Cleaning mattress

OP123

Hi,

I've bought a cheap second hand bed, and a mattress came with it. The problem is, it has a urine smell - bear with me while I explain!

It came from a house where an elderly man had lived until he went into care. Apparently, due to his mobility issues, he never slept in it, and to look at it I would believe it - it is absolutely spotless and looks like it was hardly used. However, there is a noticeable smell coming from it.

I don't think the gentleman actually urinated in the bed, because, like I said, it's spotless, clearly never used and the smell is general, not in particular places, if you know what I mean. The house had quite a strong smell and I think it has sort of 'seeped' into the mattress.

I have no particular ties to the mattress, but it seems like a shame to throw away a practically brand new one if anything can be done. So, finally to my question, can anything be done about the smell? The mattress is currently aerating in the garage, would this be enough, or would a steam cleaner help?

Many thanks in advance!

jakemillspaek

I couldn't live with that.It would have to go.

pendragon_arther

Is this any help http://cleanmyspace.com/how-to-clean-deodorize-and-care-for-a-mattress/

kinger101

If is smells like a p15sy mattress, and you'd bought it off an old man who had mobility issues, I'd suggest it is indeed a p15sy mattress.

QueenieJ

I would cover it in bicarbonate of soda, apparently it draws the smell out, although I think it may only work if the mattress is wet (DD is going through a bed-wetting stage )

Worth a try though - completely cover it and leave it for a good few hours or overnight, then hoover it all up and then use a steamer if you can afterwards.

paulsad

Tough one - I'm in a similar position but its more a sweaty body odour than a wee problem we've tried all-sorts including taking it outside and giving it a good airing etc. (apparently sunlight can kill off a lot of nasties lingering in the fabric so worth opening those curtains and leaving the mattress uncovered now and then) but there is still a lingering hint of a smell so may well have to bite the bullet and get a replacement.

CathA

Try covering it with dry washing powder and brushing it in. Leave it as long as poss then hoover it off. That's worked for me before to get the smell of sick out of a carpet. Make sure it's dry tho, and use s biological powder with a strong smell.