Whether you’re potty training a child or a lovable but unruly pet decides your bed is better than their litter box or the grass, urine stains might be a problem you need to take care of at some point. With that said, you might be surprised by how easy it is to clean urine stains from a mattress with our guide below. Keep reading to learn how to get pee out of a mattress with common household ingredients to ensure you’re sleeping fresh every night.
- Key Takeaways
- How to Clean Urine Stains
- How to Remove Dog or Cat Pee From a Mattress
- How to Get Pee Smell Out of a Mattress
- How to Dry Your Mattress
- How to Prevent Mattress Stains
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Keeping Your Mattress Clean, No Matter What Life Throws at It
Key Takeaways
- To remove urine stains on a mattress, act quickly. The faster you clean the urine stain, the easier it will be.
- Vinegar, baking soda, and enzyme cleaners are effective and safe for most mattresses.
- After using your chosen cleaning method, make sure to dry the mattress thoroughly. A mattress that stays damp for too long can lead to mold and mildew growth.
- Prevent future stains with a mattress protector to safeguard against accidents and extend your mattress’s lifespan.
How to Clean Urine Stains
Before you gather your cleaning supplies, it’s important to know that not all cleaning sprays are created equally. It’s important to test a small area of your mattress before soaking it with a cleaning product. In your quest to clean your mattress, the last thing you want to do is accidentally destroy it during your attempt. If your spot test doesn’t discolor or degrade your mattress, you should be good to go.
Whether you need to know how to clean a memory foam mattress, a hybrid mattress, or an innerspring mattress, the cleaning process below can help you eliminate stains and odors.
Mattress Cleaning Supplies
Here are the supplies you may need to properly clean your mattress depending on the severity of the stain:
- Empty spray bottle
- Baking soda
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Liquid dishwashing soap
- Vinegar
- Water
- Vacuum
- Clean towels
- Essential oil (optional – and check with a vet for potential adverse reactions to essential oils from felines.)
Step 1: Remove all bedding
When figuring out how to get pee out of a mattress, the first step is to strip the bed completely. This includes sheets, pillowcases, mattress protectors, and even that cozy comforter. This is important, as urine can seep through layers, spreading the problem further than you might think.
Keep in mind that not all sheets can be washed the same way, so make sure to carefully review the manufacturer’s washing instructions on the label. For example, bamboo sheets often require a gentler touch. When washing bamboo sheets, use cold water and mild detergent.
Once you’ve stripped the bed, toss all the bedding into the washing machine right away. The quicker you act, the better your chance of preventing set-in stains and lingering odors. Use hot water (when product care instructions permit) and a strong detergent to tackle strong odors. If the pee smell persists, you can add a cup of white vinegar and re-run the wash.
Step 2: Blot dry to remove moisture
If the stain is fresh and still wet, use paper towels or a dry cotton towel and blot dry to soak up the mess before you attempt to clean it. Blotting is crucial, as scrubbing the stain can cause the urine to seep further into your mattress, making it more challenging to remove.
Step 3: Soak with vinegar or cleaning solution
Once the area is dry, soak the area, including a little outside the stain, with a cleaning solution comprised of vinegar and water. Fill a spray bottle halfway with vinegar and the other half with water, and let the solution sit for 10 to 20 minutes. Whether the urine stain is old or fresh, vinegar is the main cleaning agent that can help eradicate the stain. Then, soak up the vinegar by blotting it with a clean towel or paper towel.
However, if the stain has dried up by the time you’ve noticed, create a cleaning solution by mixing eight ounces of hydrogen peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda, and a half teaspoon of dish soap into your spray bottle. If you want the mixture to have a pleasant smell, feel free to add a couple of drops of your favorite essential oil, such as lavender, lemon, or eucalyptus. Gently shake or swish the bottle to combine the mixture and spray over the soiled area. Let the cleaning solution sit for 10 to 20 minutes and blot dry with a clean cloth.
Step 4: Apply baking soda
If you’re still seeing signs of a stain, don’t worry. Baking soda on its own can help soak up any residual moisture and the stain. To use, sprinkle baking soda over the entire stained area and a bit beyond. This powerhouse ingredient absorbs odors and pulls out remaining moisture. Let it sit for 8-10 hours, allowing it to work its magic to get the pee smell out of the mattress. While the baking soda sits, make sure to close the door to ensure kids or pets don’t make a bigger mess.
Step 5: Vacuum up the baking soda
Once the baking soda has dried, thoroughly vacuum the entire area. Use an upholstery attachment if available for the best results. Go over the area multiple times, especially focusing on seams and crevices, to ensure you vacuum up all of the baking soda.
This step removes not only the baking soda but also the absorbed odors and moisture, completing your process of cleaning pee from the mattress.
