Trying to remove blood, urine, or other stains from your mattress can be a real chore. Thankfully, in most cases, it can be done. However, different stains require different treatments to ensure the fabric of the mattress is not harmed during the cleaning process. Human and pet pee not only leaves behind a discoloration, it is also responsible for lingering unpleasant odors that can’t be ignored and are hazardous for your health. If your mattress is smelling a little less than April fresh and you think urine is to blame, it’s a good idea to consult the professionals as to a remedy for removing pet and human urine from your mattress.
Prevention is the Best Cure
Since accidents do happen, it is a great idea to invest in a mattress pad. Mattress pads act as a layer of protection between bodies on a bed and the mattress itself. The pad absorbs any fluids such as blood or urine, keeping the mattress as clean and stain-free as possible. Mattress pads can be easily removed for laundering. Best of all, they are inexpensive, so if a stain is encountered that will not come out, you can simply throw it away and buy a new one.
Removing Fresh Urine Stains
Whether your best canine pal had an accident in the night or you discover your child’s sheets are wet from getting caught “short” during their sleep, it is much easier to clean a fresh urine stain than one that has had time to set. Armed with a few basic household supplies, you can get your mattress back to smelling April fresh in no time at all.
Here are the items you will need to remove fresh urine stains from your mattress:
- Baking soda
- White vinegar
- Towels
- Vacuum cleaner
The steps involved in getting fresh urine out of bedding and mattresses are quite simple. They include:
- Removing bedding for immediate laundering
The sooner you remove any bedding from your bed, the better chance you have of containing wet stains. Once all bedding has been taken off, it is important to get into the wash right away before stains have the opportunity to set.
- Make a 50/50 solution of white vinegar and water
White vinegar is extremely strong, and thus, should be diluted with water at a ratio of 50/50. Combine this mixture and add to a spray bottle for effective cleaning.
- Blot all urine with a dry towel
Remove as much urine as you can by blotting the affected area with a dry towel. Under no circumstances should you scrub the stain as this will drive the urine deeper into the mattress foam, making eradicating the smell far more difficult.
- Spray the vinegar and water mixture on the stain
When you apply the vinegar and water mixture to the urine stain, be especially generous. Any excess liquid should be carefully blotted out with a dry, clean towel.
- Apply a coating of baking soda
Once the stain has been treated and blotted as dry as possible, cover the affected area with baking soda. This should be allowed to rest for a period of 8-10 hours. Experts agree that the longer the baking soda has to do its job, the better the stain removal will be.
- Vacuum any baking soda residue
After the waiting period has ended, use a vacuum cleaner to remove any remaining residue on the mattress.
- Repeat all steps if necessary
In some cases, it will take more than one treatment to remove lingering stains or odors. When this occurs, simply repeat the entire process.
Cleaning Old Urine Stains from Mattresses
Dried urine stains are more challenging to get out of a mattress. However, with the right cleaning agents and some determination, you can get the job done!
Here are the steps you should take to remove dried urine discoloration and odor from your mattress:
- Prepare your cleaning solution
Make a solution of 1 cup hydrogen peroxide, 3 tbsp of baking soda, and 2-3 drops of dish soap. Once carefully combined, pour this mixture into a spray bottle.
- Spray the cleaner on any affected areas
Apply your cleaner directly to the dried stains, making sure you give a very thorough application.
- Allow the mixture time to work then dry
Once the cleaner has been applied, it needs time to do its job. In general, the mixture has completed its task when a baking soda “crust” begins to form on the surface of the mattress.
- Vacuum the mattress
Remove any baking soda residue by thoroughly vacuuming the surface of the mattress.
- Repeat if necessary
Sometimes it will take more than one application to remove stubborn, set-in stains. This process can be safely repeated several times if necessary.
Dealing Specifically with Pet Messes
The unique enzymes contained in dog and cat urine make them particularly difficult to remove from furniture. Unfortunately, if you share your bed with your pets, accidents will happen on occasion; especially as your fave furry friends start to age.
Experts recommend treating dog and cat urine stains with the same solution and method employed to eradicate dried urine. However, often, it is necessary to include additional measures to ensure the mattress gets completely clean. Cat and dog urine is tremendously pungent and requires special treatment.
Here are a few added steps you can take to help remove dog or cat urine from your mattress:
- Treat fresh urine stains with a generous amount of baking soda
Baking soda will help to draw out the pungent aroma attached to fresh pet urine. Prior to applying baking soda, be sure to blot the area carefully to remove as much liquid as possible.
As the baking soda is allowed to sit, it will take on a darker hue. Once the baking soda has absorbed the majority of the odor, you can vacuum the affected area. If any smells linger, you can treat the spot again with more baking soda.
- Consider an enzymatic cleaner
To most effectively remove stubborn pet urine smells, it is a great idea to use a commercial enzymatic cleaner. Enzymatic cleaners work by breaking down the concentrated particles found within the urine, removing both the discoloration and the unpleasant smell. There are several popular brands to choose from. Our favorites include OdoBan and Resolve.
Apply the enzymatic cleaner to the stain being careful to thoroughly coat the surface. Allow the mixture to rest for up to 15 minutes then you can blot any remaining moisture with a clean, dry towel. To ensure all odor has been removed, you can also sprinkle some baking soda, a known odor absorber, on the newly cleaned area. Allow to sit for a few hours or overnight. Vacuum any residue on the mattress, and you should discover the stain and the smell are now gone.
Preventing Pet Accidents
Since prevention is always the best option for keeping your mattress clean and dry, it is a good idea to employ some common strategies to ensure Fido and Fifi’s bladders are empty before climbing into your bed for the night.
Experts recommend the following techniques to help with preventing accidents during sleep:
- Remove water dishes several hours before bed time
Reducing your dog or cat’s access to water several hours before bed time will ensure that your dog’s bladder is not full to the brim, a common problem that can lead to household accidents during the night.
- Take your dog or cat for a last minute pee just before going to bed
Before you hit the hay for the evening, it is a good idea to take your best canine or feline pal out for a final pee. Ensuring your pet has the opportunity to empty their bladder just before drifting off to sleep is one of the best things you can do to prevent a nighttime accident.
- Take your pet for a wellness examination at your veterinary clinic
If your dog or cat seems to have recurring problems with accidents, a wellness examination can help you get to the bottom of the problem. Dogs or cats suffering from such problems as urinary, bladder, or kidney infections may display some incontinence. These issues are easily treated with a medication and can be swiftly resolved.
With aged pets, their capacity to hold their bladders is greatly reduced, sometimes leading to accidents during their sleep. If this is an ongoing problem, you may want to consider crating your senior pet during bedtime hours or adding a few old sheets to the top of your bed to prevent your bedding and mattress from becoming soiled.
Could your mattress use some refreshing? Consider our top tips for removing pet urine stains, so your mattress will smell as fragrant as a spring day once again!
