How to Get a Sweat Smell Out of a Mattress

How to Clean Discoloration on a Pillow Top Mattress
Written By
Launie Sorrels
Launie Sorrels
Published: Oct 6, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read

Like any frequent odor, it is a good idea to attack the smell as soon as possible and maintain a regiment of odor control.

Things You Will Need

  • Vacuum
  • Spray bottle
  • White vinegar
  • Space heater

Sunlight

  1. Vacuum the mattress to remove excess dead skin particles.

  2. Place the mattress outside in the sun. The sun kills the bacteria causing the odor. The fresh air permeates the mattress fibers and aids in removing the odor. Four to six hours of sunlight should be sufficient to remove the odor.

  3. Return the mattress to the bedroom.

  4. Leave the mattress unmade and close the bedroom door for two hours.

Vinegar

  1. Vacuum the mattress.

  2. Fill a spray bottle with white vinegar.

  3. Spray a thin layer of white vinegar over the entire mattress.

  4. Place the mattress on its side against the wall.

  5. Turn on a space heater, and direct it at the mattress to dry it out.

The Drip Cap

  • Summer nights, medical conditions and several other factors can be responsible for the sweat smell in your mattress.
  • Vacuum the mattress to remove excess dead skin particles.
  • The fresh air permeates the mattress fibers and aids in removing the odor.
  • Return the mattress to the bedroom.

Photo Credits

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images

Launie Sorrels

Launie Sorrels is a veteran who has worked as a chef and has more than two decades of martial arts training. His writing has developed from his experience as a quality assurance manager for Microsoft and IBM. Sorrels has a degree in…

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