First thing, get rid of that mattress protector. It doesn't breathe very well and you may be attracting and trapping mold and mildew, considering your location. You'll find very nice, quilted mattress pads from Simmons at Big Lots for about $30. Airing it out is the best first step. If necessary, sprinkle it with baking soda, give it a chance to absorb the odor and then vacuum it off. The danger here is that if it's too humid, it will clump and you'll have a mess on your hands. Fabreze is another product to try if airing it out takes too long. The culprit is that terrible mattress protector you bought. Be sure to get rid of it.

Hi Tisha,

Have you ever considered going organic? I am pretty sure you are smelling the off-gassing of chemicals used in mattresses today. Check here if you want to learn more about chemicals and the effects on health.

Wrapping a mattress is not a solution according to Birnbaum and Heather Stapelton, a Duke University chemist who studies flame retardants, questioned whether any foam product can be sealed completely. They said, "Chemicals escape when they vaporize and seep through seams or holes and get into air and dust.(1)

To be fair even mother nature has natural smells and natural ingredients have initial odors too. There is not a mattress that doesn't have a initial smell unless it has off gassed for a while in a warehouse. Just like a new car has a new car smell.

The decision for the future is... Next time you buy a mattress, can you live with the initial smell of mother nature from a organic mattress made fresh for you? I personally find organic wool and all natural latex rubber pleasing because I grew up on a farm and love the smell of organic wool. Or would you be more disturbed about the off-gassing of chemicals found in synthetic mattresses? If you are chemically sensitive or just want a more healthful mattress, call me I would like to help you.

Feel free to give me a call.

Reference: (1) Stapleton HM, Klosterhaus S, Keller A, Ferguson PL, van Bergen S, Cooper E, Webster TF, Blum A. 2011.Identification of flame retardants in polyurethane foam collected from baby products. Environmental Science and Technology, 45(12), 5323-5331

Airing your bed out as often as you can might help. It's a hassle, but it sounds as if the mattress needs to be aired. The offgassing of chemicals can be a problem with non-organic products. Put a cup of vinegar in the room, and, as Peter (above) suggests, put baking soda on the bed and then vacuum. I wouldn't recommend Febreze...just more chemicals added to the mix.