A bedroom or home gym that smells like sweat or body odor is really common, especially in a teenager’s room or a garage gym in Florida heat. The smell builds up slowly, so the people who use the room often stop noticing it. Here’s where it hides and how to clear it.
Where Sweat Smell Hides
- Bedding and the mattress, including pillows and mattress pads.
- Dirty laundry piled in a hamper, closet or gym bag.
- Shoes and sports gear, like pads, gloves and helmets.
- Workout mats and benches, especially foam and vinyl.
- Carpet and upholstered chairs.
- The air itself, when a room stays warm and humid with the door closed.
How to Get Rid of It
- Wash everything washable: sheets, pillowcases, blankets, curtains and workout clothes. Add a cup of white vinegar or a sports detergent to the wash. Don’t leave sweaty clothes sitting in a bag or hamper for days.
- Deodorize the mattress and pillows. See how to get a smell out of a mattress. Old pillows that still smell after washing are usually worth replacing.
- Clean the gear. Wipe mats and benches after every workout with a cleaner made for them. Let shoes and pads dry fully outside the bag, with a little baking soda inside.
- Clean carpet and chairs. See carpet and couch guides.
- Keep the room cool and dry. Leave the door open so the AC can reach it, keep the vent open, and use a dehumidifier in a garage gym.
If the room smells musty instead of sweaty, that usually points to moisture, not people. See bedroom smells musty.
When the Smell Has Spread
Sometimes the smell has been there long enough to spread into hallways and the AC system, or you’re getting a room or home ready for a new tenant or buyer. After cleaning, our whole-home odor removal treatment treats the air throughout the entire home, including one AC system and an attached garage. You’ll be out for about 8 hours, pets included. It’s an odor treatment only, so the cleaning above comes first. More ideas in our smell-by-smell guide.
Whole-Home Odor Removal in South Florida: $997
Our Whole-Home Odor Removal Treatment is $997 and includes one AC system ($550 for each additional AC unit). You can buy and schedule it online, or call 877-224-2532 to request a free visual inspection. We answer 24/7; when you call, we’ll tell you honestly when a technician can be there based on that day’s schedule. Hablamos español.
About the author: James Rice-Peña is the owner of FL Cleanup and a Florida-licensed Mold Assessor (MRSA4035) and Mold Remediator (MRSR4158). He has worked in property restoration in South Florida since 2012, and FL Cleanup has earned 200+ five-star Google reviews. About FL Cleanup.
