Whether you have pets or small children, you might find yourself wondering how to get pee out of a mattress.
First of all, don’t panic. All you need is an enzyme-based cleaner and some baking soda, vinegar, borax, or hydrogen peroxide.
Removing urine stains can be a chore, but it’s something you should do as soon as quickly as possible. Bed-wetting accidents can lead to bacteria and mold growth, ruining your mattress. These pathogens may also spread all over your house and put your family’s health at risk.
Urine is not sterile as most people think. It may contain bacteria that can be harmful to children, seniors, and individuals with weak immune systems.
Accidental exposure to bodily fluids may cause infections even in healthy people. Urine, sweat, and vomit may contain viruses that can be passed on from one individual to another.
Below we’ll show you how to get urine out of a mattress and eliminate that awful smell. We’re also going to share some tips on how to prevent stains and keep your mattress fresh.
How to Remove Urine from a Mattress
The best time to get urine stains out of a mattress is when they’re still wet. Older stains can be difficult or impossible to remove, reports the University of Illinois.
Before going any further, take these steps to assess the damage and choose the proper cleaning method:
- Remove the duvet cover, sheets, and other linens covering the mattress. Clean them in the washing machine as quickly as possible.
- Check the mattress to determine whether you’re dealing with fresh urine or older stains.
- If the stain is new, use a dry cloth or towel to remove the excess urine. Dab gently over the affected area.
- Sprinkle some baking soda onto the stain and allow it to sit for at least eight hours. Avoid rubbing the stain as it can push the urine further into the fabric.
- When the powder is completely dry, use a handheld vacuum or hose attachment to remove it from the mattress.
- Next, decide what products you’re going to use. Test the cleaning solution on a small area of your mattress to make sure it doesn’t leave stains or damage the fabric.
If your mattress is relatively new, it may still be under warranty. Some manufacturers may void the warranty if you try to clean the mattress by yourself.
While the warranty doesn’t cover stain removal, you may need it later on. In such cases, it’s better to have your mattress cleaned by a professional.
Why Is Urine So Difficult to Remove?
From pets and babies to older adults, anyone can have an accident in bed. While the sheets are quite easy to clean, you can’t just throw a stained mattress into the washing machine.
The best thing you can do is to take action fast. Here are some things you should know before getting started.
Urine is about 95% water. The remaining 5% comes from ammonium, uric acid, urea, and other organic compounds.
Household cleaning products can easily remove the water and urea in pee stains. Uric acid, on the other hand, consists of small crystals and has low solubility in water. For this reason, it’s more difficult to get rid of it.
Uric acid crystals can build up on surfaces and cause permanent damage. The strong smell that comes from pee stains is due to the breakdown of uric acid and urea by bacteria.
Most detergents and cleaning formulas cannot completely eliminate urine stains.
The same goes for baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and other natural alternatives. These products lack the enzymes needed to remove uric acid.
White vinegar and baking soda, for instance, can make a pee stain go away—but only on the surface.
Uric acid crystals are invisible to the naked eye and can be reactivated by moisture and humidity. Plus, they tend to stick to surfaces.
The only way to completely remove urine stains from your mattress is to apply enzymatic cleaners. If the stain is fresh, you may use these products along with a homemade cleaner to get better results.
Chemical vs. Natural Cleaners
As discussed earlier, natural cleaning products may not completely remove urine from bed linens and mattresses.
Commercial cleaning products, on the other hand, may contain toxic chemicals, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The same goes for those marketed as “green” or “natural,” warns the American Lung Association.
To stay safe, consider using an organic enzymatic cleaner along with a homemade cleaning solution. Organic enzymatic cleaning products contain naturally occurring live enzymes, essential oils, and other eco-friendly ingredients.
Another option is to use a homemade enzymatic cleaner.
DogTime recommends the following recipe:
- 4 cups of water
- 2 1/2 cups of citrus peel (lemon, orange, and lime)
- 1/2 cup of brown sugar
- 1 teaspoon of yeast
Add all ingredients to a large bottle and shake well. Make sure the cap is loose. Wait at least two weeks before using it.
