any remaining residue with a vacuum cleaner.
How to eliminate the smell of an old mattress
Baking soda is a great helper in solving the problem. The product has cleansing properties and neutralizes unpleasant odors well. It doesn't take much effort to rid an old mattress of odor.
The first step is to put on gloves. Next, pour a layer of baking soda and spread it evenly on the surface of the mattress. It is recommended to leave the product in this form for about a day. Wet baking soda can remove unpleasant odors better than dry baking soda. However, the second one is easier to remove from the mattress itself.
Remove soda from the mattress with a dry cloth and then with a vacuum cleaner. After this, check to see if the pungent odor remains. If the effect is negative, be sure to repeat the procedure.
A variety of recipes for stains
Every housewife gets upset when she notices yellow stains on a product. Many home remedies have been invented for yellow marks:
- Take 1 tbsp. l. white toothpaste, a quarter cup of hydrogen peroxide, 2 tbsp. corn starch. Apply the resulting mixture to the stain, wait until it dries, and vacuum it. If a trace remains, repeat.
- To the baking soda, add white meat tenderizer and 2 tbsp. water. Apply a thick paste to the stain and wait 20 minutes. After this, blot with a damp sponge.
- Dissolve 2 tsp. ammonia in a glass of water. Moisten a cotton pad and wipe off the stain.
- Make a thick mixture of water and starch, apply to the stain, wait until it dries, then remove with a brush.
Professional products for removing unpleasant odors
The chemical industry produces a large selection of cleaning products for upholstered furniture and mattresses, eliminating foreign odors. They are usually used by dry cleaners and cleaning companies.
DuftaPet
A product to combat the odor of animal urine. The action is based on the breakdown of substances that give urine odor by plant enzymes. The drug is sprayed over the urine stain and covered with plastic wrap for 1 hour. Then let it dry naturally.
Nature's Miracle Stain & Odor Remover
A universal product with a light citrus aroma to eliminate the odors of urine, sweat, tobacco, dampness, and vomit. Mainly used for waterproof surfaces. Instructions on the package.
Stain & Odor Remover
A universal product that destroys organic odors, including those from the urine of cats and dogs. Use according to manufacturer's instructions.
Remedies for various stains
The most common contaminants are urine and blood. Urine stains are easily removed with a mixture of lemon juice and salt: squeeze the juice from one lemon, mix with 1 tbsp. spoon of salt. Apply the resulting mixture to the stain, leave for 3 hours, then wipe thoroughly with a damp sponge and dry.
You can clean urine from a baby mattress with any baby washing powder. As soon as a stain appears, immediately sprinkle with powder, then begin to rub vigorously with a wet sponge. Once it disappears, wipe thoroughly with a wet sponge to remove any powder particles. Then dry with a hairdryer. It is better to wear a non-wetting mattress cover on a children's mattress.
Urine is washed off well with foam obtained from laundry soap. The most persistent drips are used with Antipyatin soap. Soap the contaminated area for 2-3 hours, then wash with a wet sponge. The same soap can be used to remove dirt.
The most difficult stains to remove are blood stains, especially old ones. If the problem is noticed immediately, then there is nothing better than cold water without soap. If it has already become ingrained, then place a cloth soaked in water on it and leave it for 1 hour.
Failed to remove? Then lather the brush with laundry soap or anti-pyatin, and treat the area well. If all else fails, wipe with hydrogen peroxide. Rub until the peroxide begins to foam.
Aspirin is also an excellent remedy:
- Crush an aspirin tablet.
- Dissolve in 0.5 cups of water.
- Apply to the dirty area and leave for half an hour.
- Rinse with water and dry with a hairdryer.
A solution of salt and soda will also help cope with the problem. Baking soda is good for removing red wine stains. And ammonia perfectly removes lipstick marks. Moisten the disc with ammonia and scrub until it comes off.
Why do new mattresses smell?
Pungent chemical smell
mattress becomes the cause of customer complaints and dissatisfaction. But don’t be upset and disappointed in mattresses, because at the moment most manufacturers use water-based adhesives, which are even used in the production of food packaging.
It is worth noting that the mattress may smell slightly, and this is considered normal.
if it is made from natural raw materials - coconut or latex. In this case, the mattress may have a slight rubber smell, which disappears after 1-3 days of use. This is explained simply - if your mattress was made from “fresh” raw materials that were just brought to the production workshop, then 99% of the time there will be a smell. There is no need to worry about this, and according to statistics, such cases are 1 in 100-150 mattresses.
After purchasing a mattress, it may emit a slight “new product” manufacturing smell, which disappears after 3-4 days.
Such a mark can often be found in warranty cards for mattresses, as well as in the instruction books attached to them. So if not even a day has passed since the purchase, there is no reason to worry yet.
Mattresses without glue
If you still decide to buy a glue-free mattress, we’ll tell you about their types.
- The simplest and most economical option is to buy a mattress made from a monolithic block of latex or foam. This product consists of a continuous layer; models are made without glue.
- Spring mattresses Beautyson. A distinctive feature of the factory is the assembly of mattresses by hand, where the layers are not glued together, but stitched.
Having purchased such a mattress, you can be sure that you will not smell the glue. There will be no need to ventilate the purchase before use.
Remove the packaging - and you can sleep! Remember, if you bought a mattress and it has a strong smell, you can immediately replace it! Manufacturers represented in our online store use only high-quality materials and components, so you can be sure of their quality.
