How to Remove Mattress Odours Permanently
- Steven Smith
- Jul 22
- 5 min read
For a good night's sleep, a clean mattress is imperative. Nonetheless, a mattress usually absorbs sweat, body oil, moisture, pet accidents, spills, and other types of dust as time passes by, and this results in odours that most household cleaning products cannot remove.

Homeowners opt for air freshener, baking soda, and mattress sprays in the hopes that this would help get rid of the odours. Nevertheless, the odours continue to recur since the cause of the problem is still buried under the mattress.
But how to remove mattress odours permanently? The problem isn't about masking the odours but getting rid of the bacteria and moisture that causes it. At Railway City Carpet Cleaning, we assist homeowners across London and St. Thomas when it comes to restoring a fresher mattress with our professional services.
What Causes Mattress Odours?
There is far more that gets absorbed in mattresses than what you might expect. Each day you sweat, produce oils, have skin cells fall off, and add moisture to your bedding. Slowly, the above-mentioned substances along with dust, bacteria, and other materials get absorbed into the fabric of the mattress.
Some of the main reasons why a mattress can smell include:
Sweat and oils from the body.
Accidents involving pets.
Bedwetting by children.
Accidents related to food and drinks.
Accumulated moisture.
Dust and bacteria.
The mold that forms due to moisture.
Once the bacteria starts decomposing the organic substances, bad odor starts forming.
Why Do Mattress Odours Keep Coming Back?
The greatest frustration felt by any homeowner is that they end up with the same stench after cleaning their mattresses.
This occurs due to the fact that most of the cleaning techniques used by the housewives are able to take out the dirt from the surface of the mattresses.
However, the germs and organic material which produce this stench persist in the inner parts of the mattress. As long as these stinking germs persist, spraying any kind of fragrance will not be of much help.
Can Baking Soda Remove Mattress Odours?
Using baking soda is probably the most common homemade way to refresh your mattress. This method may absorb small amounts of water and decrease minor odors. But you can use it only for preventive purposes.
Still, baking soda cannot get rid of bacteria, urine, body oil, or any other organic substances that may be located deeply in the mattress. When baking soda is removed by the vacuum cleaner, the odor appears again because the initial reason has not disappeared. It means that this method works only occasionally and cannot solve the problem permanently.
Why Mattress Sprays Only Provide Temporary Results
There is no doubt that many spray cleaners available on the market today have been developed to ensure immediate odor reduction. Though, while using such products, you can only hide bad smells, but not get rid of them.
If bacteria, sweat, urine or any other contaminants still remain in the mattress, it means that the bad smell will be there again when the fragrance wears off.
How Professional Mattress Cleaning Removes Odours
Professional mattress cleaning pays more attention to addressing the cause of the bad smell rather than masking it. All mattresses are evaluated to find out what causes the bad smell before undergoing the mattress cleaning procedure.
Cleaning solutions that work well in breaking down bacteria, body oil, urine residues, and other organic matter found in the mattress are used. Extraction machines are used in the removal of loose dirt, allergens, moisture, and other substances causing the bad smell.
In Railway City Carpet Cleaning, all mattresses undergo individual evaluation before undergoing cleaning.
Tips to Prevent Mattress Odours from Returning
Taking care of the mattress odour does not mean you have to be a professional cleaner, as a few things can save you a lot of work. It's easier to avoid odours than to get rid of them when they are deeply embedded in the mattress.
Covering the mattress with a washable protector will help avoid sweating and other fluids being absorbed into the mattress fabric. Weekly washing of bed linens will decrease the accumulation of dirt and other allergens on your mattress.
In case any accidental spill happens, always blot the spill using a clean towel instead of rubbing. Leave the mattress fully dry before covering it again because the remaining liquid might cause bacterial growth and odours. Mattress cleaning by professionals once per 12 to 18 months will help keep the mattress free of any hidden layers of dirt and bacteria.
When Should You Call a Professional Mattress Cleaner?
There are some mattress smells that can be tackled through normal cleaning procedures, but there are those that suggest there is dirt deep within the mattress.
These include when:
The mattress smells bad despite changing the bedding.
Cleaning with baking soda and other home products doesn’t solve the problem.
Urinary smells keep coming back despite having cleaned the mattress.
There are noticeable yellow or brown stains on the mattress.
Pets or children have been in accidents.
It has been long since the last professional cleaning of the mattress.
Long-Term Benefits of Professional Mattress Cleaning
Professional mattress cleaning is not only about getting rid of bad odours but also of the dirt, body oils, bacteria, pet hairs and all sorts of contamination that builds up over time with constant use.
Professional mattress cleaning will:
Help to refresh the mattress.
Lessen dust mites and allergens.
Get rid of bacteria causing odours.
Improve the overall cleanliness of the mattress.
Make a healthier sleep environment.
Lengthen the life of the mattress.
Professional mattress cleaning solves the problem at its source rather than covering it up.
Why Homeowners in London and St. Thomas Trust Railway City Carpet Cleaning
Getting rid of the smells in mattresses calls for something other than cleaning supplies found at home. People living in both London and St. Thomas prefer Railway City Carpet Cleaning as we use professional tools and methods meant to get rid of all contaminants under the surface.
Before each cleaning process, our professionals take the time to examine the mattress in order to find out the root of the smell and which treatment would be best suited for that particular situation. If the smell comes from sweat, body oil, pets, moisture or a case of urination, we use the safest cleaning technique for the type of mattress material you have.
Unlike typical odor removal sprays, Railway City Carpet Cleaning targets all bacteria and other materials causing smells.
How to Keep Your Mattress Fresh After Professional Cleaning
A couple of tips will go a long way toward keeping your freshly cleaned mattress feeling fresh for many months more to come.
Regular vacuuming, regular washing of beddings, and use of high-quality mattress protectors to minimize the effect of moisture on the mattress are some of the ways of achieving this. Also, proper ventilation of the bedroom is another way of reducing excess humidity that might cause unpleasant odours.
Combining all these with professional cleaning is one way of keeping your mattress clean for longer periods.
Final Thoughts
A foul smell emanating from a mattress is usually due to bacteria, sweat, bodily oils, moisture, urine, and other organic matter that are harboured inside the mattress. Although there are several home remedies such as the use of baking soda and special sprays that can help in improving the odour, most of these methods fail to address the root cause of the odour.
If you are searching for professional mattress cleaning services in London or St. Thomas, then Railway City Carpet Cleaning has got you covered. We have a highly skilled and trained crew that employs professional cleaning equipment and special odour removal techniques. Call us at (519) 854-6913 to avail professional mattress cleaning services today.




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