It’s so frustrating when urine has accidents on a mattress. Not only does it leave a stain, urine’s moisture can help odor-producing molecules reach deeper within the bed and make the urine visible. Urine doesn’t seem too deep until long after it sits unnoticed.
You won’t typically need any specialty products for cleaning fresh urine, and it will be easier the sooner you tend to the accident.
The best remedy involves being prompt to absorb as much urine as possible, treating the mattress but not soaking it through, and drying completely. Baking soda, a few household cleaning products like gentle dish soap or a white vinegar mixture, and several clean cloths are often all that you need.
This guide explains how to get pee out of mattress materials safely, including what to do with fresh and dried stains, how to handle lingering odors, which cleaning mistakes can make matters worse, and when replacing or professionally cleaning the mattress may be the better option.
Why Urine Is Difficult to Remove From a Mattress
When learning how to get pee out of mattress, it helps to understand how mattresses hold moisture. Mattresses work by absorbing the pressure of sleeping. This is done by incorporating soft materials in their filling. The liquid then can seep through their covering (cloth like cover) to get under-logged into its padding layers; this can be made of foam (synthetic material), fiber (fluff like matter that has tendency to absorb moisture) or another similar element.
Another reason urine will still smell even after wiping is that there are some component left which only vaporizes at much higher temperature, contributing to persistent household odors. Wipe just the outer part is to remove what is wet without eliminating what has absorbed.
There is another reason-the mattress itself is not like clothing or beddings, which you can freely and strongly pour water on to clean it thoroughly. Too much water applied will make you push all the urine to get even deeper inside the filling causing another issue to dry; thus mattress cleaning is mainly of controlling water usage-enough to rinse thoroughly the concerned area, yet not to over-wet the whole bed.
Fresh stains versus dried stains
If a new urine stain is made, the stain is easier to remove; the majority of the liquid will yet be readily absorbed into the fabric. If the urine has dried into the fabric you have to consider that it’s already been sitting in the carpet for sometime. This is not to say that the dry urine stain can not be removed; but it would probably involve cleaning the same area again for a longer duration of time.
What You Need Before Cleaning
Gather your supplies before starting so you can work without leaving the mattress wet for longer than necessary.
Useful items include:
- Clean absorbent towels or paper towels
- A spray bottle
- Mild dish soap
- White vinegar
- Baking soda
- Cool or lukewarm water
- A vacuum cleaner
- A soft cloth or sponge
- A fan, if available
You will probably want disposable gloves as well if you don’t want to directly touch dirty bedding. Remove all bedding, including mattress covers, sheets and blankets, etc., prior to applying any products, then wash them separately as per label directions. It’s no use cleaning the mattress if you leave the soiled bedding sitting on top of it where the moisture and stink will be absorbed back into the clean mattress surface.
How to Get Pee Out of Mattress Step by Step
When it comes to a fresh accident, a fast response is the priority, not a fancy cleaner formula. Getting the urine up first while the most moisture has evaporated is the ideal situation.
Step 1: Remove the bedding
Remove everything from the mattress and set aside the affected sheets to be washed. Avoid rubbing the wet sheets into the mattress while taking them off. They will only spread the moisture around more widely if you do. If the mattress have a removable, washable cover then read and follow the directions on how to take it off and wash it (check with the manufacturer or care guide on this if you are not sure).
Step 2: Blot as much liquid as possible
Put the clean towel over the wet spot and press down gently. Take the towel and move it to a dry spot on the towel, then press down. This blotting is to help the liquid go upward into the towel instead of down into the mattress.
Do not scrub.
If you scrub urine, it helps to spread the spot and forces the urine down into your mattress. If the incident is still very fresh, keep blotting until your towel can no longer draw much liquid.
Step 3: Prepare a mild cleaning solution
On any general surface cleaning apply a little of mild dish soap to water in a spray bottle. It will also spray the affected area instead of applying the whole mattress.
You do not want to use so much solution that it is soaking the mattress.
Refer to the mattress manufacturer’s care instructions if available and use their recommended product or method.
Step 4: Treat the affected area
Lightly dab cleaning solution on the stain with it only the required amount on the specific area. Do this from the outside of the stain to center, in order not to spread it any wider.
Gently blot the stain with a clean cloth, making the residue loose near the surface but without making the spot wet at this point.
Blot the liquid by using a dry towel once the cleaning has finished, and blot up all of the remaining liquid using this method:
Step 5: Use vinegar for lingering odor
Diluted white vinegar is often used as a deodorising household solution. It can be beneficial when the urine odour is still present after the initial cleaning. Apply a fine mist to the mattress not saturating it.
Let the solution stand for a short while and blot it with a towel.
This odour should then disappear as the mattress dries. Do not mix vinegar with Bleach and other chemicals around the household.
