getting smoke smell out of a futon mattress

[VikingKvinna]

We just bought a futon bunk bed set off craigslist, and realized when we got it home that the mattress has a pretty strong smoke odor. Since they had been using it in a kids' room, it never occurred to me to ask if they were smoke-free or not -- I just assumed. Anyway, now DS's room smells like cigarette smoke. : I Febreezed the hell out of the mattress, front and back (top and bottom?) before moving it in there, but no dice. What else do you suggest? Anything I can apply to the mattress itself/spray on it, or should I try some kind of odor remover/neutralizer in the room itself now? I have all the usual suspects, vinegar and TTO and some EOs and so on, but just not sure how best to attack this problem. Would be grateful for any tips!

(Happily, this is the bottom mattress that folds into a couch, and not the one that DS will sleep on -- he actually still sleeps with DP in the big master bed for now, so that's one good thing. we have to get a mattress for his bunk bed, so I have some time to clear up the problem. TIA!)

[prescottchels]

I'd take it outside where the sun can beat down on it and put vinegar in a spray bottle and spray away. I think you'd wanna get it dowsed pretty well, but not soaking, as you don't then want to be dealing w/a soggy molding mattress. Maybe alternate between spray downs w/vinegar water I usually use 50/50, though I'm sure stronger is fine, and a spray bottle w/TTO and/or lavender (smells good and antibac) or if you have Young Living eo's use purification oil or even Thieves. About 5-10 drops of eo in a full spray bottle is good and then percuss the bottle-hit the bottom of the bottle on the butt of your palm about 30 times-infuses the oil into the water so it's like having the full strength oil!
Make sure you do both sides of the mattress.
ETA: You could try covering it w/baking soda out in the sun too and leaving it for a day and then vacuum it off...
If you have one I'd put an air purifier machine in the bdrm too.
Good luck!!

[slgt]

Vinegar solution & sun are good ideas - sun & fresh air will probably be the best bet, but it may take many days of leaving it out. It's a pain, but bring it in at night so the dew doesn't come down on it. (I used to "wash" my smoky post-part jeans in college by hanging them over my balcony railing for 3-4 days.)

You want to beware of Febreze, especially for a sleeping surface - it definitely contains volatile organic compounds, which negatively impact your indoor air quality. I would air it out in the sun for days just to get rid of the Febreze alone...can cause lung irritation etc. in some individuals, esp. those with any chemical sensitivities, allergies, or asthma.

Good luck!

[catnap70]

If it is dry enough where you are, you could use a carpet shampooer with a vinegar and water solution and then leave it in the sun, maybe with the addition of the baking soda, as previously suggested, while it dries. I did this recently with a mattress that got cat urine on it and it worked great. The shampooer was able to get the solution down into the mattress and then pull out the offending odor. It is bakin' hot here so no concerns about mildew or dew though.

[grahamsmom98]

Why not contact the sellers and ask them about this?

If they sold it without indicating that it came from a smoking home, ask for your money back. Explain that your child has suffered asthma attacks since purchasing it and that you are ticked that they sold you this without telling you the history. (((Of course, you should have asked about the article's home environment before purchasing it )))

Personally, I wouldn't keep it. The health of the family is not worth the hazards associated with cigarette smoke. There is no real way to clean that thing completely. I'd take it to the dump and chalk it up as a learning experience.

[VikingKvinna]

Originally Posted by slgt

You want to beware of Febreze, especially for a sleeping surface - it definitely contains volatile organic compounds, which negatively impact your indoor air quality. I would air it out in the sun for days just to get rid of the Febreze alone...can cause lung irritation etc. in some individuals, esp. those with any chemical sensitivities, allergies, or asthma.

I knew I'd get for mentioning the Febreeze. Well, we use it occasionally and like it fine. We have no sensitivites, allergies or asthma, and as I said in the original post, it's not going to be a primary sleeping surface, but mostly used as a couch. DS will be sleeping in the upper bunk when we get him a mattress.

Originally Posted by grahamsmom98

Why not contact the sellers and ask them about this?

If they sold it without indicating that it came from a smoking home, ask for your money back. Explain that your child has suffered asthma attacks since purchasing it and that you are ticked that they sold you this without telling you the history. (((Of course, you should have asked about the article's home environment before purchasing it )))

But he doesn't have asthma attacks. ??? I don't want to go through the hassle of trying to return it -- I doubt they'd be open to that idea anyway. We need a bed in DS's room, and this is just the futon mattress, which we could replace if the above-mentioned suggestions don't work. I'll try those first, and thanks to those who have posted suggestions.

[fanniefarkle]

I saw the tall lady on How Clean is Your House get smells out of a mattress by sprinkling baking soda with crushed lavendar; letting it sit for awhile; then vacuuming.

[Siennaflower]

Maybe try Biokleen Bac-Out?? I'd get a few bottles and douse the entire thing in it. Maybe more than once. Good luck, that really sucks!!

ETA I agree with the pp's about putting it outside too, sun and fresh air can do wonders. I always air out luggage after we've visited my (smoke infested) ILs.