byMarc Werner, Founder - GhostBed
Let's be real: accidents happen. If you have children or pets, at some point you will have to deal with urine in yourmemory foam mattress.
Fortunately, quick action when this happens can help preserve your mattress. Don't worry if you can't find the stain until it's dry. In this article, we'll review techniques for removing urine and other stains from your mattress at each stage.
Overview
- Aha quick.Fresh urine is much easier to clean up than dried urine, so don't put off cleaning!
- Eliminate excess moisture.Gently press rags or paper towels over the area to remove excess moisture before using any cleaning solution.
- Try a homemade cleaner.A homemade solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water may be all you need. Saturate the area of your mattress with a spray bottle, then apply a layer of baking soda. This method is excellent for getting dog and cat urine out of a mattress.
- Be patient.Let your DIY solution sit for several hours or a full day if you can. Then vacuum up the baking soda and make sure the mattress is completely dry before putting the sheets back on.
- Be proactive against accidents. mattress protectorsHelp protect your mattress from accidents.
Step 1: Assess the damage
First things first: assess the situation. Are you dealing with fresh urine, or does the stain look like it's been there for a while? Is it a lot of urine, or just a little? Is there a mild odor or do you need to deal with a more pungent odor? Understanding what you are working with will help you approach your cleaning method.
Another consideration is themattress typeWhat do you have. Foam mattresses tend to absorb liquids faster than other types, so working quickly to wick away moisture is key. Follow the same steps for a pillow top and Euro top.
If you got the stain shortly after it happened, that's good news. The fresher the stain, the easier it will be to clean. But it's important to act fast, before the urine has a chance to leak out. If you notice a dried urine stain on your mattress, don't worry. You may need a stronger solution, but cleaning dried urine from your mattress is still an option.
Step 2: Remove your bedding
Then remove the bedding and throw it in the washing machine - stat. (See our article onhow to wash sheetsfor more tips on how to keep them clean).
Stage 3: Blot to area
Gently press rags or paper towels over the area to remove excess moisture. Be careful not to rub it, as this can cause urine to seep further into the mattress. At this point, you'll want to open all the windows in the room and run a fan (if you can) to help increase airflow throughout the room.
Step 4: Clean
Vinegar is a powerful natural cleanser that helps break down uric acid found in urine, making it easier to eliminate. This method is best for cleaning a fresh urine stain on your mattress.
To create your solution, simply fill a spray bottle half with white vinegar and half with water. Saturate the area with the solution and apply a layer of baking soda to completely cover the stain. Let it sit for several hours or a whole day if you can! You should see the baking soda build up as it absorbs into the vinegar at this point. Finally, vacuum up the baking soda.
Still stained? Repeat the above steps until your mattress is clean and odor free.
How to deal with dried urine stains and odors
If the smell or stain won't go away, it may be time to break out the big guns. Hydrogen peroxide is perfect for tough stains because it's an oxidizer that kills bacteria and helps neutralize odors.
Note: Hydrogen peroxide can bleach some fabrics, so be sure to remove all bedding from the area before starting work!
For this solution, combine 8-10 ounces of hydrogen peroxide (3%) with 3 tablespoons of baking soda and 2-3 drops of dish soap. Shake to combine (do not shake). Spray to cover the stains well and leave to act for approximately one hour. Finally, use a damp cloth to gently rinse the area, then blot with the dry cloth to completely remove the solution.
An enzymatic cleaner like OxiClean can also do wonders for urine odor. These cleaners include ingredients that actually attack the source of the odor. Look for cleaners with protease enzymes specifically. To use, saturate affected areas of your mattress and allow to dry completely. You can also try covering the area with plastic wrap while the cleaner is running, which will help prevent evaporation.
How to get dog or cat urine out of the mattress
Do you have dog or cat urine on your mattress? Pet urine (especially cat urine) is known to smell a bit stronger than human urine; this is due to the amount of urea it contains, the main element in urine that breaks down into ammonia.
The instructions for cleaning up cat and dog urine are pretty similar, but it may take a bit of extra effort due to the smell. Here are the steps:
- Remove all bedding and blot the area with a clean cloth to remove as much of the liquid as possible. We recommend using disposable paper towels or old ready-to-throw-away bath towels.
- Create a solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water in a spray bottle and lightly mist the area. The vinegar will help dissolve the stain and neutralize the odor.
- Let the area air dry.
Once dry, the stain and odor should be gone. If not, repeat the steps until there is no longer a lingering odor or visual indication of urine on your mattress. This is important as pets often return to places where they have urinated before! If you're having trouble removing the stain, you may need to turn to store-bought enzymatic cleaners or a hydrogen peroxide solution.
Advice:To double your efforts, sprinkle some baking soda on the stain after it's soaked in the vinegar solution and allow it to dry before vacuuming.
Is it bad to sleep on a urine-soaked mattress?
So let's say you, or your child or dog, have an accident. If it's in the middle of the night, you might be tempted to wait until morning to fix the problem or spend the night on the couch or guest bed. But that can be a big mistake.
Unfortunately, leaving urine on the mattress will only make it more difficult to clean later. In addition to starting to stink thanks to the ammonia in your urine, a wet mattress is the perfect breeding ground for nasty bacteria and mold. Gross!
Mark's advice
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FAQs
Can you get urine out of a memory foam mattress? ›
A homemade solution of 50% white vinegar and 50% water may be all you need. Saturate the area on your mattress using a spray bottle, and then follow with a layer of baking soda. This method is excellent for getting cat and dog pee out of a mattress.
How do you get pee out of a tempurpedic mattress? ›If you notice a recent accident, put on some gloves, blot the area and then sprinkle with baking soda. The baking soda will turn darker over time as it absorbs the pee inside the mattress and draws it out. Then vacuum the mattress and remove all of the baking soda from the bedding.
