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Mattress Care

March 2023

How to Get Urine Out of a Mattress

Accidents happen, and sometimes those accidents result in urine stains and unpleasant odours on your mattress. Whether it's a bedwetting incident, a pet accident, or another thing entirely, removing the resulting urine stains and smells from a mattress is something that most of us will have to do at some point or another.

Luckily, there are several effective methods for removing urine stains and smells from a mattress, so you have a good chance of being able to restore it to its former freshness.

A urine stain on a mattress

The first thing you should do if you notice a urine stain on a mattress is to act quickly. Acting quickly is important because the longer the urine sits on the mattress, the harder it will be to remove the stain and the odour. Urine can easily seep into the layers of a mattress if it’s left for a long time, making it difficult to fully remove the resulting stain and smell. Additionally, if left untreated, urine stains can promote the growth of bacteria and mould, which can lead to health problems and exacerbate allergies. However, by acting quickly and following proper cleaning techniques, you can effectively remove the stain and odour from your mattress and maintain a clean and healthy sleeping environment!

Cleaning Products For Getting Urine Out of a Mattress

To tackle a tough urine stain or even a fresh urine accident on a mattress, you’ll first need to equip yourself with the right cleaning products and items:

  • White vinegar: Vinegar is actually a natural disinfectant that helps to break down the proteins in the urine, making the stain much easier to clean.
  • Baking Soda: A natural deodoriser that helps to effectively eliminate odours.
  • Hydrogen Peroxide: This is a powerful oxidiser that also breaks down the proteins in the urine. Mix it with equal parts water to create an effective solution.
  • Enzyme cleaner: Enzyme cleaners contain special enzymes that work in a similar way to hydrogen peroxide. They are designed specifically to tackle stains and odours.
  • Paper towels and a clean cloth: Needed to blot and absorb any urine and to apply the cleaning solutions.
  • Vacuum cleaner: Ideally with an upholstery attachment.

It is optional to wear protective gloves, but it’s always recommended if you are handling chemical solutions or cleaning agents.

Removing Urine Stains & Odours From a Mattress

If the urine on your mattress is from a recent incident, then you could entirely prevent it from staining the mattress if you clean it up quickly enough! The key is to absorb as much moisture as possible and use a cleaning solution (like baking soda or an enzyme cleaner) that can break down the proteins in the urine and remove the odour.

For old urine stains, the process can be a bit more challenging, but using hydrogen peroxide and an enzyme cleaner can help. Be patient and persistent, as multiple cleaning attempts may be necessary!

With this in mind, we’re going to guide you through the immediate steps you should take to clean your mattress from a recent urine incident:

  1. Act fast and immediately remove any bedding or linens from the mattress, and throw them into the wash.
  2. Using a clean towel, blot up as much of the urine as possible. The key here is to dab, not rub, the area.
  3. Once you’ve removed as much of the urine as possible, mix equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle (alternatively, mix equal parts hydrogen peroxide and water). Spray the solution on the urine stain and let it sit for 5-10 minutes.
  4. Using a clean, dry towel, blot the area again to remove the cleaning solution and any remaining urine. Repeat this step a few times until the area is dry.
  5. To absorb any remaining odour, sprinkle baking soda over the affected area. After a few hours have passed, you can then vacuum up the baking soda.

Old urine smells on a mattress can be more challenging to remove, but it is still possible to do so! If there’s still a lingering urine smell, you’ll simply need to repeat the steps listed above.

Once you have repeated that process, use an enzyme cleaner that is specifically designed for removing urine stains and odours and follow the instructions on the label.

Unfortunately, removing urine stains and odours from a mattress can take time and multiple cleaning attempts. However, with patience and persistence, your mattress can often be restored to a clean and fresh state.

A mattress protector

Ways to Prevent Urine From Staining a Mattress

After going through the tough job of finally getting that old urine stain out of the mattress, it’s unlikely that you’d want to go through the hassle again in the future. Therefore, you’ll want to consider ways of preventing future urine stains, as this is much easier than trying to clean it up afterwards!

We’d recommend:

Use a Waterproof Mattress Protector
A mattress protector is a highly effective way to prevent urine stains from reaching your mattress. It’s a thin, waterproof cover that fits over your mattress to protect it from spills, stains, and other types of damage. They can then be removed and washed easily!

Bathroom Breaks & Limited Fluids Before Bedtime
Many young children go through a bedwetting phase. However, as with all phases, these periods do not last. If you have young children who are prone to wetting the bed, then the other likely preventative measure is to encourage a toilet break immediately before bedtime. This could help to decrease the chance of a urine accident. Additionally, limiting the amount of fluids before bedtime can reduce the likelihood of them needing to use the bathroom during the night.

A clean mattress

 

 

Summary

With the right approach, you can usually clean up effectively enough after urine comes into contact with your mattress, even if you don’t necessarily catch it instantly. However, if your mattress is particularly old or has been repeatedly stained it may well be time to call it quits and invest in something new. If you’ve reached that stage, then the important thing is to buy a mattress that’s right for you, and the team at John Ryan are happy to assist you while you consider your options. You can find a range of helpful shopping tips in articles like…

You can also call us on 0161 437 4419 to receive friendly advice – either related to cleaning a mattress, or selecting a new one – that’s tailored to your own unique situation, or send us an email on [email protected] to find out more.

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