Step 6: Cover the area with baking soda
After draining all excess water out, pour an ample amount of baking soda over the areas. Baking soda helps remove lingering moisture and can reduce odors to the touch. Let it sit for a few hours to or longer if possible.
If possible, try to let the mattress sit undisturbed with baking soda in order to let air flow all around.
It is better to air-dry the mattress than it is to place an adequate cover too soon over a wet mattress.
Step 7: Vacuum the baking soda
After the mattress is fully dry, vacuum away any residual baking soda residue on the top. If your vacuum has an upholstery tool, then use it and pass over the surface slowly enough to actually pick up the baking soda dust, not just brush it along the top surface. When finished vacuuming the mattress, check to make sure the scent and/or discoloration is eliminated. If it’s not, this second, controlled attempt will be much more effective than once again trying to douse the mattress.
How to Remove a Dried Urine Stain
This dried residue of urine may be more difficult as the residue has already dried on the fabric and into underlying material. Start off by vacuuming off the surface area, note the entire soiled area on the mattress.
Lightly saturate the stain with a cleaning agent of your choice; leave on the designated time according to product information. Do not saturate the mattress.
Blot rather than rub and use several treatments if necessary. Use baking soda over this to extract some of the last residue moisture and odor, vacuum once fully dried.
When learning how to get pee out of mattress, an enzyme-based upholstery or fabric cleaner may be worth considering for persistent stains. Enzyme cleaners are formulated to break down certain organic residues rather than simply covering the smell with fragrance.
Always read the product label first. Check whether the cleaner is suitable for your mattress material and follow the manufacturer’s directions.
How to Get Rid of the Urine Smell
Your mattress may look visually clean but smell less than fresh. This normally happens when the source of the smell is something that is lying above or within and below the treated area.
First of all, the first thing you want to do is to ensure that you thoroughly dry the mattress because slightly damp bedding may emit an odor similar to urine (musty or sour).
If you smell is still persisting, the cheapest way you could perform the deodorizing treatment on the surface of the mattress is through baking soda or if more stubborn an enzyme cleaner.
Ventilation helps. Try to air out as much as possible by leaving windows open, turn on a fan and allow the air to flow across and over the mattress. Do not dress and make up the mattress with sheets or blankets and protector until fully dried.
If after a number of treatment attempt for recurring odors, it might be due to the fact that the urine has penetrated far beyond the superficial layers of the mattress.
What to Do With a Yellow Urine Stain
The urine can leave a yellowish stain, especially once it has dried. However removing the smell and removing the visible stain is not exactly the same task.
Try the gentlest cleaning method appropriate to your mattress. A dilute detergent mixture could perhaps be helpful for a not too ancient discoloration. A cleaner aimed at organic staining might be needed if the mark is not freshly there.
Do not automatically use more severe substances believing they will produce better results. Strong chemicals may discolor the fabric and weaken materials, or produce fumes which remove nothing from the issue itself.
If a mark is large or is old or penetrates deep into the fibers professional mattress cleaning could be considered.
Special Considerations for Different Mattresses
Not every mattress should be treated exactly the same way.
Memory foam mattresses
Memory foam can retain moisture, so oversaturating it is particularly undesirable. Use small amounts of liquid and focus on blotting and ventilation.
Allow plenty of drying time before putting bedding back on the bed.
Innerspring mattresses
When learning how to get pee out of mattress, keep in mind that an innerspring mattress may have several layers of fabric and padding around its internal support system. Liquid can travel farther than the visible stain suggests, so avoid pouring cleaner directly onto the surface.
Mattress toppers
If the accident is primarily contained within a removable topper, check its washing instructions. A washable topper can often be cleaned more thoroughly than the mattress underneath.
Waterproof mattress protectors
A spill can’t soak through entirely through a waterproof protector though. When the spill doesn’t soak through all the way, the washing of just the protector may suffice.
This type of scenario illustrates where correctly fitted and utilized mattress protectors are beneficial after an accident has already taken place.
Common Mistakes That Can Make the Problem Worse
Not to use too much water is a huge one. It’s very hard to rinse and dry the interior of a mattress, leaving excessive amounts of moisture, resulting in damp spots and potential odor development. Do not scrub.
In doing so you may potentially only spread the stain further and push the liquid deep into the foam padding.
Do not use high-powered, off the shelf household cleaners that are not approved by the mattress manufacturer. Bleach, disinfecting sprays and other powerful chemicals used on other household items should not be automatically assumed suitable to use on mattresses. Never mix cleaning chemicals. Specifically never mix bleach and vinegar.
Never cover a mattress with a new protective mattress cover until the mattress has fully dried, the surface even might appear mostly dry, but the material still has moisture underneath the cover, so don’t just place the cover over and lock it in, because if it has not fully dried you will not have fresh air reaching it, and then you get even more moisture with terrible smells!
Do not mask smells and odors with air fresheners and perfumes to alleviate problems that haven’t really been fixed in the first place.
