Knowing how to clean fresh and dry urine should be engrained in your brain, whether it is your child, pet, or an adult who accidentally wet the bed.
You need to get the urine, yellow stain, and funky smell out of your mattress.
If you don’t clean it immediately, the urine will seep and dry into your mattress, making cleaning harder and more time-consuming.
Cleaning a dirty mattress after accidental bedwetting is not something you can be immediately prepared for.
But don’t worry; we will share simple and effective steps in dealing with pee, pee stains, and pee smell on your mattress. You’ll be surprised that what you need is right in your cupboard.
What Materials Will You Need
Gather these materials that we’ll be using to deal with urine, stains, and urine smells. Whether you’re cleaning a foam mattress, or deep-cleaning memory foam mattress, these materials will come in use:
- White vinegar
- Water
- Baking soda
- Detergent
- Spray bottle
- Vacuum
- Clean cloth or paper towels
- Enzyme cleaner
How to Clean Fresh Urine from A Mattress?
If the urine on your mattress is still wet, this section is for you.
This method will remove the liquid to prevent permanent stains and urine odour.
Step 1: Remove Your Bedding
Before anything else, remove the sheets wet with the urine. It is important to wash these as soon as possible to avoid staining.
Step 2: Soak Up the Liquid
Using a clean cloth or paper towel, absorb the urine in the mattress by blotting or dabbing the wet area.
Remember that rubbing can further risk the setting of urine on the fabric, making it harder to remove.
Step 3: Spray Vinegar Mixture on the Stain
Using an empty spray bottle, mix equal parts of water, distilled vinegar, and a small amount (around 1 tablespoon) of detergent.
Spray the affected area with your solution.
As you spray, blot the excess liquid with a clean cloth or paper towel. This is to avoid oversaturation of the mattress.
But how does this method work?
Vinegar is acidic, with a pH level of 2, and is effective in neutralising alkaline substances like urine, ranging from 4.5 to 7.8. Vinegar will neutralise the smell and break down the yellow stain of the urine.
Most detergents like Ariel contain hydrogen or sodium carbonate peroxide, which removes the stain. Laundry detergents also contain various fragrances that can help with masking the urine odour.
Step 4: Cover Area with Baking Soda
Cover the area with baking soda after you are satisfied with what the vinegar mixture has cleaned up.
The baking soda will draw out any excess moisture on the bed and, at the same time, it will neutralise bad smells from the urine and vinegar.
If you won’t need to use the bed, leave the baking soda for 8 hours or overnight. But if you have to use the bed, lay a clean towel over the baking soda and put a bedsheet on.
This is to maximise the power of the baking soda to soak up moisture and draw out the smell.
Step 5: Vacuum Up the Dry Baking Soda
After letting the baking soda sit and dry, proceed to vacuum it off. Once all the baking soda is gone, inspect the mattress and check if there are remaining stains and urine odours.
If needed, repeat steps 3 to 5 until the odour and stains are completely removed.
How to Remove Dried Urine Stains from Mattress?
If the urine has already dried and set in the mattress, leaving a yellow mark, this section is for you.
First, try the cleaning mixture discussed above, as vinegar and detergent is a good solution for cleaning yellow stains on mattresses. But if that method doesn’t go far enough, we’ll need a stronger, cleaner enzyme cleaning solution.
Enzyme cleaner brands include Nature’s Miracle (USA), and Simple Solution is a good UK alternative.
And although these enzyme cleaners are marketed mainly for pet use, they will work just as well for human urine.
Enzyme cleaners contain good bacteria that work by continuously digesting biological-based wastes like urine and vomit. Yes, enzyme cleaner will help you deal with cleaning vomit from a mattress, too.
how to get pee out of a mattress without vinegar and baking soda?
Some people may not want to use vinegar and baking soda due to personal preferences, allergies, or sensitivities to the smell. Or, you simply may not have it in your cabinets.
An alternative is to use an enzyme-based pet stain and odour remover, such as the UK product Simple Solution.
Before using the product, test it on an inconspicuous area of the mattress to check for staining. Follow the instructions on the product label for best results, and allow the mattress to air dry completely before using it again.
how to clean urine from a mattress with apple cider vinegar?
Apple cider vinegar is an alternative to white vinegar, as it has similar cleaning and odor-neutralizing properties. However, white vinegar is often preferred due to its lower cost and less pungent smell. Apple cider vinegar can be used in place of white vinegar but may leave a slight residue or smell.
- Mix equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle
- Spray the affected area and let it sit for 10-15 minutes. Blot the area with a clean cloth to absorb the liquid
- Allow the mattress to air dry completely before using it again
- If necessary, repeat the process or consider using white vinegar if the apple cider vinegar does not yield satisfactory results.
How to Get Rid of Urine Smell from Mattress
Baking soda works well in eliminating the urine smell from your mattress. As we did in the first section, sprinkling baking soda on the mattress and leaving it overnight can do wonders.
But enzyme cleaners are the perfect solution for stronger smells like pet pee. Enzyme cleaners are made for this situation. What sets the enzyme cleaner apart from the above options is removing the smell instead of just masking it.
Sometimes masking the smell leads to it worsening and causing more issues in the future.
Using Essential Oils to Mask Urine Smell
We love an excellent essential oil. They have many uses, and our favourite is that they make the room smell amazing. Although there is no scientific backup that essential oil can get rid of urine smell, what it can do is mask the odour.
We recommend using lavender oil for urine smell. Lavender oil is known for its calming and relaxing effect and sleep-inducing properties.
That’s why it’s perfect for the bedroom. It will mask the urine smell and help you sleep better. There are two ways you can use this:
- Lavender oil used in a scent diffuser
- Lavender oil mixed with water as a bed spray
how long does urine smell last in bed?
