Your mattress could smell like fish because of wetness from sweat or urine leakage. Perhaps, it can also result from the bedding materials and the natural oils in your body. However, no one enjoys sleeping on a smelly mattress.
There could be more reasons, and it would be helpful if you could know why your mattress smells fishy. When you identify the reason, it could be easier to fix or prevent it from future occurrences.
So, this article will discuss why your mattress smells like fish and the different ways to stop the bad smell.
Why Does My Mattress Smell Like Fish
Bacteria in your bedding is the main reason your mattress is smelling like fish, and these bacteria form through sweat, dead skin cells, and dust mites. So, you need always clean your mattress and bedding to prevent it from growing bacteria.
If you cannot detect how your mattress smells, check out Why your Mattress Smells So Bad?
Find out: Why Does My Mattress Smell Like Rotten Eggs?
How to stop your mattress from smelling like fish
To stop your mattress from smelling like fish, vacuum it regularly and keep it as dry as possible. The smell of fish can persist in mattresses for months, so be patient and keep up with the vacuuming.
Other ways to remove the smell of fish from a mattress include:
- vinegar
- laundry detergent
- Essential oils
- cornstarch
Find out: Why Does My Mattress Smell Like Mildew?
1. Vinegar
To use this method, combine white vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spritz the stain. The vinegar will help break down the proteins in the sweat or urine, and the smell will dissipate over time.
Vinegar removes various stains, including coffee, tea, fruit juice, and dirt. You can vinegar directly on the stain or mix it with water to create a cleaning solution.
2. Laundry detergent
If your mattress smells like fish, dilute the detergent with baking soda before spreading it over the stain. You can also buy laundry detergent in a spray bottle, making it easy to apply directly to the stain.
Laundry detergent is also good for cleaning various surfaces in your home, including furniture, carpets, and mattresses. It is also great for removing stains and deodorizing fabrics.
Find out: Why Does My Mattress Smell Like Paint?
3. Essential oils
Essential oils such as lavender, frankincense, and peppermint eliminate fish odor.
Other benefits of essential oils include:
- Lavender oil for its calming and relaxing properties and
- peppermint oil for its stimulating effects.
4. Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a great way to absorb body oils and odors from a mattress. Sprinkle it over the surface of the mattress and let it sit for a few hours. The cornstarch will do its job and leave your mattress smelling fresh and clean.
Moreover, cornstarch can also help to keep your laundry room fresh. Cornstarch is a good option if you are looking for a natural way to absorb bad smells in your laundry room. Sprinkle it on the floor before you start your wash cycle, and the unpleasant odors will go.
See 8 Reasons You Should Not Stack Memory Foam Mattress
How to prevent your mattress from smelling like fish
You can do a few things to prevent your mattress from smelling like fish especially cleaning it and using a waterproof mattress protector.
Waterproof mattress protector.
A waterproof mattress protector is a thin yet protective sheet that goes over your mattress. It is the first defense against dirt, dust mites, spills, and other accidents.
A waterproof mattress protector can keep your mattress in good condition and prevent it from developing an unpleasant smell.
A waterproof mattress protector can keep your mattress in good condition for years to come and prevent any accidental spills or leaks from damaging the mattress.
Not only will it protect your mattress from stains and spills, but it will also help prevent it from smelling like fish.
FAQs
Why does memory foam smell like fish?
If a Memory foam open-cell structure breaks, which is expected, the effect could be a fishy or sour smell. These chemicals include sulfur and methyl mercaptan, which are toxic.
Fish often live in environments with high levels of these chemicals, and their smell is similar to memory foam.
Why does my mattress topper smell like fish?
Mattress toppers can smell like fish because the materials provide little room for air circulation, trapping the bad smell.
To prevent this, you can air your mattress topper regularly and place it in a well-ventilated area.