After two weeks, mix a half cup of the cleaning solution with 33.8 fluid ounces of water. Pour it into a spray bottle and test it on a small section of the mattress. If everything goes well, apply it to the urine stain and then clean the area with a towel.
If you prefer to use a commercial cleaner, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Keep the windows open and wear protective gloves when applying the solution.
Note that enzymatic cleaners become less efficient over time.
Choose a Cleaning Method
Here are three basic ways to clean urine out of a mattress. Depending on the severity of the stain and how soon you find the accident, one of these three methods should do the trick to remove it.
- Baking Soda
- Detergent
- Hydrogen Peroxide Mix
#1. Baking Soda
When you’re dealing with a fresh stain, it should be easy to remove it with baking soda. However, you may still want to add an enzymatic cleaner to the mix to make sure there’s no uric acid left.
There are several other methods you can use to get rid of urine stains.
#2. Detergent
The University of Illinois, for example, recommends applying detergent to fresh stains and then rinsing with a mixture of white vinegar and water (50/50). Let it dry. If necessary, use baking soda (as described earlier) to eliminate foul odors.
#3. Hydrogen Peroxide
A third option is to use a hydrogen peroxide mixture for wet stains. Simply follow these instructions:
- Combine 1 teaspoon of liquid detergent, 3 tablespoons of baking soda, and 8 ounces of hydrogen peroxide. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle.
- Test the solution on a small area of the mattress.
- Apply white vinegar to the affected area and dab gently.
- Spray the pee stain with the hydrogen peroxide mixture.
- Use a towel to remove any remaining liquid.
- Repeat until the stain is gone.
- Sprinkle baking soda over the affected area to eliminate odors and excess moisture.
- Let it dry for eight hours or longer and then vacuum the mattress.
This cleaning solution works for old stains, too, but you may need to repeat the above steps several times.
NOTE: Generally, it’s not recommended to apply hydrogen peroxide on memory foam, latex, or polyfoam mattresses because it may damage the foam and cause discoloration. However, it should be safe for traditional spring mattresses.
Again, our advice is to also use an enzymatic cleaner. Apply it before using any other products.
How to Remove Urine Smell from a Mattress
One of the most challenging aspects of removing pee stains from a mattress is to get rid of the smell. Baking soda absorbs and neutralizes odors, but you might need something stronger.
The American Kennel Club recommends using an enzymatic cleaner designed for pet stains if the problem was caused by your furry friend.
The same product may also work for incontinence odors and stains. You can also apply cider vinegar or a 50/50 mix of borax and sodium carbonate (washing soda) to the affected area.
As a general rule, never use ammonia to remove urine smell from mattresses, linens, or clothing items. Depending on its composition, urine can have a strong ammonia odor. Adding more ammonia will only make things worse.
Using an enzymatic cleaner and homemade cleaning solution should do the trick.
If you can still feel the smell, mix a few drops of essential oil with baking soda, white vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide. Spray onto the stain and let it dry.
Remember to test the mixture to ensure it doesn’t leave stains on your mattress.
A Clean Mattress Is a Healthy Mattress
Keeping a house clean can be difficult, especially if you have pets or small children.
Accidents happen, but you can take preventive measures to mitigate the damage:
- Get a waterproof mattress protector (full encasement protectors for both pillows and mattresses are an extra layer of protection)
- Wash your sheets regularly to prevent odors from accumulating in the mattress
- Vacuum your mattress every few months and spot-clean it as needed
- Keep the area around your bed clean
- Remove any stains on the mattress and sheets as quickly as possible
Now that you know how to get urine out of a mattress, prepare a homemade cleaner and keep it at hand for when you’ll need it.
The above methods are often enough to successfully remove pee stains and odors.
Speaking of house cleaning, you may want to check out our guide to apartment living for pet owners.
We’ll share some handy tips on grooming your pet and understanding his needs so that you can prevent common issues, such as loud noises, scratched furniture, and unpleasant smells. You will also learn how to properly equip your apartment for pets and keep it clean year-round.