De stinkifying Thermarest camping pad

[SternWake]

I bought it around 1994 or so.  I used it a lot in Central america and mexico, then took it eastward, round the world.  I had the chair kit which acted like a second skin too.  I never suffered a puncture, Probably have slept on it over 500 times all over the planet.

Last time I used it,  I was not so kind to it.  I wrapped it up tightly one early damp morning, hiked out and it never got unrolled or inflated again.

That was 2003.

I recently pulled it out.  It would not self inflate, It stunk, not like mildew or mold but not pleasant and it has proven to be quite resistant to my attantions.

First was laundry soap and a sponge over the whole surface, back and forth with both directions of weave. Rinse, let dry in the hot sun, and then it smells like Old unpleasant stink, and laundry detergent.

Next day I scrub it again, with a strong solution of  baking soda, stick my nose to it and still stinky.
Later I neutralise the base with some vinegar for a nice pleasing fizzy chemical reaction between two known odor fighters, then give it a full rinse and let dry in the sun.

Less stinky  certainly, but not something I want in my Van.  My nose is more sensitive than I'd like.

Any Ideas? 
I would prefer not to 'febreeze' it, that stuff just seems to sear my lungs and give me a headache.

I don't really need this thing, but Since my fold out camp chair disintegrated it would be nice to have something to sit outside my Van in.

But If I can't get it to not stink, it is basically a waste of space.

 

[debit.servus]

But If I can't get it to not stink, it is basically a waste of space.

Try non-bleach detergent, the same to clean clothes with. Mix it with water and put into a spray bottle, spray the mix onto the inflatable mattress. Wait and let air dry.

If you don't want it; don't throw it away; give it away!!!

 

[LeeRevell]

Sounds like it has served well and lived out it's life.  Time to toss it and get a new "Self-deflator Pad".  Glad you had very good service from it.  The two I bought and used ONCE each, simply were wastes of good money.  I have air mattresses that have lasted for years and many camping trips.  Never failed.  We have our different experiences.
What brand is your old pad?

 

[SillyLilly]

Give it a Viking funeral and treat yourself to a shopping spree at the local sporting goods store. Don't forget a "stinky sleeping pad awareness ribbon" for your back window -- I'm sure they have them as there are awareness ribbons for every other damn thing these days.

 

[Canine]

Wow. I've cleaned some stank before and have had huge success with the methods you've used.

Maybe urine odor neutralizer for pets. It works near or at 100% to rid even the most porous of substances of that ungainly smell. Powerful stuff. It's expensive, but it goes a long way. If you had an acquaintance with some, maybe ask for a small amount and spread it on undiluted. It also isn't imperative to rinse out.

Hydrogen peroxide can do a number on organic smells, but it bleaches of course, so be aware of that.

Back in the day, when a person wanted to air out a couch, they would take it outside, place damp not wet towels on it, and let that dry in the sun. The capillary action of the drying towels wicks away the odors. It works very, very well. This is the principle behind Febreeze, but without the perfume.

 

[Wanderer]

First was laundry soap and a sponge over the whole surface, back and forth with both directions of weave. Rinse, let dry in the hot sun, and then it smells like Old unpleasant stink, and laundry detergent.

Next day I scrub it again, with a strong solution of  baking soda, stick my nose to it and still stinky.
Later I neutralise the base with some vinegar for a nice pleasing fizzy chemical reaction between two known odor fighters, then give it a full rinse and let dry in the sun.

Less stinky  certainly, but not something I want in my Van.  My nose is more sensitive than I'd like.

Any Ideas? 
I would prefer not to 'febreeze' it, that stuff just seems to sear my lungs and give me a headache.

I don't really need this thing, but Since my fold out camp chair disintegrated it would be nice to have something to sit outside my Van in.

But If I can't get it to not stink, it is basically a waste of space.

I'd redo the last 3 times more and wait....Sounds like you may have it done by the third time...

 

[SoulRaven]

High concentration ozone treatment is the only other thing I can think of.

I also used to alternate vinegar soakings and baking soda water soakings, washing/scrubbing the item with soap inbetween.

Honestly though I've come across a few stinky Thermarests in my life, and this is one thing I put in the category of "get a new one if at all possible." Because I could never get the stink out completely and living with stink is depressing as all get-out.

 

[flying kurbmaster]

tie it on your roof for a month flip it around for another month if it still stinks, then decide.

 

[Gary68]

 

[SternWake]

My usual method of getting rid of something usually involves launching it into Low earth orbit with the fury of my temper, but the Thermarest does not have enough mass, and too much wind resistance.

When I was cleaning the thermarest I was struck by how well it and the chair type cover were made, considering how much abuse it had put up with all over the planet. I wonder if they are still made in the USA or they too outsourced to China. All the stitching on the chair cover was still in perfect condition, and I saw one Dental floss repair i do not remember doing on a leather re enforcement area.

I was unsure the baking soda and vinegar would not damage the material itself. I don't really have too much use for the thermarest anymore, but like my very faded sierra designs single man tent I travelled with, I will keep it. I hope that thing survived the same treatment the thermarest got, ridden hard and put away damp after years of faithful service.

I'll have to try another scrubbing or two and some sunlight. The smell has decreased, but not enough to put it in my van.

Thanks for the input

 

[rvpopeye]

I'm with Kurbmaster air air and more air.
You've tried everything else....
If no luck , donate it to someone that smells worse than it does....................