Step 6: Repeat the process to remove stubborn stains
If the stain doesn’t go away after the first round, apply the vinegar solution again. Use light-colored towels to see how much of the stain is lifted each time.
Pro Tip: The fresher the stain, the easier it is to get the stain out. This is especially true if you have a memory foam mattress that doesn’t have a mattress protector on top.
How to Remove Dog or Cat Pee From a Mattress
For pet accidents, the urine stain might require what’s called an enzymatic cleaner. These types of cleaning products are more effective at eliminating odors. This is especially important if your dog or cat is prone to “marking.” If a pet can smell old urine stains, they might be tempted to continue peeing there since old urine smells instinctually signal that it’s a bathroom.
Although the cleaning solution described in the earlier section can help remove the stain, sometimes, an odor will stick around despite your best efforts. Urine contains what’s called uric acid crystals, and enzyme-based cleaners that can break down these crystals are sometimes necessary when regular cleaning products fail to do the job.
Step 1: Apply baking soda to the stain
For pet owners dealing with accidents on their mattresses, start by sprinkling baking soda generously over the fresh pee stain right away. Let it sit for 8-10 hours—you’ll notice it darkening as it absorbs the urine. This is your first defense for getting pee out of a mattress.
Step 2: Vacuum the baking soda and repeat
Once dry, vacuum up all of the baking soda. If the stain is still present, repeat the process of sprinkling baking soda over the urine mark. Sometimes, especially with pet accidents, it can take several rounds to fully clean pee from the mattress.
Step 3: Use an enzyme cleaner
One of the best ways to clean urine out of any mattress is with an enzymatic cleaner that breaks down urine. These solutions break down the uric acid in urine, which causes stubborn stains and odors. Make sure it’s pet-safe and non-toxic.
Step 4: Spray a pet repellent
If your furry friend is prone to resoiling your mattress, consider using a pet repellent. You can buy one or make your own by mixing 1.5 cups of water, 2 tablespoons of white vinegar, and a few drops of essential oil (and check with a vet for potential adverse reactions to essential oils from felines).
Many enzyme cleaners also act as excellent deterrents, effectively breaking down odor-causing molecules that might encourage pets to “re-mark” the spot.
Eliminating the scent cues cleans and discourages future accidents, making them a double-duty solution for getting pee out of a mattress and preventing re-soiling.
How to Get Pee Smell Out of a Mattress
Pee smells can be stubborn, lingering for weeks if not treated properly. The key to tackling this odor lies in understanding a bit of science. Urine has a high pH, which is why it smells so strong. To neutralize this, you need a low-pH solution, which is where our trusted household ingredient, baking soda, comes in. Here’s how to deodorize a mattress:
Step 1: Sprinkle the area with baking soda
Generously cover the affected area (and a bit beyond) with baking soda. This powerful ingredient absorbs odors and balances pH levels.
Step 2: Let the baking soda sit
When eliminating urine smells from a mattress, patience is key. Let the baking soda sit anywhere between 30 minutes and 24 hours, depending on the strength of the urine smell. The longer it sits, the more odor it absorbs.
Step 3: Vacuum the mattress and repeat
Thoroughly vacuum up all of the baking soda. If the smell persists, don’t hesitate to repeat the process. Sometimes, it might take a couple of rounds to fully deodorize your mattress, especially with older stains.
How to Dry Your Mattress
Once your mattress is clean, the next step is to let your mattress thoroughly dry. This is an incredibly important step because a wet mattress can lead to more severe issues. If your mattress stays wet, it can take on a musty smell or even start growing mold or mildew. Once that happens, your mattress might be a total lost cause. To prevent this, consider these tips on how to dry your mattress:
- Use a hair dryer: To fully dry your mattress, one option is to use a hair dryer set on high. Go over the wet spot back and forth for 15 to 20 minutes. Let the stained area cool down completely before testing if it’s dry or not. After 30 minutes have passed, use a different drying method to finish the job if there’s residual dampness.
- Flip your mattress: Flip the mattress on its side and lean it against a wall or another secure object. Position a fan so that it’s blowing down both sides of the mattress. Open any closed windows and turn on your ceiling fan to help circulate the air. You can also use a space heater pointed toward the mattress. However, be careful to place it at a safe distance to avoid a fire hazard.
- Place your mattress in the sun: You can also take your mattress outside if it’s sunny. Make sure it’s set up on a platform such as concrete blocks so it’s not sitting on the ground and has as much contact with the air as possible. Leave it outside for a few hours in direct sunlight until it’s fully dry.
* Be extra cautious if using sunlight, a hair dryer or any other heat source to dry the mattress as excessive heat may lead to drying and cracking of the foam, can diminish the performance properties of a foam mattress, and may lead to voiding your mattress warranty.
