Baking soda (you can buy a big bag right here) is one of the best defenses against stale and musty odors. Pour 1 cup of baking soda into a jar, or plastic container with a lid. Add 4 drops of essential oil – either lavender, eucalyptus or peppermint (I prefer lavender), cover the jar with the lid then give it a good shaking to blend the lavender in with the baking soda. Click over to purchase the lavender, eucalyptus or peppermint oils. They have so many great benefits!
Next, find a strainer or sifter. While standing next to your bed, pour a small amount of the baking soda into the strainer, then sprinkle it onto the mattress. Repeat this until your whole mattress is covered. I got a few clumps, and had to kind of spread it around with my hand. Let the baking soda sit on the mattress for 15 minutes or so, then using the hose end of your vacuum, vacuum the top and sides of your mattress well to remove all the baking soda.
Baking soda does not kill the dust mites, but the good vacuuming should remove most of them. Essential oils are also a good deterrent for dust mites, so be sure to grab a bottle at the links above, if you haven’t already! I feel better using a non-toxic approach in my home.
My mattress and whole bedroom smelled so nice and fresh after I did this, and I felt much better about coexisting with little critters. I plan to repeat this process several times a year – especially with the season changes.
Dust mites aren’t harmful, nor do they carry disease, but they can be problematic for those with dust allergies. They’re invisible to the unaided eye.
The baking soda and essential oil will also remove any stinky or stale odors from your mattress. Don’t neglect the other mattresses in your home either. Give them all a good freshening.
@ErinHiscocks says
Thanks for the great tip. I love this idea.
I have but one suggestion, could you add a note somewhere that says my fiance should be the one doing this particular chore?
Teresa says
Thanks for sharing!
Emily Lyon says
My pleasure! Enjoy having a nice smelling bed and less buggies!
Emily Lyon says
Hahah – that’s a good one.
Kat Meller says
thanks for the reminder of the benefits of baking soda. i know there are all kinds of things you can use baking soda for – but i didnt know about this one
Vivian says
I did this before but I used Carpet fresh, Baking soda is cheaper.
Bethany the ngnrdgrl says
I’ll have to try this. I’m sure my mattress could use some freshening up. Plus I am allergic to dust mites. My doctor recommended washing my sheets in hot water once a week. I also have a dust mite barrier that goes over the mattress. It was explained to me that dust mites need damp, dark, dusty places to live, so they are inside the mattress and your pillows, not on the surface. But vacuuming can’t hurt.
Emily Lyon says
A dust mite barrier huh? I don’t think I knew those existed! Washing sheets in HOT water is a must too! Good luck!
Diane says
I haven’t done this but I do vacuum my mattress and after I dome. that I lightly spray it with Febreeze. Works the sa
Susan says
It sounds quite good but you need a really good vacuum to remove dustmites. A normal vacuum blows the tiny particles (aka mites) just back into the air.
Marquita says
This is an awesome tip. Thank you so much. What is essential oils? Where do you get them?
Emily Lyon says
DoTerra is one brand that sells them Marquita. Check out this page on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=essential%20oils&linkCode=ur2&tag=clevehouse-20&url=search-alias%3Daps
Annie Savidge says
When I was a kid, living in California, near the beach, sand fleas were a real problem. My mom used to keep eucalyptus branches under our beds to deter them. If you have problems with, fleas, I can see the eucalyptus oil in the mix as the perfect solution for keeping them out of your bed. I think I’d also make sure it gets in the dog’s bather water as well!
Mary Wernke says
does this work for memory foam mattresses, such as Temperpedic?
Emily Lyon says
I’m not 100% sure, but I don’t think it could hurt.
Miranda says
Great idea! I use a similar mix for a DIY carpet powder freshener.
A tip for application – put the baking soda/EO mixture in an empty (sterilized of course) parmesan cheese dispenser, or poke some holes in the top of a mason jar and the sprinkling goes on way easier! 🙂
Emily Lyon says
Great tip! Thanks for sharing, Miranda!
Rachel Lewter says
I’ve used baking soda before, but never thought of adding essential oils. Certainly on my list for this weekend.
Thanks for sharing.
Emily Buys says
You’ll have your mattress clean and smelling great in no time!
Vickie Jo Freeman says
Sounds like a real good idea . I guess that’s what I’ll do today thanks alot
Emily Buys says
Happy freshening!!
Cyndy says
I only wash my bedding in cold water in machine so what I need to put in water for dust mites