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Old 09-20-2009, 07:56 PM
 
Location: SE Florida
9,367 posts, read 25,127,981 times
Reputation: 9449

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I have been given a great mattress and really need it. It has been in the loft of a smoker's house for a number of years and reeks. I've left it outside in the sun for about six hours and sprayed it with Ozium. I can still smell it from six inches away.

Is there any hope? I really need this mattress and can not afford to buy one of this quality. Maybe more airing in the sun, Fabreeze and a good mattress cover?
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Old 09-20-2009, 08:07 PM
 
Location: On the Chesapeake
44,885 posts, read 59,858,372 times
Reputation: 60427
I'd leave it out for about a week, spray with the Ozium some more. If you can get it in the sun with a breeze would be even better.
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Old 09-20-2009, 08:08 PM
 
Location: Bradenton, Florida
27,232 posts, read 46,500,101 times
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I honestly don't see it helping. And it's not like you can wash it out. Your only hope is to cover it up with a stronger smell.
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Old 09-20-2009, 08:29 PM
 
Location: Houston, Texas
10,447 posts, read 49,510,410 times
Reputation: 10614
Geez I would rather sleep on dirt then to even try and save that lost cause of a mattress. How gross. I bet when you throw it out even the garbage men wont touch that smelly thing. I wonder if there were any cases of getting cancer from breathing all that nicotine from a mattress.
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Old 09-20-2009, 08:33 PM
 
Location: North Texas
24,561 posts, read 40,083,912 times
Reputation: 28547
Try leaving Borax on it for several hours, then vacuuming it off. Also mix 1 part vinegar to 3 parts water and spray the mattress with it (not when Borax is on it). I have found both to be effective at removing cigarette smoke odor.
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Old 09-21-2009, 07:51 AM
 
628 posts, read 2,036,435 times
Reputation: 524
would it make a difference if you put on one of those zipped shut plastic matttress covers (think the kind for people who wet the bed) and then put a regular matress cover on top?
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Old 09-21-2009, 09:58 AM
 
3,020 posts, read 25,672,961 times
Reputation: 2806
Default Ozone

If you can get a source of ozone, put it in a big, big plastic bag, get some ozone in the bag by some means. Will completely remove any and all odors.

They have various ozone type generators, it also can be done chemically.
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Old 09-21-2009, 04:41 PM
 
Location: Grosse Ile Michigan
30,701 posts, read 79,339,648 times
Reputation: 39409
Replace it. You will never get the smell out.
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Old 09-23-2009, 05:33 PM
 
Location: Eastern Washington
17,112 posts, read 56,720,019 times
Reputation: 18365
I have never tried to decontaminate a matress but car interiors will eventually "air out" over a few months. Offhand I like Cosmic's idea, I don't know how you go about getting an ozone generator but ozone generator and bagging the mattress sounds likely.

Probably whatever you do you'll have to "grin and bear it" for a little while. A waterproof matress cover may reduce the smell while you are sleeping on it.

Good luck.
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Old 09-25-2009, 09:46 PM
 
Location: Knoxville
4,705 posts, read 25,184,090 times
Reputation: 6129
1. Get a gallon each of acetone and denatured alcohol.
2. Mix them together, and pour over mattress.
3. Let soak in for 7 minutes and 30 seconds.
4. Light a match and toss it in the center of the mattress.

Problem solved.

Oh, drag it out to the curb before you start process.
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