How to Dry a Mattress After Cleaning
It is as vital that the area is properly dried out as that it is properly cleaned. A damp mattress is not only potentially harmful but can develop a musty smell that is difficult to get rid of and may encourage mold and mildew growth.
Ensure plenty of air circulates round the mattress once you have blot it. Laying it on its side is an effective option, provided it does not pose a safety risk or could harm the construction, or tilt it so air can be encouraged over the wet patch.
Direct a fan across the wet area and a dehumidifier would greatly assist by reducing the ambient moisture.
Do not place anything back on or place the mattress back in regular use until it is entirely dry. Relying on the surface alone is insufficient. Thick layers hold moisture beneath the surface.
Drying may take much longer than anticipated in cases of severe saturation and if the mattress has been saturated, professional help should be explored.
When Home Cleaning May Not Be Enough
However, there are certain occasions when doing it yourself (DIY) is unlikely to achieve the necessary result.
If too much urine has soaked right through and saturated the mattress or multiple accidents have occurred, a professional cleaning may be worthwhile, as may trying to clean your own mattress one more time if your odor problem has come back following cleaning and subsequent drying.
If you have an already seriously tainted mattress in any of the above conditions that has a permanent odor that cannot be removed or is so structurally unsound to be cleanable, the effort in replacing may outweigh the effort and cost to keep it. If you have a mattress used by a child or another who suffers from repeated nocturnal accidents, often prevention is better than cure (or repeated cleaning!).
Using a fully waterproof, washable underlay topped by another layer of absorbent (washable) material and correctly fitting covers will prevent most liquid from seeping into the mattress itself.
How to Prevent Future Mattress Accidents From Becoming a Big Cleaning Job
The easiest preventative measure is proper mattress protection with a waterproof mattress cover. This should fit well.
Washable barrier or protector sheet could offer another layer for children or anyone who has infrequent accidents at night. Having an extra set of sheets on hand can speed up the changing at night.
If there are chronic and what appear to be, uncharacteristic accidents at night perhaps the behavior needs treatment rather than the clean-up and care of accidents on an ongoing basis. There are various reasons a child might wet at night; in adults the emergence of or sudden change in bladder control should be considered an issue beyond care of and cleaning up an accident.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use baking soda directly on a wet mattress?
Yes, baking soda can be used as a surface deodorizing and moisture-absorbing step, but it should not replace blotting. Remove as much liquid as possible first, then apply baking soda and allow the mattress to dry before vacuuming.
Does vinegar completely remove urine odor?
Vinegar can help reduce household odors, but it may not completely eliminate a smell that has penetrated deeply into mattress padding. Persistent odor may require an appropriate enzyme cleaner or professional treatment.
Can I use bleach on a urine-stained mattress?
Bleach is generally not a good universal solution for mattresses. It can damage fabric or other materials, and mixing bleach with incompatible cleaners can produce dangerous fumes. Follow the mattress manufacturer’s cleaning guidance instead.
How long should baking soda stay on a mattress?
Several hours is a practical starting point, and leaving it longer can be useful when conditions allow. The important step is vacuuming it away only after the treated area is dry.
Can a mattress be saved after a large accident?
Sometimes. The outcome depends on how much liquid entered the mattress, how quickly it was treated, the mattress construction, and whether odor or staining remains after drying. Heavy saturation may require professional cleaning or replacement.
Should I sleep on the mattress after cleaning it?
Wait until the mattress is completely dry before using it normally. A mattress that is still damp underneath should not be covered with bedding and used overnight.
Final Takeaway
Knowing how to get pee out of mattress surfaces is mostly about acting quickly, controlling moisture, and allowing enough time for thorough drying. Blot rather than scrub the area, use the minimum appropriate cleaning solution, address lingering odors delicately, and apply baking soda after the excess liquid has dried. Enzyme cleaners will probably be the most effective for old/stubborn stains rather than multiple household applications. Ensure mattress is thoroughly dry before bed linens. Heavy soiling of the mattress may eventually make professional cleaning or replacing it more logical than going through an escalation of harsher and harsher homemade cleaning treatments.
CONCLUSION
Knowing how to get pee out of mattress surfaces is mainly about acting quickly, absorbing as much moisture as possible, and avoiding excessive water.Try to dab it instead of rubbing, don’t use much cleaning agent suitable for mattress and let it dry for hours completely. Baking soda would help in remaining odor from the surface. Enzyme cleaner of suitable type might also work on stubborn stains and old stain.
Don’t use strong cleaning solution and never cover the mattress when it’s still wet.
If the stain has deeply penetrated, the odor persists, or it happens more than once on a mattress, maybe professionally cleaning the mattress or replacing it is more practical. However, with right treatment and time it would be much easier to eliminate those stains from occurring more than often and the mattress itself wouldn’t be severely ruined.