How to Prevent Mattress Stains
One of the best ways to guard your mattress against accidents is by investing in a mattress protector. A mattress protector keeps your mattress feeling and smelling new. Plus, if you’re dealing with an accident, you’ll just need to clean the protector and throw your sheets and bedding in the washer. It’s significantly easier to clean the surface of a mattress protector than an absorbent mattress.
Keep in mind that a mattress protector is not the same as a mattress pad. The difference between a mattress protector vs. a mattress pad is that a protector is designed to safeguard your mattress from allergens, dirt, and stains. Conversely, a mattress pad is designed to add extra cushion or comfort to your mattress.
The Layla Mattress Protector is an ideal choice for keeping your mattress clean and comfortable. There are three mattress protectors available through Layla Sleep, and all three will keep you safe from allergens, dust mites, and other nasty things you don’t want to share your sleeping space with. Plus, all three protectors are liquid-proof and have been tested with 38 pounds per square inch of water pressure.
It’s important to note that these protectors aren’t your grandmother’s vinyl protectors of the past that squeak and crinkle loudly at the slightest movement. All of Layla’s mattress protectors are constructed with high-quality materials that dampen sound, so you won’t even know it’s there.
So, what’s the difference between the three Layla mattress protectors? Well, for five-sided protection at an affordable price, the Essential Mattress Protector makes an excellent bed companion. For hot sleepers who want protection with the added bonus of cooling properties, the Cooling Protector will help keep you comfortable at night. And, if you want protection against bed bugs, you can opt for the Full Encasement Protector with a PESTLOC zipper.
Using a mattress protector daily can help your mattress last up to three times longer than a mattress without protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should you get a new mattress?
Knowing when to replace a mattress can help ensure you’re getting your best sleep night after night. If your mattress is several years old and full of old stains, it might be time to simply replace your mattress with a new one. This is especially relevant if your mattress is sagging or showing other signs of wear. Another indication is if you are showing signs of wear as a result of an unsupportive mattress, such as waking up in pain or tossing and turning throughout the night.
What should you avoid when cleaning pee out of a mattress?
When learning how to get pee out of a mattress, knowing what to avoid is crucial. While your instinct might be to attack the stain aggressively, some common cleaning methods can worsen the situation. Let’s explore some key things to steer clear of when tackling urine stains and odors in your mattress.
- Scrubbing the stain: It’s tempting to scrub vigorously, but this can push the urine deeper into the mattress fibers and padding, making it harder to remove. Instead, blot the area gently to lift the moisture without spreading it further.
- Using harsh chemicals: Strong cleaning agents might seem effective, but they can damage your mattress material and potentially create toxic fumes. If you’re using enzymatic cleaners, make sure to find a product that uses natural ingredients or is specifically designed for urine and mattress cleaning.
- Using hot water: Hot water can actually set the stain and bind the proteins in urine to the mattress fibers. Always use cool or lukewarm water to clean urine stains.
- Skipping the drying process: Before making the bed, make sure it’s completely dry. Leaving your mattress wet or damp for too long after cleaning can lead to mold and mildew.
- Over-saturating the mattress: While it’s important to clean thoroughly, using too much liquid can soak the mattress, making it difficult to dry and potentially damaging the internal structure. Remember that less is often more when trying to get urine out of a mattress.
What if the urine stain on the mattress has already dried?
If you’re dealing with a dried urine stain and wondering how to get pee out of a mattress after it’s set, don’t fret. To remove dried urine stains, create a powerful cleaning solution by mixing 8 ounces of hydrogen peroxide, 3 tablespoons of baking soda, and a drop of dish soap. This combination works wonders to break down and lift old stains.
Apply this mixture to the soiled area, letting it sit for about 15-20 minutes to really penetrate the stain. Then, gently blot the area with a clean, dry cloth to lift the dissolved urine and cleaning solution. This method can be highly effective in tackling stubborn, dried-in stains and helping to get urine out of the mattress even after it’s dried.
Can the same cleaning process be used to remove other mattress stains?
Yes, the vinegar and baking soda method we’ve discussed for getting pee out of a mattress can also be effective for various other stains. These household staples are versatile cleaners that can tackle many common mattress mishaps.
However, you might need to step up your game when it comes to more stubborn stains like blood or wine. While the vinegar and baking soda solution can still be a good starting point, these tougher stains often require more specialized, heavy-duty solutions.
For instance, hydrogen peroxide or meat tenderizer can be particularly effective for removing blood stains on a mattress, while salt or club soda might be your go-to for wine stains.
Keeping Your Mattress Clean, No Matter What Life Throws at It
Life is messy, and even the most careful, neat person can end up with a mattress with stains on it. Although removing a urine stain from a mattress isn’t how anyone wants to spend their day, it’s an easy fix that involves a little elbow grease and a few supplies you likely already have around the house. To help protect from future stains, invest in a mattress protector that will help keep your mattress clean and comfortable far into the future.