The urine smell can linger in a bed for several days to weeks, depending on the severity of the stain and the effectiveness of the cleaning method used.
Factors such as humidity and room temperature can also affect the duration of the odour. Proper cleaning and airing out the mattress can help eliminate the odour more quickly, ensuring a fresh and hygienic sleeping environment.
How to Prevent Urine Stains and Odour
If your lifestyle is prone to urine accidents, for example, you may be
- Living with children. 15% of children ages 5 and below wet the bed, which is normal.
- Living with adults suffering from incontinence. You might be surprised that incontinence affects around 300 million people worldwide. Although more prominent in women because of pregnancy and hormones, men also suffer from this.
- Living with pets who sleep on the bed. Yup, half of the dogs and cat owners sleep with their pets.
If you find yourself dealing with situations such as cleaning mattress toppers with urine stains, invest in a waterproof mattress protector. This can prevent liquid like blood, vomit, wine, or urine from penetrating your mattress.
Washing up the beddings is easy, but dealing with stains and odours on mattresses is another level of cleaning.
We recommend the following mattress protectors:
- Waterproof Bamboo Mattress Protector
- The Nectar Mattress Protector
- Soak and Sleep Mattress Protector
how to get pee out of memory foam mattress?
Memory foam mattresses are more susceptible to damage from moisture, as their dense structure can trap liquids and make it difficult for them to evaporate. Fresh urine can seep deeper into the foam, while dried urine can lead to stubborn stains and odours.
Over-saturating the foam or using vigorous cleaning methods can also damage the foam. To remove pee from a memory foam mattress:
- Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- Spray the affected area lightly, being careful not to over-saturate the foam.
- Blot the area with a clean cloth to absorb the liquid.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the stain and let it sit for 8-10 hours or overnight.
- Vacuum up the baking soda
- Allow the mattress to air dry completely.
How To Clean Urine From Feather Beds?
Cleaning urine from feather beds can be more challenging than other types of mattresses due to the delicate nature of the feathers and their ability to absorb and retain moisture.
To clean urine from a feather bed:
- Remove the bedding and wash it separately
- Mix equal parts of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
- Spray the affected area with the solution and let it sit for 15-20 minutes.
- Blot the area with a clean cloth, pressing firmly to absorb the liquid.
- Repeat as necessary until the stain is gone.
Finally, allow the feather bed to air dry completely before reusing it, ensuring that the feathers do not become compacted or damaged.
How To Get Dog Pee Out Of Your Mattress?
Dog urine, although less concentrated than cat urine, can still cause persistent odors and stains if not addressed quickly. It’s crucial to act promptly to prevent long-lasting damage to your mattress. Using natural cleaning solutions can effectively remove dog urine while being gentle on the mattress material.
- Create a DIY cleaning solution: Combine equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle. This mixture is not only cost-effective but also efficient in neutralizing odours and lifting stains.
- Apply the cleaning solution: Generously spray the urine-stained area, ensuring full coverage. Allow the solution to sit for 10-15 minutes for optimal stain-lifting and odour-neutralising effects. Take safety precautions while spraying, such as avoiding skin or eye contact.
- Blot the stain: Use a clean, absorbent cloth or towel to blot the area firmly, absorbing as much liquid as possible. Remember to avoid rubbing or scrubbing, as this can push the urine deeper into the mattress.
- Apply baking soda: Sprinkle a generous layer over the stain. Allow it to sit for 8-10 hours, or preferably overnight, to effectively absorb any remaining moisture and odours. Baking soda is a natural, safe, and powerful deodorizer.
- Vacuum the mattress: Thoroughly vacuum the area to remove the baking soda residue. Use a brush attachment or handheld vacuum for the best results, ensuring no residue remains on the mattress.
- Air dry the mattress: Let it air dry completely before replacing any bedding. This process helps ensure that any lingering odours or moisture are eliminated. If necessary, use alternative drying methods, such as a fan or hair dryer on a cool setting, to expedite the drying process.
how to get cat pee out of Your Mattress?
Cat urine is more concentrated than dog urine and contains higher levels of ammonia, which gives it a stronger and more persistent odour. Ensure you clean cat urine promptly, as the smell can attract your cat to urinate in the same spot again.
To remove cat pee from a mattress:
- Mix equal parts of water and white vinegar in a spray bottle.
- Spray the stain and let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Blot the area with a clean cloth to absorb the liquid.
- Sprinkle baking soda on the affected area, and let it sit for 8-10 hours or overnight.
- Vacuum up the baking soda
- Allow the mattress to air dry completely.
6 Sources
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https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-microbiology/urine-ph - Laundrypedia - Detergent ingredients. (n.d.). Retrieved from Ariel:
https://www.ariel.co.uk/en-gb/about-ariel/ingredients/laundrypedia-ingredients - Xiao, Z., Li, Q., Niu, Y., Zhou, X., Liu, J., Xu, Y., & Xu, Z. (2017, March 16). Odor-active compounds of different lavender essential oils and their correlation with sensory attributes. Retrieved from Science Direct:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0926669017305046 - Bedwetting (enuresis). (2005, December). Retrieved from National Center for Biotechnology Information:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2722620/ - Hall, S. (2019, February 7). What Percentage Of The Population Are Affected By Incontinence?. Retrieved from Incontinence UK:
https://www.incontinence.co.uk/what-percentage-of-the-population-are-affected-by-incontinence - Krahn, L. E., Tovar, M. D., & Miller, B. (2015, December). Are Pets in the Bedroom a Problem?. Retrieved from National Center for Biotechnology Information:
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