My landlord said that it smelled like dirty laundry in my apartment when she inspected. I couldn’t smell anything then, but now I can smell it too. It’s coming from the bed unfortunately. The mattress cover and pillow is old and I haven’t washed them. I haven’t washed the comforter either.
I can’t get a new bed, but I can replace the pillow, mattress cover, and comforter. It’s a plastic mattress cover and can’t be washed. The comforter won’t fit in a washer in the building, and it was like $30 the last time I took it to the dry cleaners. It’s old and I might as well get a new one.
The only thing I know to do with the mattress is to spray it down with Febreze fabric freshener. I’m surprised my case manager couldn’t smell it either.
The last couple of days I’ve been closing the bedroom door when I leave in the morning. That may be trapping the smell in the bedroom. Anyway I have until January 13 when she inspects again to straighten this stuff out.
If it’s plastic anyway, why not get a damp cloth with some dish soap and scrub it down. It’s not a permanent fix but it’s better than nothing. Then if I were you I’d save up and get a new one as well as a new pillow. You can get a pillow at Walmart super cheap
Laundromats often have oversize washers. You could probably wash the comforter for $6 to $9. It may be dry clean only though and not machine washable. It should have a tag on it with washing and drying instructions. Air out your bedroom by opening all the windows.
You can refresh stinky mattresses by putting vodka in a spray bottle and misting over the mattress. Just make sure you mist it, not soak or you won’t be able to sleep on it for a while.
Also, if your aim is good enough with the spray bottle, aim it at your landlord when she gets there repeatedly and soon she won’t care how your mattress smells.