How to get pee out of a mattress without vinegar and baking soda? ›Also, you can use an enzyme cleaner for a mattress that chemically breaks down stains and odors. Make the paste using salt and lemon juice. Apply the paste to the mattress stain and let it settle for almost 1 hour. Wipe off the paste using a clean towel.
What happens if you leave pee in a mattress? ›Urine contains bacteria, so if its left long enough it can develop mould. Urine contains urea, uric acid and other compounds that can be a risk. That smell of ammonia that gets trapped inside your mattress is caused by bacteria eating away at the residue of the urine.
Does urine stay in mattress? ›It's in the science
There are two things that urine will do to a mattress if left unattended. Within 24 hours the mattress will start to smell like the inside of a men's public toilet and be warned, once that urinal smell sets in, it's almost impossible to remove.
Make a solution of baking soda, peroxide and any dish detergent. The combination of the three is often powerful enough to drive away strong urine smells. The solutions is eight fluid ounces of peroxide, three tablespoons of baking soda, and a few drops of dish detergent.
How do you clean pee off a mattress without vinegar? ›If you don't have vinegar available, baking soda and hydrogen peroxide can be a great swap for getting pee out of a mattress. You'll want to make a mixture of baking soda, hydrogen peroxide, and liquid detergent: 1 part baking soda. 5 parts hydrogen peroxide.
Does hydrogen peroxide get pee out of mattress? ›Create a mattress stain remover by combining 8 oz. hydrogen peroxide, 3 tbsp baking soda, 1 tsp dish soap in a spray bottle - this solution will remove urine stains on its own, just wait until the spots are gone.
Does vinegar dissolve urine? ›Vinegar is an excellent urine stain remover; it breaks down the uric acid in urine and makes the stain easier to remove. When the cycle is complete, run the load again (this time adding detergent) and wash at the hottest water temperature recommended for the fabric.
What do nursing homes use to get rid of urine smell? ›Zorbx was created in 2000 as a solution for removing odors in the health care industry. Today, it is used and recommended by healthcare professionals in hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities.
What is the most powerful odor eliminator? ›
- Ozium Air Sanitizer Spray. ...
- Lysol Disinfectant Spray. ...
- DampRid Moisture Absorber With Activated Charcoal. ...
- DampRid Fresh Scent Hanging Moisture Absorber, 3-Pack. ...
- Harris Cleaning Vinegar. ...
- Zero Odor Laundry Odor Eliminator.
A bad smell in the urine often goes away on its own, especially when dehydration or something in the diet causes it. A person does not need to see a doctor if they can identify a harmless cause of their smelly urine, such as asparagus. Other causes need medical treatment.
How do you get old urine stains out of a mattress without peroxide? ›- Blot excess urine and then strip the bed. ...
- Add baking soda to the affect area. ...
- Make a solution of washing powder and water. ...
- Spray onto the stain and leave for three to five minutes. ...
- Repeat step one. ...
- Sprinkle baking soda over the entire mattress. ...
- Vacuum the baking soda and leave to air out.
Spot clean any stains on your mattress
To remove light stains, fill a Mister 360 – Reusable Spray Bottle with 3% hydrogen peroxide and spray stains in a circular motion until wet. After spraying, allow 5-10 minutes for the solution to work before blotting away any excess moisture with a clean towel.
Clorox Urine Remover for stains and odors removes tough stains and deep odors from BOTH hard and soft surfaces. This powerful cleaner removes both urine stains and odors from bathroom tile, grout, urinals and toilets. It can also be used on soft surfaces such as rugs, carpets, mattresses and upholstery.
Can I spray hydrogen peroxide on my bed? ›In the bottle, add one cup of hydrogen peroxide, one cup of cool water, and two big squirts of dish soap. Then, shake it up! Spray the solution all over your mattress and check for dry spots with your hands to make sure the whole surface is covered.
How long does it take vinegar to neutralize urine? ›Mix a one-to-one solution of white vinegar and water. Using a sponge, rub the solution onto the stain. Let it sit for 5-to-10 minutes, and then wipe it up with a clean, dry towel.
What happens when you mix urine and white vinegar? ›Adding urine to white vinegar might cause bubbles or a change of color –– you're adding a yellow substance to a clear/white one, after all. But those reactions alone don't confirm the presence of hCG. Bottom line: White vinegar is delicious for a salad dressing, but useless for a pregnancy test.
What will dissolve urine? ›Vinegar acid In the evening, pour half a bottle of vinegar essence into the toilet bowl and leave it to work overnight. The next morning, you will be able to easily clean off any urine scale.
Can urine cause mold in mattress? ›When accidents happen, we encourage you to tackle the clean up as soon as possible. Allowing urine to settle into your mattress will not only result in an unpleasant aroma but potentially lead to mold growth.
Can I leave urine out overnight? ›
Storing a urine sample
Do not keep it for longer than 24 hours. The bacteria in the urine sample can multiply if it is not kept in a fridge. If this happens, it could affect the test results. Some sample containers contain preservative so that urine can be stored for longer at room temperature.
In small doses urine probably does not have much affect on your health, but prolonged breathing or highly concentrated urine could be a problem. Sharp ammonia odor from urine can be irritating to the lungs, throat and eyes. Excessive exposure can even cause skin irritation.
Is a mattress ruined if it gets wet? ›As discussed in our mattress stain cleaning article, any type of liquid damage can completely ruin your mattress! Just like carpets and rugs, mattresses may be home to many allergens and provide a habitat for mold to grow, especially when it remains dampened for a long period of time.